Page 53 of 4th Silence
My professional armor slides back into place. One panic attack averted. “This is a distraction, nothing more, and I refuse to be distracted. Tiffany deserves justice, and I’m not about to let her down because someone is trying to smear my name.”
Meg stares into her cup. “Have you talked to JJ?”
“Not yet. I take it things went okay with Jerome?”
A sly smile crosses her face. “Better than okay.”
Another crisis averted. “You’re not going to make me wear some god-awful maid of honor dress, are you?”
“The wedding is on hold for now. We’re going to try an intermediate step—living together.”
“Aren’t you doing that already?”
“Not officially.” Her grin is good to see. It softens the edges of my anxiety, if only for a moment. “Ready to get back to work?”
I close my laptop. “Whoever did this made their first big mistake. They’ve shown their hand—they’re desperate.”
I love the unwavering belief I see reflected in her eyes. “And desperate people make mistakes.”
My phone rings, displaying a name that sends a complicated flutter through my stomach—JJ. I stare at it for two rings.
“I can see on your face that it’s him,” Meg says. “Take it. I’ll be in the conference room with Mom when you’re done. She’s on a revenge rampage.”
Oh Lord. I nod and accept the call. “Hey.”
“Charlie.” JJ’s deep voice has a clipped edge. Cool. Contained. Disappointed…?
“Took you long enough to call.” I maintain a neutral and professional tone. Despite our history, despite everything, JJ is still the U.S. Attorney, and I am a liability to him. Now more than ever.
“Are you okay?” The question comes out in a whoosh, genuine concern breaking through his professional veneer.
“I’ve been better.” I absently caress the edge of my notepad with its action plan. “But I’m still standing.”
His voice drops to that familiar baritone that can command attention in any room. “It’s utter garbage. The lowest of the low.”
No hesitation, no doubt in his tone. His voice is pure steel, the kind that melts anxiety on contact when it’s directed at your enemies. One of the tightly coiled threads in my chest loosens. “It is. Garrett is a good friend, but we never?—”
“Of course not. You’re a professional above all else.” Like me. He doesn’t add those words, but they hover there, nevertheless.
“I know that, and you know that, but the rest of D.C. is having a field day.”
“Listen to me.” Rustling in the background. Pacing. Classic JJ when he’s scheming. “This impacts both of us. Your reputation, obviously, but also the Hartman case, which means my office is in the middle of the tsunami. The timing is suspicious as hell.”
“You think?” I can’t help the sarcasm. “I know this puts you in a tough spot. Again. You can save the lecture. I’m truly sorry that it’s affecting your office and Garrett. I wish I could shield you both.”
“I didn’t call to lecture you.”
“You didn’t?”
“What kind of cad do you think I am? I’m concerned about you.”
“Oh.” I can picture him perfectly—jaw set, those blue-gray eyes intense with that protective look that both comforts and irritates me. JJ always thinks he can fix everything.
“I want to make a statement,” he announces. “Today. Go on record saying these allegations are baseless and politically motivated. I can affirm your professionalism, your integrity?—“
Mom’s not the only one on a revenge rampage. “JJ?—”
“Hear me out.” His voice slides into that jury seducing cadence. “You forget I’ve known you for ten years, Charlie. I can speak to your character. The Emperor of Cold Cases defending your honor will carry weight.”
