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She doesn’t budge as she shifts her eyes between Jack and me, her jaw ticking.
Irene’s eyes shift between the two of us also. “I’m sure they were only doing what they felt was best. And I’m sure they have a plan.” Her intense glare makes us both aware she means business; we better have a damn plan.
“I think you need to know the other news before we discuss our plan,” Jack says gently.
Andrea’s eyes go wide, clearly unable to believe there’s more. “What now?” Her voice is full of fury, but her nerves work their way in to break her voice at the end.
I completely understand why she’s so upset, and all I can do is hope she can forgive us and eventually see we were trying to protect her. She’s already been through so much.
“I was told earlier by a patrol officer that members of the press have checked into the Fraser Motel.” Jack voice is steady, his eyes never leaving Andrea’s.
She takes a seat in the chair facing Jack. The broken look on her face is heartbreaking. He sits beside her, reaching over to take her hand.
“That’s why we came here right away. We won’t let them harass you.” Andrea squeezes Jack’s hand, and he moves to kneel in front of her before pulling her into a hug. “It’ll be okay, sweetheart. I promise.”
“What do we need to do to prepare, as far as the café is concerned?” Irene asks, sitting straighter in her chair.
There won’t be a chance of anyone from the press getting into the café if Irene has anything to say about it. She’ll run them off and smile while she’s doing it. She would go to bat for Andrea as quickly as any of us. If she spots them, she’ll deal with them.
I finally decide it’s okay to speak. “SJ will be here tonight. He’s coming to your place straight from the airport. I still have to work out the details, but I’m sure he’ll be okay with traveling back and forth for trial dates. It’ll be okay, Andrea.”
Andrea runs her hands through her hair and then over her face, letting them rest there for a few seconds. “What about Morales, the lying weasel of a human?”
Jack and I exchange a look at each other, but before we can speak, Andrea stands from her chair. Jack gets to his feet in front of her.
She pins us both with her eyes. “No! No more looks, no more secrets, no more protecting me! I want to know everything that’s happening when it’s happening. I’m not a delicate flower. Am I making myself clear?”
“No one is saying you can’t handle it. We’re trying to shoulder some of this burden for you because you’ve already been through so much.” I try to explain, but she isn’t ready to hear it.
“No more secrets,” Jack tells Andrea.
She nods, accepting his answer. She takes Jack’s hand in hers again, and he sighs with relief. I feel no relief. We’re facing an uphill battle if Jack’s brother can’t get Morales to recant.
Irene clears her throat. “The plan.”
I’m unsure how much Jack wants anyone outside of him and me knowing about his brother’s involvement. When he looks at me, I give him a nod. I’ll let him take the lead and tell only what he wants known.
“No ties have been found between Christopher and Morales before the day of Morales’s testimony. They didn’t go to the same schools as he swore to in court. Morales also has a criminal history that includes perjury.” Jack’s expression is hopeful, but that’s dashed as soon as Andrea speaks.
“That doesn’t prove anything though. We need proof that he’s lying because he’s fucking lying. I’ve never seen that man before in my life, and Christopher would have never been associated publicly with someone like him.”
“It doesn’t prove anything, but it does create doubt. It impacts his credibility. We all know he’s lying, and we’ll prove it.” I try to push as much confidence as I can into my expression, hoping it helps ease her a bit.
She takes a moment, then shakes her head.
“I can’t believe this is happening. I thought this would be open and closed. I never thought there was a chance he could pin anything on me.”
Jack’s expression is tense. He’s angry about what Andrea is going through. All of us are, but it’s different for Jack.
“I think he’ll recant his statement,” Jack says firmly.
Irene perks up at Jack’s no-nonsense tone. “What makes you think he’ll recant?” Irene stands, pushing her chair under her desk.
Jack looks at each of us, his eyes on Andrea last. “I said no more secrets, and I meant it.” He looks at Irene. “I know I can trust you, so I don’t have any issues with saying this in your presence.”
Irene nods but says nothing. She stands with her hands on the back of her chair, waiting for Jack.
He takes a breath and looks at Andrea. “I called Colton. He’s going to get a message to Morales.”
