She lifted an eyebrow. “Why, Detective, that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“I mean it.” There was no hint of humor now. He would arrest Donovan if she gave the word. “He’s a real creep, and I’d love nothing better than to bring him down a peg.”
The banter felt right and good. Her world came back into balance. “I can take care of myself. But thanks.”
“An extra hand never killed anyone.”
“Like my dad used to say, if it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger. I’m still standing, so I guess I can thank Donovan for making me stronger.”
“Stronger or more cautious?”
“Both.” She didn’t want to talk about herself. “Any news on the Sierra Day case?”
He shoved hands into his pockets and rattled the change. “No. A lot of people would have liked to have killed her, but they all have alibis.”
Her mind clicked into defense-attorney mode. “Alibis are easy.”
“Finding this mystery boyfriend is not.”
“He’s out there. Somewhere.”
He hesitated as if struggling for words. “By the way, thanks for the tip.”
“Sure.”
Angie turned, and as she moved away she noted she and Kier had been quite civil to each other. She suspected she’d just witnessed a minor miracle.
Malcolm watched Angie Carlson walk away. She moved slowly, shoulders back as if she were queen of the world. He’d never seen her guard down until he’d seen her with Donovan. For just a second, when Donovan had been venting nastiness, Malcolm had glimpsed pain behind the ice. Whatever Donovan had fired her way had struck a nerve.
To her credit, Angie had rebounded and rallied. He believed if he’d not arrived when he did, she’d have landed a punch or two of her own. Frankly, nothing would have given Malcolm greater satisfaction than to see the counselor hit Donovan.
During last year’s investigation into the Sorority House Murders and Donovan’s near-death experience, Angie’s relationship with the reporter had come to light. Instead of hedging or trying to hide a very embarrassing episode in her life, she’d been honest and straightforward when questioned by Garrison. She’d plainly admitted that Donovan, who’d only been after information on Eva Rayburn, had made a fool out of her when he’d coaxed her into his bed and tried to elicit information.
Carlson could have lied about the whole episode. But she hadn’t. She’d put protecting her sister above her own feelings.
In fact, as he thought back, he couldn’t point to one time when she’d lied to him. She’d grilled him in court, mocked him to his face, and directly denied him information, but she’d never lied.
Cops called her The Barracuda for a reason. Not only could she take care of herself, but also when she latched on to a witness she didn’t let go until she tasted blood.
But she’d never pretended to be otherwise. She was who she was.
So, why should this matter? And why had he had the urge to protect her when Donovan had had her cornered?
Malcolm blew out a breath as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Because I’m a goddammed idiot.”
* * *
Donovan had never considered it wise to give in to hate. It was a pointless, vain emotion that often blinded the unwise to opportunity. But as he watched Angie leave the courthouse his hate for her would not be denied.
He released the reins and let the emotion free. He let his imagination go to its darkest places and pictured himself destroying her, word by word.
After all he’d been through last year—the trauma, the surgery, and the rehab—he had every right to every bit of success he could grab. She had no right to deny him.
She’d stood in front of him like a righteous Puritan today, but the heart of a hot little whore beat under that silk suit. She’d liked all the nasty things he’d done to her. Hell, she’d loved it all. She simply didn’t want the world to know that she was a freak.
A client of hers had been murdered, and he intended to play that detail to the hilt. He’d drag her sweet ass through every bit of mud he could find.
Chapter 13
Thursday, October 6, 7:15 P.M.
Angie wasn’t mad at Eva because Lulu hadn’t shown up in court today. Okay, maybe put out, but not mad. People misjudged people all the time. And though Eva had an off-the-charts IQ she was susceptible to liars just like the rest of the regular folks.
But she was now officially annoyed with Eva because her sister had not answered her cell phone. Eva had spent ten years in jail for a crime she didn’t commit. The confinement had been during the cell phone explosion, and when Eva was finally released, she’d become so accustomed to not needing the gadget she often forgot to charge her phone or even bring it along with her.
Angie had given Eva a phone for security reasons. No matter how many times Angie spoke to Eva about the phone, and no matter how many times Eva swore she’d do a better job in the future, they always found themselves right back in the same boat.
She took her seat at the bar at King’s and waited for Eva to see her. Eva looked pale and tired. She didn’t have the usual zest. All Angie’s recriminations lost steam. “What’s going on with you?”
Eva set the soda down in front of Angie. “Why do you say that?”
“You look like shit.”
Eva arched a brow. “I love you too.”
Angie shrugged. “You never look sick. You now look sick. What gives?”
Eva shrugged. “Flu, I suppose. Bound to happen sooner or later. I’m in the public every day.”
“How’s school?”
“Good. How did Lulu do today?”
Angie traced the rim of her glass. “Funny you should mention Lulu. I tried to call you from court.”
“In a test. Had to turn The Thing off.”
“Did you turn the phone back on?”
A half smile tugged at the edge of Eva’s mouth. “Judging by your expression I’d say no. And I’d say if I turned The Thing on right now I would have three or four missed calls.”
“Three.”
A hint of amusement sparked in her eyes. “You’re getting better. Not the full-out panic when I don’t answer.”
“You did almost die last year.”
“That was last year.”
Angie shook her head. “It’s beyond me how you can just let the past go.”
“What’s the sense in hanging on?” Eva punched in Angie’s dinner order. “I assume the usual.”
“Yeah.”
Eva shrugged. “So did Lulu do a great job? I know she was thrilled you were helping.”
A heavy silence hung for a moment or two. “Lulu never showed in court.”
Eva leaned forward. “You are kidding me.”
“Nope. I waited outside the courtroom until the last possible second, then dashed into court to get my ass reamed by the judge.”
“Shit.”
“Tell me about it.”
Eva shook her head. “That’s not like Lulu. She was very committed to getting David back.”
“She is also a drug addict who has only been clean six months. You know the stats on addicts. They can lapse so easily.”
“Not Lulu. I’ve seen her walk away from temptation too many times. She wouldn’t screw this up for anything.”
Angie hated to see Eva upset. “I don’t know what to tell you, Eva. She messed up big time. The judge awarded custody to her mother. And her chances of getting it back now are slim to none for the foreseeable future.”
Eva’s lips flattened. “I don’t buy this. Something is wrong.”
“Eva. Nothing is wrong other than Lulu can’t stay away from the drugs.”
Eva leaned forward, a spark of anger refreshing the paleness in her face. “I’ve been on the wrong side before. I know what it’s like to have the whole damn world against you and to have no one to call a friend.”
When Eva had been on trial, Angie had gone against her father and flown back to Virginia from college to see Eva. S
he’d been prepared to help. But she hadn’t been prepared for Eva’s anger or her demands that Angie leave her alone.
“Just get the fuck out of my life!” Eva had shouted in the visitors’ room.
To this day, Angie deeply regretted that she’d not looked beyond her own feelings of hurt and rejection and seen that Josiah’s father, Darius, had threatened Eva if she accepted any help.
“You are not Lulu,” Angie said. “This is not your murder trial.”
“She is on trial. Her whole future is at stake.” Eva shook her head. “She’s not much older than I was when it all went wrong. She’s alone.” The last words held so much emotion and sadness that for a moment it took Angie’s breath away.
“She wasn’t alone. She had you, and she had me. She had people in her corner. She was the one who chose not to play by the rules.”
Eva’s fingers gripped the edge of the bar. “Who knows who or what kept her from that courtroom today.”
“Lulu kept Lulu from that courtroom today.”
“I don’t buy it.” Eva checked her watch. “But I intend to find out what happened.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I know where she keeps a small apartment, and I know where she works. I am going to see both.”
“You’re working.”
“The night is slow. King won’t mind.”
Angie sat forward. “Yeah, well, I mind you snooping around in God-only-knows-what back alley for someone who might not want to be found or worse is strung out on drugs and would hurt you.”