Page 16 of Seven

“Okay. It was right around six. The office was already closed, but Joyce told me he had an appointment at five-thirty, and he would see me right after.”

I wasn’t a fan of Detective Joyner. Not because of his rotund physic or receding hairline, but because he was arrogant and coy, and he had this annoying habit of sucking air between his teeth.

It didn’t help matters that I was freezing. I wrapped my arms tighter around me, hoping it might help ease the chill that had seeped into my bones, but it did little to help. I was still trembling, and it only seemed to make my nerves worse. I was struggling to keep it together, and Detective Joyner knew it.

His face was a mask of practiced sympathy, and it did little to make me feel any better. In fact, it made me feel worse. “So, you go to his office after closing hours, and you ride the elevator up to the second floor. When you start to your father’s office, you hear the gunshots…”

“No, I heard my father talking first. He was yelling about something, but I can’t remember what was said.”

I went over everything again, and when I was done, I added, “I’m sorry. That’s all I know.”

“And you’re sure you don’t know anyone who might want to harm your father.”

“There’s no telling.” I sighed. “My father and I weren’t as close as we used to be, so I really don’t know what was going on with him.”

“Okay.” Joyner closed his notebook as he stood and said, “You’ve been very helpful, Ms. Warren.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more.”

“You’ve given us more than you think.”

I had no idea what he’d meant by that, but I didn’t question it.

I simply nodded and said, “I’m glad I could help.”

“I will need to question your mother and son.”

“Why would you need to question my son? He didn’t see anything.”

“Maybe not, but there’s always the chance that he picked up on something you didn’t.”

“Okay, but can it wait until tomorrow? It’s late, and he’s been through enough for one day.”

“Absolutely.” His expression softened as he said, “I know this is difficult. Losing someone is hard enough without all this red tape, but we’re doing everything we can to bring you answers.”

Answers.

That was something we all wanted—the police, my mother, and especially me. I wanted to know the why, the how, and the who. Maybe then, I wouldn’t feel like my life was unraveling.

“I appreciate it.”

“If you think of anything, even something you think is small and insignificant, please reach out. It could make the difference between us finding and not finding the men who killed your father.”

“I will. Thank you, Detective Joyner.”

This whole thing felt so surreal.

Just hours ago, I was in my new apartment, and my heart was full of hope and excitement. Now, my father was gone, my world was in utter chaos, and all I had was a promise from a man who didn’t understand what I’d just lost or what I stood to lose.

5

SEVEN

“Igotta admit. It’s not half bad.”

“So, all good?”

“Yeah, I think it was pretty damn good. Even better than I’d hoped.”

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