Page 107 of The Wrong Side of the Law

“Because I didn’t choose justice, Emily. Not this time.” He looks away again and continues: “I chose you. I protected you as best I could.Isent you there to get pictures for me, along with Kowalski’s stuff. But that’s not going to hold up, not once the evidence comes up in court.”

Gabriel takes a series of deep breaths and dries his eyes one more time before pressing the intercom button on his phone.

“Karin,” he says, “Please send in Ms. Randolph.”

There’s not much to do in terms of paperwork. A few sheets to sign that I can hardly see through the tears, and I verify that the amount written on my final check is in fact correct.

I look back at Gabriel Cooper when I leave our office—hisoffice now,oursno longer—but he faces the window, staring out at the ocean with his back to me. His shoulders rise and fall with his breath, but they shake in between each one.

“Goodbye,” I whisper, stepping out the door with Barbara close behind.

He says nothing.

Karin smirks at me as I pass her desk.

“Bye, bitch,” she says.

I don’t answer, not trusting myself to speak, and I will not lose it and cry in front of her. I make it to the elevator without breaking down, and push the call button.

“Now, now, Karin,” Barbara says, faintly, from inside the office. “That wasn’t very nice. After all, I’m here to see you, too.”

“Me?” the receptionist asks, not understanding.

“Oh, yes,” Barbara says as the doors open in front of me. “Perhaps Miss Wilson will wait and you can ride down with her.”

Fat chance of that happening, I think, stabbing the DOOR CLOSE button over and over again until the stainless-steel panels finally slide shut.

I know my face is red and puffy, and my makeup is completely wrecked, but I don’t start crying again until I’m in my car, dialing Rita on the phone.

“New phone, who dis?” a muffled voice on the other end answers.

“I’m sorry,” I say, trying and failing to hold on to as much as possible of my remaining fragile dignity. “I must have the wrong number.”

My finger is on the button, ready to hang up the phone, when I hear Rita’s voice.

“Emily! Emily! Don’t hang up! I’m sorry, I was just messing with you. What’s wrong?!?”

“I need help, Rita,” I sob. “I fucked up. I fucked everything up.”

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