That’s an honest answer and I read between the lines. He doesn’t want to tell me anything but will for the greater good, and that really is where his head rests. He could easily push for a deal for Waters to save himself the hell of his confessions, but he’s not. I mean yes, he’ll be granted his immunity deal, but even with that in place, the world will know his sins. The burden is great. His bravery greater.
“I’m speaking to you personally right now, Adrian,” I say, “not as a prosecutor, but as a woman. One day, when this is over if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.”
“I won’t. You need to know I won’t.”
“And you need to know that I’m okay with that, too.”
He’s silent a moment and then he says, “You are not what I expected.”
“You keep saying that.”
“And you keep proving me right.”
“And that’s still a good thing?”
“It is. And so are you. I’ll see you sooner than you expect.”
I open my mouth to ask what that means, but he disconnects.Chapter Twenty-FivePRI
Once I’m at the office, I unload my bag at my desk and head to the breakroom for coffee. I’ve just finishing doctoring a steaming cup my way when I hear, “Anything I need to know, boss?”
At the sound of Cindy’s voice, I turn to find her joining me, looking pretty and petite in a pink dress. I’m not sure what the universe is telling me with her choice of attire, but I’m pretty sure it’s laughing at me.
“What you need to know,” I reply, avoiding the topic of Waters, “is that coffee makes the world go round and,” I sip from my cup before adding, “never put tequila in it before going to talk to the DA, even when tempted.”
She lowers her voice conspiratorially. “Is there tequila in your coffee?”
“No,” I laugh. “I wouldn’t be standing.”
“Oh true. I’ve seen you drink.”
“Barely.”
“Exactly the point. What’s happening? Why are you meeting with Ed again?”
“I’m shocked you don’t already know since the defense likes to spread gossip like it’s butter on hot bread.”
“Okay, you’re killing me here.” She shoves her hands to her hips. “What don’t I know?”
“Waters wants to meet. He’s offering up three for one.”
“Holy wow. Who? Which three?”
“He won’t say until he trusts me, which supposedly he can decide just by meeting me.”
“He asked for you, not Ed?”
“He did,” I say, and it hits me how interesting that is. Why wouldn’t a power-hungry monster like Waters ask for Ed? “But it doesn’t matter who he wants to talk to,” I add. “We aren’t making a deal.”
“You sure Ed’s going to agree with this? It’s three for one.”
“Yes,” I say, though I’m not, but I’ll fight him on a deal. If I don’t, Adrian will and I’m not sure what that means or why it doesn’t bother me.
“Yes? I mean, Pri, maybe this can work out. Get him and three other bad guys off the street for a decade or more. It could work.”
“It won’t work.”
“Why?”
“Aside from ten years being nothing for a monster like Waters,” I say, “there are things at play here you don’t know.”
“What things? I’m supposed to be learning. Teach me, please.”
Any other time, I would, which is why she isn’t going to stop pushing. It’s not in her nature and I’ve invited her to use that nature. “I’ll explain when I can.”
“When you can?” she presses.
“Accept the answer, Cindy.”
Now her lips press together. “Can I go with you to see Waters?”
“No. He’s dangerous. He eats pretty little girls in pink dresses like mints.”
“I’m tough and unafraid. You know this.”
She’s right, I do. And I also wonder if I sounded as cavalier and cute when I took the same stand. “No,” I say. “People have died. I’m not risking you being a target as well.”
“I think you’re the real target. You the one he’s asking for. You die, the case slams to a halt.”
“Well, thank you for keeping it real.”
“I’m simply suggesting multiple people at the meeting dilutes the focus.”
“No,” I say again and I set my cup down, deciding I’ve had enough caffeine. “I need to just get this done with Ed. Please go make sure the team is in full swing.”
“Got it. I will. Good luck.”
Luck, I think as I step into the hallway, won’t save me, not from Waters, or the way I’m tumbling down a rabbit hole with Adrian, a man who openly tells me he’s dirty. That’s not the story Blake or Adam tell me, though. No wonder I’m confused with Adrian.
I turn the corner to Ed’s office and pass the empty secretary’s desk when two men in suits exit his office: Agent Pitt and Josh Martin, Grace’s new man, the detective that just left the department and went into private security.
“Just the person we were about to come and visit,” Agent Pitt says, he and Josh claiming the spot directly in front of me.