Page 38 of Dissension

But perhaps Brooker has dealt with so many morally bankrupt people that he just assumed someone who tormented others for kicks would be too interested to say no.

It’s a long shot, but she reaches out to the Private Investigator that she always used at Benson’s firm. There’s got to be a hole in this. A money trail that ends up nowhere…

The whole thing smells off. All this time and justnowsomeone comes forward? Kara isn’t buying it.

She’d love to know Nick’s perspective. His client is under dark scrutiny now.

Chapter 16

“You’re not listening to me.” Kara stares down at the man lounging up against the side of his own crystalline custom hot tub. A paradise of his own making.

He annoys her. He looks goodwhilehe annoys her.

“I am,” Dieter replies simply, leaning his head back, eyes hidden behind his rose-gold aviators, reflecting Kara back like mirrors. She imagines his eyes are closed and he’s thinking she’s a rather offensive gnat that just won’t stop buzzing in his ear.Tough shit, cookie.

“If you are, you’re nothearingme.” She paces back and forth across the concrete, hands on her hips. “The situation is heating up. Didn’t you see the news? There’s another witness-”

“I bet Nick is loving that.” Airy, disturbingly unconcerned.

Nick is probably underwater with Paxton Brooker chaos now, knowing yet another person is coming forward to speak against his trouble-ridden client. Things look even worse, considering the mysterious murder of X, the original witness.

Maybe he’s glad; he’s got to be making a small fortune billing hours from Paxton for all these cases. Especially considering he got Paxton free of the Debra Mills allegations, the rat bastard. He fucking snaked that thing from Kara…

Her exasperation is unending. “Dieter, I know you have a brain, use it. People arestillwondering about your involvement in this torture case. I have detectives asking me to provide more documents about your financials. I’ve had to call your accountant -who was unhelpful by the way- and your other legal hack, Tate Reggison, who conveniently didn’t have some files and-”

“Blah blah.Sounds like you have it under control. How about you stop complaining about troubles that may or may not occur because of good old Paxton and get in this hot tub with me. I’mbored.” Never a good sign. He’s unkind when he’s bored.

“I have nothing to swim in,” Kara replies sternly, trying to remain in control. She cannot allow him to beat her in this matter. He’s a master at diverting the narrative to whatever he wishes it to be, as she’s so learned. Trying to channel Gale, Kara continues boldly, “Dieter, I need you to beserious-”

He talks over her as if she hasn’t even spoken. “Go up to my mother’s room and pick something out of her drawers or her damn closet. She’ll never know. She rarely visits the States anymore. Probably buried in a fucking mountain of coke in Dublin and rugged Irish callboys...”

Irritation is red hot in her guts, listening to him grumble. The last thing Kara wants to do is rifle throughthatwoman’s belongings while those piercing green eyes stare down at her with stony silence. As a once internationally famous model, Saoirse Bittinger’s intense portraits consume space on her bedroom walls. A beautiful woman; Kara can see so much of her in Dieter. But also a woman with eyes so empty Kara can’t imagine any sort of affection there.

Dieter had once told Kara that he hadn’t even known his motherwashis mother for years as a young boy because she was never home and let the staff ‘deal with him’. He imagined she was a sister of his because it wasn’t like she ever said, ‘call me mom’. When she was in their family home, she was like a child herself; fickle, lost in cocaine, and vacantly spoiled.

“I’m not wearing your mother’s things, even if she doesn’t want them anymore.”

He flicks water at her with a scoff. Dieter goes silent and returns to ignoring her presence, looking like some form ofa dreamy model himself. It’s almost painful to look at him, knowing where his wicked, horrible mouth has been.

…and knowing that Kara wouldn’t entirely be opposed if he wanted her again, no matter how wrong it is. Herclient, of all people…

Wanting to slip her mind away from the filthy imaginings that suddenly course through her thoughts, Kara demands, “How is this a nonissue in your brain? What am I missing? Aren’t you worried Paxton and Nicholas are going to find some way to draw the attention back on you? What if they try to pin part of the blame on you because you fund Paxton-”

With a laborious sigh of the mentally taxed, Dieter gets out of the steaming hot tub, water coursing down his sleek, athletic frame in a way that shouldn’t be allowed to be so enticing. With casual appeal, he wraps a towel around his waist, strolling towards the house. “No. But clearly, you are. Get over that.”

Kara pauses, watching him go, feeling her blood pressure spike alongside her heart rate. He’s walking away from a conversation, changing the scenery; he expects her to follow, and he will once again try to control the narrative.

A decisive talent of his. Gale always warned her about this little tactic of his.

“We’re boating on Friday this week,” he calls over his shoulder to her as he escapes. “That dubiously consensual prick you seem to like is attending.” There’s a sharp grin on his mouth. “Thought you’d like that.” Carelessly, he pitter patters to the main hall, to the stairs, leaving a trail of water for Maria to clean.

“Nick is going on your boat?” Kara splutters as she follows after him. “Henevergoes on your boat.”

“I always invite him. This time, he saidyes.” He gives her a sly look as he pauses at the foot of the stairs. “Do you think it’s because he misses you? Or is it because he has business with Gale? Thoughts to consider.”

Kara scowls as she avoids stepping in his watery mess. He’s on his way to his room to change out of his swim trunks and clearly, he’s changed the subject on her. “Don’t distract me from the fact that we have bigger fish to fry than Nicholas going on your boat. What about the situation with Paxton-”

He groans with exasperation and doesn’t reply. Dieter walks up the grand bridal staircase slowly, as if he has all the time in the world. He knows she’s watching.

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