Page 113 of Judgment

But it’s still there.

And looking back I can see it almost from the beginning, hidden beneath bold claims designed to keep anyone from knowing it exists.

It’s the part that covered me that night at Platinum. The part that takes care of my mother.

The part that wants to make sure I make as many memories of this Christmas as possible because he knows it will be the last one I share with her.

“Oh my God.” LaShawn points at the television, her eyes wide. “Isn’t that the name of the doctor your mother went to?”

I look up just as a photo of Dr. Marshall, smiling in a white jacket, flashes across the screen.

The sight of him turns my stomach, twisting it around the single bite of French toast I managed to consume. “The woman at the hospital told me they were investigating him.” I grab the remote, planning to change the channel before the reminder taints my whole day.

It’s something I can’t afford to let happen. Not when I have so few left with my mother.

But as my finger hovers over the button a word catches my attention.

I sit up straighter as the screen switches to a newscaster standing outside of Central Park.

“Dr. Marshall’s body was found early this morning by maintenance workers clearing last night’s snow.” The man motions behind him. “The coroner will release the official cause of death after tomorrow’s autopsy, but there are reports that it is a suspected suicide.”

My stomach drops as I stare at the screen.

“Suicide.” My mother shakes her head. “Unbelievable.”

It really is. Completely unbelievable.

I slide off the bed, abandoning my breakfast. “I’ll be back.” I force my face into what I hope resembles a normal expression. “Make sure you eat.”

My mother rolls her eyes, but she dutifully stabs at her sausage. “Who raised such a bossy girl?”

I would normally laugh at that but right now I can’t scrounge it up. Not even for her.

I move through the penthouse, my bare feet quiet as I make my way down the hall and through the den. The door to Andre’s office is closed. Usually I would knock, but not now. I go straight in and find him and Victor having a hushed conversation.

I meet his gaze. “I need to talk to you.” I turn to Victor. “Now.”

Victor’s eyes flick to Andre before coming back to me. “Of course.” He stands, tipping his head at me as he passes, pulling the door closed behind him as he leaves.

Andre turns to face me but remains silent.

And his silence is telling.

“You killed Dr. Marshall.” I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am.

I thought I understood him. I thought we were at a point that I knew where I stood with him.

Clearly I was wrong.

“The news said they believe it was a suicide.”

He says it slowly and I know that means he’s choosing his words carefully.

“I know what the news said.” I walk toward his desk, driven by a set of emotions twisting like a tornado through my insides. “You killed him.” I say it again and it feels even more true the second time.

Andre holds my gaze for a few long seconds, his jaw set tight. “He shouldn’t have hurt you.”

I’m angry with him, but more than that I’m disappointed.

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