Page 39 of The Alpha's Assistant & The Dom Next Door
“We can still build a case against Shayla. She’s probably only going to be free a few more days. The trial’s set for Thursday on her other charges.” He almost soundsapologetic.
“Look, man,” I break in quietly, “I know you’re doing what you can. Don’t overextend yourself. But if you can give me any preliminary information you were able to gather, I’ll hire Molly to deal withit.”
Molly Haggard is a private investigator I’ve used several times. She’s the one that was watching Mary for me when Mary suddenly drove off for the pier with Jenny. If she hadn’t warned me, Jenny wouldn’t be alive, and Jamie knows it. She’s back in Humboldt, but I can fly her out ifneeded.
He looks almost relieved. “Okay. This will take a little time, but I’ll get you what Ihave.”
At least the protection order is done,I think as I drive back home. Emmeline has mostly been staying over at my place. I’ve helped her unpack all her things over at hers, but as soon as my daughter is fast asleep, Emmeline is in my house and in mybed.
Jenny likes breakfasts with Emmeline. The two of them always fill my breakfast nook with bright chatter as I cook. We’ve had peace for a few precious days, each one starting with kisses and coffee and ending with me pinning Emmeline to whatever wall or stretch of floor or piece of furniture we haven’t christenedyet.
I consider it a point of pride that now that Emmeline’s had a taste of real pleasure, she’s always chasing it. She does it all the time, flirting with me shyly during evening cartoons. Her soft, almost sleepy gaze promises wild fucking and tenderness at the sametime.
I’m falling in love with this girl, and it feels great—except for one thing. I’m about to deliver some of the worst news of her life to her, and I feel like absolute dog shit aboutit.
When I walk in the door, I have to stop and just ... look. Emmeline’s curled up on the couch napping with Jenny, who is nestled against her with her puppy in her arms. I look for a moment longer, and then smile and take a few pictures on myphone.
I’ll tell her later. And meanwhile, I’ll take care ofthis.
I go straight to my office, shut the door, and call Molly. She picks up on the third ring. “Carl. Hey, how’s itgoing?”
“Not so good.” I explain the situation in brief, hearing her type away and occasionally grunt acknowledgment as she takes notes on herlaptop.
“You’re right. It seems pretty suspect that ‘someone’ made almost every investigation involving the Lacroix family just go away. I’m actually surprised that she didn’t make the other charges vanishtoo.”
“Kind of hard to do with a dash cam recording and two bruised cops,” I point out, and she gruntsagain.
“So you’re waiting on information fromJamie?”
“I actually got it by email on my way home. I’ll forward it. He didn’t get very far in his investigation before they shut it down, but the bombing last year has a fifty-page long file.” I flip my laptop open, check my mail and start forwarding the relevant files. “With that much information they should at least have a suspect, but I couldn’t findone.”
“Okay, I’ll start going through what we do have. Any insights on where to start other than skimming through thisthing?”
“I have a photograph of a man who tried to con his way into Emmeline’s house the same week that this all came to a head. He claimed to be from the diocese. I got clear shots of him and even one of his rental car’s licenseplate.”
“So start with rental car agencies.” She puffs thoughtfully. “I’ll see if I can draw a connection between him and any of the rest ofthis.”
“Okay. I’ll send you everything. As soon as you notice any patterns or suspicious details, let me know.” I take a deep breath, closing my eyes. “I’ll wire your usualretainer.”
“Thanks kindly, big guy. I’ll call you back soon.” The connection breaks and I sit back in my chair, eyesnarrowing.
“So this is what we know so far,” I tell Emmeline as I hold her hands later that night. Jenny is up in her room playing with her puppy while pretending to be asleep. I’m letting her get away with it fornow.
“Your parents had no enemies, no creditors, and no debtors. They had no connection to local criminal groups. They had no interests that would bring them in contact with the sort of people who generally blow up cars.” I squeeze her handsgently.
I still haven’t told her that the police have had their leashes yanked. She’s safe, as long as I’m on watch, but I’m not sure she can deal with anymore shit fromShayla.
I’m pretty damn suspicious, though. Why would Shayla try to stop the murderinvestigation?
“Could it have been mistaken identity?” Emmeline asks softly. She’s calmed down in the last few days, as she’s learned to trust me with her safety and her life. She’s grown more confident too, and I don’t want to tell her anything that might set herback.
“It could have, except for one thing. They found part of the detonator. It was on a remote. Whoever killed your parents and tried to kill you was watching the wholetime.”
She goes so pale that I immediately shut up and pull her into my arms. “I’m sorry, baby,” I murmur into her hair. “Let’s take a break from talking about this for awhile.”
“I’m sorry,” she mumbles against my neck, immediately giving me an awkward boner. “I wish I could be tougher foryou.”
“You’re tougher than you think. You’re just hurting and exhausted. And in the meanwhile, you’ve got me to be tough foryou.”
