One to Save (One to Hold 6)
Ice settles in my stomach. He’s prepared for this. He’s crazy like a fox, and he’s left me no options. “That will satisfy you?”
“Watching you clean shit off of fucking toilets just like my boy had to? You bet your ass.” He leans forward and his voice becomes a hiss. “I’ll be fucking jerking all over your fucking photograph.”
The image forces a grimace. “Turn myself in.”
“You’ve got twenty-four hours, Big Guy.” The smile on his face is testing my ability to not snap him like a toothpick. “I know that look. You touch me, you seal her fate. My accomplice has everything she needs to put Star away for life should anything happen to me.”
Standing, he shoves his chair in. “I’m listening to the wire. By this time tomorrow, your ass had better be in a cell.”
Sitting back, I watch him walk out of the bar. For the moment, it appears my former PI has the upper hand. I’m not sure how we’re going to resolve this, but I have to talk with Stuart and Patrick. Then I have to call the Maryland State Police Department.
Chapter 11: Old Friends
Melissa
Stuart paces the office, his fists clenched as hard as his jaw as he shouts into the phone. “Derek is not a fucking flight risk. He turned himself in for Chrissake. I can’t believe this bullshit.”
I’d spent a restless night at the condo, sleeping alone in Derek’s king sized bed, worrying, praying for his safety in Baltimore central lockup. Star was in the guest room with her daughter Camille. It was the first time we’d ever met, but she was demure. Shy and apologetic. Her daughter was beautiful.
Now I’m back at the office with Stuart, and the two of us are trying to think of any way to shorten Derek’s stay, to prevent this from going any further. I watch Stuart talking to Patrick.
“We need your ass here now.” Silence as he listens to his brother. “Because I can’t fucking keep my eye on everyone alone.”
My eyebrows rise. I can’t help wondering what might happen with these two in the same room and Derek gone. Bolt down the furniture.
Stuart ends the call and turns to me. “How you holding up? Need anything?”
Shaking my head, I look down at Derek’s desk. “I need him home.”
“We all need that¸” he says through an exhale.
Just then, Nikki scampers into the room. Her eyes are red as if she’s been crying, and she holds a brown envelope. I smile at her, glad she’s stuck around. Having to find and train a new assistant would not be ideal at the moment.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” Her voice is high and quiet.
“It’s okay,” I say. “What do you need, hun?”
“I just wondered if Mr. Alexander... If Derek still needs me to mail these files for him.”
“What files?” Stuart growls and doesn’t make eye contact.
She’s flustered and holds them out. I notice the tremor in her hand. “Bennett? His old PI said it was for a case he handled. He said it should go to the police department in Maryland.”
“What the FUCK?” Stuart explodes at her, and her eyes widen suddenly before she drops the papers on Derek’s desk and runs out the door.
He’s right behind her. “You’re Bennett’s accomplice?”
I jump out of the chair and run after them. Nikki’s behind her desk, tears streaming from her eyes in black lines. “I don’t know what you mean!” She wails, but Stuart’s not stopping.
He rounds the desk and grabs her by the upper arms, shouting in her face. “How long have you been working with that fucker?”
“I don’t know!” She’s crying harder, her face an ugly red mask. “Two years? H-however long Mr... Derek’s used him!”
Stuart’s face is flushed, and I jump between them. “Hang on!” I shout. “Stuart, stop! Let her go!”
He shoves her back, and I catch her arms. “Nikki, what do you know about Robert Bennett?”
She’s shaking and grabbing fistfuls of tissues out of the box on her desk. “He’s a contract PI,” she sniffs, hands shaking as she wipes her face. “He does jobs for Derek here in town. Not as much in the last year, but—”