“She was coming over,” Desmond revealed.“But since the Feds have rushed out...”
“Tell her it’s unnecessary.In fact, Lily and I will be leaving soon.”
“I want to go back to the crime scene, to the cabin,” Lily said.
He’d rather thought that might be one of their stops.But, before she got her heart set on things, “I doubt the cops are gonna let us get close.”
“I need to see it again.”
Ah, so determined.He enjoyed her determination.He also understood why she wanted to get back to that crime scene.“Because you want to see if the basement was left standing.Fine.We’ll make that a stop.”One of many for the day.But before he climbed the stairs, he asked Desmond, “Any luck with the security footage from Benedict’s?”
“He’s the only one I saw on it.Benedict coming and going before his death.The bastard we are after is a ghost.”
A ghost who happened to be very good at breaking and entering.“Keep at it.Go back as far as you can with the footage.”
Desmond nodded.“And I’m assuming you want me to start security arrangements for the two would-be vics?”
“Yes.”Lily’s loud reply.“He does.”
Desmond waited.
Atlas smiled.“You heard the lady.”
“You always gonna give her everything she wants?”
He headed up the stairs.“I guess it depends on what she wants.”
“What if it’s your heart?”Desmond called after him.
His steps faltered.“Funny, Desmond.You know I don’t have one of those.”
She watchedAtlas until he disappeared up the stairs, and only then did Lily glance toward Desmond.
“We both know that was a lie,” Desmond said.
She nodded.
“Good.Glad we’re clear.”
Since they were being clear, “He won’t always give me what I want.He was exaggerating.”Obviously.
Desmond laughed.“Not talking about that.”He turned away, hauling out his phone.“The dumbass already gave you his heart.”
Lily felt an ache in her own chest.
Atlas doesn’t love me.He isn’t giving me his heart.
Which was very unfortunate.Because she’d certainly given him hers.
ChapterTwenty-Three
Julia Tutwiler PrisonFor Women
Wetumpka, Alabama
Present Day…
Sunday afternoons meanttea time at the prison.
