Page 141 of Save Me

“I’ve already spoken with attorneys about this, and it looks like we’re building a strong enough investigation to help prosecutors.”

I shake my head because I don’t want to go into too much detail. “Nothing’s guaranteed, however. But if those former employees you mentioned are willing to speak with me, I think we’ll have enough proof to bring everything to light and, hopefully, end it.”

She nods, seemingly appeased with my answer. “Good,” she says just above a whisper.

“I’ll be in touch with all of you, okay?” I assure them before my attention lands on Nicole. “Make sure to get me the names and information of the church employees you mentioned.”

She nods. “I’ll contact them tonight. I think they’ll talk to you.” Her gaze shifts between the other two women.

They nod as well.

“Let them know I’m available day or night,” I tell her.

She nods, and I pay for our dinner and exit the restaurant after them.

I’m on the cusp of being ready to write my first article and turn it into James. I know this will be a series of articles. There are too many moving pieces and people involved to narrow it down to one article.

I breathe and start for my car as my phone buzzes. I don’t need to look at the screen to know who it is.

“Where are you?” Dae demands as soon as I place the phone to my ear.

“Hello to you as well,” I snark.

He audibly exhales. “Sorry, baby. Where are you?”

“I—” I part my lips to answer, but a warning shiver pushes up my spine. The hairs on the back of my neck stand. Instantly, I turn to look over my shoulder. It’s dark out, but not too late, only around eight p.m.

But the walk between the pizzeria and The Regal parking lot, where I left my car, isn’t as populated as it normally is in the middle of the day. A few cars pass the side street where I’m talking.

One of the cars, though, catches my attention. I can’t see the make and model from my angle because the headlights are on. It’s driving slowly along the right side of the road.

“Kennedy?” Dae calls.

“Huh, oh, yeah?”

“Where are you?”

“I was on my way back to the office to get my car. I had dinner with … well, it was a work dinner.”

“With whom?” His voice hardens.

“You know I can’t tell you that.”

His end of the line remains silent for a beat. “Are you safe?”

The question causes me to peer over my shoulder again. That car is still there, only they’ve turned down the headlights. It’s a dark colored vehicle, which makes it difficult to point out in the obscurity of the night.

“I think so,” I reply without thinking.

“What do you mean you think so?” Dae’s voice is on high alert.

Shit!

I curse myself for being so reckless with my answer. The man sounds half-ready to send a SWAT team out.

“I’m fine. I had dinner with a couple of sources for this investigation. I’m waiting to hear when I can meet with another important source. Tonight was a win,” I say as I round the corner onto the main street of my office building.

I look over my shoulder again and see the car turn in the opposite direction. I follow it with my gaze until it’s out of sight.

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