Page 107 of Rules to Love By

“Including…” Marcus ducked farther away from the open window and lowered his voice. “Even the part about being in the vicinity that night?”

“All of it.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea? If they know I was there, what’s to stop them blaming me even though I didn’t do anything?”

“The truth, Marcus. The truth is stopping them.”

“That might work for a nice white lawyer, but—”

“And it will work for you because—”

“Because you say it will?” He hadn’t meant to sound quite that bitter, but too many encounters with police who didn’t see past his skin, or past Tris’s eyeliner or another guy’s dirty clothes made him wary of exactly what the cops saw when they looked at them.

“Because I say it will, yes.” The man didn’t even have the decency to sound aggravated. “Since I met Lucky, I’ve worked with quite a number of people who don’t trust police to see past the ends of their noses. I have taught those nearsighted police to do better. I continue to stand between them and the easy way out of doing their jobs. I protect people like you, Marcus, because I can. Because you deserve to have the best kind of protection, the same as anyone else.”

Marcus sighed. “Lucky recruits a lot of people.”

“That he does.”

After a moment of glaring out at the backyard, Marcus bit his lip and nodded. “Okay. Fine. When do we do this?”

“First thing tomorrow morning. I can send a car for you.”

“That isn’t necessary.”

“I think it is. And in the meantime, I highly recommend you remain at the Oaks, where your friends can be your support system.”

“You mean keep an eye on me.”

Schiffer chuckled. “That too. Try to get a good night’s sleep, Marcus. You’ll need it.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Sure.” He paused only a second. “Hey, Mr. Schiffer?

“Yes?”

“You said not to go to the diner until this is resolved. When will that be? After I talk to the cops tomorrow?”

“Hard to say. Why?”

“Because I need to go back. As soon as possible.”

“Why, if you don’t mind my asking.”

“I—I just miss it.”

“I build my relationships on truth, Mr. Richards. Care to try that one again?”

“I do miss it.”

“And?”

“Johnathan is ruining it. I want to know what Aunt Iris wanted.”

“Do you think she left something? A letter? A will?”

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