Page 99 of Required Surrender

Stop acting like a child. Talk to him.

So, as usual, my inner voice was right. I grabbed it on the fourth ring, catching it before the call went to voicemail. The number was… I took a deep breath and answered. “Lark Winston.”

“Lark. This is Candice Porter from Elite. I’m glad I caught you and first of all, I’m sorry for the late notice. I looked over your answers and you seem like the perfect fit for our company.”

“Thank you.” Although I was beginning to realize how foolish I’d been in attempting to play girl detective. Davidson’s death was never far from my mind. “That’s wonderful.”

“I had a sudden last-minute call from a very good client who always has particular needs. None of my other girls were available and I thought you might be interested.”

Because they’re dead.That’s what I couldn’t help thinking as she talked. “What does he have in mind?”

“If you’re interested, why don’t you come down to the office and we can discuss it further.”

“When is this date?”

“That’s why I seem frantic. It’s for tonight,” she said casually, as if this was an everyday experience. “I assure you that he’s willing to make it worth your while.”

All my life I’d tried yet failed to follow my instinct, succumbing to pressure from my family instead of doing the right thing. While the little voice inside my head was screaming to stay away, my gut was telling me this could be the only real way to try to find answers. However, I was no fool. I’d make certain I had protection with and around me.

“What do I need to wear?”

As she told me, my thoughts drifted to Lachlan. While he wouldn’t approve at all, forbidding me from even considering going on this date, I was determined to follow it through.

If there was anything I could do to find answers, allowing the dark storm, I was willing to do it.

Even if that meant risking all that I had in doing so.

CHAPTER24

Lachlan

“We’re getting nowhere with this. It’s bullshit.” I’d had about as much coffee as my system could stand. I jerked up from the table, cursing under my breath. After a while, the names all blended together.

Jameson stretched and leaned back in his chair. “It’s here.”

“You’re just trying to convince me we can find a damn thing to be helpful.”

“It’s better than doing nothing.”

“Yeah, I hear you.” The headache hadn’t stopped, the dull ache making it difficult to focus. I heard him tapping his pencil again and wanted to rip it from his hand.

“Did you call your attorney and let him know you were questioned?”

I laughed, shaking my head as I shoved my hands into my pockets. “He fired me.”

“What the fuck?”

“Out of the blue. He returned my call after I left a message about the first visit from law enforcement, encouraging I come into the office. Then he said he could no longer represent me.”

“That’s insane. Why?” Jameson jerked up from his chair.

“He said he felt he could no longer provide the necessary representation.” I thought about I’d snapped, telling him in no uncertain terms what he could do with his representation skills. That’s what Lark had seen. No wonder she’d thought the worst about me.

Although a part of me had already determined that’s exactly what she could continue thinking. Our relationship wouldn’t do her any good in advancing her career. Something popped into my head and I quickly returned to the table, grabbing the various lists. As I frantically searched through them, Jameson pinched his eyebrows together.

“What are you looking for?”

“Trent Abbot. Remember he brought one of the victims to Club Darkness?”

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