Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
“Yeah, that’s just it. He was.”
“But at some stage you have to realize that there is no salvaging that relationship.”
“I think I realized that a long time ago. I haven’t loved him in forever. I was going to use the money I earned from the exhibition to leave. I wouldn’t go away completely, I still need to visit Rohan and my friends. However, I wasn’t going near Derick again. I think the reason I feel so bad is because I saw him being dragged off, bleeding and in pain. I don’t think I could watch anyone being treated like that and not feel something.”
“Of course not. So these Satan’s Sons members have him?”
“Yes. What do I tell the police? If I tell them about Fury he’ll come after me. Next time he’ll do something worse. The cops probably won’t even believe me. The police hate our family. Can’t really blame them, I guess.”
“I will blame them if they treat you with anything but the utmost respect,” he growled. “And I will be making sure that they do just that.”
“Th-thanks,” she whispered, feeling tearful.
Shove those emotions down.
She could deal with them all later, when she was alone.
“All right. Are you ready to talk to them?”
“You won’t leave me?”
“Never.”
“All right. Let them in.”
25
“So this guy . . . Fury, he stabbed you just for grabbing his arm?” the older detective asked skeptically.
And with that, Hayes had had enough. “Get out.”
“Excuse me?” Detective Brown blustered. “You cannot tell me that! You’re lucky I allowed you to stay.”
“You’re lucky I let this continue. But I’ve had enough. Until you can learn to speak to a victim with respect and empathy, you will not be anywhere near Devi.”
Detective Williams had the good sense to look slightly ashamed. Since they’d come in, these two detectives had had an air of condescending superiority toward Devi.
And he was done.
They could leave. And he’d have their badges.
Well, maybe not the younger one. He’d shown some sympathy to Devi.
“You have no say in what we do or where we go, Mr. Hayes. And if Miss Dawson refuses to answer our questions, then we’ll have to arrest her for obstructing justice.”
“Is that right, Detective?”
Hayes glanced over as Kent stepped into the room, along with Gwen, who was the one who’d spoken.
“Who are you people?” Detective Brown demanded.
Hayes gave Kent a questioning look. What was Gwen doing here?
“Dominic told Gwen what was going on,” Kent explained. “They both decided to fly out here and see if they could help.”
“We landed just over an hour ago,” Gwen said. “And just in time. Did you just threaten to arrest the victim of a brutal crime, detective?”
Gwen whipped out her phone and quickly took photos of both of their badges, which were displayed on their belts.
“What’s going on?” Devi asked.
“Settle in, baby, things are about to get fun,” Hayes told her, sitting on the bed next to her. He leaned back so she could see as Gwen warmed up.
“Who are you? You can’t be in here!” Detective Brown said.
“Of course I can. I’m Devi’s attorney.”
“Attorney?” she whispered.
“She’s JSI’s lawyer,” Hayes told her. “She’s also a complete shark. Just wait.”
“Her attorney?” the older guy asked. “Why does she need an attorney? We’re just interviewing her.”
“Then why did you threaten to arrest her? That would imply she needs an attorney. Of course, I’m sure the chief of police will be very interested to learn that his detectives go around threatening victims. And if not, I’m sure the press will be.”
“You cannot go to the press about this! I’ll have you disbarred.” Poor Detective Brown was growing an unfortunate purplish-red color.
“Oh, I didn’t say that I would go to the press,” Gwen said with a toothy grin.
See? Shark.
“Wherever did you get that idea, Detective? Now, on what grounds are you threatening my client, who I might add, is in a hospital bed after being stabbed?”
“Your client is lying to us,” Detective Brown said.
“Really?” Gwen asked.
“I’m not,” Devi said, sounding upset.
Gwen glanced over at her. “Of course you’re not. You have no reason to lie to the police. Why would this detective imply that you are? What evidence do you have, detective?”
“Well . . . she has a brother in jail.”
“Oh my gosh. Well, I didn’t realize. That changes things entirely.” Gwen checked her phone. “We should go around and arrest everyone who has a sibling in prison.”
“That’s not what I’m saying. You’re putting words in my mouth.”
Gwen smiled. “Well, considering the words that come out of your mouth are utter diarrhea, I think that’s probably a good thing.”
“Now see here!” Detective Brown pointed a finger at her.
“I would suggest that you don’t come any closer, detective,” Gwent said. “See, if you threaten me, lay a finger on me, then I’m going to get upset. If I get upset then everyone who loves me gets upset. And I have some people you don’t want to get on the wrong side of.”