Page 184 of Keeping Kasey
If I thought I’d feel some amount of comfort in confiding in my siblings, I’m sorely mistaken.
All I feel is irritation and embarrassment.
I clear my throat before any of them can say something to make it worse. “Now, as great as it would be to take the morning off, that’s simply not possible.”
I open my laptop, pull up a picture, and turn it toward my siblings.
“Scott Bateman was found this morning holed up in a hotel in Ohio with a suitcase of cash he received for sabotaging us. I finally have him in the cellar, ready for interrogation, and would like nothing more than to learn who he sold information to so I know exactly who else needs to die. So, if you don’t mind, I’d prefer to cut family gossip short and do my actual job now.”
James and Damon sober instantly. Business has to come first, especially in urgent matters like this.
“James, you’re going to the cellar with me. I need to finish reviewing the case file, but you can start prep. Damon, I want you to be available in your office if Kasey needs anything.”
They both nod and leave.
Elise, however, doesn’t move an inch.
“You know,” she starts, falling into the seat James was occupying, “I don’t think I’ve seen you this well-rested in months.”
“Moreno should fire you if that’s your attempt at subtlety,” I deadpan.
“I’m serious. I thought those dark circles were permanently etched under your eyes. It’s nice to know they aren’t.”
“What a relief. Can I get work done now?”
My baby sister’s glare is surprisingly lethal.
“I will leave you alone as soon as you answer a question.”
“By all means,” I say with a sweeping gesture, “get on with it.”
“What are you going to do?”
“First, I’m going to interrogate Scott, then I’m going to order a team to go apprehend whoever the hell he sold informationto. After that, I have a meeting with the Terrell family to discuss Japanese gang activity—”
“That’s not what I mean,” she snaps. “What are you going to do about Kasey?”
I’m about to tell Elise to mind her own damn business, but when I look up from my laptop, I don’t see a meddling little sister—I see someone who went through hell and found happiness despite it.
I see someone who wants the same for me.
The notion is heartwarming but unrealistic. Still, it convinces me to indulge her.
“I’m going to survive her, Elise. I’m going to endure however long it takes her to get me that list, and then I’m going to move on with my life,” I tell her in a perfectly even tone that in no way reveals the distaste I feel for that particular course of action.
“Are you serious?” Elise sits up straight in her chair. “You’d let her go again?”
“I don’t rememberlettingher go before.”
“Chasing her out at gunpoint isn’t exactly an invitation to stay,” she says with a pointed look. “You can’t just let her leave.”
“I don’t have a choice.”
“You do have a choice, Logan. You ask her to stay. You fight for this. You fight forher.”
“Trust me when I say there’s plenty of fighting.”
“That’s not the same, and you know it.”
