“Be back in a few.”
I keep my eyes on my shoes until the door closes behind him.
This is going to be even harder than I thought.
Chapter thirty-five
I DON’T LIKE THIS ONE BIT
Jalenletshimselfintothe room a few minutes later, and just like Cameron predicted, goes straight for two of the bacon cheddar egg bites. I don’t know him well enough to speak up, though, so I leave the remaining two for Cameron and grab Jalen’s spinach egg white ones for myself.
I take a tentative bite and find that, just like the coffee, they are unbelievably good. The nausea I felt earlier disappears and is immediately replaced by a demanding growl in my stomach. I finish the rest and wash down the last crumbs with a big gulp of my latte just in time for Cameron to return with his partner.
The man who shuffles in behind Cameron has close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair and deep lines around his eyes and forehead. He’s already jovial upon entry, but his face lights up when he sees Cameron’s brother.
“Jalen, my boy!” the man exclaims, and moves across the room with a new pep in his step.
Jalen meets him halfway and extends his hand. “It’s nice to see you again, Reggie. It’s been a while.”
“It surely has. What’s it been, two years?”
“I’ve been with my new firm for three years this month,” Jalen confirms.
“And how many of Charlotte’s best athletes have you picked up from the drunk tank in that amount of time? Fifty? A hundred?”
Jalen chuckles. “Crisis management is a lot more than DUIs these days. I’m actually working with a client on a defamation case right now. Really interesting stuff.”
Reggie settles into the couch with a huff. “Well, if you ever get sick of putting out fires for the rich and famous, you can always come back and help us defend the common man. I’m sure the board would be happy to have you back.”
Cameron’s mouth turns down at Reggie’s offer, but Jalen waves it off. “I’m happy where I’m at, but thank you,” he says, and settles in next to Reggie with his legal pad and pen.
“And who is this lovely lady?” Reggie asks, noticing me for the first time as I emerge from my spot in the kitchenette.
“This is Drew Bailey,” Cameron says. “Drew, this is Reginald Smith, the longest serving managing partner at our family firm.”
“Which is really just a nice way of saying the oldest,” Reggie quips, as he pulls a pair of glasses out of the breast pocket of his suit.
I can’t help but smile at his comment and his demeanor in general. Part of me wishes that he were here to represent me, instead.
“Reggie, have you eaten breakfast yet?” Cameron asks. “I picked up that smoked Gouda breakfast sandwich you like.”
“I have, but as long as you don’t tell my wife, I’d be happy to take it off your hands.”
Cameron chuckles and hands over the sandwich and a hot coffee, then turns his back to the couch to face me. “Did youeat?” I nod, and he continues. “Good. This may take a bit longer than when you gave your statement last night, so if you need a break or get hungry again, please tell one of us.”
“Thank you,” I say, and glance at Reggie, who watches us with piqued interest.
We settle into the chairs that face the couch, and Cameron nods to Jalen to begin.
“Thanks for being here to help us, Reggie. As Cameron already told you, there was a tragic accident at Ravenwood last night, and Detective Cartwright tipped us off that they are suspecting foul play.”
I startle at that last detail and look to Cameron for clarification. He reaches over and grabs my hand to steady it. “It’s going to be okay. That’s what I was coming to tell you last night.”
I bite my tongue to keep from pointing out that he could have also told me that this morning then turn my attention back to the couch where Reggie is surveying us over the top of his glasses.
Jalen continues. “Cameron has asked me to be available for Drew in case she is called back for questioning, and he has chosen you to represent him as a second set of eyes and ears.”
Reggie tips an invisible hat. “Happy to be of service.”
