Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Ace cracks a grin at the action, choosing to display only his badge.
The receptionist’s lively greeting weakens when she catches my eye.
“Here to see Tera Sails.”
“Of course. Is she expecting you?”
“Tell her Officers Whitman and Kingston are here.”
She taps a few buttons on her switchboard and announces our arrival nervously. Her eyes dart between her desk and me, her lips pursing at whatever is being said on the line.
I reach over and click the speaker button, cutting off the conversation.
“Tera, you have one minute to get down here or I’m coming to you.”
I end the call and face the elevator banks, mentally counting down. With a few seconds to spare, the doors open and Tera strolls out, smiling widely.
“Ford, this is unexpected and I’m wrapped up. Why don’t we have drinks later?” She pulls the cheery surprised act, leaning in for a hug.
I dodge her. “We need to talk.”
The cheery façade wanes, and she tries again. “I’m off at six.”
“Now. Find us some privacy.”
“It’s not a good time.”
“Your choice.” I glance at the receptionist, who is watching fixedly. “Tell me why the fuck you are visiting a rapist in county lock-up?”
The gasp from the lady has everyone turning her way.
“Follow me,” Tera grates out, leading us down the hall to a small room. “What the hell is your problem?” she shouts when the door is closed.
“Answer my question.”
“What I do is not your business.”
“Don’t fuck with me on this. Why are you visiting Craig Johns?”
“I’ll repeat—none of your business.”
A low, lethal rumble resounds. Anger fills the space as Ace steps to my side, his body tight, eyes hard and almost black.
“I’ll destroy you.”
His harsh and menacing tone has Tera backing up.
“Whatever game you’re playing is over.”
“There is no game.” She straightens her shoulders, but the quiver in her voice gives her away. “I’m merely doing my job.”
“Your job is to deliver coffee and push paper,” I counter.
Her face heats, her eyes flaming with anger. “Fuck you, Ford Whitman.”
“Not in a million fucking years.”
Rejection crosses her features, and she moves toward the door. “This conversation is over.”
Ace holds up his phone, waving it in her direction. “I hit send on this message and your career is done.”
“I’m not scared of you.”
“You should be.”
“You do anything to damage my reputation, I’ll sue you for slander.”
Ace glances at me, his mouth curving into a wicked grin. There is no telling what his text message says, but I suspect Harley can spin it to ruin Tera.
“Tera, last chance. Why are you visiting the man who kidnapped Rowan and Jewls?”
“Once he has his day in court, the truth will come out.”
“His day in court? That fucker tell you he’s taking this to trial? He has over a dozen charges against him.”
“Why shouldn’t he? Our justice system still rides on the motto ‘innocent until proven guilty’.”
“His file is sealed.”
She straightens her shoulder with defiance. “His charges are public record.”
“Not all of them. They make deals to protect the privacy of victims.”
“He’s got a story to tell.”
“The only story he has to tell is how he's a pretentious asshole who gets off on beating women. Then when he gets himself into a bind, he goes psycho and abducts women to extort money.”
“Rowan is no saint in this story,” she lashes back.
Her words are like a blow, rocking me to my bones, and leaving red-hot fury in their wake. Realization blisters to the surface. This is about Rowan.
“What did you say?” Ferocity is thick in my question.
“Rowan! Nashville’s new ‘it’ girl. The Women in Business Chamber has nominated her for Business Leader of the Year. The Business Journal is naming her Entrepreneur of the Year next month. She’s listed as the number one choice to speak at symposiums for entrepreneurs. She’s seen hobnobbing with the country’s hottest rock band, and is the face of Fire Station 26. Who would have guessed the city’s Golden Girl has such a sordid past?”
Ace rumbles again, but I’m too focused to give him a second look.
“There’s not a goddamned thing in Rowan’s past that’s sordid.”
“Craig says differently.”
Jealousy and greed bleed in her tone and body language. She’s working with Craig and his demented lies to shatter Rowan’s reputation. Whatever he’s feeding her is bullshit, but given the right chance and audience, the gossip rags and social media can do damage.
Another fact comes to mind. The incident with Rowan and Jewls wasn’t in the media. Robbie and Hayes Security ran the rescue.
“How’d you find Craig?”
She shrugs indifferently. “Research.”
“You did your research, you’d know this is career suicide.”
“No one ever got ahead by playing it safe. Rowan will have her chance to tell her story.”
“There is no story here.”
“Craig’s retelling is quite compelling. His therapist has made a breakthrough. Rowan will be given the chance to tell her side.”
Stupid fucking bitch is planning to back Rowan in a corner, forcing her hand. Rowan is the key witness in the State’s case. She talks, everything can blow up.