Page 134 of Black Bird

“How much do you know about your father’s intentions at the benefit he hosted?”

Brent stilled. “I thought you came here to talk about Sarah.”

“Were you not her escort into that benefit? I’ve seen over a dozen photos that make it seem as though the two of you knew exactly what you were up to when you arrived.”

“I already told you and the detective at the precinct what he had me do. She hates my guts for it. Rightfully so. When she asked me to get her into his benefit, I didn’t ask why. I owed her for letting her down. Getting her in was my only part in it.”

“And Detective Kane. And Northwood, if I’m not mistaken.”

“That’s correct. They asked for access for her protection.” Brent slid his hands into the pockets of his robe.

“So, is it a coincidence that you happened to visit the family that was supposed to be receiving some kind of treatment from Conrad Stratford just a day ago? He hasn’t reached out to you?”

“You should know. I’ve got a restraining order against me, per my father. I wouldn’t think it’d slip your attention. And no, it isn’t a coincidence. He’s refused to comment about leaving that little girl in the dark. So, I went to visit her. She’s—apparently, she looks up to me. I wasn’t aware of that. I offered to pay for anything that could improve her quality of life. I just wanted to do something … right.” The last word was a shrug, and a defeated sigh.

“And St. James?”

“I haven’t seen her since the night of the benefit.”

“I’ve got witnesses that put you at her house late that night after the building had been evacuated,” Foley pressed, stepping forward.

“Yeah, I was. We got separated and I wanted to make sure she was safe. I wasn’t there fifteen minutes.”

“And she hasn’t contacted you?”

Brent shook his head. “No. Why would she need me, when she’s got your detective?” Foley smirked at the jab.

“I can understand your frustration with the situation between St. James and Detective Kane. As it happens … they’re both wanted and on the run.”

Brent couldn’t stop his mouth from dropping open. He lowered his brows. “Wanted? For what? Sarah didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I don’t disagree with you, Mr. Stratford. That’s why I’m here. It’s also why I didn’t want to have this conversation at the precinct. That APB wasn’t my doing. There’s a team of agents taking over my office, and they have reason to believe she’s now in connection with a string of attacks. Detective Kane is wanted for harboring her.”

“She didn’t hurt anybody. She’d never do that.”

“I know. That’s why I need you to help me. I need to understand her reason for being at that benefit and what she was trying to accomplish. They’ve also got her charged with communicating threats to a government official.”

Brent’s limbs were seizing under his rising anger. “Did my father press charges?”

“No, he didn’t. He’s been radio silent since the incident at the hotel. Look, any information you can give me will help, Brent. Man to man … I’m just trying to clear her name. What does she have on your father? Why would she want to hurt him? Besides the drama of him having you date her for show?”

“I didn’t date her for show. I dated her—” Brent paused, knowing Conrad could probably hear every word, and then deciding finally that he didn’t give a shit anymore. His father was a horrible person. He deserved everything he got. “My father wanted Sarah’s blood. He seems to think that she’s some freak of nature that can cure cancer. He planned to use it to heal that little girl and become some kind of saint. Sarah went to the benefit to call him out. She wasn’t gonna hurt anyone. She wanted to ruin him publicly.”

Foley’s face softened as if all the pieces to this puzzle just fit into place. “So, she didn’t fire a weapon at him at that hotel?”

“Sarah doesn’t own a weapon, Captain. Trust me, I’d know. My father is very much alive. Several people saw him leave unscathed during the evacuation. I don’t know what happened in there. There’s not much I can tell you other than the fact that she’s innocent. She’s been the victim in your case that’s lost the most out of anybody. She doesn’t deserve this. No matter how much it pains me to say it … if Kane is with her, I feel like she’s safe.”

“And her friend? The redhead that was involved in the shooting downtown? Do you know if she’s with her?”

The incident at the bar crossed his mind. “I just saw Wren a block down from where she works. She was eating lunch. That’s the last I saw or heard from her. Are they after her, too?” Something like rage bubbled up in his gut.

“Not yet, but they might try. If she’s helping hide St. James, then it’ll be a matter of time before they start slapping charges on her as well. I’m trying to keep the fatalities to a minimum here, Stratford. There’s a common denominator. I’m interested in putting the right people behind bars. I know better than anyone that things aren’t always what they seem.” Foley slipped a card from his pocket and handed it to him. “If you can think of anything else, call me. And if you hear fromanyof them …”

Brent nodded, pocketing the card. “I got you. I’ll help in whatever way I can.”

“I appreciate that. Again, I’m doing my best to direct the attention away from them. The only way to clear them is to find the real threat—or threats. Please keep our conversation to yourself.”

“I understand, sir.”

---