Page 36 of When He Plays

Her head turned so that she could lock eyes with Logan. His mood seemed off. Far too controlled when she was used to him being uncontrolled and rather outrageous.

Then again, he had killed a man that night. And been nearly killed himself. Considering those circumstances, Charlotte figured Logan was entitled to be off. “It takes a great deal to scare me.”

“Oh.” From Meredith. “Seeing a man stabbed in the heart and watching him bleed out doesn’t do it for you? Most civilians would lose their minds at a scene like that one. But you seem, gosh, dare I say…amazingly collected?”

Well, it wasn’t her first time to be attacked by a man with a gun. It wasn’t her first time to see someone die. It wasn’t her first time to try and save someone, just to have the person die beneath her hands. “I’m cool on the outside. On the inside, I’m breaking apart.”

Meredith arched a brow. “Why do I have a hard time believing that?”

“I don’t know. Why do you?”

“Ahem.”

That very loud throat-clearing had just come from the man sitting on the couch. Blond hair, clean-shaven. Wrinkled shirt and expensive Rolex flashing on his wrist. “My client has been more than cooperative,” Tobin Hollister announced. His voice wasn’t mild. It was distinctly annoyed. “He—and his personal assistant—have answered your questions. Numerous times. They’ve provided you with security footage to back up their harrowing accounts for the night. They’ve done their due diligence. Honestly, they have gone above and beyond for you.” He flashed a pearly-white grin. One that somehow seemed menacing. “They are traumatized. They need their privacy now, and they’ll be getting it.” He rose from the leather couch near the right wall and motioned toward the closed office door. “Don’t worry, Detective Reece, I’ll let your captain know that you have everything you need to wrap up this investigation. I expect that no additional follow-up will be necessary from your department.”

That was all a very pleasant way of Logan’s lawyer saying… You’re done. Don’t talk to my clients again. Get the hell out.

Detective Reece clearly received the message. Her mouth tightened, but she gave a grim nod. “Appreciate the cooperation.” Her stare cut to Logan.

He shrugged. “I’m an upstanding citizen. I’m all about cooperating with the law.”

“Right.” The detective’s gaze moved on to Charlotte. Lingered. “A piece of advice?”

“What would that be?”

“Find a new job. Being Logan Sterling’s assistant strikes me as a very dangerous career choice.”

Charlotte straightened her spine. “I think it’s a position that will provide me with a lot of upward mobility.”

“Or it’s a position that could shove you into an early grave.”

That was not really on the agenda.

Meredith Reece cut her gaze back to Logan. “I hope you’re not planning to leave town anytime soon. It will take me some time to wrap up this case.”

“Uh, excuse me.” Tobin positioned himself in front of the detective. “You don’t get to tell a victim what to do. If you are arresting my client for some reason, then do it right now. Otherwise, don’t try to toss out bullshit orders. Not with Logan. Not with me. My client has recently acquired new property in both Greece and in France. Property that he will need to go personally examine soon to make sure it is the value that he expects. When he’s ready to go, he will be hopping on his private jet and flying off.”

The detective’s jaw hardened. “I’m not arresting him, but a man is dead. There will be a thorough investigation.”

“The footage you have shows everything you need to know.” Tobin was unfazed. “Morris Hart tried to kill multiple people tonight. Luckily, my brave client selflessly risked his own life to stop a known criminal. You should be thanking Logan, not wasting his time with BS chatter about not leaving town. Logan will go wherever he wants. I’m sure your captain will agree with me on that.”

“Because the captain and Logan are such close friends?” Meredith bit out.

Uh, oh. Was Meredith implying the captain was on Logan’s payroll? Sure sounded that way to Charlotte. There had been a decided emphasis on close.

Tobin just flashed a megawatt smile. “Because the captain understands that victims are free to live their lives. Now, I believe we’re done?”

“Fine.” A jerk of her head toward Logan. Then Charlotte. “Watch yourself,” she warned Charlotte. Then Meredith was gone. Fast, angry steps. The door clicked closed behind her.

No one spoke.

Logan kept reclining behind his desk.

As for his lawyer…

Tobin let out a weary sigh. “There is having me on retainer…and then there is having me on retainer.” He swung to fully face Logan. “Do you know how late it is? Hell, I don’t even know exactly.” He looked at his Rolex. “Five forty-nine a.m. That means I didn’t sleep last night. It means⁠—”

“It means I’ve probably paid for you to get a new Rolex. You’re welcome.”