Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 173733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 869(@200wpm)___ 695(@250wpm)___ 579(@300wpm)
“I’ll talk to her,” Reese says scrubbing his jaw, and walking back to the door. He re-enters the room and sits down across from Martha. “The DA’s office isn’t going to offer you a deal or protection. They want to win the case they’ve charged. You’re saving an innocent woman by speaking up and potentially stopping Reginald from killing again.”
“I’m scared,” she says, hugging herself, and I can see her arms trembling.
“Walker Security is going to offer you protection," he says. “I know them well. They're respected. You’ll be safe, but we really need your help. I’ll post your bail for you and Walker will escort you home and to work until we're sure you’re safe. Will you help us?”
“What if he doesn't confess?” she asks. “What if he isn't arrested?”
“He still knows you know,” Reese says. “You are just as at risk by doing nothing. No. You’re more at risk. Take action with me and we'll do everything in our power together to put him in jail.” He leans closer to her. “Please help us.”
She presses her hands to her face and then drops them. “Yes. Yes, I’ll help.”
Reid
Debbie’s parents are in their fifties and down to earth nice people who show up right on time. I go over the contract I’ve drafted with them which requires Debbie leave the state for at least one year. Once the deal is inked I hand them a check for fifty thousand dollars. They get another hundred and fifty thousand once I have proof Debbie is gone and another hundred thousand when I receive the DNA test. It’s five-thirty when Connie buzzes my office. “Debbie is early.”
I glance at the parents and arch a brow. “We’ll handle her,” her father says.
They stand up and I escort them to the lobby. They’re in the conference room for all of five minutes before they exit with Debbie between them, and leave.
I walk to Gabe’s office. “It’s done.”
Cat
Reese and I end up at his office with his team and game plan for hours. When finally we head home, we both change into sweats and tees and he now sits across from me at the island in the kitchen working, and with him sitting across from me, I should be writing my column, but instead, I write in my baby journal.
Dear husband;
You’re sitting across from me right now, focused on your work, preparing to win in court tomorrow. I love these times when we sit across from each other in two work worlds, but in the same space. Today is on my mind. It started with me sick and you finding me on the bathroom floor and scooping me up and carrying me to our bed. I so wanted to tell you our news then. I felt protected and loved, the way I know you will make our child feel.
I had this experience to cling to when we were on our way to court and you got that call. You are why I survived this. Because you’re giving me no reason to fear we aren’t us anymore and every reason to love you and us. Proven again today when you pulled me in that office and told me how much you needed me with you. That meant everything to me. It was a hard day, but a big day. The day you made big waves in court. There were many things that happened today that were challenging but all day I kept thinking about being sick and falling asleep on the bathroom floor, and you scooping me up and carrying me to bed. Any fear you have ever had that anyone could convince me you were less than perfect are misplaced. You show me you are my partner and friend every day.
I remember sitting in court and watching the way you rose to the challenge, despite all this day held, and I know you will rise to the challenge of being that good at parenting. I’m growing impatient for your birthday. I want to tell you now, but I want this to be special for you. So very special. For us. I want it to be special for us, so I’m going to keep writing, and anxiously waiting to share our news with you. —Love, Cat
The doorbell rings and I stand up. “I’ll get it.” I round the island and Reese is already on his feet catching my arm, stepping in front of me. “Cat, you don’t need to be answering the door on your own. “
“We have security, Reese. It’s fine.”
“No. It’s not. Not now. I need you to be extra cautious.”
He didn’t send me away, but I get that he’s still worried. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
He kisses me. “I’ll get the door.” He releases me and heads out of the room.
The sound of Reid’s and Gabe’s voices mingling with Reese’s tell me who our visitors are. Another minute and I am surrounded by testosterone and Reese is beside me with my brothers across from me. “It’s over,” Reid says. “I called Debbie’s parents and they’re getting her out of town. They’re good people who were appalled. They are taking her out of state and sending me proof when she gets there.”