Page 95 of Reveal

“You’re the one who came to me. Did you get what you needed, Detective?”

“You live in New York long, Mr. Lockhart?”

His question does what it’s intended to do—throwing me momentarily. “You already know the answer to that question.” I change my tone from amused to cut-the-bullshit. “Now why would you ask something like that?”

“Ever heard of the High Line?”

My smile is automatic. Is he really going to nail me for trespassing right now?

“Of course I have. I’m a New Yorker through and through,” I say.

“Except for that Red Sox part.”

“Except for that.” I laugh.

And when he leaves, I sit back in my chair and run the conversation over in my head.

Again and again.

If anything, I’ve started the ball rolling to try to lay the groundwork of just who Brian Vaden is. It’s not solving all Vaughn’s problems, but it’s a start.

Carter is still an unknown, as is how to fix his fascination with Vaughn. She’s at least told me what she has on him, but fuck if I have any clue what a call log would be about.

I can at least be thankful that he’s been on a congressional envoy overseas for the past few weeks. His radio silence has been needed.

But it won’t last.

Then there are the Dillingers. Seven days and counting until I stand face-to-face with the pedophile James. I’ll let him know exactly how he will be contacting the prosecuting attorney in Greenwich and telling him how he wants Vaughn’s warrant recalled. And I might have a whole lot of fun letting him know the leverage I have over him if he ever so much as breathes in Vaughn’s direction again.

With the warrant gone, Carter’s main threat will be nonexistent.

But then I’ll have to explain to Vaughn that I invaded her privacy and why.

When I told her I wanted to take care of her, I meant it.

Now there’s just one more thing I need to do.

I look down at the printout in my hands. At the balances lining the right side of the spreadsheet.

Fuck it.

I push the number on my phone. He picks up on the third ring.

“What’s up?”

“Pull the trigger, Stu.”

“I thought you said you weren’t touching that part of her life. That it was off limits.”

“Yeah, well, I changed my mind.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Vaughn

I watch the news halfheartedly. The only reason it caught my attention was the mention of Carter Preston’s name. Is it sad that I sigh in relief when they mention his name in connection with meetings top congressional persons are having in Europe on a two-week tour?

Will I ever know what it’s like not to have to look over my shoulder at every turn? Will I be able to get my teaching credential without anything from my past rearing its ugly head and ruining any background check that might take place? I press my fingers to my temples and close my eyes, the latest round of bill paying just the icing on the cake to a rather shitty week.