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Eight
I stared across the hallway at Ashley’s office while the hold music played on loop. Fern Robison was giving me the run-around, but I was determined to track her down and twist the screws until I was on that damn visitor list.
Malcolm’s booming laugh traveled into my office, making me wish I was joking around and not enduring easy listening. After ten minutes on hold, Fern’s assistant came back on the line, his voice hesitant when he said, “Ms. Robison has left the office for the rest of the day. Can I make an appointment for you?”
I balled up the top piece of paper on my notepad. The bullet-pointed questions were no longer necessary if Fern wasn’t available. “I did that, and she canceled on me. Twice.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Mitchell. I—”
“Mrs. Mitchell-Moretti. Do you know what that means?”
“N-no,” the little fucker squeaked out.
“It means you and your boss are keeping information about my husband from me.”
“Mr. Moretti—”
“Is locked up, but I am very much free. Free to get in my car, drive to your office, and camp out in the lobby until I have squatter’s rights. You got me?"
The young man lowered his voice to a whisper. “She’s meeting with him today.”
Rage burned through me as a plan formed. “What’s your name again?”
“Taylor Murphy, ma’am.”
“Perfect.” I hung up and started throwing everything in my bag. An empty green folder caught my eye. An idea sparked, and I shoved some random paper into it. “I’m leaving!” I shouted, hoping everyone heard me as I ran through the building. Tommy jumped up from a chair in the conference room and raced after me.
“We need to stop at home, then you’re taking me to see Luca.”
Tommy smiled as he rushed to the driver’s side. “Fern finally got that all sorted?”
“Something like that.”
We made a quick stop at the house and then sped all the way to the jail. There was no way to know when the meeting was scheduled, but I couldn’t give up a chance to see Luca.
Tommy parked and started to get out.
“You stay here.” I grabbed his arm.
He frowned down at my hand. “I’m supposed to stick with you.”
Tommy was a good soldier, and at times like this, it was really fucking annoying. “How about you walk me to the door, and I’ll take it from there?” He looked undecided, so I softened my approach. “I just want some alone time with Luca.”
Tommy let out a big sigh. “Okay, but keep your phone on you in case there’s trouble.”
“Deal.”
Taking a deep breath, I rushed inside, holding the green folder in the air. “Oh my God. Is Ms. Robison still here?”
The older man in uniform at the desk looked at me with concern, then back at the monitor. “And you are?”
“Taylor, her assistant.”
“Do you have some id?”
“Of course,” I breathed out in false relief, rooting around in my bag like I was searching for my wallet. “Oh no.” Throwing my arm on the counter, I dropped my forehead on it and groaned. “I left my wallet at the office. Could you just let me back there? You’d be saving my ass.”
Indecision warred on his face as he fingered the phone next to his keyboard.
