Page 105 of Crash Course
"Hey, Mom. You’re up early. Is everything all right? Daniel okay?"
A few months back, Daniel’s cholesterol had spiked, and Mom went into full Nurse Ratched mode, methodically carving out rich foods and saturated fats from his diet.
"He’s good. Cholesterol dropped ten points." She laughed. "I’m letting him eat cheese again."
"Well, thank goodness. He owns a winery. It’s downright cruel."
"Tell me about it? I caught him sneaking from the trays in the cooler."
Cilla snorted. "Poor guy."
"Anyway, darling. I’m hearing things."
Oh boy. "Things" was code for gossip and Cilla didn’t have time today. Between her father and the forever chemicals, Nagle flipping on them, and needing to prep for the upcoming murder case, Cilla was. . .busy.
But Mom calling this early? Had to be something juicy.
Or personal.
And that was never good.
Cilla dropped into her desk chair, rocking back. "What things?"
"Your father, apparently, is on one of his rampages again."
As if this were news? "Mom, he’s always on a rampage. We know this."
"Yes, my darling, but what’s this about him meddling in your cases?"
"Wow. Your pipeline is no joke."
"Sweet girl, I still know people. Rosemary Nagle called me last night."
The judge’s wife. Cilla sat straighter, focusing on her mother’s words.
"That woman," Mom said, "is such a pill. She loves giving bad news. Particularly concerning my daughter."
"What’d she say?"
"She told me about her husband rejecting your plea deal."
For a second, Cilla’s throat clogged. "Sheknewabout that?"
"Of course. It irritated Judge Nagle that your father put him in such a position."
Ohmygod.Dadhaddone it. She’d known, but having it confirmed?
Entirely different matter.
Who the hell did this to their child? A narcissistic animal, that’s who.
Cilla squeezed her eyes closed, fought the heartbreak—the rage—that nearly stole her breath.
She wouldn’t let Dad win. Not this way. She opened her eyes, focused on the abstract painting she’d picked up at a street fair after she’d passed the bar exam.
Back then, she believed in a fair system. Now? She wasn’t so sure.
"Dad threatened him," Cilla said.
