Sarah raised a brow. “So talk.”
Cho glanced around the diner and lowered his voice. “Keller cut me loose. Said his people aren’t covering for us, that we’re loose ends. He said he already spoke with you.”
She didn’t blink. “True.”
“What’re we going to do?”
Sarah exhaled slowly and folded her hands. “Wearen’t going to do anything. I’ve already spoken to the Feds.”
“You what?” If Cho thought yesterday was bad, this was a kick in the teeth.
“I’m protecting myself, Daniel. I have a career and a family. If you think I’m going to prison for some shady backroom deal that got out of control, you’re delusional.”
“You don’t understand …”
“I understand perfectly,” she snapped. “You thought this was political posturing. Red tape and handshake deals. We got greedy. And now someone has to pay.”
He leaned forward, his stomach flip-flopping. “Did you give them my name?”
Sarah signed. “They already have your name, Daniel. It’s in the paper trail. You signed off on half of the delays at the site. You approved the permits. You met Richard on county time. There’s no protecting you from that.”
“You threw me under the bus.”
“No,” she replied quietly. “I’m giving you a heads-up. Get a good lawyer. And you need to decide if you’re going to lie under oath or flip like a smart man would.”
Cho swallowed hard. “And you? You’re going to walk away clean?”
She shook her head. “I never said that. But I’m not going down with you, and I sure as hell am not going down for Cummings.”
Sarah picked up her purse and stood. “Take care of yourself, Daniel.”
Cho slumped back in the booth, pulse pounding, sweat beading on his palms. There was no good way out.
Greed always came at a price. His was past due.
CHAPTER 50
One monthlater
Sunlight spilled over Haywood Lake’s historic district, reflecting off the stained glass window of Stella’s Bakery as a kaleidoscope of colors danced across the pavement. The crowd outside was larger than Lainey expected.
Reporters had cell phones or mics out. Townspeople clustered around in conversation. Kids on bikes were clueless about what was going on but just knew there would be free cookies. Although a lot of people had heard the rumors, and small-town scandals had a way of drawing everyone out of the woodwork.
A jazz trio played in front of the new community theater, the kind of background music that made everything feel right. Somewhere, someone laughed. There was an air of excitement.
Autumn stood by Lainey’s side, adjusting the lens on her camera, scanning the crowd for the perfect shot. She had already captured shots of the crew, the mural restoration and the nearly finished renovation of Brian Gallagher’s Brick & Barrel Gastropub. It was a day filled with hope and humidity.
“Mom,” Luke whispered, tugging at her hand.
Lainey leaned down and murmured, “Soon, buddy.”
Finn stood next to him, one hand resting lightly on Luke’s shoulder. He glanced over and gave her a soft smile.
God, what a month it had been.
Her wrists had finally healed. The bruises faded. The bad dreams about the kidnapping and Travis’s murder were slowly being replaced by early mornings with Finn’s arm around her.
He’d moved into her townhome after asking her if it was all right and without any fanfare. Luke was thrilled to have his dad there.
