Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
“Mr. Warren was mean. He was really mean. He hated people.”
“And yet you stayed why?”
“He paid me three times what anyone else would.”
“So he was mean but generous?”
“I never considered him generous,” she says. “He used money to bribe us all. It was a tool for control.”
“Did he use his money against Dana?”
“He tried and she’s done well at the real estate firm she opened. She’s selling to the rich and famous.”
Which makes Dana look obsessed with money, I think.
“She’s making pennies to her father’s billions,” Reese points out.
“But she’s making it on her own. She told him that. I heard her many times.”
“Objection,” Wicker shouts out. “Hearsay.”
“Mr. Warren isn’t here to tell his story,” Reese says.
“Then save it for your client,” Wicker snaps. “Put her on the stand.”
Reese moves on. “Did you see Dana at the house the evening of the murder?”
“No. She left around eleven am.”
“And you found the body when?”
“Seven pm.”
Reese considers her a moment. “You practically raised Dana?”
“I did. I was there for her.”
“You protected her.”
“I did.”
“Do you think Dana killed her father?”
I blanch. This could go so wrong. I can’t believe he went there.
“No,” Martina replies. “Dana didn’t do this. I would bet my life on it.”
“Thank you,” Reese says, dismissing her.
Wicker stands up. “Do you have a job right now?”
“Yes. I still manage the house.”
“Who pays you?” he asks.
“Dana.”
“So you really can’t call your boss a killer. That’s all,” he says and sits down.
Reese stands up. “Judge—”
“One question counselor.”
“Two. I need two.”
“Two. Not three.”
“Have you lied under oath today, Martina?”
“No. Of course not.”
“Then I ask again, do you believe Dana killed her father?”
“No, I do not.”
I breathe out in relief and Reese sits down. The prosecutor calls the first of five police officers, who were on the scene and have little to offer but gruesome bloody details of a dead man, meant to refocus the jury on blood and murder.
When finally, the court is adjourned, I believe it’s a good day for Reese and all the other drama feels secondary. The room hasn’t even cleared when Reese calls me, “I know you have to write your column. We’re coming to the apartment to recap the day. I’ll meet you at the apartment after I debrief with Dana.”
“Perfect,” I say. “It was a good day. You wiped the floor with Wicker.”
“It was—acceptable. No better. I’ll see you soon.”
I reach the exit to the courtroom and Royce is waiting on me right along with Lauren. “He was good,” she says. “Really good.”
I glance at Royce. “You told her I needed her.”
“You do,” Royce says, all stoically.
Lauren wraps her arm around me. “Of course you do. Friends need friends when weird stuff happens.”
She’s right, but the fact that she’s here because of that pregnant woman brings back every bad feeling I’d suppressed this afternoon. In turn, my stomach churns, which seems to indicate stress is impacting me in my current condition.
We start walking and I’m sandwiched between the two of them. “I thought I’d go to the doctor with you in the morning,” Lauren says. “What time is it at?”
“Seven.”
“Seven it is. Why wasn’t Martina Reese’s witness?”
“I asked that when I sat in on a prep session,” I say. “Dana was confident in her and Reese wanted Wicker overly confident with her.”
“Interesting strategy.”
“Reese has a lot of interesting strategies,” I say proudly.
We reach the exit and one of Royce’s men, Savage, opens the door for us, giving me a wink. “Cat Summer. The one that got away.”
I laugh. “We only met once before.”
“Which is why you got away,” he jokes.
“I wouldn’t let Reese hear you say that,” Lauren warns. “You might be big, but he’ll beat your ass.”
I step outside with Royce and Lauren still by my side. We cut right toward the sidewalk that leads to the sedan waiting on us, when suddenly I hear, “Cat Summer.”
I look toward my name to find Debbie standing in the grassy area to the left. “It’s his baby you know. Tell him to call me or I’m going to the press.” She turns and starts walking away.
I have not one second of doubt in Reese. Not one. Anger surges through me and I launch toward her. Royce grabs my arm and so does Lauren. “Debbie!” I shout.
“Cat, damn it, “Royce bites out.
She whirls around.
“You’re lying, and I’ll write about it in my column. You will not scam us. You will not extort us.”
“Be careful what you say,” she says. “Or my payday may be by way of slander.”
She turns and leaves. I double over with nausea. Royce scoops me up and starts carrying me. “Reese,” I say. “I need Reese.”
Chapter fifty-three
Cat
Ibarely remember Royce placing me in the backseat of the SUV. I’m just sitting there, my hands on my face, beside Lauren.
“We’re moving,” Savage calls out from the front as if warning me and my stomach.