Page 141 of State of Suspense

“Way.”

“Did you try to stop it?”

“It’s not up to me. She’s his mother. If he wants to see her, what can I do besides go with him and get in the middle of it if she pulls the usual shit? Apparently, the lawyer that got her out of jail has convinced her she needs to make things right with her son.”

“What’s his angle?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Are you going to find out before Friday?”

“I suppose I should look into that.”

“I’ll do it. What’s his name?”

“Collins Worthy from Cleveland, and P.S., I don’t deserve you.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No, I really don’t. I’m surrounded by people who’d do anything for me, and you’re at the top of that list. I just hope you know…”

He gave her a fierce look. “I know.” After he sat back in his seat, he looked over at her. “I hope it’s okay to say I can’t believe he’s actually going to meet with her.”

“It’s okay. I can’t believe it either. She’s got this weird hold over him. It’s like he becomes a little boy again when she resurfaces, and he’s full of hope that things might be different. It never is, of course, but he can’t seem to give up the hope.”

“I hate that for him.”

“I do, too, but I’ve learned to follow his lead where she’s concerned. He was so upset that I didn’t tell him I’d asked Avery to look into her before she got arrested. I never want to be the cause of that again.”

“You weren’t the cause of that. She was.”

“But it never would’ve smacked him in the face if I hadn’t asked Avery to investigate when I was in a fit of rage over her shenanigans and then forgot to mention that to him.”

“It might’ve blown up anyway. At least this way, he had some notice that it was going down.”

“I guess, but it was unsettling to see him that upset over something I’d done. I didn’t like that. So my new policy is to follow his lead with her and let him call the shots.”

“I suppose that’s wise, but if I had a vote, I wouldn’t want him anywhere near her.”

“You and me both, pal.”

“So Collins Worthy is a well-regarded defense attorney in Cleveland with a reputation for being a shark on behalf of his clients. I’m scrolling, looking for anything negative about him, but not finding it other than the usual criticism levied at defense attorneys who work for criminals.”

“Thanks for looking him up for me.”

“What do you think the odds are that she’s decided to clean up her life?” he asked.

“Slim.”

“Yeah, probably.”

Upon arriving at Jessup, Sam, Freddie and Vernon went through the usual routine of surrendering their weapons and proceeding through security. They were shown to a room to wait for the Peckhams.

Sam felt unusually anxious for some reason, which was strange. She often interacted with hardened criminals and was never particularly unsettled around them. It was probably because of the way Avery had spoken about Willy and the trauma they’d inflicted on Shelby during the home invasion that had Sam’s nerves on edge. Sam would never forgive them for what they’d put her sweet friend through by threatening her life, Noah’s life and that of her unborn child. It was almost too much to bear.

When they came in, Willy more than lived up to his reputation.

Both wore orange jumpsuits. He had stringy hair and a haggard face, as if he’d lived a hundred lifetimes and done them all the hard way. Amber was much younger, pretty and seemed terrified. Their hands and feet were chained, and the deputy made no move to unlock them once they were in the room.

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