Page 165 of Triggered By Love
Her mother kept throwing up, and her father patted her firmly. “That’s enough. Jason, gather all of Avery’s evidence, testimony, notes, and meet me this evening with my attorney. Do not leak any of this to the media.”
“We won’t,” Jason said. “I’ll keep Avery out of the spotlight as long as I can.”
Avery got off her dad’s lap and kissed him, then went to Jason’s side.
“The killer is still out there,” Chase roared. “I can’t sit on my hands and not make Overton pay.”
Dad stood up firmly and barked. “You’ll do nothing. That’s an order.”
“Why?” Chase charged his father, but Damon grabbed him from behind, holding him back.
“Because any action you take will tip off the killer and the media,” Dad said. “We need to strategize before you do something so stupid as to throw Avery out like red meat to a den of lions.”
“He’s right,” Damon said. “No leaks. Nothing out of the ordinary, as hard as it might be. Which means we have to go to Richie Overton’s Broadway production like we planned.”
“You guys have tickets too?” Avery asked. “Next Friday?”
“Mezzanine,” Dad said. “Mom and I were invited.”
“Richie gave us tickets, too,” Jason said. “Front row orchestra seats, right side.”
“Why would he give you tickets?” Damon asked suspiciously.
“He wanted me to go with him,” Avery explained. “But I told him I couldn’t if he wasn’t in rehab. I guess he didn’t want me to miss the show.”
“If it makes you guys feel better, I don’t think Richie is aware of what his dad did to Avery,” Jason added. “He doesn’t have enough brains and self-control to carry out a plot like this.”
“He does seem to be quite fond of her,” Mom observed.
“He’s overly ingratiating,” Avery said. “He told me once his father wants him to end up with me, but of course, I didn’t let him know why it was impossible. He’s also a partier and can’t keep his mouth shut.”
“I’d still keep an eye on him,” Chase all but growled.
Avery wasn’t sure why Jason was giving Richie a pass, but he kept his cards close to his chest. While she wasn’t afraid of Richie, if it came to taking sides, he would back up his father and call her a liar.
He knew which side his bread was buttered.
“Okay then, we have a plan.” Jason turned off the video camera. “I’ll put a copy of this video on a secure server for you.”
“Even better, you’re giving me the memory card.” Dad held out his hand.
Jason took the card from his camera and handed it over. “Sure, General. Whatever you think is best for Avery.”
“I can’t trust anyone.” He took the card and pocketed it. “You can leave now. Avery stays with us.”
“No, Father,” Avery said, moving to Jason’s side. “We have to seem unaware and proceed without changes until you’re ready to go public. The way I see it, I’m celebrating my Manhattan Fashion Show debut. Since the police are on the take, Jason’s going with the story of my suicide attempt. I speared one of the pufferfish through the liver and decided to end it all as a tribute to Brando.”
Mom gasped and wiped the vomit off her lips. “I was afraid of that. You have lots to live for. Avery, darling, I’m so sorry.”
“Mom, calm down,” Avery said. “Although now that I think about it, I want all of you to go out there and act like I tried to kill myself. The only person who knows the truth is the killer. Jason and I will be watching their responses and how well they act.”
Her mother burst into tears, and her father held her tight. Her brothers clenched their fists and regarded Jason with the dark, brooding looks the Cockburn boys were famous for.
With nothing more to say or do, Avery took Jason’s hand and walked away from the family that was blinded, like her, by fame, fortune, and a place in high society.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Jason kepta close watch on everyone who had been inside the elevator as he and Avery went about their daily lives. On Monday, she visited Joan and brought him along.
