Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Laurel glanced at Walter and then back. “I’m sharing my report with the police chief, so you might want to speak to him first. You’re free to go.”
Officer Jackson shot out of her chair like it had caught fire. She hesitated, her gaze darting between them before she fled through the door and down the hallway.
Walter stretched his shoulders. “Well, that was a bust.”
“Not entirely.” Laurel’s gaze flicked to Vexler, who remained seated, his hands folded neatly in front of him. “But we’re not finished.”
Vexler’s smile was slow and measured. “No, I imagine we’re not.”
Walter stood. “I need a minute.”
“Take your time,” Laurel replied, her focus now solely on Vexler. Walter slipped out of the room, his shoulders tense.
Laurel leaned back in her chair. “Did you get what you needed today?”
“Not yet, but Abigail has accurately described you. You’re data driven, calm, and rather unemotional. Very different from her.”
Laurel barely kept from shaking her head. “You don’t read people as well as you believe if you think Abigail is emotional. She can mimic emotion, and she knows how to manipulate people.”
“Look who’s talking,” Vexler drawled. “From what I understand, you’ve made sure your mother is safely out of the country, somewhere she can’t be subpoenaed in time for Abigail’s trial. So I can’t ask her about being raped by the evil Pastor Caine so many years ago.”
Laurel’s pulse kicked, but she kept her expression calm. “My mother’s on vacation.”
“An extended vacation.” Vexler’s eyes glinted. “Very convenient timing.”
“Convenient for her.” Yes, Laurel had seen the expedited trial request coming from Abigail. She’d protect her mother, no matter what.
Vexler chuckled, the sound low and cold. “You’re a fascinating woman, Agent Snow. Always two steps ahead. But what happens when you’re dragged back? You’ll be testifying in Abigail’s case, after all.”
“I’m only interested in facts,” Laurel said, keeping her emotions in check. “You want my testimony? You’ll get it. Every fact, every detail, and not a word more.”
“Not even for the woman you sent halfway across the world?” Vexler’s smile held no warmth. “It must be comforting, knowing she’s safe. Untouchable.”
“Is there a point to this?”
Vexler rose, his movements fluid. “Just that your determination to protect certain individuals is as strong as mine. And maybe . . . just as misguided.”
“I’m here for the truth,” Laurel replied. “Not your version of it.”
Vexler’s gaze lingered on her, assessing. “You’re going to make this very interesting, Agent Snow.” And then he was gone, leaving the room colder than it had been when she entered earlier.
Walter poked his head in. “Nester just texted. His deep dive on Joley McNalley revealed a teenaged runaway arrested twice in Seattle for prostitution. Nothing else. The kid is from Oregon but has no family around. So there’s no way to confirm or negate Abigail’s big story on the podcast Saturday night.”
“Wonderful,” Laurel muttered.
Walter nodded. “Also, the warrant for Tyler’s apartment just came through. Want to go search?”
“Absolutely. Please ask Nester to draft a warrant for Oakridge Solutions. I’ll type up my affidavit to show cause when we return to the office, and hopefully we can get it signed tonight. We’ll head out there first thing in the morning.”
She was getting closer on this. The vest weighed her down and she lifted her head. “Keep an eye out, Walter.” She could not get him shot. Again.
“Always,” he replied grimly.
Chapter 25
Pulling into the parking lot of her building, Laurel could not wait to get out of the bulletproof vest. The search of Tyler Griggs’s apartment had led to nothing. She had Nester trying to track Tyler’s last week, but there weren’t many CCTV cameras in the smaller town of Elk Hollow. She pulled to a stop to the right of the Staggers Creamery door.
Walter angled his head, looking at the cloudy sky and trees around them. “Hold on, boss. I’m having Nester check the outlying cameras. He says there haven’t been any disturbances, but let’s just make sure.” His phone dinged. “All right. Run from the vehicle into the vestibule. Ready? Go.”
Laurel jumped out and jogged to open the door, not surprised that Walter flanked her back, his gun out and pointed at the trees. “We’d know if a sniper had climbed a tree. Huck and Nester have more cameras out there than we do in all of Seattle.” She moved inside, already reaching for the Velcro beneath her sweater before stopping cold. “Abigail.”
Her half sister leaned against the far wall, scrolling through her phone. “There you are. I’ve been waiting forever.” She cast a glance around the quiet vestibule. “If you’re going to have security on the door, you should at least provide somewhere to sit out here.”
Walter walked in behind Laurel. “Ah, shit,” he muttered beneath his breath.
Laurel strode forward and scanned her ID. The door clicked open. “Come up to my office.”