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)
“That’s doesn’t mean they won’t find a way to connect Dana,” I say, hurrying toward Reese’s private hallway.
“An insider told Royce to expect an arrest,” Savage tells me as we turn down the hallway.
“One arrest?”
“One.”
“Which one?”
“He wouldn’t say more,” Savage says, “but after dealing with Reginald this afternoon I vote for Martha.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He was willing to be recorded setting her up,” he says. “If he had something to hide he wouldn’t be that stupid. Well, not likely. I’ve met some really fucking stupid people.”
“What’s the plan on that anyway?” I ask.
“Reginald is with our team, but Martha is MIA. No one has seen her since she left court.”
“Dana’s in freak out mode,” Richard says, rushing toward us. “She’s afraid Reginald is being arrested.”
“Isn’t that adorable,” Savage says dryly. “I just love when a woman on trial worries about her money-grubbing boyfriend.”
“I thought you thought he was innocent,” I say.
“Of murder,” Savage says, “but I know men, and that man is in love with money, not the woman with the money.”
I don’t get time to ask where this assessment comes from. Reese exits to the hallway and we all wait eagerly to hear the news. “Well?”
“Milton tried to blow off the warrants as unimportant, but the judge wasn’t convinced,” he says. “We’re meeting him in chambers for an update before court tomorrow morning.”
Dana appears at the conference room door. “Well?”
Reese turns to look at her. “Warrants were issued for Martha and Reginald’s apartments which are currently being searched. Time to get to that hotel room and wait out any news. No conversations with Reginald. Don’t break that promise.”
Dana hugs herself. “I want this to be over.”
“Even if there’s an arrest and your case is dismissed,” Reese says, “it’s not over until the killer is proven guilty. That means you need to trust cautiously and protect yourself.”
“That’s not easy to do with someone you love,” Dana says, shoving her blonde hair from her face, her blue eyes bloodshot, as if she’s fighting tears.
“Good news,” Savage says. “That’s why you have us right now.” He wiggles an eyebrow. “And beyond our reasonable charges, we don’t want your money.”
“But Reginald does?” Dana asks.
“That’s between you and him, ma’am,” he says. “But we can talk about it over a ten-dollar deal night pizza, if you like.”
“Go have pizza,” Reese says. “And try not to overthink what comes next. It’s going to happen no matter what.”
“You really think my case will be dismissed?” Dana asks, sounding hopeful now.
“Unless there’s evidence in Martha or Reginald’s apartments to convict you,” Reese says. “Then yes, I do.”
Her eyes go wide. “What if one of them sets me up?”
“The only one that could set you up is Reginald,” I say. “He came to us today and swore he’d protect you. We’ll know soon if he meant those words.”
“You have to wait this out,” Reese says. “There’s no way to take the hard part of that out of the equation.”
“Sure there is,” Savage says. “Ten-dollar pizza and cheap wine, the likes of which a rich Princess like you doesn’t understand.” He motions her forward.
Dana stares at Reese a moment. “You’ll call if you hear anything tonight?”
“I will,” he promises.
She gives a sharp nod and joins Savage who eyes Reese. “I’ll have one of my men get you two home.”
Reese nods and looks at Richard and Elsa. “Go eat pizza and drink cheap wine. Our job here is done for now.”
They say they’re goodbyes and Reese pulls me to him. “How about ten-dollar pizza and cheap wine for us, too?”
“No olives and no wine—I have to write my column—but I’m all in for the pizza,”
His lips quirk and he studies me. “No olives and no wine. Deal.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders and we start walking. “If I guess the birthday present do I get it early?”
Chapter eighty-two
Cat
I’m saved from Reese’s birthday inquiry when one of Savage’s men joins us, but I am fairly certain that my need to feel Reese out on the topic of babies has blown my surprise. He knows. Or he suspects. I don’t want to tell him. Not until his birthday. It’s only two weeks. I’ll let him wonder until then. He has to wait. We head out to the SUV waiting on us and despite a swarm of press that tries to get to Reese, we’re on the road without any real trouble. On the ride home, Cole calls Reese to talk about the developments with Debbie and the call is over by the time we’re at our apartment door.
We walk in the door with a sense of relief between us. The Debbie situation is all but behind us and so is this trial. For Dana, I’m not sure the problem is gone. Reginald may or may not be guilty, and her case being dismissed doesn’t answer that question. “Pizza, no olives?” Reese asks as we walk into the bedroom and I kick off my heels.