Page 55 of Nowhere to Hide
“Who did you get? What reporter?”
“Her name’s Emilia Rose. She’s a hot up-and-comer.” Sandra told him she was with a top-rated news channel in the DC area. “Her cameraman is Tyler Carson.” She was making up names as she went along.
“I’ve never heard of her.”
“As I said, she’s new, but she has a following.” There was some concern Ryan would expect a reporter he recognized, but it was on her to sell him on what they had.
“Okay.”
“Does that mean you’ll come to the front of the house to speak with her?”
There was a stretch of silence, then, “What is happening in the investigation into my mother’s murder?”
“A detective is still actively investigating the case, Ryan, I promise you.”
“What else has he found out?”
The last update from Eric on the accident had come a while ago but was damning. “Your mother’s car was ordered destroyed the same day of the crash.”
“Then, he knows that something’s not right.”
“He’s still gathering evidence together, Ryan, and building a case.” That was the truth of it.
“Good, because this family deserves to pay for what Timothy Hanson did. The public deserves the truth, and my mother deserves justice.”
As long as he stays focused more on justice, and less on revenge…Though his actions weren’t reassuring. “This will happen, Ryan. Will you meet the reporter and her cameraman outside at the gate?”
“I’ll need to think about it.”
“Okay, I can respect that. It’s a big decision, but you know you can trust me, right?”
“Yes.”
“So, please, just tell me this, Ryan. My bosses are really on my case about Edward and how he’s doing. Can I assure them he is?—”
“He’s fine. I told you.”
“I need a fucking doctor!” Edward yelled.
“Shut up, or I swear I’ll?—”
“Ryan,” Sandra said quickly. “Please, listen to me. You’re the one calling the shots here. Everyone knows that. Just let me speak with him again. I’ll help him see that too. Will you let me do that?”
A brief hesitation before Ryan spat, “Fine. Here he is, but I’m putting you on speaker.”
She took a steadying breath. She’d have to censor what she was going to say. That meant no direct mention of the prenup and the survival clause. “Edward, this is Agent Vos. Can he hear me?”
“Yes.”
“We’re working to get you help, but until then, I need you to do whatever Ryan wants, cooperate with him.”
Deep breaths traveled over the line. “You want me to… ah… roll over to a bully with a gun?”
“It sounds like the wise thing to do.”Considering you already have one hole in your chest…“And if he asks something of you, answer him honestly. All Ryan wants is for the truth to come out. Do you understand?” She hoped that was enough to get across the point that they knew about the prenup and the repercussions. Though for him to pick up on that, it meant he’d need to be aware of them. And if he did, Edward would need to watch how he admitted to a sudden clarity. They didn’t need Ryan thinking Edward had been dishonest all this time. After a few seconds, she prompted Edward, “Can you do that?”Tell him you just remembered something…She held her breath waiting for him to respond.Is he still drawing breath?
“Fine.”
“Okay then.” She wished she could promise help would be coming soon, but that would be a lie, and with Ryan listening in, it would also be presumptuous.
