Page 82 of Nothing to Beat

“The woman is getting married soon.”And had already done so much for them.“She doesn’t need this kind of pressure right now.Plus…”

“Ackley isn’t a fan.”Breck voiced what she hadn’t wanted to verbalize.“We don’t want the meeting to be antagonistic.”

And that meant everyone had to keep their egos in check.At the last meeting, Bastian, at least, didn’t have skin in the game, both Breck and Porter did.

Without hesitation, Porter nodded.“I’ll follow your lead.”

What did that mean?He’d walk away if Breck told him to walk away?She doubted that.This was “career-defining,” remember?If Porter Clement had to stand up to someone, would it be someone as powerful as LA DA Ackley?Instinct said no… she could be alone, out on a limb, no allies, and the potential for her father to learn what she’d done.And that was kind of terrifying…

Or it was until the press of a hand on her back guided her from the room.As powerful as LA DA Ackley?How about as powerful as Rankin “Breck” Breckenridge?Her guy may not put criminals behind bars, but when it came to getting a man elected… or not… She’d put money on her guy coming out on top every time.

TWENTY-EIGHT

THE CONFERENCE ROOM table only had six seats around it.Not a huge room, but a quiet one in a less-frequented corner of the business suite.Good start.Ackley was there with an aid who shuffled out and closed the door only moments after she, Breck, and Porter arrived.

“We have a lot to talk about,” Ackley said, opening his hands to the empty seats as he descended into his own.“I thought it best this happen without too many spectators.”

Was that why he moved the meeting from his office to the hotel?His discretion was intriguing.Either he was eager for further cooperation and wanted it to look like he gave a crap about her safety, or he himself had something to hide.

“What exactly is this?”With Breck seated at one side and Porter on the other, it may look like they were mob-handed, but Porter owed them nothing.“Why do we need a Chicago ADA so urgently?”

“I checked out what you told me yesterday.”Nice of Ackley to only focus on her.A show of respect or was he afraid to address either man?She’d reserve judgment.“Spoke to some people, checked out a few things.”

And she wouldn’t be offended by the implication of a lack of trust.Fair was fair.

“I won’t ask how that turned out because I know my information is solid.You won’t intimidate me.”

“That’s not my intention.One of the names you gave me… an associate of your father’s.”Yes?“An Enter Out partner confirmed what you told me.”

That slammed on the mental brakes.A partner?Checking out information, fine, she expected that.Checking something out didn’t include going to an accused and laying out the crime.Shouldn’t business records come first?Confirm who’s at the top, their income, annual statements, trace the source of the money.But talking?What was he thinking?

So much for discreet.If she had to choose one over the other, she’d rather have this meeting in the lobby than learn Ackley stomped in with undignified feet and opened his mouth to one of her father’s allies.

“You spoke to…” Were such extremes so urgent?No.She’d believed—wrongly, it turned out—that he’d understand not to tip their hand to the opposition.“How could you be so…?”Oh, she wanted to scream.“He’ll warn my father.Now he’ll know what we’re doing.”

It was over before it even started.They had no chance now, her father would be covering his tracks, he had contingencies in place for this scenario.As they spoke, the water-tight doors would be slamming on every avenue of her escape.

The confidence bleeding from Ackley clenched her teeth.“He won’t because that associate has agreed to testify.”

Another U-turn.No.Flabbergasted, it wasn’t… how was…?How was that possible?

“He what?Why would he…” And then it hit her.“For immunity.You gave him a deal.”

This happened fast.Too fast?Was there such a thing?This was good.Providing said associate was for real, he’d be closer to her father, even closer than Trish.On business matters for sure.This was more than hope, it was… optimism in a cap and gown ready for the real world.

“He’s a reasonable man and we have history,” Ackley said.“He can be trusted.”

“To look out for his own interests,” Breck said, his tone conveying he wasn’t convinced.“This should’ve been discussed before it was actioned.”

“I decide how I do my job,” Ackley said.“I don’t need permission or guidance.”

“Clearly you do, or you wouldn’t be in your current position.Anything you think about doing that has the potential to get Sequoia hurt should be sanctioned before any action is taken.”

“Sequoia has made it clear that she won’t aid in the conviction.”

Ah, so she had served her purpose and was no longer relevant?

“That doesn’t make her superfluous.What she’s doing is righteous and if I believe for one second you’ve endangered her, you won’t only be run out of the state, you’ll never work anywhere again.Her safety equals your continued existence.”

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