Page 160 of Smoke Screen
Cruz broke away from Zeke and Rohan, his gaze fixed on a charging Cilla.
“And who might this be?” Cruz wanted to know.
“My lawyer,” Maddy told him. “Careful, she may eat you alive.”
“Special Agent Blackwell,” Cilla’s eyes shot darts at the oldest of the Blackwell bunch. “What did I say about all communication with my client going through me? Was I not clear enough?”
“Ha!” Cruz swung to Phin. “Anyone who talks to Ash that way? Just so you know, I might be in love.”
Maddy snorted. Cruz. So funny.
Cilla, however, must have been in her badass lawyer zone because she remained totally unaffected. Had she even heard him? Didn’t seem like it.
For his part, Special Agent Blackwell kept his attention on Cilla. “I’ve barely said two words to her. Now that you’re here, Louis—Junior—wants to speak with Maddy.” He swung his head to her. “Are you up for that?”
Maddy gawked. Couldn’t help it. What the heck?“Me?”
He held up the phone still in his hand. “That was Walker. The lawyer told her he’d like a word with you in private. Supposedly, he’s ready to talk, but won’t say anything until he sees you.”
This was it. Time for him to come clean. She felt sure. Why else would he want to see her?
“She’s not going in there alone,” Cilla said.
“No chance.” Phin faced her. “And I’m not turning caveman on you. It’s just common sense. The guy held a gun to you. Not happening.”
Cilla held up a finger, her barely-there pink polish catching the light. “I want him handcuffed and chained to something so he can’t get to her.”
“Absolutely,” Special Agent Blackwell said. “He won’t be able to touch her.”
Maddy bobbed her head. “I’ll stay near the door. That way, if he moves, I’ll leave.”
“Hang on,” Phin said. “Youwantto do this?”
Of course she did. Looking the man in the eye or better still, makinghimlookherin the eye only added to her anticipation. After what he’d done, she couldn’t imagine a better ending to the chaos.
“I absolutely do. The man tried to wreck my life. I want him to look at me and suffer through giving me an explanation.”
“I like it,” Cruz held up a fist. “Go, Maddy.”
Phin gave him the hairy eyeball. “You’re not helping.”
Ignoring them, Maddy took two steps and pressed the elevator button. “Let’s do this. I’m ready.”
More than ready.
30
Maddy waitedfor Special Agent Blackwell to open the door to the interview room, ironically, the same one she’d been questioned in, before stepping inside.
Frigid, air-conditioned air enveloped her, puckering her skin. So damned cold.
Against the far wall, Louis sat with his cuffed hands resting on the table. A long chain stretched over the edge and she thought back to her earlier visit to this room. She’d failed to notice it, but there must have been a hook attached to the wall to shackle prisoners.
Probably better that she hadn’t had that little detail in her mind when being questioned. Now, though, the extra bit of security allowed her to focus on the conversation.
Besides, Special Agent Blackwell had promised he’d be in the hallway. All she needed to do was holler.
“Maddy,” he said from his spot in the doorway, “I’ll be right outside. With your lawyer.”
