Page 87 of Out to Get Her
Jordan’s expression fell as she spoke and the words sank in.
“I swear, I didn’t—”
“Doesn’t matter,” Samantha insisted. “Like you said, we don’t want anyone getting off on a technicality or claiming police involvement.”
It was clear he was putting the pieces together the way she had. As much as he wanted to win and as much as he wanted Nathan’s money, Jordan couldn’t have his campaign tainted this way. It might already be tanked, but he couldn’t afford to look like he was protecting Nathan. That could cost him more than the election.
“We both know Nathan has been bankrolling your campaign,” she said.
Chief Vidrine frowned. “She’s right. It wouldn’t look good for you if he’s under investigation while you’re running the case. Plus, Zach is gonna save his own behind and sing his head off for a deal first chance he gets.”
That was probably also true. Zach couldn’t possibly have any loyalty to Nathan or the doctor. And he was smart enough to know that they’d turn on him in a heartbeat if he didn’t get his own deal first.
Jordan stood quietly, his mouth pressed tightly as he ran all the facts and scenarios through his head.
Bottom line, whether Jordan knew anything about what was going on, Nathan had screwed him the way he’d screwed everyone else around him.
“Excuse me.”
Samantha and Gary stepped aside for Jordan to pass between them and leave the room. Gary gently pulled aside her hand holding the ice pack and examined Samantha’s head.
“That looks pretty nasty.”
“They already looked at it. I’ll be fine. Just need to monitor for worsening symptoms and not be alone for the night.”
Gary cleared his throat and put the ice pack back against the lump. “I suppose that last point is taken care of?”
Samantha nodded.
“Good,” Gary said. “Well, I’m going to check on things outside. You okay for now?”
“Wait.” She hesitated. “Dustin?”
Gary took a deep breath and exhaled. “Jordan’s got deputies picking him up for questioning. They have enough to make an arrest, but we’re hoping he comes clean first. He’s gonna pay the price for everything he’s done, but sounds like he got caught in a rolling snowball he didn’t see coming. He’ll lose his badge for sure, but I’m more concerned that we geteveryoneinvolved in this.”
She nodded again, and he left her alone. Samantha wanted desperately to let Dexter out of the bathroom, but with all the strangers still running around the house taking statements and collecting evidence, that wasn’t a great idea.
Besides, he was safe where he was for now. Once everyone was gone, she could snuggle him the whole rest of the night.
Erin entered the doorway and stopped, waiting for Samantha to spot her before entering. Probably not wanting to startle her after being hit from behind earlier in the night.
Samantha crossed the room and caught Erin in her arms. They held each other tightly, and Erin let out a shuddering release of breath against Sam’s shoulder.
They’d barely had time to breathe, much less process all that had happened before people showed up. There was so much Samantha wanted to say. So much she wanted to ask. But her conscience got the first word.
“I’m so, so sorry. I should have put it all together earlier.”
Erin pulled back and looked at Samantha in disbelief. “He was my friend. I’m the one who should have figured it out. I’m the one who invited you here and put you in danger.”
“Yeah, but we got out of it. Together.”
A wide grin stretched across Erin’s face. “Yeah, we did.” Her grin disappeared. “Is he gone?”
Samantha nodded. “Ambulance took him. A few minutes ago. You’ll still have a full house for a while, though. I’ll clean this up for you once they’re gone and the scene is cleared. Don’t worry about it.”
Samantha wasn’t about to let Erin clean up Zach’s blood from her grandfather’s bedroom. She’d take care of it as soon as she could, then she’d be able to let Dexter out, too.
“So you’re staying?”
