Page 27 of The One for Forever

“I expect not.” Sylvie opens the laptop she brought into the conference room. “But my methods are a bit more thorough.”

Quinn gets up to watch over her shoulder. “We have to keep this by the book. If this person really ends up being a trial witness, we may have to turn over all our info on them to defense counsel and the judge.”

“Don’t worry, honey. Not my first time consulting on a case for the DA. I know how Lana likes to do things.”

At that same moment, the DA herself walks into the room. “How do I like to do it? Is this about what Max and I may or may not have done on his desk last weekend?”

The three women crack up. Quinn’s face is turning red. I clear my throat, just in case they forgot I was in the room.

“Oh, hi Rex,” Lana adds with a smile.

Thankfully, the ladies get their minds out of the gutters and onto the case at hand. It’s not that I have a problem with a dirty joke here and there. I’ve told my share. But regardless of our history and close friendship, Max is still my boss, and Lana is his wife.

And Quinn is…not someone I should be thinking those kinds of thoughts around.

“The number is a burner,” Sylvie says. “Unregistered. But I’ve got the serial number of the device, and I can trace it back to where it was sold.” She taps on her laptop a bit longer, then announces, “Our witness’s burner phone was purchased at a convenience store in West Los Angeles.”

“Where exactly?” Quinn asks.

“On Olympic.” Sylvie pulls up a map on her computer. Quinn and Lana study it, then exchange a glance.

“That’s just a couple of blocks from Hayworth Productions in Century City,” Quinn comments. “The production company that our murder victim founded. Same company that was making his last movie before he died.”

So, very muchnota coincidence. I have no doubt Sylvie’s team will track down the convenience store’s security camerasand credit card receipts. But very likely those won’t be helpful if the person was careful.

Sylvie leans back in her seat. “All right. Our anonymous witness could be connected to Hayworth Productions. But if this person has more info on Amber Printz, why wouldn’t they have come forward before?”

Quinn nods. “Exactly what I’m wondering. Maybe this person wants some extra guarantee or protection. Maybe they’re incriminated in Thompson’s murder or the coverup, and that’s why they’ve kept this quiet until now. But there’s only one way to find out.” She gets up from her seat, and I’m impressed by the way she’s got us all hanging on her words. I knew Quinn was smart, but she’s confident in her abilities too. It’s a good look on her.

Adamngood look.

“The witness wanted me to make contact,” Quinn says. “So I’ll give him what he wants. I’ll write and see what he has to say. If you’re okay with that, Lana. You’re the boss.”

Lana shrugs. “I suppose I am, according to the last election. But as far as I’m concerned, you’re in charge of investigating our new mystery witness. You’ve got free rein.”

Quinn looks thrilled by her boss’s vote of confidence. But I don’t like this. My instincts are screaming that we should put on the brakes.

“Hold on,” I say. “Just because the witness wantsyou, Quinn, that doesn’t mean you should deliver. Let Sylvie and her team handle this. They can make contact first. Test the waters and learn more. Then, if this witness seems legit and isn’t triggering any warning bells, you and Lana can consider talking to him.”

I’ve conveyed all this in a reasonable, calm tone. Even thoughmywarning bells are already chiming. But Quinn aims a scowl my way. “If the witness is really connected to the Printz case, it’s likely he—or she—has already met me. He might have a sense ofhow I’d talk. The wording I would use. There’s a reason he chose to contactme, and I don’t want to scare him away by handing the contact off to someone else.”

“Exactly why I’d advise caution.” When I think of this person watching Quinn, singling her out, my insides twist. If this is truly a reluctant witness, then it makes sense he’d gravitate toward Quinn. I imagine she’s great at putting witnesses at ease. But if this person has more nefarious intentions? “We don’t know what this person is really planning. We can’t be impulsive about this. I’m in charge of your security for this trial, and my advice is to let Sylvie’s team go in first.”

“I appreciate the input,” Quinn says. “And I acknowledge everything you’re saying, Rex. But you’re overruled.”

I’m sorry.What?

I glance at Sylvie, expecting her to back me up here, but she just shrugs. “Like Lana said. Quinn’s in charge. And we’re just talking about a text conversation. Right? I can set up a burner device for Quinn to use to make contact. That way, we can squeeze every bit of info out of their dialogue. And Quinn won’t be compromising her own phone.”

“Very helpful of you,” I deadpan.

With a knowing grin, Sylvie dashes off to get the burner. But I can’t stay annoyed for long. Quinn’s excitement and optimism are contagious as she strategizes with Lana. She’s leaning with her hands against the conference table, strands of blond hair trailing across her cheek. Her eyes glitter as she thinks. And I can’t help but watch her in her element.

It’s another of those moments that my brain seems to get stuck. Just marveling at how different she is from that girl next door. How much she’s changed without me realizing it. Until now. Am I less observant than I always believed? Are my skills getting rusty in my advanced age?

No, fuck that. My skills otherwise are as sharp as ever. It must be something about Quinn. As if I had a blindspot in the exact shape ofher.

But I’m seeing her now. I’m definitely seeing.

---