He nods enthusiastically. “Yes sir, Mr. Walker. Our little secret.” He puts his finger to his lips, making a shh sound as he heads for the door.
My phone buzzes in my pocket as Aiden returns to the room. “Hey man, you want some Chinese food?”
“No, I’m good thanks.” He makes himself comfortable on the couch.
I pull my phone out. It’s Harry. I text him back with a quick “Okay...”
Taking a long draw on the Chinese beer Ping brought me I sit back in my chair. “Harry will be here in about ten minutes. He said he has some information, but he’s getting totally stonewalled by Glass.”
Aiden nods, returning to his seat on the couch. A long silence ensues until Aiden takes a breath. “What’s going on with her? She was kind of scary at the police station today.”
I shake my head and expel a heavy breath. He doesn’t know the half of it. “I don’t know; she’s become more of a puzzle and something in her has changed. She’s always been able to take care of herself, but lately she just seems,” I look up as if to pluck the answer from mid-air, “different.”
Aiden reflects for a moment. “I was thinking she seemed stronger, or maybe just more stubborn.”
“After you left last time it didn’t seem to bother her much. She didn’t so much as mention it, even though we had lunch a few times. I didn’t know you were gone until Jerry ran into her in Orlando; she was with some weird guy. Jerry asked where you were, her only response was ‘who the fuck cares.’” I let that sink in for a moment before continuing, “We hooked back up, but she’s been pretty obsessed with the new comic. She’s been traveling to conventions, doing some press stuff. A lot has happened, but she wasn’t herself before any of that.”
“How long ago did she dump you?” Aiden asks, trying to remind me that we aren’t together.
I pull my lips into a thin line and run my hands through my hair. No way he’s going to believe this. “She didn’t.” I suck in a sharp breath, looking straight at him. “I broke it off with her.”
“Come again?” Aiden sits forward on the couch. “You dumped her?”
“Yeah.” I exaggerate a nod, expressing my regret.
“Why would you do that?” Aiden is completely perplexed by the revelation.
“You should ask her.” I take a drink and mute another belch. “I tried to get her back, but she’s been pretty elusive.”
Aiden is almost consoling me. “How long has it been?”
“A couple of months.” I rub my palm in my eye. “She doesn’t return calls, texts, or email. She finally messaged me last week when I asked if I could take her out on her birthday—she responded with ‘I want to be alone.’”
“I’m really sorry, man.” Aiden sounds like he means it. “That just isn’t like her. I don’t think she ever didn’t return a call to me, until now.”
“She has become a Quick Draw McGraw with the ‘ignore’ button.” I smile.
“All this time I thought she had a dead battery.” We both enjoy a laugh at Shay’s expense.
Chapter Twelve
The Menfolk
Harry
Before knocking on the door I stop to listen to the sound of them laughing. Well, that’s better than the alternative. I knock twice before walking in. “Boys.” I give them both an approving nod. “I’m glad you two haven’t killed one another for the sake of my daughter.”
Shit, they’ve been drinking. Shayleigh’s not going to like this. Eli’s got to stop if he’s ever going to work things out with her. “Eli, maybe you should lay off the beer, at least until I take Shayleigh home.” I say it like a suggestion, but I know he hears it for the demand that it is.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m done for the night.” Eli tries to assuage my concern.
Dropping the boxes on the table, I lean back up and stretch my old bones. “I had to call in a lot of favors to get this. I’m glad I still have friends at the sheriff's office.”
Eli picks through the file box, takes a folder out and starts thumbing through it. Aiden picks up the next, filled with photos from the crime scene. His face contorts with disgust. “This is one sick fuck.”
“Eli, did you pick up the comics that Shayleigh has? What did she call them, ‘comps’?” I don’t understand any of this comic bullshit. I wish she would get a real job and stop screwing around with demonic crayons.
“Yeah, we got them.” Eli brings a box from his office off the living room. “These are the pre-release issues. They are printed and ready to be shipped.” He puts a stack on the table. “These are the comps that are in progress. All in all we have issues one through four in their entirety.” He drops those on the pile. “These are just printouts of the scans of the work on issue five—it hasn’t been lettered yet—and then we have the photos from CSU for what she’s done of issue six.”
To avoid looking at those damn comics I start studying the photos. “It doesn’t matter how many times you see crime scenes, they are always shocking,” I sigh. “I don’t know how anyone could think Shayleigh could do this. I just don’t get it, but Glass won’t see any other possibilities.”
Eli is looking at the photos. “Having seen the crime scene firsthand, I know Shay couldn’t have done it. She retches if her steak is underdone.”
“I guess it’s because she’s the only lead.” I’ve been there, but I would rather not solve a case then put someone who’s innocent in jail. I guess that’s the difference between Glass and me.
Aiden continues leafing through, and does his best to inject levity into the room. “I’m glad I opted out of the Chinese food.”
“They only found two sets of prints in the garage. We don’t know who they belong to yet, but all my money is on the Messners. CSU is going to run everything to look for something that belongs to the perp. But right now, it looks like the killer left nothing to go on.”
This is uncomfortable. It’s bad enough looking at these comics, but now I have to question these bozos about their activities with my little girl. I take off my glasses and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Which one of you was with her last night?”
Aiden leans forward on the couch. “I got there at about 10:30 last night. We had dinner and went to bed around midnight.”
“That’s not what the preliminary report indicates.” I open the folder with the report to refresh my memory. “It says here that when the officers arrived Shayleigh wasn’t there.”
“No, she was there, but out in the studio,” Aiden protests. “She had a nightmare. I guess she couldn’t fall back to sleep and she went out to work.”
While I have Eli here I need to pick his brain. “What do you think?”
“If I were handed this case I know there would be some issues if she can’t be linked to the scene through DNA and there is no murder weapon.” Eli calculates for a moment; knowing him, he’s running the odds. “I wouldn’t think of pleading it out unless the consultants gave me an indication that the jury was sympathizing with her. That would be the only time I would consider a deal. Those drawings are damned compelling.”
Aiden pulls his phone from his pocket. “She needs a lawyer.”
Eli nods in agreement. “Who are you calling?”
“My lawyer,” Aiden says as though it should be obvious. Honestly I’m glad I didn’t have to suggest it, but I feel better knowing that she’s going to have a good legal team. Aiden puts the phone on speaker in time for the receptionist to pick up.
“Roth, Carmichael, Eddins, and Brunner, this is Genie, how may I help you?” a sweet voice answers the line.
Aiden puts a smile in his voice. “Genie, hey darlin’, it’s Aiden.”
“Aiden, what have you done now?” Genie reprimands. She knows him all right.
“I didn’t do anything; can’t I just call to say hello?” Aiden lays on the charm.
“No, you only ever call when you’re in trouble.” Genie’s Southern accent could melt glaciers.
“I’m not the one in trouble this time. Shay nee
ds a defense attorney.” Aiden’s voice falls heavy with the seriousness of the situation.
“Did that sweet girl finally smarten up and try to kill you?” she laughs.
“Funny, Genie. There’s just been a misunderstanding. Is Bill around?”
Eli is pacing the floor, and upon hearing the name interjects, “Bill Cumming? No, he’s a simpleton. I eat guys like him for breakfast.”
“Sweetheart, you are on speaker phone,” Genie reminds him. “But whoever that is, he’s right. What kind of trouble is she in?”
“She’s in big trouble Genie. It’s capital. We want Eddins. He’s a tough SOB. Pull Garner for second chair.” I can see the gears turning in Eli’s head; he’s calculating their win/loss ratios on the fly.
“Is that Elijah Walker?” Genie asks, pleased to hear his familiar voice.
“Yes, it’s me.”
“Well, I’m glad to see you two boys getting along again.” Genie starts clicking away at the keyboard. “Elijah, when are you going to give up civil service and come to work over here?”
“When they agree to put my name on the building.” Damn, that kid has some balls. I like that about him.
“Oh Elijah, ambitious as always; you haven’t changed a bit since you and Aiden were boys.” Genie expels a laugh. “If you want the big guns you’re going to have to wait until next week. Eddins is in trial.”
Eli shakes his head at Aiden. “No, Genie, we can’t wait. Tell him we need to talk tonight.”
“He isn’t going to be happy about that; it’s already five.” Her tone is apprehensive.
Aiden puffs his chest out and meets Eli’s eyes. “Tell Eddins the guy with his name on the building needs to talk. Thanks for everything, sweetheart.”
“Or better yet, Genie, tell him it’s for Shay. I’m sure he won’t mind.” Eli, always the polite one. You would have thought Oliver could have bought Aiden some manners.
“No problem. Goodnight boys, and send Shay my love. I do miss seeing her around.” With that she hangs up.
Aiden slides his cell phone back into his jeans, heading for the kitchen. “You guys want a beer?”
I should be setting a good example for Eli, but I really just want a beer. “Sure.”
Eli’s expression lightens a little. “Yeah, I’ll have one.”
“So what do we do now?” I address Eli directly.
“We start going through all of this, looking for holes in the case against Shay.” He twists the top off the bottle and then heads into his office.
“How are you holding up?” Aiden breaks the silence.
“I’m okay. I’m worried about her, though, Aiden.” I don’t look up at him. I continue thumbing through an advanced copy of the first issue of Shayleigh’s comic.
“She’s going to be fine. We aren’t going to let anything happen to her. I trust that Eli will make sure this case goes away.” It looks like Aiden just swallowed a bucket of sand. He knows Eli’s the one that will be instrumental in getting her out of this.
I need to set him straight. I look him dead in the eye and tell him, “Aiden, I know one thing for sure: she doesn’t need you screwing around with her.”
Eli pipes in coming back into the room. “I agree with Harry.”
“That goes for you too, Eli.” I eye the bottles on the table.
“Yes, sir.”
“You are such a suck-up, Eli.” Aiden shakes his head. “Yes sir,” he says in mocking tone.
Aiden’s right, Eli is a suck-up. Aiden could learn a thing or two from him.
Chapter Thirteen
China
Shay
Inhaling Eli’s scent deeply, a sense of peace washes over me. Being wrapped in his down comforter could only be better if he were here with me. Rex picks up his head and wags his tail. “Hey buddy.” I scratch behind his ears.
The sound of hushed voices drones from the great room. Dad must be here. I wonder if the food ever arrived. Sitting up in the bed I stretch and fasten my bra. A smile rises to my lips thinking about Eli’s slick one-handed maneuver to remove some of my clothing. A rush of heat forces my eyes closed, remembering his touch.
I dig around under the covers to find my skirt, slide it on. Feeling chilly from being in the warm bed, I pluck one of Eli’s shirts from his closet and head out to the living room.
The room falls silent the moment I darken the doorway. All three of them look up at me.
“Hey, beautiful.” Eli appears at my side, sliding his arm around my waist and pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. He leans down, whispering in my ear, “I can’t wait to ditch these two so I can have you all to myself.” His voice soft in my ear sends heat streaming through my body.
“Hey Dad.” I hate to kill the mood, but my father is sitting right there.
“Did you sleep well sweetheart?” Dad asks, while seeming to be okay with Eli pawing at me. Aiden, on the other hand, is clearly having fantasies of pulling Eli’s balls off through his nostrils.
“Uh-huh,” I answer Dad, nuzzling a little closer to Eli.
“You hungry?” Eli asks, moving me toward the kitchen.
“Starving.” I look over the offerings, opting to eat from a carton of chicken fried rice. Returning to the great room I notice the way Aiden and Dad are looking at me. They are completely silent, just staring at me. I have to say something to break the tension. “Someone please tell me that this has all been one big nightmare and that we are all just here hanging out.” I raise my carton in mock toast.
That’s when I notice the bottles on the table and I’m immediately irritated with Eli. I turn and glare at him with disdain. He knows I saw them, he knows I’m pissed. He sits next to me on the loveseat. I scoot over so our thighs aren’t touching, a subtle yet effective move, judging by the forlorn look in his eyes. Eli knows how I feel about his drinking.
“Sorry, Doodlebug.” Dad tries to console me with his kind eyes. “I’m afraid this is all very real.”
“Surely they can’t think I had anything to do with this. That Glass guy is just an a-hole,” I try to keep it PG-13 when Dad’s around.
“He’s just doing his job. I would have preferred you had been a little more respectful. I’m sure Eli told you not to talk.” His tone is heavy with disapproval. “You should know better than to say anything in a situation like that.”
All three of them are exchanging glances. I hate this. I know they stopped talking about the crazy girl when I entered the room. They are all looking at me like they half expect I’m going to have a mental breakdown and hack them to bits with my chopsticks. I angle them, inspecting them, wondering if you could really hurt a person with a chopstick.
“Why did you do it?” Aiden breaks the silence with his sledgehammer of stupidity. He can’t stand a lull in the conversation. He always has to fill it with his special brand of dumb. Guess I may still be angry.
“Aiden, that’s not the least bit amusing.” Eli scalds him with his eyes.
“I didn’t.” I answer quietly, more hurt that Aiden would so much as question my innocence.
“Not the murders; why did you go after Glass like that?” he asked.
“Because he attacked me,” I answer simply, but from the looks on all three of their faces they aren’t getting it. “I didn’t like how he talked to me, rude and insipid.” To irritate Eli I put my feet on the coffee table, still scooping rice into my mouth. “So what’s the plan?”
They fill me in on everything they know, or at least that’s what they say. I know they’re holding back, that there’s more they aren’t telling me. They all feel the instinctual need to protect me, but I’m not made of china. I’m not as fragile as they make me out to be or would like me to be. It makes me so angry how they act like I can’t take care of myself. I’m not a child. It’s as though by virtue of having a vagina I’m weak and need to be protected.
They continue the strategy session like I’m not in the room. This is seriously pissing me off. I’d like to know why I’m the only one
with the good sense to see that using Aiden’s dad’s law firm isn’t exactly genius. I mean, if Oliver were still alive, I know he would take care of this, but he’s not.
Aside from me feeling like I would owe Aiden, has anyone considered what I’m going to do when he pulls another one of his disappearing acts? Will my legal team disappear with him? It’s just too risky. This is my life on the line. This is Florida; they have the death penalty here. But hey, at least it’s not Texas.
It’s time for me to speak up for myself, to let my opinion be known. “You know guys, I’m not really comfortable betting my future on a favor from Aiden. Is using his dad’s law firm really the best option?”
All eyes are on me momentarily. Dad is the first to try humor the helpless little girl. “What would you suggest we do?”
“I don’t know, but I know I can’t afford it, and the implication of owing you anything is enough for me to take my chances with a public defender.” I look straight at Aiden.
“Shay, Eddins is one of the best defense attorneys in the state of Florida.” Good ol’ sensible Eli; at least he tries to soften the fact that this decision has already been made for me. “He’s never had a case go to death row, even cases that were much stronger than the one against you right now.” Eli flashes Dad a knowing look. “Besides, I don’t know how yet, but I’m going to do everything I can to help. That’s why we’ve decided it’s what’s best.”
“So let me get this straight.” My eyes sear around the room, stopping momentarily on each of them before resting squarely on Dad. “Is it really possible that I’m the only one that sees that depending on Aiden is a bad idea?” Dad and Eli have both been there through the years, helping me pick up the pieces every time Aiden has left. How many friendly or fatherly speeches have I had to endure about how Aiden isn’t a good bet, how bad he is for me, and that I should steer clear of him at all costs? And now with all the brain power in the room, not a one of them can see our ship is sunk before it’s ever left the port if we are depending on Aiden. This is my life they are playing with, not just my heart.
INK: Fine Lines (Book 1) Page 6