Page 9 of Trusting Laurence
“So, what can I do for you today?”
“Listen, I hear you’ve got former Senator Forrester enjoying your facilities on the taxpayers’ dime. You reckon you could organize a visit for me?
“Yeah, I reckon I could swing it. What’s got you wanting to chat with our guest?”
“Seems he’s had his fingers in some nasty pies. Just wanted to have a little talk, see if he’s willing to share a little information.”
“Gotcha, gotcha. Yeah, give me a few. I’ll come back to you with a time”
“Thanks, man. Appreciate it.”
“Haven’t seen you at the club lately. You got a new subbie you keeping to yourself?” Larry heard the man chuckling.
With a laugh of his own, Larry replied, “Nah, just haven’t had the time. This case I’m working on has had me tied in knots. It’s run cold, and we’re scrambling to heat it back up. That’s why I’m hoping Marcus Forrester’s going to hand me a match. I need to make a plan to pop in soon though.”
“All right, my man. I’ll give you a call as soon as I have that time for you.”
“Thanks, Jim, I appreciate it.”
Hanging up, he dialed Mary-Beth’s extension.
“Sir. I got hold of Finn. He said he’ll be back in the office around two. I told him to come straight here.”
“Great. Thanks.”
He returned the handset to the receiver and sat back in his chair. With a grin, he contemplated how difficult he could possibly make Forrester’s sequestered life. Damn, he was looking forward to it.
Much as he anticipated his visit, he had work waiting for him. This case wasn’t going to solve itself.
While he waited for Finn to join him, he returned to the pile of files lying on his desk. Television glamorized his job, but when you got right down to it, it was boring, repetitive fact-checking and clue searching that made up the bulk of any investigation. The exciting bits were fewer and farther between than they like to make out.
Eventually, he picked up the file Jackson had put together for him on Marcus. She’d been pretty thorough in her search, and he was surprised at some of the things she’d managed to dig up. Although he shouldn’t have been. She’d been on his team for a good number of years, and she’d proven her worth, time and again.
He had no idea how or where she found the information that she did, but he had never known anyone quite as talented at ferreting out the kinds of things she managed to dig up on suspects. The kinds of things nobody wanted discovered.
He became so engrossed in the file it took a moment for him to realize there’d been a knock on his door. Looking up, he found Finn standing in the open doorway.
“Finn. Come on in. Have a seat.”
“You’re looking for me, Boss?”
“Yeah. I’ve got some interesting reading for you,” Larry stated as he handed the file over. “Jackson’s found us some interesting tidbits. Also, I’ve had a chat with the warden at Colombia Penitentiary. Thought you might want to ride along on the day.”
“Yeah, I’m down for that.”
“Great. As soon as I’ve heard back from Wilder with a time, I’ll let you know.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll get the file back to you.”
Larry watched as Finn left, his mind already turning to thoughts of his impending visit.
4
It had been incredible spending time with Maddie and Darryl and being included in their decision-making for the wedding. Tahlia was thrilled her daughter had been so willing to let go over the past and welcome her back so readily.
Maddie had been adamant that she wanted her mother involved in the wedding plans now that she was back. Despite being a grown woman, she’d been needy and had conferred with Tahlia about everything during the catering consult. And Tahlia suspected it might have irritated Darryl. But that man had been patient with Maddie and seemed to understand his fiancée’s neediness.
Now Tahlia was home and in desperate need of a hot, relaxing bath. Plenty of bubbles and warm water. Her muscles were tight from the tension she’d carried with her during her reunion with her sweet girl.
