“I don’t know. It already kind of hurts being harassed by you. I feel sad inside. Like… what did I do to make you so angry at me… and where are my cookies you were bringing me?”
She doesn’t look amused in the slightest; in fact, she looks more irritated than ever. “I would like permission to go through your home, office, and phones. If you decline, I’m going to get a warrant. Trust me, you’ll look a whole lot less guilty if you simply permit it.”
“I’m good, thank you,” I say. “I’ll see you and your warrant soon.”
Patel walks out, even more displeased than when she’d walked in here, and I glance over at Jackson.
“What do we do if she gets a warrant?” Jackson asks.
“We let her search the house,” I say. “I already moved my guns out in case she does.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Don’t act like you moved those guns for some valiant reason.”
“I moved them to protect us, Jackson. For ourprotection. It was very heroic of me. I honestly think I deserve a thumbs-up from everyone in the room.” I notice the only one who gives it is Mason, who really doesn’t know much about what’s going on.
“Is that why you wanted to take The Fence with you too? Out of the kindness of your heart?” Tavish asks.
“Obviously. It could be used as evidence.”
Jackson gives me quite the look andstillhe remains handsome. “Sure, hon. Let’s cut The Fence down. I’ll get the saw right now, if you’d like.”
I glower at the man I love. “Ha. Ha. Funny.”
“We don’t always… do things in the most legal of ways,” Mason says. “Should I get rid of some evidence here?”
“No, it’ll be fine,” Jackson replies. “We’ll see if she actually tries anything first. I’ll shoot Henry a text and have him inform us if she starts the process of getting a warrant. Let’s waste a few minutes here before heading out.”
I see that Cassel has sent me a list of things he’d like from the office as well as some food fromoutsidethe office, so I set to work on that while Mason packs up and heads out. We’re about ready to leave as well when my phone rings again and I see that it’s Lucas.
“Here, Micah, talk to him,” I say as I hold the phone out to Micah.
He takes one look at the display and shakes his head. “Hell no. I’m not touching that thing. I’d be happy enough to never hear him speak again.”
I wave the phone at him like I could possibly taunt him into answering. “I’ll pay you to answer. You love money.”
“Not that much,” he mutters.
I sigh and Jackson looks at me. “I’ll talk to him,” Jackson says as he takes the phone.
“I have my doubts he’ll talk to you, but sure, we’ll try it.”
“I doubt it too,” he agrees before going, “Hello?”
He listens for a moment before stilling. “Yeah… Leland is right here. I’ll put the phone on speaker,” he says, which… what does that solve? That’s still me having to talk to him.
“Leland, you there?” Lucas asks, and the sound of his voice tears right through me.
I grit my teeth before responding, “Sure am.”
“I’ve heard through the network what’s going on. Leland, have you been in contact with a man who goes by the name of Silencer?”
“Silencer? What weird fucking name is that?” I ask.
“Leland, you know I love to call you to fuck with you… You know I do, but you need to get that man out of your life,” he says, and the tone he uses tells me that he wants me to kill him but knows that he can’t say so over a phone call that’ll be recorded.
I reach out and take the phone from Jackson. “You’re talking about this asshole who’s obsessed with me?”
“I really thought I taught you better than that. Instead, I’m not even sure what you’re doing letting him in your life,” he snaps, and I feel like I’m being dropped back into my childhood where I could never do anything right in this man’s eyes, yet somehow I was his favorite?
