“Sure was, and he’s going to regret it.”
“Where’s Evangeline?”
“In her office. She’s working on questions for Alexandra. We’ll strategize the best way to answer them.”
In general, Dakota despised the press and kept them at arm’s distance. “Is that how it’s done?”
“That’s how I do it,” Sin said. “I trust Alexandra will stick to the plan.”
“When I talked to her this morning, I admitted to the graffiti,” Dakota said. “I told her I assumed it was from a disgruntled woman.”
“Smart move,” Sin said.
Knock-knock.
Evangeline poked her head into the room. “Safe to enter?”
The men smiled. “The only one I’m going to kill is the person responsible for this,” Dakota said.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.” Evangeline sat at the conference table and both men joined her.
She ran through the list of questions and they strategized Dakota’s answers. Then, Sin got his dad on the phone and they ran through the list of questions, along with Dakota’s prepared answers.
“Great job, guys,” Warren said. “I’m not thrilled you’re discussing Mr. Hastings, but the answers are sound. Keep in mind, the detective in charge of the case will be watching.”
“Thanks for the feedback,” Dakota said.
“Talk later, Dad,” Sin said and hung up.
As soon as Alexandra and her cameraman arrived, the receptionist set her up in the conference room.
“Let’s give the public a story they’ll find entertaining and forgettable,” Sin said. “You ready to play nice?”
Dakota narrowed his eyes at his twin. “Fuck, no.”
“Dakota,” Sin warned.
“I’m gonna do it, but you know I’m furious.”
“Smile through that anger, brother. And remember, the person who sent the letter will be watching, so you’ve gotta play this one real laid back.”
Dakota, Sin, and Evangeline entered the conference room. After hellos and small talk, Alexandra ran through the approved list of questions. “Any wiggle room to add additional questions?”
“None,” Dakota replied.
“I didn’t think so.”
The cameraman started recording.
“I’m here with Dakota Luck, CEO of Goode-Luck Real Estate,” Alexandra began. “Dakota, let’s jump in with the question on everyone’s mind. Did you murder Matt Hastings?”
“No, I didn’t. Matt brought a lot of energy and professionalism to his job. He was a strong realtor and we loved having him as part of the Goode-Luck family. Unfortunately, my partner and I had to let him go for cause. Because the murder investigation of Mr. Hastings is ongoing, I’m not at liberty to discuss the details. He took a swing at me at the awards banquet because he was angry. Hell, I get that. He was pissed he got fired, but the situation would have all blown over by morning if someone hadn’t killed him.”
Alexandra asked a few more Matt-related questions, and Dakota answered them as he’d been coached. He defended his innocence without bringing Providence’s name into the interview.
Then, Alexandra moved on to ask him about the letter and photos.
“What’s ALPHA?”
