Page 83 of Dead Man's Alibi
Which was against everything he had ever told himself he believed in.Which made Cal fucking Bennetright, quite unfortunately.
Without being fully conscious of it, Jake had wanted to punish the Bennets for being or having the things he wanted and couldn’t seem to find.
It wasn’t justlowering.It was shameful.And fucked up.And there was really no way to put it to rights.Even if there was, Jake wasn’t sure he’d do it.
But therewasone thing he had to do.
*
Jill figured sheshould probably let Cal know what she was doing.Or someone.But it was so early, and everyone was busy, and truth be told, she wasn’t quite surewhatshe was doing.Just that she was tired of not actually helping.Of delivering bad news.
This was something she could do.Press about that report that was missing.Maybe the people at the police station would be annoyed with her, but maybe this was a case of the squeaky wheel getting the grease.
And yes, if she got something of note, she’d be able to take it to Cal, and have a reason to see him and… was that why she was here?Doing this?
She hated to think that it might be true.That somehow, subconsciously, she was just finding ways to be in the same orbit as Cal so they might discuss that kiss.
Or do it again.
She considered that as she walked up to the front desk of the police station, but as she looked at the woman whose expression immediately went wary at the sight of her, Jill understood she’d be doing this either way.
She wanted to help.Because all the Bennets had gone out of their way to help her.Because Aly was her friend.
Because it was the right thing to do.
She couldn’t help it if shealsothought about Cal along the way.That was just natural, but it wasn’t herwhy.
“Ms.Harrington.How can I help you?”
Not great that the woman recognized her on sight, but Jill smiled as winsomely as she could.“I know the report I requested is missing, but I was wondering if, even without the report, you could tell me the officer who took it.”
The woman looked a little beleaguered.“I guess I could go ask if we’ve got that information available.”She heaved out a sigh as she got to her feet.“I can’t promise you any answers.”
“That’s okay.Anything you can find would be so helpful.”
On a grunt of frustration, the woman waved Jill to follow her.“I’ll take you to Gina.She’s our clerk, and she should be able to update you.”
Jill didn’t really think she’d get an update as much as the desk attendant was foisting her off on this Gina woman, so Jill would bother her instead.But Jill would take it.She’d take any potential step.
She followed down a hallway she’d been down before to go to Jake’s office.
Which they passed.The door was ajar, and Jill couldn’t resist glancing inside.He was at his desk, frowning at his computer screen.She got the impression he was about to look up, so she hurried her steps to avoid any eye contact.
Farther down the hall, the desk attendant brought her into a small room with a desk.A middle-aged woman with glasses perched on the end of her nose looked up from behind it.
“Gina, this is the woman who was requesting the report that had been deleted.”
“Oh, right.I’ve got something about that…” She peered at her computer while the desk attendant left the room.“Right.An officer helped us with some information yesterday that allowed our IT team to track it down.They were able to recover it.I’ve got it right here.”
Jill couldn’t believe it.No arguments.No fuss.Just… the woman had it.Rightthere.“Really?”
Gina nodded.“I would have given you a call later, or emailed it to you, but this is all pretty new, and I just got to work about fifteen minutes ago.”She didn’t say this meanly at all, just kind of matter-of-factly as she clicked some buttons on her keyboard.
“Give me two minutes.I’ll print it out for you.”The woman stood, all business-like efficiency.“I’ve got to redact a few things, but like I said.Two minutes.”She held up two fingers, then bustled out of the room.
Jill just stood there feeling… shell-shocked.
It was forward movement.It wassomething.And it hadn’t even required a fight.
