“No, not really.”
He’d brought me to Chicago, took me under his wing, helped me get through my partner’s death, and then managed to salvage my career after Nelson. He was a tough, direct man who led by example and earned the utmost respect.
So no, I was not okay.
“Do you know where the Hayward girl is?”
I fought back my emotions, trying to even myself out. “No.” Another good person was dead because of Frey. Trying to come up with any other thought was nearly impossible. “Did you find the sister?”
“No, our focus is on Zupan. Look, I don’t know what happened between you and Bill, but you need to come back. Everyone’s stretched thin, and we need all the help we can get.”
“I can’t.”
Laurel’s eyes were wet with tears, but she blinked them back and set her hand on my arm. I knew what she wanted, and with Bill dead, we were out of options. But I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
“You can’t?” Caroline’s voice was angry. “Why not?”
“Because he’s protecting me,” Laurel announced.
I was so angry we’d been forced into this, I considered putting my fist through the glass coffee table. But it’d frighten Laurel, and she didn’t need that right now.
“So, I guess he does know where you are after all,” Caroline said. “What’s the plan, Dunn? You bringing her in?”
“No, she wants to go back to her life.”
I pictured her face on the other side of the phone, wearing the expression she made whenever she heard something ridiculous. “Did you fail to mention to her that was a bad idea?”
“She’s hoping to lure Frey out.”
“Ms. Hayward.” Caroline’s voice was stern. “You don't have to do this, no matter what Dunn told you.”
“I want to stop him from killing anyone else.”
There was a static-filled sigh from the phone. Caroline was practical. She’d see the enormous opportunity this risk could give them.
“When?” she asked.
“We’re heading back to Chicago now,” I said. “Should be there in a few hours. Convince the theater she needs to be back on stage for tonight’s show, and spread the word around.”
So Frey has enough time to hear about the bait,I thought bitterly.
There was a long pause before she came back on the line. “I’ll have a team there as soon as I can.”
My heart sank into my stomach as I pushed the button to end the call. The leather quietly squealed when Laurel moved across the couch into my embrace, either seeking comfort or wanting to offer it, and I greedily accepted.
“I’ll have them keep the jet on standby after I land at Midway,” Shawn said.
All I could do was nod.
Then I sat her up and put one hand on each of her thin shoulders, giving her the strictest look I had in my arsenal. “One performance. If he’s smart enough not to show, you get on the plane.”
The shoulders lifted and fell with her breath. Her gaze locked on mine.
“Yes,” she promised.
33
LAUREL
