Page 84 of Ruthless Cross

"No. If my father is involved, I would have no problem arresting him."

"I know you believe that. But thinking it and doing it are two different things. You can't forecast how you would feel in that situation, and that bothers me."

"How I would feel?" he echoed. "The man abandoned me and my mother. You think I want to save him?"

Damon stared back at him. "Like I said, I don't think you can predict how you'll feel if you see him again."

"Well, I can predict it. It will be the same anger that I've always felt. And that's all I want to say about it. You can trust me or not—up to you."

"I'll trust you."

"Good. Not that I should have had to say that," he added pointedly.

Damon frowned. "You're right, Flynn. We've all had conflicts of interests come up, myself included. I actually didn't ask the question because I was worried about the case. I'm more concerned about you, and what the potential personal cost might be."

He could see the sincerity in Damon's eyes. "I appreciate that. I don't know what the cost will be, or even if there will be a cost, but I'm not backing down. I'm not walking away. You can take me off the case, but that won't stop me. I will get to the bottom of this and whatever the truth is, I'll deal with it."

"I get it."

"Then let me get back to work."

"Keep in touch."

As Damon left, Savannah came into the room, a questioning gleam in her eyes. "What was that about? You and Damon were having a heated conversation."

"He's concerned about my father presenting a conflict of interest for me. I'm hoping you're not here to say the same thing."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"Good. What's up? Something new happen in the last few minutes?"

"We just identified your assailant. His real name is Eddie Norman, twenty-seven years old, born in France to an American mother who was studying abroad at the time. They came to the US when he was three. He grew up in LA, dishonorably discharged from the Army four years ago for assault on a senior officer. Since then, he's been working for a paint crew and, according to one of his coworkers, was flashing new cash last week from what he referred to as a side job."

"Is there a connection to any of our suspects?"

"No, but there is a connection to the art world. Before Eddie was born, his mother, Tracy Norman, was an art student in Paris and worked part-time at a gallery called Maison d'art. The gallery has changed owners twice since then. The new owner has never heard of Tracy Norman or her son. I'm trying to track down the previous owners. I don't know if it means anything, but the art connection tells me this information could be relevant."

"I agree. Keep on it."

"I will. I was going to head over to Layana Vazquez's studio this morning to interview her, but Bree said she'd take that over so I can concentrate on Norman."

"That's great. Thanks for helping me keep all the balls in the air."

"No problem. How is Callie doing?"

"She's better. She's with her mom. I'm heading over there now to see if I can speak to Juliette."

"I hope Juliette can tell you something that will prove her innocence."

"I wouldn't mind that," he admitted.

She gave him a knowing look. "Because you have a thing for her daughter."

"I don't have a thing," he said dismissively.

"That's the real conflict of interest for you, Flynn. It's not your dad; it's Callie."

He didn't bother to address her comment, mostly because he had a feeling she might be right.

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