Page 33 of Vicious Hearts

“When did Mr. Fisher join the organization?” I ask.

“Graham, please,” he says, flashing me a grin. “I think we’re past the formalities now.”

Graham Fisher’s son was the third to die at the hands of The Dollmaker and the only victim to be identified. I met him in a victim support session at Always Home when everything calmed down.

His wife couldn't walk the streets where the killer had taken her son. When Graham refused to consider leaving the area, she left him and moved upstate to be near her sister.

I shouldn’t have responded to his advances, but I wanted a distraction from Ben, and I thought Graham might be cut from the same cloth.

He’s not as handsome, but he has kind eyes and a rakish sense of humor. I admired his ability to laugh after everything he’d been through. But he got weird, calling me endlessly and making unreasonable demands on my time.

At first, I was understanding—he’d been through a lot. His father was a distant figure in his life, and his mother, though doting, wasn’t very supportive. But Graham turned on me when I didn’t want to sleep with him. Called me a prick tease, a gold-digger. He’s a big-shot executive pretending to work in his father’s import and export business, and I guess he wasn’t used to hearing the word ‘no.’

The last time I saw him, he pinned me to the wall and wouldn’t let me go. I kneed him in the balls and threw him out of my flat. Now he’s here, sneering at me over the desk.

Of course, he must have made the complaint against me. Way to make it obvious.

“Mr. Fisher is our newest trustee and our biggest donor,” Moira says. “We’re delighted to have him.” She turns to Graham. “Glad you could make it.”

Graham isn’t looking at her. Instead, he fixes his gaze on me.

“Roxanne, youknowhow much I’ve suffered since Max died. You also know what Always Home means to me. I think your support of Farraday brings this organization into disrepute.” He shrugs. “This is a children’s charity, a counseling service. A place where vulnerable young people should feel safe and supported. And you, a prominent member of our staff, are working to undermine the conviction of a man who murdered children..”

Am I gonna play this card?I have to.

“You and I were in a relationship,” I say. “Iended it. I think you’re motivated by bitterness and hiding behind your status to get what you want.”

“Roxy,” Moira says, but I won’t be swayed.

“You’re a rich man with connections. You’re also a victim of crime. I’m sorry for what happened to you, Graham, but it’s not fair for you to lash out at me. Farraday has rights, and I want to see that he’s treated fairly, that’s all.”

Graham pushes back his chair and stands up. “I’m not listening to this,” he shouts. “You get this girl in line,” he jabs a finger at me, “orIwill.”

He storms out, slamming the door behind him.

“I’m sorry about that, Roxy,” Moira says, rolling her eyes. “I’m sure he’ll calm down.”

I look at Hillard. “Don’t you have anything to say?” I ask. “He threatened me.”

“No, he didn’t.” Hillard turns to Oliver with a sigh. “Let’s just wrap this up. I have places to be.”

Oh, do you? Finding my abductor not on your to-do list?

“Okay.” Oliver looks at me and marshals his courage, drawing a deep breath. “Roxanne Harlowe, you are suspended from work until further notice. You cannot undertake any activities on behalf of Always Home. We have no jurisdiction over your volunteer work in justice. Still, for the sake of your career withus, you should consider whether it’s in your interests to continue supporting Farraday.”

I look at Moira, but she has nothing to say. I catch her eye, only for her to look away.

When we come out of the office, Ben has gone. I call him but get no answer.

What the fuck is wrong with him? He insists on coming with me, only to run out on me afterward?

Hillard raises an eyebrow at me. “You need a ride to the prison?”

I frown. “What?”

“Figured you’d want to tell Farraday in person that you ain’t gonna bother with him no more.” He smiles. “Only polite. And I’m going there anyway. Got some probation paperwork to sign, may as well get it done now.”

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