Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“You married that man.” Disgust fills his words.
“I love him.”
“Love.” He lets out a humorless laugh. “I loved your mother.”
I jerk my head around to look at him as he starts the cruiser and pulls down the driveaway. He never talks about her.
“Nothing is ever enough for you women. You don’t know your place. Then you push me too fucking far and make me do things I don’t want to but must.”
I swallow, his words making an uneasy feeling creep up my spine.
“You loved her?”
“I loved her to death.” He flicks a glance over toward me. “Til death do us part.” All the air leaves my lungs at the realization of what his words mean.
A part of me hoped that maybe she ran away. Sure, it sucked to think she left me behind, but that was better than thinking she was dead. He killed her. Of that, now I have no doubt. The ride to the police station is quiet. I don’t utter a word as my father opens the door, grabbing me by the arm to lead me inside. He takes me straight to what I’m guessing is an interrogation room.
“Where is Avery?” I finally speak.
“I think you should worry about yourself.”
“Because I confessed to killing Hoover?” I don’t know why I shouted that. It kind of popped out of my mouth. So much for being good at pleading the fifth.
“Hoover’s death was confirmed to be an accident. He took a fall down the stairs. I told you, Marigold, we’re done with these games. I’m going to see about getting this wedding annulled and you changed out of that damn dress.”
Wait, what? “He fell down the stairs?”
“Unless you’re powerful enough to snap a neck, it would be impossible for you to kill him. He was drunk.”
“Then why am I here? I didn’t do anything. You can’t keep me unless I’m under arrest!” At least I think that’s the rules.
“That’s where you’re wrong, little girl. I can do anything I want.” He turns to leave but pauses at the door. “Change out of the fucking dress,” he grits between his teeth. “You were kidnapped by a psychopath. Don’t you worry, though. I’ll have this all fixed, and in a few hours you’ll be under my conservatorship. I’ll get you the help you need,” he says before the door slams closed behind him, leaving me all alone.
I think he’s the one that’s going to be needing help. I fling the stupid bag across the room, folding my arms over my chest. The keys I stole off my father press hard into the palm of my hand.
Avery will come for me. He has to.
And even if he doesn’t, I’ve already decided I’ll never be under my father’s control again.
21
AVERY
“I assure you the last thing you want is for me to contact my friends at the US Department of Justice concerning your failure to gain a proper warrant, failure to Mirandize my client, and failure to allow him access to counsel.” Calista’s harsh tone carries down the cell block to me.
I can’t help but smirk. She’ll whip these bastards into shape, and I have no doubt she’ll have me out of here in minutes, not hours.
“Right,” Elliott chimes in. “What she said.”
“You have ten minutes with him. No more.” A cop leads Calista and Elliott into an interview room down the hall from me then returns to my cell, cuffs me, then shuffles me along to join them.
Once I’m seated, the idiot cuffs me to a metal hook beneath the table.
“Is this really necessary?” Calista snaps. “You’ve already violated his fourth amendment rights. This whole department is going to be forced to pay for your incompetence as it is. You’re simply giving me more evidence.” She leans over and takes a photo of my hands with her phone. “The civil suit alone is going to take a pretty big chunk out of all the funds you guys bring in with your speed trap racket.”
“Yeah!” Elliott can’t take his eyes off Calista. He’s been a sucker for her for years, but she’s all about her career and keeping relationships on a professional level. Since she represents me and all my business associates, that means she doesn’t give Elliott the time of day unless he’s in legal trouble.
“Thank you.” She gives him a pointed look.
He closes his mouth and looks at me, the expression on his face telling me he wishes he could sink through the floor at this point. I would laugh, but I don’t feel comfortable. I won’t until Goldie is back in my arms.
“Where is she?” I ask before the cop even shuts the door.
Calista gives me a sharp nod of her head.
Once the cop is gone, she sits down across from me and opens her slim folder. “This is the warrant. Total bullshit. I already have a phone call in to Judge Monroe. This will be tossed the second he calls me back. After that–”