Page 120 of Tail, Dark and Handsome: Celestial Mates
“You said you did not remember,” Chase snarled.
“A knock to the head shook some things loose.”
Memories didn’t work that way, but okay. Whatever.
“No! You will admit what you did!”
Winter spread his hands wide, displaying that they were empty.
Chase lunged. The two grappled, knocking into the bed and equipment before Winter slipped away.
He stood back, lip bleeding. “What was your plan? Hire Tomas to rattle Marigold and then murder her?”
“Yes,” Chase hissed, “and leave her body on Rebel’s grave. Everyone would have seen you argue at the party. So many witnesses. Only this time, no one would buy their silence.”
“I’m not playing your game.”
“Oh, you’ll play my game, or I file a paternity suit and take full custody of my son. No court would give you visitation rights, not with your reputation. You know I’m right.”
Mari disliked the way Chase used Zero as a bargaining chip. She also disliked the casual way Chase spoke of her attempted murder, like it was as trivial as the weather. “That was very foolish of you,” she said.
The two men turned to look at her.
“I’ve been recording this conversation the entire time,” she bluffed, but Chase didn’t need to know that.
“No. You lie.”
“Ever since you grabbed me in the garage, my comm unit is set to record whenever you’re near. Really, you did that to yourself.”
Chase stood still, his tail moving slowly, as if thinking. “You would have to be able to track me and you cannot.”
“She cannot, but I can, with your company-issued comm unit,” Winter said.
Color drained from Chase. “It will never hold up in court.”
“I can testify to what I heard. Two witnesses against one.”
“Her half-asleep from drugs and you with a head wound? Do not make me laugh. We can bring this to trial and see what happens. I’d like that very much.”
All three occupants of the room stood in silence. Well, Chase and Winter stood. Mari reclined. She was loath to admit that he had a point. Her head felt fuzzy and while she was alert for the moment, she could very well forget the exact words of his confession. No doubt Chase’s attorneys would seize on her misread words and inaccurate phrasing.
“I heard every word, and I’d be happy to see you in court,” a new voice said.
Chapter 28
Eight years after, remembering Rebel Cayne. Questions still swirl around the mysterious death of pop icon...
-Tal Tattler
Winter
A male Winter did not recognize stood in the door. Zero peeked his head from around the male. He wiggled his fingers in greeting. “Hi, Dad. This is Clarity’s dad.”
“And I’m also a Watchtower Guardian. Merit Isteimlas,” the male said, scanning the room. His gaze fixed on Marigold. “The male who shot you is already in custody.”
“Good. I’m pressing all the charges against Tomas and him,” she said, pointing a finger at Chase.
“There’s no proof,” the guilty male sputtered.
