Private defense lawyer
for Wade Hawthorne
Relatives:
Audrey Sinclair- Mother
Robert Sinclair- Father
Robert Sinclair Jr- Brother (Deceased)
Known Associates:
Wade Hawthorne
Kiera Hawthorne
Criminal record:
No record found
My phone pings with a text from Wade, telling me to send him the info. I stare at the screen, thumb hovering. I need to talk to Cam and Kiera before I decide how to answer that. Another text comes through—this one from Kiera.
Thorn: Fine, but I’m bringing Lila with me.
Me: Like I would say no to that. Cam’s
going to love her.
Thorn: Oh god…this is going to be interesting.
After ten minutes, my phone buzzes again, Kiera texting that she’s on her way. “Kiera’s on her way here,” I tell Cam, “And she’s bringing a friend.”
“God dammit, Sterling. Why are we bringing someone else here? You know the whole point of doing this is to remain unknown, but sure, let’s invite more people over.” Cam is in a mood. “Sorry,” he mutters after a second. “I just don’t do well with new people. And now two new ones are coming.”
I exhale, dragging my hands through my hair. “I know, but I need her here to help sort this out. Her programs are just as good as ours.” Cam presses his lips together, then nods because he knows I’m right. “I’m going to go make us food. Any preference?”
“Nah, whatever’s quick and easy.” I nod and head back to the kitchen. A glance in the fridge tells me I really need to go grocery shopping, but there's just enough to throw together some roast beef sliders. I grab the meat and provolone, set them on the counter, and pull out a baking sheet. Putting all the ingredients in, I slide the tray into the oven. I’ve barely straightened when there’s a knock on the door.
As I open the door, Kiera and Lila are standing there. Even in leggings and a T-shirt, this girl is breathtaking. “You going to stare or let us in?” Lila asks, amused.
“Sorry, come in.” I step aside, motioning for them to enter the house. “So,” I say once the door shuts behind them, “we know who’s blackmailing your dad.”
Kiera freezes. “Who?” There’s an eerie calmness to her right now. Lila glances between us, reading the shift in the room.
“You.” I don’t have anything else to give her after that, so I just sit there, silent, and wait for her to be ready to talk.
“Yeah.” One word. That's all Kiera says.
Lila jumps in before Kiera can say anything. “Look, we know you were hired to find her, but Wade isn’t a good man by any means. He killed her mom and orchestrated some other events. Wade has this coming.”
“Lila,” Kiera cuts in softly, “I told him. He knows about Asher and what my dad did.”
Lila’s jaw drops. “You sure we can trust him with that?”
“We wouldn’t be standing here instead of dealing with my dad if we couldn’t,” Kiera says with a dry chuckle. “Okay,” she adds, lifting her chin a little, “so you know. Now what?”
“Let’s go talk to Cam. He may have found some more information.” I lead them down to Cam’s room. “Cam, this is Kiera and Lila.”
