AllFreeNovel
Share Us
So will I. Because of his fucking asshole brothers, they were going to have to leave the city and set up somewhere else. He’d lived in New Orleans all his life, except for the years he’d spent in the military. He didn’t know how to live anywhere else.
But he was going to have to learn.
20
Tulane-Gravier, New Orleans, Louisiana
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2:00 P.M.
KAJ PRESSED HIS palm to Val’s back as he herded them through the throng of reporters waiting outside the jail. Reuben had warned him that there would be a lot of media outside after his press conference, but dammit, this was a bigger crowd than Kaj had been expecting.
“Are you going to see Rick Gates?” one shouted.
“What will you say to Rick Gates?” another shouted.
“Who’s the lady?” someone else yelled.
Kaj said nothing and neither did Val. She allowed him to guide her, but she stood straight and tall, one hand resting on the gun in its holster at her hip.
Ever the bodyguard.
Kaj shuddered out a breath once they were in the lobby. “I don’t normally get so rattled.”
“It’s personal,” she murmured. “For both of us.” She gave up her firearm to security, saying no more until they reached the observation room, where Reuben held out his hand.
“Miss Sorensen. I’m Reuben Hogan.”
She shook his hand. “Thank you for allowing me to do this. I know you’re busy.”
“J.P. speaks highly of you.”
She faltered a little at Reuben’s use of “J.P.,” then nodded. “The same of you.”
“Sandra’s on her way,” Reuben said. “She’s still a little shaky from the detox, but her attorney says that she’s willing to talk to you. We’ll see what happens.”
Val just waited, her body stiff. Her tension grew with every second that passed.
Finally, a woman was led into the interview room, accompanied by a police officer and a man in a suit. “That’s her court-appointed attorney,” Kaj said. “Jay McLeod from the public defender’s office. He’s sharp.”
“So noted,” she murmured. “I don’t think he’ll have an issue with what I need to ask.”
“I’ll be in there with you,” Reuben said, not unkindly. “If you stray toward any unapproved areas—like Aaron Gates or any of the Gates brothers—I’ll have to escort you out. It’s time. Follow me.”
She did, the fisting of her hands at her sides the only indication of her stress. Otherwise, she appeared calm.
Kaj studied Sandra through the glass. Her skin was sallow and she had dark circles under her eyes. Her hair was clean but unbrushed. Detox had not been kind.
Val sat in the chair opposite Sandra, Reuben standing behind her. “Thank you for agreeing to see me.”
“Don’t feel too special, honey,” Sandra said with an edge to her tone. “I’m only doing this because the DA told me that I might be able to help with ‘another matter’ and that my cooperation would be noted. I’m bored enough to see what—” But then her gaze fell on Val’s face and she gasped, staring. “Who are you?”
“Ingrid Kristiansen.”
Sandra sagged back in her chair, her sallow skin growing pale. “Kr-Kristiansen?”
“Yes. Ivan was my brother.”
“Oh my God,” Sandra whispered. “You have his eyes.”
