Page 33 of Shadow

Daphne

Still assessing.

Caroline

Trust your gut.

Her gut said Asher Morrison was genuine.

Her gut had been wrong before.

“I need more coffee.” Asher stood. Grabbed his empty mug. “You want some?”

“I’m fine.”

He walked to the door. Opened it. Called down the hall. “Hey, Sandra? Can we get a fresh pot in Conference Room B?”

He closed the door. Came back to the table.

“So, the RICO case.” Daphne pulled up Caroline’s briefing notes. “Roger and Destiny are critical witnesses. Anyone else?”

Asher sat back down, the chair creaking. “No one with the kind of evidence we need to prove Draven controls the syndicate.”

“That’s why Draven wants them dead.”

“That’s why Draven wants them dead.” Asher leaned forward. “Without their testimony, without Ralph’s records, the RICO case collapses. Draven walks. The syndicate continues. Everything we’ve worked for—everything Martha’s testimony was going to unlock—means nothing.”

The passion in his voice was real.

Had to be real.

Except.

Good liars could fake anything.

The door opened. A woman in her fifties came in. Bright smile. Coffeepot in one hand. Clean mug in the other. “Fresh pot for you, Asher.” She set both on the table. “You shaved your beard. Looks good.”

“Thanks, Sandra.”

She glanced at Daphne. “You must be Ms. Cross. Heard you helped our boy here with that diner situation this morning.”

Our boy.

People here cared about him.

Liked him.

Trusted him.

Either genuine, or he’d fooled everyone.

“Just doing my job.”

“Well, thank you anyway.” Sandra patted Asher’s shoulder. Maternal. “I’ll have sandwiches sent up.”

She left.

Asher poured coffee.