Page 20 of The Professor
“Is that why you left?”
“Yes, I confronted Dad, said I had evidence. He wasn’t happy.”
“And the receipt is all the evidence you have?”
“I’m getting closer. I have a witness that says Marl was with a woman that night in London at The Savoy.”
The bottom of my world was falling out. My father had been my rock for so long. In my world he’d never lied to me,certainly not about my sweet mother who I’d believed he’d loved as much as I did.
“This is horrible, just horrible.” Two fat tears escaped, one from each eye, and slid down my cheeks at speed. “I can’t…I just…I don’t want to…”
“I know, and I’m sorry, it’s why I didn’t want you to know. It’s why I kept it to myself and then left. I knew I’d have to tell you if I saw you.”
Confusion wound through me. “We have to confront him, Vince.”
“I’ve tried, I got kicked out of the house, remember.”
“You left, you left me, too. I hated you for that, you didn’t return my calls…and I’ve been so worried.” My words turned into sobs, an entire well of suppressed emotion bubbling up.
“Oh shit, come here.” He gathered me close, pressing me to his hard leather-clad chest. “I’m sorry, really I am. But you wanted to know the truth.”
Did I? I suppose I did, even if it hurt like a punch to the guts.
“So what are you going to do now?” I stuttered through sobs.
He stroked my hair. “I have to find out the truth once and for all, and if Dad was involved, he has to face the law.”
“It won’t bring her back.” I looked up at him. “Nothing will.”
“Haven’t you just studied the justice system?”
“Yes.”
“So you know how it works, new evidence, an old case, he can still be tried, and we’ll have to trust a jury to see the truth.”
“The truth that our father is a murderer?”
“Or accessory to murder, or guilty of leaving the scene of a crash.” Vince shrugged. “You know about this stuff better thanme, but I’ll trust the authorities to see it through if I provide them with what they need.”
“And your biker gang, what do they think?”
“They’ve got my back, they’re with me, that’s what being in The Beasts means. You’re not alone. And for once in my life, that’s kind of nice.”
“But Vince.” I touched his cheek. “You weren’t alone, you had me. Always.”
“And for that, I’m grateful, Chelsea, and you should know I’ll always have your back, going forward, if Dad goes to jail,whenDad goes to jail, you’ll still have your big brother to look out for you.”
Chapter Six
Andrew
The last lecture of the day I had to give was on witness protection, and I paced as I spoke, my legs restless and my back tense. I kept glancing at the clock, counting the hours until I could meet with the Galahad guys and come up with a plan to save the women suffering at the hands of Ranson.
The bastard was slippery, though, he’d gotten off twice on charges that should have stuck—a combination of a slick-tongued lawyer, a susceptible jury, and a pool of minions to do his dirty work.
That wouldn’t happen again. No way. The Galahad crew would make sure he didn’t even get put in front of a jury, it wasn’t worth the risk for a third time. The guy deserved a bullet to the brain and nothing less.
Finally, my lecture came to an end, and I gathered my briefcase and without making eye contact with anyone, I rushed back to my office. I stepped in, shut the door, and paused.
