Page 79 of Ruin Me
“Bigger guns, huh? You know, the way your father’s arrest went down never sat right with me.” It was my turn to pace the room. I cupped my chin as I thought about the timeline of events. “They arrested him on a day and at a time when any city official worth their weight was off the clock to make Kent stew in jail. What if their purpose was to prevent him from contacting someone with enough pull to get him out?”
“Someone like…”
“Valentino,” we said in the same breath.
“Why didn’t I think of him before? I was quick to drop his name to see Kent. I should have gone to his house?—”
“I thought you were bluffing when you talked to the officer.”
I sent her a sheepish grin. “I was. Kent knows him like that, I don’t.”
“Well, I guess the two of us are going to get better acquainted with him because neither of us wants my dad to spend another night in jail.”
CHAPTER 33
Kent
Anticipation and anxiety filled me. I hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in days. Every time I saw Madison, she looked like she was working herself into exhaustion on my behalf. The one worry I didn’t have was her tendency to skip meals. With her staying at her parent’s house, Nikita and Dennis wouldn’t allow her to drink meal replacements as she worked.
I’d always admired Nikita’s strong will and dedication to her family when Ife and Madison were younger. Now, my admiration skyrocketed for how Madison’s mother continued to care for my woman while I was incapable.
I closed my eyes and breathed through my frustration. Today’s meeting with Judge Alderton was my chance to get home and reassure myself Madison, Ife, and my company were out of danger.
Quarren, Kemp, and I sat in the judge’s chambers surrounded by oppressive, dark brown furnishings. Was the point to leech any semblance of hope from the accused? Or wasthe decor to send a warning to both sides of the bleak days ahead?
“I’m ready to hear your arguments.” Judge Alderton and his clerk entered the room. The judge removed his robe before seating himself behind the heavy mahogany desk while the clerk sat to take notes.
“There’s a motion to dismiss. On what basis?” Alderton glanced at Quarren then Kemp.
While my lawyer and the DA went back and forth about the reasons, precedents, and other legal jargon for whether the case had merit, my mind wandered to the two women waiting in silent support in the halls. Tension separated them, and although hopeful, I doubted their distance was only because of my circumstances.
“Alright counselors. I’ve heard your take. I’ll issue my decision tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” I lurched from my chair.
“Yes. Tomorrow. Unless you’d like me to deny the motion right now?” Alderton arched his brow and looked toward my chair.
I took his silent suggestion and sat, seething about yet another delay.
While he rattled off instructions, I listened with half an ear. My next move was to involve Valentino. His wasn’t a name I liked to use lightly. Favors with DeLucas came at an expense, and I already had a future debt I owed them. Although Carol’s murder halved the debt, the man behind her was still out there, and Quarren’s defense strategy wasn’t to find him or raise reasonable doubt through another party. Regardless, I wanted the name of the man making my life into a nightmare.
Quarren patted my shoulder, and I glanced around the room to see Kemp on his way out. I rose and followed my lawyer through the exit.
“Can you negotiate some time for me to speak with Ife and Madison?”
He checked his watch. “Let me see if there’s a room available.” He went down the hall.
Before disappearing, he paused to talk to Madison and Ife. Quarren pointed in my direction and left. My daughter and her best friend approached. An aircraft carrier could dock in the space between them. Despite the distance, their steps had a bounce and a lightness surrounded them.
“You two seem oddly optimistic. What do you know that I don’t?”
They shared a glance, but Madison spoke first.
“We don’t want to jinx it.”
“Jinx what?” I asked.
Ife hugged me instead of answering, a smile wobbling on her lips. “You’ll see soon enough.”