Page 73 of Bad Situation

It’s hard to concentrate. My father is sitting by my side and we haven’t said a word to each other since we walked in separately.

Eli offered to bring me here but I told him I’d have Donny pick me up since I’m sure Eli had stuff to do at work once we were outed yesterday. I had no idea if the press would be lurking, but they are.

“After what happened yesterday,” Scott Lehman, the founding partner at Lehmans, starts, getting my attention. He leans forward, resting his forearms on the conference table. “We need a lead on your case. We were providing support to Patrick and letting him pave the way. I know this is hard to think about right now, but we need to replace him and you don’t have anyone else in-house who can handle it.”

As much as my insides are in knots thinking of Patrick, I tap my finger on the screen of my phone that’s sitting in my lap and decide now is as good a time as any to tell them everything I know. “The agent at the FBI who’s leading the investigation on me has had an internal case opened on her. I know they’re looking into her files, but there’s reason to believe she planted the so-called evidence they found in the trash bins. That evidence was the only reason I didn’t get a dismissal before.”

I hear my dad shift in his seat next to me, but I don’t take my eyes off Scott Lehman. He leans back and crosses his arms. “And you know this how?”

I tip my head to the side. “Elijah Pettit.”

He nods. “I did my research on him yesterday after we were done at the police station. He’s got quite the resume.”

“He does,” I agree. “Which is why we need to trust him. He was the one who told me to focus on my whereabouts when the dummy corps were created and he’s the one who figured out Agent Newman may have planted evidence,” I pause and look to my dad for the first time since we walked in here, “and he’s the one who saved my life yesterday.” I look back to Scott. “I trust him. I want him to look into things at MI. I want to know what trail the PI was on, what he found, and what he and Patrick knew that got them killed.”

“Jensen—” my dad starts, but Scott interrupts.

“I doubt that can happen. The FBI won’t allow him to work on a case associated with you after yesterday.”

I shrug. “Maybe, but he might do it anyway. He took down the MacLachlan mob on his own. Surely, he can dig into our company files to see what the hell’s going on. What can it hurt?”

“I can’t believe this,” my dad drawls from my side and slides his hand through his hair.

I turn to him. “Do you have a better idea? I’ve sat by this whole time letting everyone else run my defense. I’m not saying you haven’t done the right things, but I’m tired of watching from the sidelines. It’s time I take charge of my future. If he agrees, Eli Pettit will have full access to our security, files, and networks. His background is in financial investigations.”

Scott looks at my father. “Kipp?”

I don’t give my dad a chance to answer. “I’m the one with the noose around her neck. If I say he’s in, he’s in.”

Scott gives my father the side-eye, which I don’t appreciate but at least he doesn’t argue and moves on so I let it go. “I’ve appointed a new lead on your case. I’d take it but my plate is full and can’t give it the time it deserves. We just hired an attorney who’s specialized in white-collar defense in California for the last five years. He’s made quite a name for himself and he’s already poring over your case. He’s been in contact with prosecutors this morning on your behalf and we should hear soon what’s come of that. I think you’ll like him. His name is Easton Barrett.”

“What?” I ask. I look at my father and find I’m just as surprised as him. It can’t be. “Easton Barrett?”

Scott picks up his files and stands. “He’s good. Quite the acquisition for us as he wasn’t happy about leaving the west coast. Took me six months to convince him and a hefty signing bonus. He was on the phone with the U.S. Attorney’s office when you got here. I’ll get him so you can meet him before you leave.”

When I’m alone with my dad in the conference room, he growls, “As if this week could spiral into any more of a shit-storm. I’m telling you, Jenny, that had better not be the same Easton Barrett I ran off my property years ago.”

“Dad.” I reach out, grab his forearm, and give it a squeeze. “It has to be him. You practically chased him as far west as he could go until he hit the Pacific.”

“Dammit. Your momma is gonna spill her marbles when she hears—”

“Kipp, Jen. I’d like you to meet your new lead counsel. Easton Barrett. He’s a Texan and I understand you knew each other once upon a time so this should be an easy transition.”

I turn to the double doors of the conference room and cannot believe my eyes.

It’s him.

The man who turned shit upside down for my family years ago.

After all that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours, I’m surprised I have the energy to stand, but the need to put myself between this man and my dad is strong. His bright blue eyes land on my father who’s standing behind me before shifting to me and I greet him with the name I know him by.

“Trig.”

*****

The thing about ghosts from the past is they dig up every memory they’ve touched—it doesn’t matter how beautiful or ugly they might be. And I can attest to the fact that, right now while sitting in this conference room, the nastiest and most precious are the ones that hit you in the gut and take you right back to the days you lived them.

As I stand here staring at Easton “Trig” Barrett, I feel like I’ve been transported back to another world. A world where everything was rainbows and butterflies until he crossed Kipp Montgomery in a way you never, ever cross a father.

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