Page 21 of Investigate Away
“I want to make sure all of this is off the record,” Callie said just as the waitress reappeared, setting her glass of wine in front of her. She actually wished she hadn’t ordered it now. Especially when Bailey ordered a sparkling water. They both ordered the salad special.
“Full disclosure. We’re doing a piece on your return whether you like it or not,” Bailey said.
“Why am I not surprised,” she said with a sarcastic laugh, shoving the manuscript back into her bag.
“There’s a lot of buzz now that you’re back and a lot of discussion about the book deal. I have a conference call with your publisher and editor. Your agent hasn’t returned my call. I was hoping you’d be able to facilitate that.”
“I’m sorry, but I’ll be asking my agent not to speak to you. That said, I’m sure my publisher will enjoy the publicity.” Bad press was better than no press. She lifted the wineglass to her lips and took a good gulp. “Let me give you a little piece of advice. When dealing with someone who doesn’t want anything on record, don’t come out of the gate with both barrels loaded. You’ve basically told me that anything I say might as well be used against me.”
“Oh no,” Bailey said. “I’m sorry if I came off too aggressively, because that wasn’t my intention at all. I will only use what I’ve gathered on my own, which is all public, and what your publisher tells me. People are curious, though, as to what you’ve been up to.”
“I’ve been writing a book,” she said matter-of-factly.
“There are a lot of rumors around about the title of the book and how that might affect your fiancé.”
Callie let out a dry laugh. She wanted to tell Bailey that they knew she’d been the one sitting outside of Jag’s house last night, but instead, she’d rather fuck with the little pain in the ass reporter. “He’s my ex-fiancé, and I’m still working with the publisher on the title. I actually sent them over a few more ideas this morning.”
“Care to share?”
“I do not,” she said.
“Can’t blame a girl for trying.” A short silence filled the air while the waitress refilled their waters and set their salads on the table.
Bailey leaned across the table. Her gaze darted left and right as if she were checking to make sure no one was paying attention. “This isn’t my place, but you’re so much better off without Jag. He’s such an asshole.”
“Really? And what makes you say that?”
Bailey cocked her head. “Well, I don’t like to talk about it, but he and I had a short thing a while ago. I had to end it because of what an arrogant dirtbag he is, but you know that.”
“Actually, I don’t because he and I didn’t break up for any other reason than my sister was murdered and I was in pain and I needed someone to blame. I chose him, but it wasn’t his fault.”Now use that in your local piece, bitch.“And this isn’t why I came here. So, Bailey, tell me. What’s the angle with this piece? What are you going to focus on?”
Bailey narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. She leaned back and smoothed out her hair, letting out a long breath. “Unfortunately, your return has stirred up a lot of raw emotions for a lot of people, including family members of other victims.”
“That’s bullshit. I’ve spoken to almost all of them over the last year. They’ve been amazing with my research for the book. I’ve become very close to some, and I doubt I’m causing an uproar with them.”
“What about Kara? She split pretty quickly. Why’s that?” Bailey dug into her salad. Ruthless was the only way to describe her. “Was it just too much for her to be back in Seattle?”
Callie’s stomach churned. “I won’t speak for Kara.”
“Fair enough.” Bailey waved her fork in the air. “Why did you come back to Seattle?”
If Bailey was going to do a piece on her regardless, Callie might as well direct it as much as possible.
“I came back mostly to finish the book.”
“What’s missing?”
Callie chuckled. “Nothing, really. The publisher just wanted some fine-tuning, especially about my sister, and I thought it would be best if I came back to where it all started.”
“It’s got to be hard for you to have to constantly relive it. I’m not sure I could,” Bailey said.
“I don’t have a choice.” Callie took another gulp of her wine. Drinking on a partially empty stomach wasn’t a good idea. She waved at the waitress and pointed to her glass. “My sister was murdered, and that’s a fact I can’t change. Her killer has never been caught, nor has he killed again, that we know of. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t think about all the victims and their families.”
“And how do you think your book is going to help them?”
“It keeps the memory of their loved ones alive. They don’t become another statistic in a cold case sitting in some basement somewhere totally forgotten. It keeps this case relevant.”
“I suppose it does, since everyone now wants an interview with you and Chief Bowie.”
