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)
“Will do.”
He disconnects. Jay returns and sets a coffee in front of me. “If that’s not white mocha, we’ll blow the joint up.” He settles into his seat with a new coffee for himself as well.
I laugh. “You really are in a mood.”
My cellphone rings again, and when I spy Detective Rollins on caller ID, I groan but answer.
“No. I am not coming back.”
“You sure about that? The mayor, in cahoots with the governor, invited every family member of the victims he could reach to his office, to meet after the press conference.”
“Of course he did,” I say. “but that’s not going to happen. He no longer has jurisdiction to do anything that might interfere with our investigation, and what he’s doing affects the integrity of the interviews. I’ll handle him, but you need to make sure the families do not end up in the same room. Get them to the station in interview rooms but not today. You put them in the same building, they will find each other.”
“I’m in full agreement, but have you ever met the mayor? He is not a man who is easily sidetracked from his plans.”
“I’ve met him. The man has such a large opinion of himself I don’t know he fits into a room with anyone else. I’ll handle him. Can you get the families in for interviews tomorrow?”
“I won’t have to go far to contact them. They’re all in the audience for the press conference.”
“All together and compromised.” I grind my teeth. “Get to them now, not later. I’m calling the governor.”
“You need the number?”
“No. I have the little bastard in my address book. I’ll let you know what happens.” I disconnect and dial the governor.
I end up with his secretary. “He’s not in.”
“I know that,” I say. “Call him and tell him to call Special Agent Lilah Love immediately. It’s urgent.”
He calls me three minutes later. “Agent,” he greets. “Does this call mean you’re going to join us for the press conference?”
“The mayor is playing games you don’t want him to play. He scheduled a group meeting with the victims’ families who I have not yet interviewed, and who he will compromise. I’m about thirty seconds from sending in agents to tear down your public show today. If I do that, and I’m forced to hold my own press conference, I assure you, you will not like what I have to say, but my father will. That’s not a threat. That’s me telling you, you’re about to hand him the race. Get it under control.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“Are you sure? Because you wanted me at the press conference. At this point, I may be the one giving the press conference.”
“I get it. I said I’ll handle it.”
“I need confirmation.”
“You’ll get it, Agent Love.”
“You want my number?” I press.
“I have it. I’ll be in touch.” He disconnects.
Jay sips his coffee. “Are we going back?”
“I’ll answer that in about ten minutes.” My phone buzzes with a text message and I glance down to find a message from Jack: Requested info in your inbox. I hope it helps. If you need someone to go undercover at any of the horror groups online or in person, I’m your guy.
I pretend he didn’t just suggest that, and pull up my email, scanning through the information before I forward it to my cousin, Lucas, with a note: Serial killer obsessed with horror movies, copycat killings. Top secret. Find him. Sick ‘em. And I’m home, bitch. Don’t be a bitch, but you can’t help yourself, right?
I hit send and shake my head.
I still can’t get over Lucas now legally hacking for the FBI instead of illegally hacking for himself. Of course, Kane isn’t pleased. He just doesn’t consider him my cousin because we aren’t blood, but rather connected by marriage. His father was my father’s step-brother. Plus, he just doesn’t like him or trust him.
I’m still in my email, and there’s also an email from Tic Tac titled “STUFF requested” from six this morning. I told him I needed info first thing and he got it for me. I open it to find details on Jack, including his family tree, and as for the Cox empire, he’s so far down that tree, that they don’t even know he exists. Jack was highly recommended at his last job, and they were not happy he left. I thrum my fingers on the table. I still can’t get my head around why someone goes from being a Ph.D. chemist to a forensics tech, which is on the lower spectrum of career choices. Why not a Medical Examiner? It’s a question I’m going to ask Jack. But overall, I don’t actually dislike Jack. He’s goofy as goofy can be, but he’s intelligent and engaged in the case.
As for the email I’m reviewing from Tic Tac, there’s a lot more information included that will have to wait.