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Not when it means I get to love him every day.
Chapter 33
Friday
“What do you mean you’re stuck there?” Lauren demands, outrage ringing in her voice.
“Not stuck. Just temporarily detained,” I try to explain, sensing that my editor is about two seconds away from losing her cool.
“They can’t keep you there, Max. You’re needed in New York.”
I let out a sigh, wondering how many more times I’m going to have to explain what Chief Neptune told me earlier today. “I’m sure this will all blow over soon enough. It’s just a precaution.”
“I don’t like it. I don’t like it one bit,” Lauren exclaims. “Do you need me to send one of our lawyers out there?”
“No. Not yet. But it wouldn’t hurt to keep one on speed dial, just in case.”
“I can’t believe this is happening. Especially when you’re so close to finishing Dead Girls Don’t Lie.”
“I know. It’s not ideal, but there’s not much I can do about it right now. With a bit of luck, I’ll have the manuscript finished around the same time Chief Neptune decides I’m free to go home.”
“That’s not good enough,” she argues, clearly not liking the idea of having to wait around for someone else to decide my fate. “And I certainly don’t like the idea of leaving you there on your own.”
“I’m fine, Lauren. Truly.”
“Are you sure?” The doubt in her voice is impossible to miss. “Because even if we put this whole investigation aside for a moment, there’s still a killer on the loose in that town. What if he comes for you next?”
“I don’t think he will.”
“I wish I had your confidence, but this whole situation is making me nervous. I say you get yourself back to New York now and deal with the consequences later.”
We’re back to going around in circles. Lauren won’t be satisfied until I’m safely back in New York, and right now, New York is the last place I want to be.
I need to be here. My words are here. Milo is here.
Still, Lauren will never understand that, and I’m not about to explain it to her. So instead, I do my best to end our conversation politely.
“I promise to keep you in the loop. In the meantime, I’m hoping to have the last few chapters in your inbox by tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest.”
Lauren lets out a long, frustrated sigh. “Okay, Max. I trust your judgment. But remember, I’m just a phone call away. If you need a lawyer, I can have one out there in no time.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that. Talk to you soon.”
“Okay. Bye, Max. And please, stay safe.”
“I will. Bye.”
The moment I hang up, I lean back in my chair and just stare at the ceiling.
A part of me knew this conversation was going to be a shitshow before I even dialed her number. Still, I had to tell Lauren what was happening. Especially if Chief Neptune decides to make good on his threat and actually detain me.
God, I still can’t believe I’m at the top of his list of suspects.
After everything the Reds have done over the years, there has to be someone else out there with a motive to kill them. Someone who hated them just as much as I did. Maybe even more.
There just has to be.
But aside from Mr. Collins, I can’t think of anyone else. And if I can’t come up with another name besides my own, how the hell am I supposed to expect Chief Neptune to?
