Page 94 of Wicked Games

“It’s regarding an old case,” I say.

Riley sits across from me, her eyes wide.

“Name?”

“Margo—er, Appleton.”

Riley hits me with the back of her hand. “Hey!”

“Hold, please,” the receptionist says. There’s a click, then classical music fills my ears.

“Sorry. She put me on hold.”

“Naturally.”

The music cuts out, and the receptionist says, “I’m transferring you over to Mr. Rodrigues’s line now.”

“Thanks—”

A click, and then more ringing.

“Tobias Rodrigues. How can I help you, Ms. Appleton?” His words come out in an impatient rush. It might be because this phone call isn’t billable.

I grab the notebook Riley has on her lap and clear my throat. “I was wondering if you could help me. My friend’s dad had a public defender about eight years ago, and all she can remember is the name Tobias?—”

“No, no. I came from a prosecutor’s office four years ago, and my law firm mainly handles civil cases.”

Dad was tried in criminal court, and this guy wasn’t even a defense attorney at that point.

“I’m sorry to have wasted your time. Thank you.” I hang up and drop the phone, falling back on the bed. “Well, that leaves…one. Not very good odds.”

She makes a face. “One is all we need. You’ll recognize him, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, let’s go to New York City then.” She stands, pulling me up with her.

“Wait, now?”

Riley snorts. “I mean…”

My phone rings. Caleb’s name flashes across my screen, and I promptly turn it facedown. I’m not avoiding him, per se… but we’re investigating why he knows my dad’s lawyer.

I don’t want to lie to him, and I can’t exactly tell the truth. What if he tries to stop me? He could. He has the power to stop me in my tracks, at least temporarily. Distract me. Or worse, lie to me. And so, we’re avoiding.Big time.

“He’s going to get suspicious,” Riley says.

“I’ll deal with it later.”

Her eyebrow lifts. Almost as soon as my phone goes quiet, Riley’s starts up.

She frowns. “Eli? Um, yeah, she’s with me?—”

I shake my head fast. “No, Riley?—”

She hands me the phone, looking apologetic. “Caleb.”

“Obviously.” I take the phone and put it to my ear, announcing, “You’re interrupting girl time.”

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