Page 40 of Motion to Dismiss

“Did you hear what I said about Peter Hansel?” she presses.

“I did. Why are you looking into him?”

“My mom’s a huge fan of his books.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say. “You’re on speaking terms with your mother?”

“It’s a long story.” She pauses. “He was your father’s lawyer on his murder case, right?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Is that why you hate him so much?”

“Okay, Scarlett.” I sigh. “I shouldn’t have called you tonight.”

“I called you.”

“Because I donated money. You would’ve never called me on your own.”

“I’ve wanted to.”

Silence.

“Can you tell me why you hate Peter Hansel?” Her tone softens. “Just, please?”

“Because he barely did his job as my father’s lawyer,” I say. “And the guy who was killed, Tom Raider, was not a victim. He deserved to die.”

“No one deserves to die, Jameson.”

“Tom Raider did.”

She lets out a breath. “And you know for a fact your father didn’t kill him?”

“Five thousand percent.”

“Can I ask you to tell me why?”

“You can, but I won’t answer.”

“Fine, then,” she says. “How’s my father’s case going? How much dirt have you washed away?”

“I’d rather answer the other question.” I roll my eyes.

“I’m listening.”

“Okay.” I pause. “Once I tell you, I need you to hang up the phone and block my number.”

“It’s already blocked, Jameson.”

“No, it’s not,” I say. “You block it and then unblock it every few days because you think I’ll magically turn into who you want me to be, but the truth is…I’m worse. So, once I tell you this, you can move on with Cole.”

“You mean that?”

“No, but I’m in a lose-lose situation for the first time in my life, so—” A sharp ache tears through my chest, begging me to change my mind, but I can’t. “Promise me you’ll hang up once I tell you and never speak to me again.”

“Okay.” Her voice is soft. “I promise.”

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