This is why I feel there’s another driving force behind this whole situation. Gillian, the victim, took photos of her injuries, only to sit on them for months before reporting the rape. Why? Usually, the lack of forensic evidence would work in my favor, as it would be her word against mine. Instead, it seems to be working against me.
Unfortunately for Gillian, she picked a night I wasn’t on duty. Iwasin bed with a woman, just not her. But here’s where my lack of care regarding lovers’ identities comes back to kick me in the ass—she’s my alibi, and I can’t find her.
“The DA is going for the throat on this,” the detective says. “He wants to set an example, to make it known that sexual violence isn’t welcome in his city.”
The fucking DA. I’ve seen him at events where I was working. He’s a charming egotistical fucker, and everyone laps up his warrior of justice act. But I can sense the dark evil burning in his soul.
“No, he wants to lead a high profile case to further his agenda of becoming the state’s Attorney General.”
“I couldn’t possibly speculate on the DA’s career aspirations.But since you’re unable to locate your alibi, I suggest you prove where you weren’t.”
Yeah buddy, we are already on that.I have a little respect for him, since he knows the whole thing is bullshit and is dancing around pointing us in the right direction.
“Take the imprint of his teeth, Ted. I want the comparison document by tomorrow,” Larry snaps.
It seems Ted and Larry are old friends, or maybe rivals. Larry is the best defense lawyer in the state, but he is known to only take cases where he genuinely believes in the innocence of the accused, and because of that, he has a really high win ratio. However, the DA holds a similar track record, so pitting these two against each other in the courtroom ensures fireworks. Our game plan is to get enough evidence together to get the case thrown out of court before my name gets dragged through the tabloids.
Whatever happened to Gillian, whoever did that to her, deserves to never see the light of day again. But pointing the finger at me, knowing it’s not the truth, is a low blow. Especially since I’ve spent my entire adult life defending the innocent and protecting people. It’s crippling.
Someone raps against the door and a short woman with dark bobbed hair enters. She nods at us. “You wanted a teeth imprint, Detective?”
So he’d already made the decision to take this evidence. He jerks his head at me. “Mr. Alderidge, please.”
The forensic lady makes quick work of gathering the evidence, and before we know it, the interview is over and we’re back outside.
“There’s a great steakhouse around the corner,” Larry says as he heads left. I follow him. I need to eat, and we have a few more things to talk about before I catch the next flight home. May as well kill two birds with one stone.
We order, andI try not to zone out as Larry bombards me with information. The latest of which is that he is tracking down people who must have witnessed Gillian’s attendance at a high profile party which went on until the early hours of the morning. Hours away from where I was and where this attack allegedly took place.
I polish off the food and my thoughts scatter to the woman at home in my bed. I hope she ate something. I glance at my phone on the table. It’s almost 11 p.m., is it too late to call? A tiny black spider scurries across the white table cloth and pauses as I chew my lip. Something feels off—a twist in my gut warning me I’m not where I should be.
Larry snaps his fingers in front of my face just as my phone lights up. I swipe the accept from Honor and a dark ceiling comes into view but no face.
“Miss me already, firecracker?”
“Fox,” she whispers. Larry, seated to my left, leans over to look at the screen.
I frown. “What’s wrong?” Her gorgeous face fills the screen as she grabs the phone. She’s by the window in the bedroom.
Duke makes a grumbling noise from somewhere. “There’s someone in the main house.”
“Like one of my grandmother’s suitors?” I ask, even as my stomach drops. Honor wouldn’t call me for that.
“No, Fox.” Her eyes snap to mine as I catch the outline of the gun in her other hand. “Definitely not someone who should be there.”
“Sit tight, I’ll call the police.”
Larry sucks in a breath, making me scowl.
She shakes her head. “It will take too long.” The line goes quiet for a moment. “They are moving through the house, Fox. I think they are looking for me. I have to go.”
“Do not leave that pool house,” I snap, jumping to my feet. I race out of the restaurant and hail a cab.
“I’m so sorry if I’ve brought him to your door. I have to go and protect Helen.”
The phone cuts off just as Larry catches up to me. “Fox,” he pants.
“Not now, Larry.”
