Page 19 of Wicked Sin

“I work part-time as a peer counselor with LAST.”

“How long have you been doing that?”

“Three months.”

“Your work before that?”

She looks at Sarah, who’s been quiet this whole time. “I didn’t have a job before that. I was working on myself, I guess.”

“And does working on yourself pay well?” McBride asks.

“I have a trust fund. I don’t need to work.”

Sarah glances obviously at the folder on the table in front of me. Taylor follows the pointed look with her eyes then gives me a look that asks,What is going on?

It’s not personal, Princess.I clear my throat. “When your father was arrested this afternoon in Washington, all of the family accounts were seized.”

“Is that why my debit card didn’t work at the pharmacy?” She does a good job of looking genuinely distressed. “Well, that’s bullshit. That was my personal account. That has nothing to do with my parents.”

“Take that up with the FBI.”

My timing couldn’t have been better. A knock sounds at the door, and McBride opens it. In steps a white guy in a suit. Generic federal agent. Older, in good shape. Obviously unhappy.

The captain is right behind him.

He flashes a badge at the room. “Ferdinand. FBI.”

Behind him, Sarah stifles a giggle, and the captain gives her a warning look.

“Agent Ferdinand,” I say smoothly. “Please join us. Perhaps you can provide some more clarity to Ms. Reid here about why her bank accounts have been frozen.”

He pulls a warrant from his pocket and hands it to my witness, who has turned into an ice princess for real. She takes it gingerly and glances at the page with disdain.

“Like I said. Bullshit. But do what you want. I’ll just lean heavily on the hospitality of the LAPD if you’re going to be a money-stealing monster.”

“It’s a temporary measure, Ms. Reid,” Ferdinand says. “Your personal accounts will be reviewed first and released to as soon as possible. We appreciate your cooperation.”

“I’m not cooperating with anyone,” she says. “Just in case you were wondering.”

“Hey, I thought we were getting along great,” I deadpan. “We had that whole near-miss-on-death bonding experience earlier.”

“And then you dragged me in here like I’m some kind of suspect in my own car bombing, so no, dude. We’re not getting along great.” She looks at the captain. “I’m ready for an attorney now, please.”

“You haven’t been charged with anything, Ms. Reid.”

“Then, in that case, I’d like to leave. I can do that right?”

I stand up. There are too many people in the room. I need Taylor to sit her ass down, and I need everyone else to leave. “You’re welcome to leave at any time. But I can’t let you go far. The break room, if you want a cup of coffee. If you insist on leaving this building, I will follow you.”

She stands up, too. “That sounds like a threat, Detective.”

“More of a promise, Princess.” I move around the table, closing out the rest of the crowded space. It’s just her and me. “Where are you going to go? You really want to put your life on the line just to show me who’s boss? I’m the boss. Don’t forget it.”

“You don’t seem like the boss here,” she says brightly.

“That’s because I play well with others. But the good agent behind me? And my captain? They’re going to step outside. We’re going to keep talking, you and me, because we’ve got a lot of ground to cover. So I can figure out who’s got it out for you enough to blow your car up. Got it?”

She hesitates. And in that moment, my gamble proves itself worthwhile. As long as I keep the witness talking, what I said is true. My captain and the FBI agent are going to want to hear what she says, and they’ll put up with any kind of unconventional interrogation technique on my part as long as I get the goods.

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