With each step, I channel the barnacle goose. If I manage to fling myself over the edge, I sure hope Reed will catch me.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Cards on the table
REED
First thing this morning,Agent Hemsley messaged the team to inform us that the preliminary ERT findings from the Hartley murder scene are in. Carson messaged me directly not long after, requesting a status on Lila’s intel about Silas. Then Andrews texted me. He was simply checking on me after last night’s emotional revelation about Lila’s sister.
Bafflingly, I replied to him first.
It’s weird to say this, but being vulnerable with him last night was fresh air filling my lungs.
And if you repeat that, I’ll file charges against you for slandering a federal agent.
Anyhow, for now, our team is split up. We’re going in separate directions, following leads to bring this case to a swift and hopefully nonviolent conclusion.
The message I got moments ago was from SSA Chase. I guess she felt the need to remind me I’m not allowed to report to the office until I’ve done my part.
In other words, I’ve been ordered to stay with Lila.
Not so I can fuck her on the couch, the kitchen counter, the shower, in the bathtub, or a hundred other places in my condo like I’ve fantasized about doing.
Regrettably.
Instead, my job is to find out everything she knows about Silas and then convince her to come to the office with me as an official informant.
And that’s what I’ll do.
Unless she confesses to something unexpected that makes me flee the country with her. I wonder if her passport is still valid. Just in case.
After sending SSA Chase a reply to confirm I understood her instructions, I tuck my phone in my back pocket and join Lila on the couch.
Between the two of us, I’d have expected I’d be the calm one.Wrong. She’s the picture of serenity while I’m twitching all over.
Proving my point, Lila begins her dissertation as soon as my ass touches the sofa cushion.
“Silas met me at the casino about a month before this all started. He?—”
“Hold up a second,” I interject. “Before we begin, I need you to know that you’re under no obligation to talk to me. You’re free to end this conversation at any time. And anything you say can be used as part of a criminal investigation.”
Her head kicks back, her confidence faltering. “Did you just read me my rights?”
“Not quite the same thing. But more or less, yeah. You aren’t under arrest, though. You’re free to leave. This has to be a voluntary discussion, or I can’t use it.”
She runs her flattened palms down the tops of her thighs nervously. “Okay. Got it.”
“Continue at your pace. And sorry for the formality.”
“I understand.” Her gaze falls to the coffee table. “Um. So why don’t you ask me questions like you would a... suspect or whatever. I suddenly don’t know what to say first. But I’ll answer anything you ask honestly.”
“That’s fair enough.” I retrieve my phone and pull out the picture that Andrews showed me last night, which puts everything in perspective. “Tell me about this.”
She glances at it for a split second. “Oh, that ol’ chestnut? A fantastic place to start.” After drawing in a sharp breath, she releases it in a lingering stream. “Put it away, please. I’ve seen it more than enough for one lifetime. Plus, knowing what we know now about Kenzie, it’s more painful to look at. Not to mention confusing.”
I close the photo of Kenzie’s battered face, fighting the discordant emotions of my own. Just yesterday, I wrote off my sister for what I thought was the last time. And now I want to go to her to ensure she’s all right. It’s a thorny sensation I haven’t fully processed yet.
She nibbles on her lip, then flicks an inquisitive look at me from under her thick eyelashes. “I assume you got this off my phone, which honestly doesn’t bother me as much as it probably should.”
