Page 69 of Justice for Samara

“So you gonna go? Can Carter go?” She didn’t understand.

“He wants you to come.”

The towel was barely wrapped around her when she stepped out of the bathroom. “Uh, no. I really don’t want to.”

“Babe, they’re talking to me and getting it secondhand. You know how that is. They need to hear it from you, and you’ve been working on these other assaults, so that will help. I haven’t been there for the interviews, but you have. There could be some little something that you heard or could pass on that would answer a question you didn’t even realize needed asking. Please. If we don’t get some help, I’m…” And he stopped.

She tipped her head. “You’re what?”

Michael dipped his head and stood there, his chin resting on the depression in his clavicle. It took him a few seconds to quiet the screaming in his head so that he could finally give it voice. “I’m scared.”

His phone pinged again, and that time, it was Carter.

I’m all in. Tell us when and where. Michael, is Samara coming?

“Carter wants to know if you’re coming.”

She stood there, and he could see the war going on in her head. She finally let out a deep sigh. “Yeah, okay. Will I have time to do one more interview before we go?”

“I have no idea, but let me tell them you want to do that.” He messaged Carter and Cruz, and they both gave him a thumbs-up. “They’re good with it.”

“Okay. I need to get moving then.” As she dressed, he pulled out what he’d need after his shower and headed that direction.

The water was still running when he heard her say, “I’m going.”

“Come kiss me goodbye,” he called out.

Her eyes smiled up at him when she pulled the shower curtain open just enough for her face to show. “Okay. Wish I could get in there with you.”

“You could.”

“Nope. Duty calls.” Leaning in ever so slightly, she gave him a sweet kiss on the lips. “And before you say it, I will.”

“Say what?”

She let out a laugh like wind chimes. “Be careful.”

“Okay. So be careful.”

“I said I will! Gosh, bossy butt!” She was laughing as she left the bathroom, and by the time he’d rinsed his hair, he heard the front door close.

Just a few more hours and he’d get to meet this dream team Cruz was putting together. He hoped they were some kind of miracle workers, because that was what it was going to take.

* * *

He and Cartermet at the office and left together in Michael’s pickup. Samara met them at the interstate and left her car behind to ride with them. Michael had made a suggestion, and Carter thought it was a good one?they could go to the country club. His parents still owned a membership, even though his mother wouldn’t go anymore without his dad, and she called to make them a reservation. It would guarantee that anyone else who was a non-member probably wouldn’t be there.

They waited in the parking lot until they saw Cruz pull up. He hadn’t even reached them before two more cars pulled in and Cruz wheeled. “There they are.” Two men got out. One was older, probably late forties or early fifties, and the other was most likely early forties or late thirties. “Hey, guys. We’ll make our introductions inside, if that’s okay.” Everyone voiced their agreement, and the six of them stepped into the opulence of the restaurant.

“I’m MichaelEdwards. My mother called and…”

“Yes, sir. If you’ll all follow me.” The hostess hustled away and they almost jogged to keep up with her. To Michael’s relief, she took them straight to a small, private dining room. “Will this be agreeable?”

Michael nodded. “More than. Thank you so much.”

“You’re quite welcome. Savannah will be your server and she’ll be with you in just a minute.”

“Thanks.” After they’d all gotten seated, Michael looked around the table. “Thank you all for coming.”

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