Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“Your father will be governor in roughly ten days,” Pocher interjects. “They’ll all be kissing his ass.”
“I won’t,” I say. “And you’re mistaken if you think those of us in law enforcement feel beholden to the political agendas of the likes of you.”
“Call the detective in charge,” my father urges. “We’d like to meet with him in the morning and involve him in the press conference. If he agrees, will you agree to take part in it as well?”
“I will not be used as a tool for an election that pits me against the current governor.”
“No matter what, if you are there or aren’t there, I’m going to talk about my track record, your brother’s, and yours, Lilah.”
“Do as you please, but I don’t suggest you tell the city there’s a serial killer on the loose.”
“Then what do I tell them?”
“As you’ve pointed out, you’ve held a high-ranking role in law enforcement. You know what to say, but if you’re rusty and need guidance, here’s my advice. Tell them the truth. We don’t know yet. We’re examining the facts. Be safe. Lock your doors. Be alert.”
“It’s not good enough,” my father says. “I have to give them more, and that more, is you. Take control of the case, Lilah.”
“I’m not doing that.”
He stares at me, his blue eyes blazing amber. “Call the detective in charge. Set-up a meeting with him, now, or in the morning. Can you do that for me?”
I retrieve my cellphone, and pull up Detective Rollins’ number, before I slide my phone onto the table, facing my father. “You call him.”
His jaw clenches but he removes his phone from his pocket. He dials Rollins, who apparently picks up. I listen to a choppy conversation that ends quickly. “Seven in the morning,” he states. “He meets with the mayor at eight. Will you be present?”
“If Detective Rollins is comfortable with me being there, yes.”
“When do you ever care about anyone’s comfort?” Pocher demands.
“I care about people’s comfort. I offered you ice, didn’t I?”
He glowers at me. It’s not a good look. His jowls hang lower, and he resembles the reptile that he is. I stand up. “I’d better go read those case files. Thanks for the drink.” I start to leave and hesitate, my eyes meeting my father’s. “I’m surprised Andrew isn’t here. I heard he’s coming to work for you.”
“He is,” my father states. “Are you going to fight that, too?”
“Not at all,” I say. “I always support those I love.”
“Does that mean you’ll be at my rally?”
“Like I said. I always support those I love. Andrew wants me there. I’ll be there.”
His lips press together. “And Kane?”
“If you want to dance with the devil, the devil will dance.”
“He’s your husband, Lilah,” my father reminds me. “You’re calling him the devil?”
“He is my husband,” I agree. “He absolutely is. But I never said he was the devil, now did I? At least not the one you have to fear.” I turn and walk away.
Chapter Nineteen
I exit my father’s building with my phone already in my hand, and Jay is instantly by my side. I scan its contents to find at least five messages from Tic Tac, a call from my boss, and nothing else. While I’d wanted to avoid Murphy by way of Tic Tac talking to him, after that chat with my brother, not so much. But he’ll have to wait.
“Anything I need to know?” Jay asks.
“Other than my father is still a dick? Nope.” I punch in Detective Rollins’ number.
He answers on the first ring. “Agent Love. How did I forget your father was running for governor?”
“Because I’m so damn perfect you can’t think of anyone else when you’re with me?”
Jay snorts beside me and I ignore him. He shrugs, clearly full of all kinds of attitude tonight. I like it. I like it a lot. “Why don’t you tell me exactly how this is going down tomorrow,” Rollins urges. “Because that part where you weren’t taking control clearly was a lie.”
“Nasty tonight, aren’t you?” I chide. “I no longer believe your claim to boxer fame because this is most definitely the kind of attitude that happens when you get your panties in a wad. I’m not taking control, asshole. I don’t give two fucks about politics. I don’t want my father to be governor. And as I told him, the only way I will be at any press conference tomorrow is if you invite me. And I frankly hope like hell you don’t.”
“I don’t understand the words coming out of your mouth, Agent Love.”
I think he stole that line from me, but I let him have it. “I won’t be at the meeting in the morning. I’ll call you after I look at the case files. Good luck with Grant Love. You’ll need it.” I start to hang up.