Page 40 of Fatal Attraction

My hands tightened around the wheel. There was no use trying to school the guilt already settling across my fallen features.

“Damnit,” I whispered. “I should’ve been there.”

“There’s no use in beating yourself up over it. I’m sure everything will work out the way it should.”

“Do you want to come with me and wait in the car? Or would you rather I take you back to the house?” I peered through the corner of my eye and found him leaning back, sniffling as he stared out the window.

“Someone named Kendall left me a voicemail earlier this morning. The lab is ready to release Blaire’s car to me.”

My lips parted. “What? Carter…why didn’t you say something sooner? We could’ve handled that first thing.”

“Because I wasn’t ready to go up there. Hell, I’m still not.” He shuddered through a breath and wiped under his eyes. “I miss her, Charlotte. I miss her so fucking much.”

“I know you do.” I willed myself not to break down in a puddle as the image of her body hanging from the ceiling fan unwelcomingly flashed through my head, fucking haunting me like it did in my dreams damn near every night since I found her body. “I miss her too.”

I didn’t bother asking if he wanted me to take him, and Carter made no verbal objections as I drove us to the courthouse, arriving in just under twenty minutes. Given it would take an additional five to walk up those foot-cramping steps, plus however busy the elevators were…

Yeah… I could make it on time.

Possibly.

That was if I could find an open parking spot. At this rate, I’d literally have to park, get out, and sprint toward the building.

I finally parked, rushing to unbuckle my seatbelt and fetch my bag beside Carter’s legs on the floorboard.

“Are you staying here?”

“Yeah. Just keep the car running and text me when you’re on the way out.”

My heart cracked when he looked away from me to glare out the window again, swiping the tears clinging to his lashes away. I knew he was hurting, and as much as I desperately wanted to sit in the car and just talk to him—help us both find a way to cope through our grief, I couldn’t.

So, I reached over and grasped his hand, squeezing it tight.

“I’ll be back soon. I promise.”

The tears I fought back waited to slip out until I got out of the car. After quickly knuckling them away, cursing to hell and back, I burst into a run, praying I wouldn’t break a heel and face-plant in the middle of the parking lot. By the time I made it inside and was approaching the elevator, another text came in from Harley.

A lump larger than my first grew in my throat.

Judge Carter’s chambers.

The same judge who presided Karl’s arraignment.

Fuck.

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.

Feeling a little uneasy, I pressed the UP button on the elevator, stepping aside when it dinged and let a large group of people out. As I walked in, thankful I was the only one inside when the doors closed, I began to pace, thinking back on the conversation I had with Ben just days ago.

It had been established numerous times that while Angel’s testimony would be plentifully beneficial in Karl’s case, thanks to the masks, it wouldn’t be enough to cut Karl loose. Which was fine, because as it was thoroughly deliberated yesterday in the meeting with the detectives,Harley, Cap, and Chief, we each agreed until our perp was caught, it was better Karl remained incarcerated.

ButifI was right and Angel really did come forward, and depending on what she may have revealed to Ben…

Damnit.

That woman sure had abysmal fucking timing.

I stopped pacing then and drew in a therapeutic breath, releasing it.

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