Page 65 of Cruel Dreams

Taking a deep breath, I try to find peace in the quiet. If we’re not answering questions, we’re watching the news, and there’s so much of it.

Surprisingly, Quiet Meadows is one of the main news stories. Journalists interviewed Zarah’s family physician, the old doctor who’s weaning her off the drug cocktail Ash was slowly poisoning her with. The authorities closed the facility upon further investigation, and already the families of the more prominent patients are screaming abuse and pressing charges. Zarah’s psychiatrist was arrested on numerous counts of malpractice, and though she doesn’t need the money, Zarahcould win a lawsuit worth millions. She wouldn’t be interested in that...so much lost time is priceless.

Reporters camp outside Maddox Industries, and I’m glad Zane is protecting her. He could call and tell me how things are, but he never does.

The FBI shut down Ladies and Gentlemen and began the tedious process of interviewing and questioning his entire staff. They also found Ash’s real set of books, revealing what I already knew—that his escort/prostitution service brought in millions of dollars a year.

The Blacks’ other businesses are frozen pending investigation, and all their assets have been locked down. Denton laughed when he heard. Hotels, restaurants, workout clubs, bars, and even clothing stores are closed. The FBI and the district attorney’s office have their work cut out for them.

Every once in a while, there will be a news piece on Willow. My heart goes out to her. I had to tell Banks Willow must have at least known what her husband and son were doing, and I tried to convince him to offer her some leniency. After all, I wouldn’t have been able to escape if she hadn’t looked the other way.

The sun hides behind another cloud, and I shiver. I should go downstairs, but I can’t face Max’s empty room. I can’t face Zane’s silence or Denton’s sorrow.

We won, but in some ways, some important ways, we lost, too.

I stare over the Renegade and say a prayer for the lives lost on that river.

Mel walks across the rooftop looking more relaxed than I’ve seen her since we met. Her hair blows in the breeze, and she’s wearinga tank top and silk lounging pants. She’s barefoot and holding two mugs.

“Hey,” she murmurs, sliding onto the chaise lounge next to me.

“Hey.”

She passes me a mug, and I sip the café mocha she must have ordered from somewhere. The warm drink chases away the chill in my bones, and the caffeine and chocolate soothes my raw nerves. “Thanks.”

“Quinn’s worried about you.”

I lift a shoulder. “She always is. What’s she doing?”

“Watching the news. It’s like a train wreck. Horrifying, but you can’t look away.”

“Have they found anything new?” They repeat the same things, most of which we knew because we were in on it from the beginning.

“The police department tracked down Max’s family. His half-brother is a PI and lives in the city. His father was Senator Cook.”

I give her a blank stare.

“Minnesota’s Republican senator,” she says.

“Oh. He didn’t say anything. His dad’s important then.”

“He’s given a short statement to the press saying Max’s curiosity has always gotten him into trouble. It doesn’t seem like he and the Blacks were involved, personally or business-wise.”

“That’s good.”

Max never spoke of family, only his ex-girlfriend who told him the NTSB had found the black box.

I sip the coffee. Mel has an expectant air about her. She wants to tell me something, and I wait.

“Stella . . .”

I tense.

“There was a leak, and someone released a partial list of Ash’s clients. Things are going to get bad. Mayor Huxley’s been in custody since the gala, and last night he committed suicide. He stabbed himself in the neck with a pen.”

Closing my eyes, I lean my head against the back of the lounging chair. “Because of his association with Nathalie?”

“No. His daughter came forward and said he’s been molesting her for years. She’s fifteen now. They asked her what she thought of her father’s suicide, and she said she was glad he was dead.”

---