By the time I finish dressing, Lia is fully clothed and waiting in my office. I put my arm around her, pulling her into me for a brief kiss. I have my hand on the doorknob, turning it to see her out, when she looks back over her shoulder and says, “I love you,” before pulling the door open. I melt inside, now starting to crave those words from her instead of dreading them. I wonder if she has any idea that those same words had been on the tip of my tongue when Cindy interrupted us.
There is no more time to think as Max walks toward us, looking nervous while Cindy and Sam are smiling as if Christmas has just come early. What in the hell is wrong with everyone today? “I’ll call you later, baby,” I say to Lia as Max walks into my office. “Sam, make sure Lia gets into the apartment before you leave.” As I shut the doors to my office, I see Cindy beaming at Lia. Yeah, she’s the golden child here now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m in a mellow, relaxed mood after my lunch encounter when I settle behind my desk and wait for Max to begin his rant on Lia’s friend. Maybe she mauled him in his car again. I am in no way expecting the words that finally come from his lips. “Jim Dawson is dead. Carly called me a few hours ago and told me his body had been pulled from the French Broad River last night.”
“Son of a bitch,” I hiss. That’s the last thing I was expecting to hear. “He drowned?”
Max shakes his head, looking somber. “No, cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. They estimate he’d been in the water about eight hours before he was caught on a tree branch and someone walking by saw him.” My mind goes to Lee Jacks’ absence, and I can’t help but wonder. The man in me who’s Hell-bent on retribution for Lia wants to fucking shout for joy. Regardless of Lee’s need to make Jim Dawson suffer for his crimes against Lia, we both knew she would never really be free while he was still alive.
I give my lawyer and friend a blank look, saying, “If you’re looking for some sign that I give a damn the bastard is dead, then you’ll be sorely disappointed. Good fucking riddance to another piece of trash the world doesn’t want nor need.” I think it’s the kindest statement I can make about someone I loathe so much.
Max exhales and leans back in his chair. “Personally, Luc, I agree with every word you just said. Professionally, I’d advise you to keep those sentiments to yourself. I don’t expect it to be anything other than a formality, but the police want to question both you and Lia.”
“You’re kidding!” I look at Max incredulously. “Why in the world would we be questioned because that bastard is dead? No one’s heard from him since he attacked Lia.”
“I know, Luc, but you’re both the most likely people to have had a grudge against him. I can tell you now, though, that the police are just going through the motions with this one. There’s not going to be anyone on the sidelines jumping up and down, demanding justice. It’ll be a quick few questions about your whereabouts and whether you’ve had any contact with him.”
My anger spikes as I imagine Lia having to go through something else involving her stepfather. She is doing so much better that I hate to bring the memories crashing down on her. “Listen, I’ll talk to them. They can ask me whatever the hell they want, but I don’t want them talking to Lia.”
Max runs a hand through his hair, looking tired but resigned. “I’m sorry, but neither of you have a choice. Carly will be dropping by your apartment this evening to talk to both of you. You need to go ahead and tell Lia what’s happened so she’ll be prepared. I’ll be there, too, if you need me.”
“Fuck!” I snarl, slamming my hand on my desk. Even dead, this bastard just won’t go away.
“Luc, in the scope of things, this is good news for Lia, I would think. She can live her life now without looking over her shoulder and other than being questioned tonight, this ends the police investigation. When her mother turned herself in, she confessed and pleaded guilty, so the judge will decide her fate. You just have to get through this and it’s over.”
“You’re right,” I say, finally relaxing somewhat. This is more closure than Lia could have probably ever hoped for. “Do you think you need to be there tonight when we’re questioned?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “As I said, Carly pretty much let me know that this is strictly for paperwork. If she thought it necessary, she would have made that clear. Have you…thought anymore about telling Lia about her real father?”
I know full well what he’s really doing. Both he and I know it’s a little coincidental that Jim Dawson has suddenly turned up dead a short time after Lee Jacks found out he had a daughter. The lawyer in him doesn’t want to ask me such a pointed question. “As soon as she’s fully recovered, I’ll try to find a way to approach it. I believe he’s out of town right now, though.”
“In Chicago visiting a new company he just acquired,” Max surprises me by volunteering. “I saw it in the business section of the paper yesterday. Pretty high-profile photo-op with the mayor.”
“Hmmm,” I say in the way of a reply. Maybe Lee Jacks is building an alibi should he ever need one. He would have to realize that when his connection to Lia becomes known, he might be a suspect in her stepfather’s death, especially with his sketchy background. I’d find it hard to believe the police would be interested in going after someone of Lee’s influence, though. I imagine he’s banking on that fact but is laying a safety net just in case.
“Listen, I also checked into that other matter which recently reawakened, so to speak.”
My thoughts are immediately pulled from Lee and focused back on Max. “What matter would that be?” I say, curious. The last thing I need right now is another fucking problem on my plate.
“So, you didn’t officially tell me to check into it, but I spoke with Cassie’s care coordinator to get an update as to what’s happening with her…”
“I believe I told you not to do anything right now.” It’s not that I’m pissed that he ignored what I said; hell, I pay him a small fortune to overthink things for me. I just don’t want to be forced to think of Cassie today…or any other day, for that matter. Maybe I’m a heartless bastard, but how much can I be expected to forgive? She already owns my dreams; do I have to give her my waking hours, as well? Even after what he witnessed eight years ago, I know Aidan still wants me to forgive her, if for nothing else than old times’ sake. It’s never gonna fucking happen. As close as we are, there are things he doesn’t know. He wants to blame what she did to me on mental illness. What he doesn’t know is that she was doing her best to end me before she ever took a knife to my throat.