Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72647 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Mitch sat back. “Daisy is not in any trouble with the police. She is a material witness, however. Everyone was arrested, and they’re being held for questioning right now. The problem is if they make bail, Daisy is technically the only witness they can count on.”
“But the client was with me,” Daisy argued. She’d been the one to cause all the trouble when she’d revealed their hiding spot because she was pissed at her boyfriend.
She’d gone from crying because he might be cheating to yelling because he was obviously withholding funds from his secret job.
“Heidi Groverson is now claiming she believes her boyfriend when he says he got sent to the address to deliver a lunch order and had nothing to do with the operation ongoing there,” Mitch explained.
“So she’s lying,” her da accused.
“I think she’s trying to protect her boyfriend,” Ruby added. “I’m already working on it. Ronnie Wilson is registered with a company called Meals To You. They’re a group of gig workers who run food. I think I might be able to prove it’s also a front for moving drugs. According to Daisy’s account, Ronnie went once a month. I think he’s likely the go-between for the cartel and their lower-level dealers.”
So she’d busted up a dangerous drug ring on her very first case. “We can take them all down.”
“Very likely,” Mitch agreed. “But first you have to go to trial. With Heidi changing her story, you’re the star witness.”
“A cartel is going to want to kill me darling girl.” Her da always sounded more Irish when he was emotional. He’d been born in Dublin but had lived most of his adult life right here in Dallas. Not that his accent showed the time he’d spent here. He was a handsome man with green eyes and dark hair. So many women would look his way even now, but he only ever seemed to see her mother.
She wanted the kind of love her parents had. Deep and true. Steadfast.
“We’re not going to let someone kill Daisy,” her uncle said. Ian Taggart wasn’t related to her by blood. Or rather not the kind that normally made a family. She’d heard the stories. The men and women of McKay-Taggart had bled for each other over the years, and they’d formed bonds as tight as any family. It meant she had a ton of overly protective aunties and uncles. One of them seemed to finally be getting serious. “Ruby, I would appreciate you sharing anything you find out with us, but know we’re going to work this from our end, too, and we’ll obviously handle getting her a bodyguard.”
Ruby seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Mr. Taggart.”
“Yes, my dad will likely chill if he knows you’re handling it.” There was a bitterness to Harlow’s words. Maybe her relationship with her dad was worse than she’d thought.
Daisy could work on that. She was good with parental units. Perhaps Mr. Dawson simply needed to see how competent his daughter was. If anyone knew how to handle an overly protective father, it was her. She was already thinking of ways to help out her boss.
“She should probably move home for the time being,” her uncle said.
She loved her parents, but the thought of leaving her house made her sad. And there was the issue of her employment. She knew he wasn’t talking about simply sleeping in her old bed at night. Her da would go for the full lock-down. “I can’t. I have to work.”
“About that,” Ruby began.
Daisy felt tears well. Not again. She’d tried so hard. She’d been good at it. Mostly. Sort of good. She could be better, but she needed time. “But I just started.”
Harlow’s head shook. “Sorry, man. It was a hell of a first day, so it needs to be your last day.”
Tears pierced her eyes. She’d worked so hard to afford the down payment on her ramshackle little home. “But I won’t be able to afford my house.”
She expected her da to tell her to move back in, but he reached out and put a hand over hers.
“Don’t worry, me darlin’. You’ll come to work right here. We’ll find you a place,” her da promised.
“I’m getting the Scotch, babe.” Aunt Charlotte was on her feet in an instant.
Uncle Ian had gone pale, and a distant look hit his eyes. Like he’d gone someplace else.
It was weird. She often saw that look in men’s eyes.
But her natural positivity was already taking over. This could be good. Maybe she was too extra for what was essentially a two-person show. Here at McKay-Taggart she would be joining the big time. “I can help you, Da.”
Now her da paled. “Or you can work at reception. Or bookkeeping. We’ll find you a place. Don’t worry about it.”
And she would work her way up.