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“No,” Burke said. “He’s not a stupid man. And he likes being alive.”
A cold shiver ran down Val’s spine. This feels wrong. But this was the situation and she’d deal. “What about next week? Kaj’s got the Doyle trial on Monday. Bella Butler will be back to take the stand. He’ll need security. Who’ll go with him?”
“We’ll provide someone,” Burke promised. “For now, let’s get through this meeting with Aaron Gates.”
“Okay.” But Val needed a word with Kaj before he left. “I’m going upstairs for a few.”
“Tell Elijah’s aunt we said hi,” Burke said slyly, and Phin smirked.
Val snorted. “Shut up.”
She found Elijah in his safe room with the door open. He’d called his aunt on his tablet, which he was sweeping around so that Genie could see it, too. Jace sat on the side of Elijah’s bed, looking uncertain as he petted Czar, who lay at his side. Czar was enjoying the attention.
Kaj stood off to one side watching Elijah, a smile playing on his lips. Val slid her arm around his waist.
“Phin’s in,” she murmured.
Kaj nodded, unsurprised. “Figured he would be. We’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
Val nodded, faking confidence. She tugged Kaj into the hall. “Be careful. Please.”
He cupped her face in his hands and pulled her in for a sweet kiss. “I will. But this might be the break that we’ve been waiting for.”
Val rested her forehead against his. “I don’t trust Aaron.”
“I don’t, either. But we can’t keep living like this. I want Elijah to be able to go back to school and not be afraid. I want Jace to have a good life, too.” He kissed her again, longer and lustier this time. “Now let me go.”
“Mr.Cardozo?” Jace stood in Elijah’s doorway, still looking uncertain. “While you’re at the jail, do you think you’ll have time to check on Rick?”
“They may not let me see him since I’m recused from his case. I’m only seeing Aaron because he insisted on it. But I’ll try. Do you have a message?”
“Just for him to stay safe.”
“If I can, I will. If I can’t, I’ll ask my boss to check on him, to make sure he’s okay.”
Tears shimmered in Jace’s eyes. “Thank you, sir.”
25
Tulane-Gravier, New Orleans, Louisiana
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 9:30 A.M.
REUBEN.” KAJ NODDED to his boss, who waited outside an interview room at the jail. “This is Phin Bishop. Phin, this is Reuben Hogan.”
Reuben inclined his head. “Are you one of Broussard’s people?”
“I am. Where do you want me to wait?”
“In the hallway is fine,” Reuben said. “Aaron’s public defender is with him. We’ve also got two officers in there.” He thumbed over his shoulder, pointing to the interview room door. “He won’t try anything. New info before you go in there—Ballistics matched the bullets from the rifle used on you last night to those found at the fake safe house that supposedly held Jace.”
“No surprise,” Kaj said grimly. “Let’s see what Aaron has to say.”
Aaron Gates sat at the table, his hands and feet shackled. The chain connecting the shackles was secured to a steel ring in the floor. Considering the brute strength he’d used when he’d killed the pediatric oncologist who’d treated his son, Kaj was grateful for the precaution.
Of course, Aaron had been fueled by meth that day.
Today he appeared exhausted and gaunt, his skin stretched tight over his cheekbones. But his eyes were sharp as they studied Kaj.
