Page 45 of Triggered By Love
“You mean stiff and proud.”
“Like he always gets his way,” she finished his thought.
“Then you’d say we got our guy?”
She shrugged. “Can’t swear to it on a stack of Bibles.”
“Enough for me to get a subpoena.”
“On me?” She backed away and her hand went to her bruised face.
“As a material witness.” He encroached on her personal space. “Dr. Renzi, you not only know who this man is, but you’re aware of his criminal behavior, and now I have proof he’s an attempted murderer. I could drag you in for questioning.”
“I’ll claim client privilege.” She jutted her chin up at him, defiant to the end.
“Give me his name, and I’ll keep you out of it.”
Her lips wobbled, but she shook her head.
“Then come down to the precinct with me.”
“On what grounds?” Her voice faltered, even though her facial expression remained fierce.
“I can make you an accomplice if I can tie this man to his appearance at your apartment with the attempted murder of Miss Cockburn. Don’t forget. I lifted prints, and you admitted he was inside your apartment. Did you two cook it up? Are you helping him stalk Miss Cockburn?”
“Of course not. You promised you’d keep me out of this.”
“Name.” His voice remained as firm as his aggressive stance.
She stared at him, but he wasn’t going to let her stare him down, so he returned a fierce glare. “Name.”
“Promise to keep me out of this?”
“Name.”
She blinked, and wiped her forehead, as if utterly exhausted. “You didn’t hear it from me. Larry Leach.”
“Seriously? Larry the leech? How cliché.” He crossed his arms. “With anEor anA?”
“L. E. A. C. H.” She stomped her foot. “Get out of here and don’t come back. And don’t bother calling for an anger management appointment either.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
* * *
Jason ran Larry the Leech,correction, Lawrence Leach through the database. He was an investment banker. No priors. A few traffic tickets. His address was listed in an upscale and expensive high-rise in the region known as Billionaire’s Row just southeast of Central Park.
There was no mug shot, but he was able to find photos on social media. The man was a prominent member of the Upper East Side society and not exactly the profile of a hitman.
He was about the same height and weight as the estimate for the man in the video, but Jason wasn’t sure about the walking gait. The man Jason chased was more flexible and agile than he expected. Something wasn’t quite right.
Jason wrote his suspicions in his notebook. He had enough information to question Avery and an excuse to invade her family compound—a huge colonial-style mansion up in the ritziest Westchester County neighborhood.
After almost an hour of driving, Jason exited the Saw Mill River Parkway and wound his way past bucolic hills to an estate hidden behind thickets of lush trees. He announced himself at the gate as Detective Burnett, NYPD.
“This is Chase Cockburn, head of security.” A growly voice replaced the smooth, female voice. “What is the nature of your business?”
“I’m here to interview the victim, Avery Cockburn.”
