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“Young man, Mr. Kelly has witnessed a terrible crime. He isnotunder suspicion in any way. I am sure you are well aware of that. Rian Kelly is a friend of the Daud family. I am merely his council. The fact that I am retired doesn’t prevent me from taking the side of the law and serving the justice system. Please be respectful of the people working here and the patients trying to recover in this medical facility and vacate the premises.”
With that, he continues making his exit as Rian follows him closely. They are accompanied by police to a private vehicle. Once they are sitting side by side in the back seat, Rian desperately tries to find the words to express his gratitude.
Mr. Duncan relieves him, by simply saying, “I couldn’t stop thinking about your friend. About you. When I saw the news it all clicked. I came to the hospital as soon as I found out where you were. George is on his way to meet us at my home.”
“You’ve been waiting for hours. I had no idea. They didn’t tell me,” Rian wimpers. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know ––”
“It’s alright, Rian. I didn’t want to take you away from your friend. She needed you,” Mr. Duncan says kindly.
Rian sighs. “I went to her home, after our conversation yesterday. I found her…” Rian cups his face in his hands, sobbing, unable to restrain his emotions.
Mr. Duncan tries to comfort him, but Rian is hyperventilating, reliving the horror of finding Stephany’s mangled body all over again. “There was so much blood…and her little boy…her husband Colton had taken their son away…” He cries in between gasps of air.
This is what will happen to me.
Mr. Duncan attempts to say something reassuring, but suddenly Rian can’t take it anymore.
“I need help.” He looks up at Mr. Duncan. In a rushed frantic speech he blurts out, “I…we, Bran and I, we’re not safe. I need to get out but I’m so fucking scared. My husband, Harris Kelly…I think he would hurt us if I tried to leave. He is a very dangerous man. I don’t know what to do. We need to run. Now.”
Mr. Duncan is startled by his honest, desperate admission, but not by a lot.
“I didn’t want to assume, but I suspected something was wrong. Rian, you’re not alone. I will help you. Please don’t despair. Together we will find a way to get you and Brandon out of your current home safely. George will help you with legal representation. I will be by your side every step of the way.”
“You don’t know my husband,” Rian mutters. He wants to believe Mr. Duncan, but his spirit has been torn so many times, it’s hard to be hopeful.
Mr. Duncan sighs. “I may not know Harris Kelly personally, but I know plenty of men like him. Too many to be honest. Rian, I need you to trust me. I can help you. But you must follow my instructions exactly.”
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Tayida – Ty – Beloved One
AUGUST 2022
The last meeting with his lawyer is intense. Phan is still trying to get him to testify before his release, but Ty refuses to budge.
“That wasn’t the deal.” Ty spits out when Phan tries to imply, he might delay his release if Ty doesn’t agree to a new arrangement.
“Deals change, especially now that you’re planning on becoming a criminal as soon as you leave this place.”
Ty freezes. He won’t say another word. Phan can end him right then and there. His mind is about to explode with all the questions that are buzzing in his head.
How the hell does he know?
A staring match commences, and neither seems too eager to continue the conversation.
Now that his defender has him nice and quiet, he leans back in his chair. They seem to be sitting straight on the seesaw of their professional partnership, and long minutes pass before either of them is willing to tilt the scales.
Phan exhales deeply. Perhaps he’s considering exactly how much of the truth he can tell Tayida.
“This goes beyond Sebastian Scott and Cyril Owen. A lot of people want to see Harris Kelly pay his dues. His involvement in the military as a private contractor has always been questionable. He is about to gain access to large government grants––”
“Is this shit about money? Is this all that you care about?” Ty grates.
“Not entirely,” Phan says flatly.
Phan’s words are as always carefully chosen, soft-spoken, and very fucking vague. Ty isn’t going to budge. He may have spoken to Harley, but the reality is he hasn’t done anything wrong yet, so all this guy sitting across from him has are his own speculations.
He never looks away from his lawyer and keeps his racing mind under control. He can see Phan is going to say something he might have been trying to avoid.
