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52
Lily
To distract myself from the horrific scene on the shore, I walked away and placed a second call to Mr. John Koffitz, the lawyer Mr. Templeton had called after he left the penthouse. I’d left a previous message while we were waiting for the dive team, an hour before.
I got his voicemail. “This is John Koffitz of Koffitz Crane Berkley and Jones. Please leave a message.”
I didn’t want to identify myself as Connor’s fiancé, in case he thought Connor was guilty of the murder, so I just kept it vague. “Mr. Koffitz? Hi, Lily Ross again… I really need to talk to you about Augustus Templeton. It’s urgent. Could you please call me?” I said, and left my number.
I knew that if he Googled my name, he would find out all about my connection to Connor thanks to my nude photos and Miranda’s blackmail from a year ago – but I couldn’t help that. And if he weren’t mixed up in the conspiracy, there was no reason he wouldn’t call me back.
He never called me back.
When I returned to the crime scene, Bert and Detective Morse were still arguing about forensics on the limo and the bodies.
“Everything will be processed in due time,” Morse said, his voice raised.
“That’s not good enough,” Bert yelled back. “I’ve got a client sitting in Rikers because this evidence wasn’t found before the arraignment.”
“It doesn’t matter, because your client is guilty of the crime.”
“It does matter, because YOU fucked UP.”
I walked over to Sebastian, who was watching the proceedings with a slight smile on his lips.
“Why are you so happy?” I asked.
“Because what Morse doesn’t know is that the FBI is about to take over the case,” Sebastian said. “They’ll be here in five minutes.”
“What?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“Murder committed over state lines.”
“They can take over because of that?”
“They can, and they will. Connor has some very good friends in the White House. They directed an order through the Justice Department for the FBI to do a forensics examination as quickly as possible, especially with regards to Mr. Templeton’s poisoning.”
“Does Bert know that?”
“Of course he does. That’s why he’s stalling for time.”
Johnny walked up. “Our ride is here.”
I looked at where he pointed. Outside the crime scene tape, Leo – Connor’s bodyguard – was standing next to a black Mercedes.
“You’re headed upstate to meet the lawyer Eve found?” Sebastian asked.
“Yes.”
“You don’t think that’s overkill?” Sebastian said. “Just because he’s not answering his calls?”
“Do you think it’s overkill?”
Sebastian sighed. “I hope so… but it’s probably not. You’re taking Johnny with you?”
“Yes.”
“Better get out of here now, then, while Morse is distracted – and before the FBI puts everything on lockdown,” Sebastian said.
“Okay – see you soon.”
“Good luck.”
I hugged Sebastian goodbye, and Johnny and I walked over to the car and drove away.
