Page 32 of Motion to Dismiss

And somehow, we never ordered any food.

“There’s a place down the street we can go,” I say, standing up. “It’s a taco food truck.”

“A what?”

“A taco food truck.”

“As in, the kitchen is inside a vehicle?” She arches a brow. “And we’re expected to pay for that?”

“Yes, Mother.” I nod. “That’s how the regular world works.”

“Would you judge me for wanting to go to the hotel restaurant down the street instead?” she asks. “They have tacos, too.”

“Not at all.” I smile at her for the first time in forever. “You’re still you.”

“For now.” She clasps my hand and leads me outside into California’s warm evening air.

We make it halfway down the block when she suddenly lets out a scream.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe I almost missed that!” She points toward a city bus.

“There’s no way you actually take public transportation.”

“I’m not talking about the bus.” She points at the sign stretched across its side. “There’s going to be a huge, multi-day book signing with my favorite author. He’s amazing.”

I squint at the sign.

The King of Thrillers Is in Town: Come Meet Peter Hansel

I shrug. “I’ve never heard of him.”

“You have to start reading his books,” she says. “Peter Hansel has the ability to make your entire world disappear with his words. He creates these crazy and intense plots that…”

I stop walking at the sound of his name.

Looking at the billboard again, I realize that I have heard of him before.

From Jameson.

“When I get done with you, Peter Hansel, you’ll be looking up at me from Hell and regretting the day you ever fucked me and my family over.”

“I’d like to go to that book signing with you,” I say, desperate to put together a few more pieces of a puzzle I can’t bear to leave unfinished. “When is it?”

“Next Friday.”

CHARACTER WITNESS (N.):

A PERSON WHO TESTIFIES IN COURT ABOUT THE DEFENDANT'S MORAL STANDING, PERSONAL TRAITS, AND GENERAL REPUTATION IN THE COMMUNITY.

JAMESON

“Idon’t see why I can’t testify in my own defense.” Lucas puffs on his cigar while pacing my living room. “It would save you some time.”

“Only guilty people get on the stand, Mr. Hunter.” I look up at him. “It’s better to let the evidence do all the talking.”

“Well, based on everything you keep telling me, the evidence is going to get me sent to prison.”

“If you stopped checking in on my progress every few hours, I’d have more time to put together my plan.”