Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91212 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Her eyes dart to mine, as if she's trying to determine if I'm lying just to keep her from going back to the spa.
"I don't understand."
I pull in a deep breath, taking a step back and pacing toward the other side of the suite, because inhaling the scent of her perfume will no doubt keep me fucked up.
"I think our time would be better spent focusing on William."
Her eyes widen. "What?"
I don't mention that we're already investigating her brother, who has several layers of protection around himself and his dealings. We haven't determined if that's because he's a politician or if it's because he's got some not-so-good irons in the fire, including the disappearance of their sister.
It's clear from the look on her pretty face that she hasn't once considered that her brother would be involved in something like this. That could be ignorance on her part or the fact that her brother is very good at hiding who he might possibly be. If anything, it's a mark in his good column that he has acted in a way his entire life that keeps her from considering such a possibility.
"William?" she asks when I don't confirm. "There's no way. He loves Sadie as much as I do."
"He didn't seem too keen on the idea of us getting involved."
"He's a very private person. He worries about the family. She has caused a lot of problems. Her misbehavior decreases his chance of having a long successful political career."
I stand there, watching her, knowing the longer I take to respond, the more she'll reveal. It's human nature, and most people aren't aware of the manipulation tactic.
"Our father's goal was to get him into the White House. He has plans for the country that will make it a better place."
"Plans big enough that he's willing to silence your sister because she threatens them?"
Her eyes grow even wider. "He would never!"
"And there's nothing that has ever made you suspicious about him?"
Her lips snap closed, and I see it there, the tiny little inkling of doubt.
"Tell me," I urge. "It may help. If not, then we can prove he isn't involved."
Her face flushes pink again as she turns away from me.
"Daydreamers," she says, after staring at the blackness on the other side of the massive window on the far side of the suite.
"What about it?"
"The woman there asked me if I wanted to add my membership to the family account."
"Okay, and you asked William about it?" My hands shake at the idea that he could've hurt her for knowing about that place and his possible connection to it, and I wouldn't have been there to help her.
"He confronted me. Apparently, he tracks my spending. He came to my office earlier today to ask me about it. He didn't seem like he knew about the membership, but he knew what the place was."
"And you think it's his membership?"
Her nose scrunched. "I don't want to think that it was my dad's."
"Is it possible?"
She shakes her head. "His entire platform was based on wholesome Christian views. He would never risk his career. Plus, he just wasn't the type of man that would pay someone for sex. He didn't live separate lives, one for the public and one for his private life."
"Men aren't ever who their children think they are, but you also have a younger brother."
"Chris?" she scoffs. "The boy can't even talk to a girl without stuttering."
"Makes it easier to get past the small talk when someone is being paid to—"
"Ack!" she screeches. "Enough! It would have to be William."
"It should be easy enough to find out about the membership status. Why didn't you mention it before?"
She shrugs, and I can tell by her reaction she didn't purposely keep it a secret. I can't imagine what was going through her head when I showed up the other night at her hotel room.
"If I leave, will you stay out of trouble so I can work this case?"
She dips her head in agreement, but I can tell by the look in her eyes that she has no intention of keeping her nose clean.
"Fine," I say, walking toward the sofa.
"What are you doing?"
"Looks like I'm on babysitting duty," I say as I reach for the remote to the television.
Chapter 16
Cora
I stare at the tray after opening the door to room service.
He had to have ordered the two bottles of champagne and strawberries when I went to the bathroom to change my clothes.
I look up at the attendant as I sign the tablet for room service, thanking him before making sure the door is locked behind him.
He doesn't bother pulling his eyes from the stupid movie he picked to watch on the television, but I'd be a fool to think he isn't somehow still paying attention to me. The man doesn't miss much. I knew when I came back out in the very same robe I had on the last time that he was here that it made him more than a little uncomfortable by the way he shifted on the sofa.