Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“Alice pretty much runs this place, and she’ll be pissed off if I sent you away without offering to help.”
Sylvie straightened and shook her head. “I came here to ask a few questions, hoping to shake something loose about that note, but I can’t afford Sinclair Security. Especially considering I’m currently homeless with a lot of expensive equipment to replace.”
I leaned forward, the better to make her comfortable as I figured out how to play this. “You’re right, you probably can’t afford us. But I think we might be able to work something out,” I said, my mind racing.
There was no way I was telling the podcaster why we were interested in Emily Shaw, but the fact was, we both wanted answers. She was going to be out there digging. I didn’t even have to ask—whoever decided blowing up her van was the way to deal with Sylvie Calloway should have made sure she was inside when it went, because now they’d pissed her off.
She was hungry, exhausted, and suffering from some degree of shock, and still she wasn’t ready to give up. Once she was feeling a little steadier, she was going to be furious. I could work around her if I had to, but I could control her more easily if we were on the same team.
How to explain without tipping my hand? I needed to talk to Cooper and Ryder.
A knock sounded on the door, and it swung open to reveal Alice, with coffee and a package wrapped in waxed paper, smelling of bacon and cheese. Sylvie’s stomach rumbled audibly, and I cracked a grin.
“I’ll leave you with your breakfast and the coffee.” I snagged the other cup out of Alice’s hand. “I need a word with Cooper and Ryder before I go any further with Miss Calloway.”
“They’re both in Coop’s office,” Alice said. “You’re all right in here for a few minutes, Sylvie?”
She looked up from the biscuit sandwich she was unwrapping and nodded. “I’m fine. This is great, Alice. Thank you.”
“No problem,” Alice said. “Come on, Eli.” She pulled me from the meeting room, shutting the door behind us, and looped her arm through mine. “So, we’re taking her case, right? Right?”
I shook my head. It was impossible not to grin at Alice when she was fired up like this. “I don’t know yet. I have to talk to Cooper. But my guess is yes. And possibly for free.”
“Hmm. That’s not usually our style, but we could make an exception.”
I swung open the door of Cooper’s office. He, Ryder, and Miranda all looked up, eyebrows raised.
“Done so soon?” Ryder asked. “What’s up with the podcaster?”
“She isn’t here as a client,” I said. “She’s here investigating. We’re her lead.”
“Her lead to what?” Ryder asked.
“Sinclair Security’s phone number and address were found in the possession of the woman whose death she’s investigating. And you’ll never guess who it is.”
Miranda’s gray eyes met mine as she said under her breath, “Fuck me. Tell me it’s not Emily Shaw.”
“Exactly,” I said. “Emily fucking Shaw.”
“Who blew up in her driveway?” Cooper asked.
“Just like Sylvie Calloway’s van blew up last night,” I finished.
“Fuck,” Ryder said, shoving a hand through his short, dark hair. “This is getting messy. There are much quieter ways to kill than a car bomb. Who the hell are we dealing with?” He shook his head, pushing that question aside. “What’d you tell her?”
“Nothing, but I think we need to consider—”
“You should investigate with her,” Alice said. “She’s good. I mean, not like elite security team good, but for a civilian, she’s good.”
I let this roll around in my head for a minute. I didn’t like it. I preferred to work with my team, not outsiders. But… But. Sylvie tugged at me.
“You just want an excuse to hang out with your favorite podcaster,” Cooper said.
“Maybe,” she agreed, “but it also seems like kismet.”
“Kismet feels like too light a term for matching vehicular explosions and murder,” Miranda murmured, tugging at a strand of dark red hair that had escaped from her braid, her brows drawn together in her thinking face.
I looked to Cooper. “What’s company policy on bringing civilians into investigations?”
“Normally, I’d say it’s a no-go,” Cooper said. “But in this case, it makes sense. God knows we don’t want her wandering around out there getting in our way. What are you going to tell her?”
I’d been thinking about this ever since Sylvie said the name, Emily Shaw. “She has to sign an NDA because we don’t want this shit broadcast in the latest episode of her show.” Nods around the room, except from Alice, who rolled her eyes. “And then I thought I’d tell her we’re also investigating Emily Shaw’s death.”
“For a client who will remain nameless, since it’s us,” Alice added.
“Exactly. We’re willing to bring her in, and hopefully also find out who blew up her van, as long as she doesn’t get in our way.”