“Do not answer.” Darcy jumps up, skidding the table into Pollack’s ample gut.
He glares at her, then hones in on me. “Doesn’t matter. We’ll know as soon as the autopsy is finished.”
My attorney slaps two palms down on the plastic. “I have a witness who will confirm the man spoke to another agent, long after she left. Now, unless you havepertinentquestions, we’re going. Feel free to call me.”
Handing him a card, she motions we should go, so I grab Jonathan and follow her. Once we’re outside the building, Dash insists we stop for Indian food.
As we wait for our meal, I can’t help but shake my head. “We drove all the way to Jersey City for nothing.”
“No, they were digging. What haven’t you told us?” Frowning, Mrs. Liu stares and tries to read my mind.
I probably should confess how I copied the dead guy’s phone, opened his bank account app, and found a large deposit. I might also mention how the federal employee stole the black box. Before I do, there’s one thing I need to clear up.
“Can I ask you a question? Are you Dash’s lawyer or mine?”
Her eyes dart to his and I have my answer.Fuck.I should’ve known. His luxurious, brand spankin’ new helicopter went down in the harbor. Someone needs to take the fall. It might as well be an ex-marine with an iffy background.
I refuse to say anything more during the meal and spend all my time on my phone. I’m still silent on the ride back to Manhattan. I would’ve taken an Uber, but costs are beginning to add up and other than my robot income, I’m going to be unemployed for some time.
When we exit the Lincoln Tunnel, a notification pops up from Jarkon and I open his AI application. The meme looks over his dark sunglasses.
“Are you alone?” His volume is so low I put the phone to my ear.
Glancing over at the handsome man behind the wheel, I whisper. “No. Dashiell Montclair is in the car with me.”
The bad-boy frowns. “On a one to ten rating, his trust factor is a two. Are you certain you would like him to hear what I have to say? Please say yes or no.”
I plug in earbuds. “Go ahead, speak.”
“The account number you asked me to look up belongs to a company located in Hong Kong.”
I lean toward the door and cup my mouth. “How are they related to my helicopter crash?”
“I need more data.”
What more can I offer? Perhaps the attack of the killer pillow will help. “Can you check the traffic cams around Jersey City Medical Center last Saturday? Are any of the cars owned or rented by the same company?”
A driver’s license pops up on my screen. “Keller? Is he related to an NTSB agent?”
“The two are cousins. They share a paternal grandfather.”
Bingo!“Send me everything you have on the two.”
Dash, no doubt angry because I didn’t let him listen in, refuses to speak to me. Back at my apartment, he parks and stares, waiting for me to leave.
No other choice, I explain how Jarkon ranked him. “You have to admit, two out of ten is a low score on the trust-o-meter.”
“You believe a fucking meme? I thought we were partners?”
“It has a shitload of data to back up its analysis. Just who are you, Mr. Montclair?” I grab Jonathan from the backseat who woke because he sensed anger. “I would like to suggest…”
“Shut up.” Dash and I respond in stereo.
We glance at each other, I snicker, then him. All of a sudden, we’re laughing our asses off.
When we stop, I wipe my eyes. “I’m sorry. You’ve driven me all around today and I’m being a bitch. Why not come in and-”
“I can’t. I have something I need to do tonight.” His abruptness catches me off guard.
