I’m not sure if I’m comforted by that or not. “Would you like to tell me why youarehere?”
Something that resembles pain flashes in Tony’s eyes. His long inhale is deafening in the silent office. “Blake killed my baby cousin.”
Nothing could’ve surprised me more than that statement, and apparently, my face shows it.
“Well, not directly. But he introduced him to this drug dealer. And my cousin”—Tony swallows hard—“overdosed.”
He looks like he’s on the verge of crying, and I’m taken aback that I thought he might be here to kill me just a few minutes ago. He probably still could, if the gun concealed under his jacket is any indication.
Banking on what Carlos told me last night, I ask, “Goodwin?”
Tony’s eyes widen. “Do you know him?”
I shake my head and lean forward, resting my forearms on my desk. “No, but I recently became aware of his association with Blake.”
Tony sits back and studies me for a moment. “Do you know who I am?”
“I do not. Should I?”
“My aunt married into the Valentini crime family.”
I know exactly who his family is. Most people don’t think of mobsters when they think of Nashville, but I think that’s why the Valentini family has been as successful as they have over the years. Every once in a while, their name will pop up in a news story, but for the most part, unless you’re associated with criminals in some way, you’ve probably never heard of them. And that’s how they like it.
“I defended a cousin of yours a few years ago.”
Tony nods. “You did. Successfully, might I add. Another cousin of mine was disappointed he got arrested after you quit being a defense attorney.”
I chuckle. “My apologies for letting your cousin down.”
He waves off my comment. “He’s an idiot and deserves tobe behind bars. His parents never would’ve paid for you to defend him anyway.”
“So what do you want from me, Tony?”
Huffing out a breath, he says, “I need information on this Goodwin character. He’s the one selling this shit on our streets, and it’s killing people. Not just my cousin, but other kids as well. My family would like to deal with him.”
Yeah, you and the good side of law enforcement.
Out of morbid curiosity, I ask, “And what do I get out of it if I get you the information you need?”
Tony’s face brightens. “Someone to be charged with Blake’s murder who isn’t your woman, of course. But don’t worry, it’ll be someone who deserves to be in jail. I’d never send an innocent there if I could help it.”
Well, fuck me.
28
Lily
“I’m so glad you all could come in. We have a really exciting presentation for you today,” I say to the clients I’m walking back.
Tori Black has been one of our clients for as long as I can remember, and we’re giving a presentation to her and her vice president for their new ad campaign. Tori is such an important client that Cheryl came out of retirement and is in the office today for this.
I push open the door and wave them in.
Tori pats my arm as she passes me by. “Yes, dear, I was surprised to see you since I swore I heard you murdered your husband.”
Somewhere in the conference room, someone gasps. If there was any other noise, I can’t hear it over the whooshing in my ears. My grip on the door handle tightens as I force a smile that feels painful. Embarrassment and shame burnthrough my entire body. There is also a good dose of fear, especially after confessing to Chris. It feels like there is a huge flashing sign over my head exposing my secrets for all the world to see.
My mind is scrambling, trying to decide if I should make a joke about it, ignore it, or be blunt and shut down any further discussion of my guilt or innocence. This isn’t a huge meeting, with only about eight of my employees, including Cheryl and Anna, but this was something I really hoped I’d never have to address with anyone. I always figured that if I were arrested, it wouldn’t matter what they said, since I wouldn’t be here anymore to hear it.
