AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I can’t think of many people who wouldn’t,” she said.
“Not everyone’s willing to do what it takes to get what they want.”
Cora kept her eyes on the last sliver of sunlight as it disappeared beyond the tree line. “My father always said if you work hard and you have a goal, you can achieve anything.”
“That’s the fairy tale we’re told when we’re children,” Magnus said with a condescending huff. “But the reality is a little more nuanced.”
The detective in her wanted to fire off a hundred questions in rapid succession, but she forced herself to appear casual. “What do you mean?”
There was a smug twist to his lips. “Life’s a game, Cora. You have to learn the rules, so you can break them. It’s how all the people in power get to the top. Oh, they’ll tell you it’s hard work and perseverance and all those things—and it is. Part of it. But mostly, it’s about finding opportunities to get a leg up, and knowing when to take them.”
She tried to keep her tone light, but it wasn’t easy. “No matter the cost?”
“Sometimes you’ve got to make sacrifices,” he said. “But once you figure out how to game the system, nine times out of ten you’re not the one doing the sacrificing. It’s easy, but not for everyone.”
Cora was afraid to look at him because she was almost certain he was talking about theft and maybe even Lindsey’s death. And if he was steering the conversation in this direction, then he must know—
“I saw you in my room. I know you found the money under my bed.” He pierced her with a dark, almost menacing look, then grinned. “It’s okay, Cora. You don’t have to pretend.”
The hairs on the backs of her forearms stood on end. “All right. Yes. I did find the money. Why is it in your house, Magnus?”
“I didn’t think you were the type to go snooping like that,” he said calmly, ignoring her question. “I’d have thought it was beneath you. But I suppose it’s refreshing that some people can still surprise me. Most of them are too easy to read. Finn, for example. Such a do-gooder. Still plays by the book and believes justice will prevail. The man should wear a cape.” He sneered. “Your roommate, Liam, now there’s an enigma. I thought we were knit from the same cloth when we first met, but he changed once I showed an interest in you.”
“He’s my partner. We look out for each other,” Cora said, gauging how far it was to the edge of the woods. She could reach it, then hide if she had to. Magnus’s false charm had gone down with the setting sun, because this man beside her seemed cold and calculating. Ruthless. Cora stood and walked toward the shore to put some space between them.
“Do you tell yourself that in order to deny your own feelings for him, or his for you?” Magnus said, joining her near the water’s edge.
Cora’s body tensed, but she faced him and said, “Why’d you take the money, Magnus?”
He smirked and dug his hands into his pockets. “Because it was there.”
“How did you know where to find it?”
He shook his head. “You’ve already discovered more than I planned to share. I’m afraid it wouldn’t be wise to give all my secrets away. A wise man is a rich man.”
“And in your case, a criminal,” Cora said.
Annoyance flashed across his face. “You’re so naive, Cora. I was hoping you’d understand the game and want to play it with me now that you’ve found me out. We could share the money. Surely, there’s something you want?”
An image of Cora’s dream house—the lovely cottage that was going up for sale at the end of the summer—flashed in Cora’s mind, but she quickly dismissed it. She did not need Magnus’s dirty money, and she’d be damned if she took the criminal route to make her dreams come true. Nothing was worth that.
“There’s a lot we could accomplish if we teamed up.” He gave her his charming smile, but this time Cora recognized it for what it was—a mask.
“You seem to be forgetting I’m a police officer.”
“And why should a position of authority matter when it comes to going after what you want in life?” He stepped closer, looking down his nose at her in a condescending way that grated on her nerves. “If you knew how many people in power think like I do, you might reconsider your stance.” He reached for her hand.
Cora jerked away, backing up to put more distance between them. She had to ask, even though she was afraid of the answer. “Did you kill Lindsey Albright?”
“No.” Magnus looked offended, but he was a good actor, so she had no way of telling if he was being genuine. “I’m no murderer, Cora.”
“Then why was some of the Booze Dog money found in her locker?” Cora asked. “Was she your partner?”
Magnus laughed. “Of course not. I didn’t even know the girl.” But he knew something. She was certain of it. A sudden thought occurred to her.
“You planted that money in her locker,” Cora said. “To throw suspicion on the Booze Dogs.” Magnus didn’t respond, which was answer enough. “But why would you bother? Are you covering for someone? Do you know who killed Lindsey?”
He tipped his face to the sky. “So many questions. You’re a very smart girl, Cora, but there’s a lot going on you wouldn’t understand. It’s that unshakeable belief in justice that gets in your way. You and Finn are very similar that way.” He shook his head in disappointment. “It’s too bad. I was hoping you’d be more reasonable than this.”
