Page 108 of Forged Absolution (Fates of the Bound 4)

“And much more from column C, I’d wager. You can always stay with me, you know. You’ll always have a room in my home whenever you need it, no matter what. I have one below stairs that might suit you. No one will see you.”

Lila nodded, touched by his offer. “I can’t, Max. I’m surprised no one came to search your home when I disappeared last month.”

“They tried. My lawyer sent them all away, including one of your mother’s spies. One came as recently as last night. She doesn’t know where you are right now, but she’s looking.”

Lila brought her glass up to her lips. “You knew where I was.”

“Yes. I’m glad you’re out of danger.”

Lila had known Max a very long time. She recognized what lay beneath his words, like a workborn cut hiding expensive silk. “I suspect you had a hand in countering that danger.”

“You’re damn right I did. I knew they’d call for Dr. Vargas, and we had a very long chat before the trial.”

“You can’t interfere in a criminal trial, Max.”

“Yes, I can. They wanted to hang you, Lila. I’ll not apologize for doing what I could to keep you alive.”

“It was risky.”

“It was less risky to turn one rather than five, not that it matters. I know plenty of secrets those senators wouldn’t want released. They never would have put you in a noose. Not while I live.”

Lila put down her glass.

Another puppeteer.

She could never seem to get away from them.

“Mr. Shaw fell on the knife, anyway. They wouldn’t even let him box up his own office afterward. They sent his commander to do it, then named someone else as acting chief that very evening. Commander Petit drove from New Orleans in eight hours. He poured coffee in Mr. Shaw’s favorite mug and marched through the building at change of shift, just to let the militia know who was in charge. I’m surprised he didn’t piss on Mr. Shaw’s chair by the end.”

“And?”

“After measuring the windows for new drapes, he began clearing out the office. He’s spent the last few days digging through every drawer and shelf. He found Mr. Shaw’s classified records this morning. His paper records.”

Lila took a sip of Sangre, forgetting for the moment why she should not.

“What have they done with those records?” she asked casually.

“He handed them off to the disciplinary committee. The group cleared their docket, postponing all trials for the next three days. The four senators from Low House have been given a vacation.” Max sobered, and he held her hand. “The militia fetched your father from Falcon Home two hours ago.”

Lila put down her glass.

“I’ve triple-checked the information. It’s why it took so long for me to fetch you. Unfortunately, I haven’t had any updates since they went into the courtroom. All the bugs I had inside have been destroyed. I only know of one person’s snoop programs who could have found them. You gave them to your father, didn’t you?”

Lila swallowed hard. “Thank you for the drink, Max, but I really must go.” Her voice sounded uninterested and flat even to her own ears. She snatched up her satchel and sprinted down the h

all, forgetting that she had no car keys. She only knew that she had to get Bullstow and explain everything to the senate. She had to make them understand, to make it all go away. If she couldn’t do that, then she’d pluck her father from that place and hide him some place safe.

“Lila, wait!” Max called out, Dixon on his heels.

Lila stopped at the front door as they caught up, remembering her manners. “You’ve been very helpful as always, Max. I owe you dearly for this.”

“Don’t do anything stupid, Lila. He wouldn’t want that.”

“I don’t care what he wants.”

“You should.” His gaze passed to Dixon. “I don’t know what you are to her, a friend, a shadow, a chauffeur, but see that she does not do anything rash. If harm comes to her tonight, I will hunt you down and end you.”

Dixon ignored him. He took Lila’s hand and ran to the truck.

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