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)
“Happily,” Abigail said, turning to follow her with a graceful hop.
Since it was after five, Laurel didn’t expect Kate to be at her post, and a quick glance into Nester’s computer hub showed him on the phone with somebody about CCTV. She nodded, waited for a chin jerk from him, and then continued down the hallway toward her office. “Walter, you can take off,” she called back. “I’ll head home with Huck.”
“I’ll wait until you go,” Walter barked, heading into the conference room.
Laurel pulled the Velcro free as she walked into her office, loosening the vest before taking a seat across the rough door she used as a desk. The blinds were closed, but she could hear the rain pattering outside. “What do you need, Abigail?”
Abigail gracefully sat on one of the two white leather chairs and crossed her legs. Back to form today, she wore black slacks, a deep red sweater, and a Van Cleef necklace with matching earrings. Somehow, the red never competed with her natural auburn hair, which fell to her shoulders. Like Laurel’s. “I merely wanted to make sure you were all right after my interview with Rachel Raprenzi. I’m trying to save my life, you know.”
“I’m sure it amused you,” Laurel murmured, studying the woman who looked so much like her.
One of Abigail’s brows arched. “Being interviewed?”
“Yes, by the woman you once attacked and threatened to kill.” Laurel couldn’t prove it, but she knew that Abigail had done so a while back just to mess with one of Laurel’s cases. “She has no clue, does she?”
Abigail smiled, showing perfect white teeth. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She brushed invisible lint off her pressed pants. “She is a twit, though, don’t you think? Much better suited to the mouth breather you’re dating than are you. They probably made a fine couple. I mean, if she wasn’t such a useless bitch.”
Laurel rolled her neck, really wanting to rip off her sweater and then the damn vest. “I had a run-in with your attorney today.”
Abigail pursed her lips. “That’s interesting. Tell me more.”
So he hadn’t cleared his plan with his client. “How do you do it?” Laurel stretched out her legs beneath the desk.
“Do what?”
How did she even ask? Why would she? “Get these men so devoted to you? To believing what you say instead of what the evidence shows? Get them so inspired?”
“Oh. That.” Abigail waved a hand in the air, showing newly painted red nails. “Men are easy. The key is making them think everything is their idea.”
All right. “How long do you plan to dangle Agent Norrs on the hook?” She liked the metaphor but not the reality.
Abigail’s eyes widened. “On the hook? But I love him, Laurel. He’s so big and strong.” She wrinkled her nose. “He keeps me safe, you know? Just like your Huck does for you. We really should double-date once in a while. I mean, after this whole murder charge goes away.” Her tongue darted out to lick her bottom lip. “We’re so much alike, you and me. Both dating tough, by-the-book badasses. Right?”
Except Laurel truly cared for Huck. Abigail only cared for herself. “Do you ever wonder about it?” she mused.
Abigail’s gaze sharpened. “Wonder about what?”
“What the rest of us actually feel. You mimic emotions but don’t truly feel them. Are you curious?” She couldn’t help but be intrigued.
“That’s just mean.” Abigail pouted. “I feel everything. More than you could even imagine.”
Perhaps. Not love or empathy, but definitely something. Laurel shrugged. “Agent Norrs is a good man, I believe. Stop using him.” But he would certainly help with Abigail’s trial.
Abigail flashed her left hand with a two-carat diamond solitaire. “But we’re engaged. He went all out. Isn’t it pretty?”
Laurel lifted her chin. “He’s not like the others you’ve manipulated. When you dump him, he’ll be angry.”
Abigail laughed now. “They all get angry. Men are barely a step up from children. Please, Laurel. I do know what I’m doing.” She leaned in, her voice dropping conspiratorially low. “As do you. Nice move getting your mother out of the country on a long vacation. My attorney would’ve eviscerated her on the stand.”
Laurel kept her emotions under control, slowly placing her phone on the desk and then pulling a notebook and pen toward her. She pressed the recording button. “Interview with Dr. Abigail Caine.” She gave the time and date.
Abigail’s lips twitched. “What are you doing?”
Laurel lowered her chin. “Dr. Caine, you alleged on The Killing Hour Saturday night that you have pertinent information regarding a trafficking ring here in Washington State. How did you come by such information?”
Realization dawned across Abigail’s face and her cheek creased. “My fiancé should be here in a few moments to pick me up. Stop being silly.”
Laurel angled her head to the side to call down the hallway. “Nester? I need you to prepare an emergency warrant for us to hold and secure Dr. Caine as a material witness. Please do so now.”