Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 59287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“But not breaking them, right?”
I said nothing.
“Just pen an apology letter to Grant Jenkins and publish it in the press,” he said. “Say you’ve grown over the years and you understand it was a very hard and emotional case, and you’re looking forward to him getting a new and fair trial.”
“I gave him a fair trial.”
“I remember. I was there.”
“Are you implying something?”
“No.” He looked genuine. “Just write the letter so the press stops coming up with conspiracy theories and his father will stop funding all these dumbass articles about you. After that, you’re no longer attached to his name, and they can focus on the present day.”
“Hmmm.” I leaned back in my chair. “No.”
“I thought you might say that.” He shrugged. “Well, whenever you change your mind, or want to discuss some slightly illegal options that I can handle in under sixty seconds, I’m only a phone call away.”
“Get the hell out of my office, Damien.”
“Where do you want me to send the invoice for this meeting?”
I gave him a blank stare.
“I’m kidding, Liam.” He held up his hands in a mock surrender. “But I will be back whenever I need a quick favor.”
“Hold on, Damien,” I said as he opened the door. “I have a personal question.”
“Yeah?” He looked over his shoulder.
“Off the record, all legal bullshit aside, do you think I was too harsh on Grant Jenkins?”
He stared at me for several seconds without saying a word. Then he sighed.
“Knowing what I know,” he said. “I think you were too easy on him. I would’ve given his ass the death penalty.”
I wanted to. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He slipped away.
As I opened my laptop to read more of the media’s bullshit, my phone sounded with a call.
Olivia.
“Yes?” I answered.
“Do you have a minute?”
“It’s code black, Miss Spencer.” I smiled. “You’re not supposed to call me.”
“I’m checking on you,” she said. “I’m worried.”
“That’s very cute.”
“I’m serious,” she said. “Do you want to talk about whatever is going on?”
“No. Focus on your work.”
“I sent you more research.”
“I’m aware. I read it.”
“I’m still able to take you home.”
“Mara ordered a rental for me,” I said. “But thank you.”
“So…Is that it for us?”
“What are you talking about, Olivia?”
“You’re clearly going through something with this old case, so does that mean whatever we have comes to an end?”
“What we have is me finger-fucking your pussy a couple times and you causing me to have erections at odd hours of the day.” I tried to minimize things. “Is it something deeper to you?”
“I thought it might be…” She paused. “I thought you liked me.”
I do. “Go home, Olivia. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow’s another Code Black.”
“Then I’ll see you the day after that.” I ended the call before she could make me change my mind.
TRESPASS (N.):
ENTERING ANOTHER PERSON'S PROPERTY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE OWNER OR HIS/HER AGENT AND WITHOUT LAWFUL AUTHORITY AND CAUSING ANY DAMAGE, NO MATTER HOW SLIGHT.
OLIVIA
“See you all tomorrow!” Mara held the exit door open for the staff. “Same M.O. until I say otherwise.”
I hung back behind a bookshelf, waiting until she was long gone. I’d watched her circle the floor at least five times already, so I figured it wouldn’t be anytime soon.
Mara
Hey…Your car is still in the parking lot.
Are you still inside?
No, I walked to a bar around the block.
Oh! Well, next time invite me! See you in the morning.
See you in the morning.
I still didn’t trust that she was gone, so I walked over to the far side of the floor and looked out the windows.
The only cars left in the lot belonged to me and security, and there was an Audi gleaming on the back row.
His rental…
So, he’s still here.
Not wanting to risk running into anyone, I took the emergency stairwell to Liam’s chambers.
I swiped my key against the door and slipped inside.
When I turned around, I found myself face to face with a floor-to-ceiling whiteboard full of newspaper clippings, notes, and pictures.
My newspaper clippings, notes, and pictures.
These were all the things he’d made me find on the Jenkins case, and there were red arrows in all the blank spaces in between.
What the…
I stepped closer, staring at photos from the crash and autopsy notes.
Every few feet, there was a pink Post-it that bore Liam’s handwriting and the same phrase, “Money isn’t above the law…”
“Wait a minute,” I muttered, looking at the autopsy sketches. There were nine photos here.
I thought only five people died in the crash…
“What the hell are you doing in here?” Liam’s deep voice made me turn around. “I told you to go home.”
“I just wanted to check on you.”
“I told you I was fine.” He looked me up and down. “That dress is inappropriate for work. I’ll have to write you up tomorrow.”
“What’s my punishment?”
“Depends.” He stepped closer. “How rough do you want it to be?”