“Charlee.” Cole’s voice softened. “This is why I wanted you to stay out of this because it’s—
“Dangerous,” I finished for him. “I know.”
Cole’s phone chimed, pulling his eyes away from me. “Please excuse me for a minute.” He stood and slipped from the room.
“Charlee,” Preston started, releasing my hand.
My eyes snapped to meet his. “You’re not going to tell anyone, are you?” And by that I meant my family.
“No,” he shook his head, his face filled with concern. “Attorney-client privilege, remember.”
Whew.
“I think we can go now,” Preston stood.
“Isn’t Cole coming back?”
“Maybe, but I don’t know when, and it’s late and you’ve been through a lot.” He shot me another worried look.
“Okay,” I sighed. As I rose from my seat, my gaze snagged on a file on Cole’s desk, the one he’d pulled Sting Ray’s photo from. I stretched out my hand, reaching for it.
“Charlee,” Preston hissed. “What are you doing?”
There was no point in pretending innocence at this point. “I’m snooping,” I whispered back.
“You can’t do that!”
“Sure, I can.” I opened the folder and began going through its contents, careful to keep the documents in order. “Preston,” I waved one hand behind me dismissively. “You don’t have to stay. I’m not trying to get you in trouble.”
He mumbled something that sounded like a curse. “Fine. I’ll go to the restroom and meet you in the hall. Make this quick.”
I heard the door click behind him, and continued skimming through the file. I’m sure it hadn’t occurred to Cole that I might be left in here alone. I wasn’t stupid enough to think that Cole actually trusted me, probably not farther than he could throw me.
But I didn’t trust Cole either, something he’d accused me of and I’d denied. But we both knew I didn’t. Why should I? Cole hadn’t found the killer, and, in the meantime, Fern had been charged with murder.
Sure, it wasn’t fair to put this all on Cole, but he adhered to the law and his superiors, which (I recoiled) would soon be Harper Mitchell. A woman who by all accounts seemed to have a strong dislike for my family.
A bank statement with deposits highlighted in yellow caught my attention, urging me to take a closer look. The account in question belonged to Earl and Patty Henderson. Pulling out my phone, I snapped a photo and turned the page, taking quick shots of the rest of the statements.
Muffled voices filtered into the room, indicating that my time here was done. Carefully shuffling the documents back in order, I placed the folder where I’d found it and left Cole’s office.
In the hall, I found Preston waiting for me, palpable relief evident in his posture when he saw me. We walked toward the exit in silence, with Preston barely sparing me a glance.
It was easier to maintain his innocence this way, I presumed. Then, when we were just three steps from the door, Harper Mitchell walked in, spearing me with a venomous glare. Preston and I stopped in our tracks.
“Mr. Brooks, Miss King,” she greeted coldly. “Can’t say I’m surprised to see you here.” She turned her glare back on me. “You sure have an interesting way of trying to get Cole’s attention.” The power-hungry DA elect gave me a snide smile.
Preston nudged me lightly, his subtle way of encouraging me to leave and not make a scene. He was so proper. I wasn’t.
“But I’ll save you the trouble,” Harper leaned toward me, lowering her voice. “A man like Cole is never going to be interested in a big woman.” She flicked her gaze over me, then moved on to Preston, dismissing me.
No, she did not just do that. The gall of this nasty woman. Her unspoken “like you” tacked on to the end of that sentence. Cole may not be interested in me, but I could guarantee it had nothing to do with the size of my butt.
Rather, Cole’s interest in me, or lack of, had more to do with the fact that I was a big pain in his butt. My hand formed a fist and I started to lift my arm, when Preston grabbed it, pulling it down to his side.
What? Was he worried I was going to assault the future DA at the police station?
Okay, I was thinking about it.
“Have a nice evening.” Preston gave her a tight-lipped smile and tugged me toward the door. Outside, I all but raced down the steps, needing to get far away from that loathsome petite blonde who made me want to land a punch on her face.
“Charlee,” Preston called out, halting my movement. Pity flashed in his eyes, making me want to hit Harper even more.
“I’m fine. Thanks for your help.” I turned away from him.
“She’s just jealous, Charlee,” he said from behind me. “Because people like you.” I hesitated and turned around, just as he caught up to me. “Cole likes you,” he spoke quietly. “As do I,” he admitted bashfully.
I shook my head, wanting to deny his claims, but he continued. “You don’t see yourself the way others do.”
My eyes warily moved back to meet his. This is not something I ever imagined I would hear from Preston. I didn’t know him very well, but I realized then that he was quite observant.
“I think Kenny did that to you.” His tone became bolder. “His actions made you think you’re not desirable because he chose someone else.”
His sharp words cut into me, yet I knew it was the truth.
“But that isn’t true. You’re smart, beautiful, funny, and kind.”
If he didn’t stop, I was going to start crying again.
“Kenny blew it, and he knows it. Ashley’s just like Harper, only she’s jealous because of Kenny, not Cole. And you’re better than those women, and they can’t stand it.”
A tear slipped down my cheek. Preston took another step toward me, opening his mouth, then closed it. Whatever he was going
