Anastasia hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping to the side and letting the pair of them into her apartment. A citrus tang hung in the air, refreshing and clean. The apartment was small and pristine. It was the kind of space that went for a premium in cities like Charlotte. You paid for the convenience and bragging rights, not the square footage.
“What can I do for you, Agent Viotto?”
“Have you heard about Senator Grayson’s current circumstances?”
“That he’s been arrested? Oh, yes. I’m aware.”
Viotto gestured to the apartment. “I’m surprised you don’t have three computers open, six people on hold, and a team of interns working on a way to spin this.”
Her eyes sparkled. “I don’t think there’s a way to spin this. My sources tell me you have ample evidence on Mr. Grayson. He’s not getting out of this one.”
Cassie caught on quicker than Viotto did. “Apex dropped him, didn’t they?”
“Smart cookie.” She took a sip of wine, and by the look on her face, Grayson’s predicament had made it all the sweeter. “I don’t like to waste my time, and neither does Apex Publicity. We’re not in the business of backing criminals.”
Cassie had a retort ready to go, but she bit her tongue. If Mannis was right about how dangerous Apex was, it wouldn’t do to get on their bad side. Even if Anastasia was no one important, they had to tread carefully. If they got wind that the FBI had an agent sniffing around, there was no telling what they’d do.
“Your sources, huh?” Viotto’s gears were turning. “You wouldn’t want to—”
“—tell you who they are? No, I wouldn’t.” Anastasia’s smile held true delight. “Agent Viotto, you know better than that.”
“Do you like working at Apex, Ms. Bolton?”
“I do.” She sat down at the table but didn’t offer them a chair. “It’s a dream job. I’ve worked with a lot of amazing people. Made a lot of money.”
“How much of that money has blood on it?”
Anastasia paused with her glass halfway to her lips. The wine was the same color as her crimson lipstick. “Excuse me?”
Viotto smiled, but there was a sharpness to it that made Cassie shiver. He wasn’t playing games. “I asked how much of the money has blood on it.” He didn’t wait for Anastasia to answer. “I know what Apex really does, Ms. Bolton. And I’m not afraid of them. Or you.”
And here Cassie had assumed they were going to be subtle.
“You should be.” Anastasia set her glass down and stood. She wobbled, and for the first time, Cassie saw her as anything but put together. “I’ve seen them ruin careers over less. They’re so much bigger than you could ever dream. Do yourself a favor and drop whatever it is you think you’re getting yourself into.”
“It sounds like you know much more than Grayson thought. What do you know about his son’s murder?
The cool professional was back in place. Anastasia smoothed out her skirt and pointed to the door. “Get out.”
“Did I say something to upset you?”
“You think you’re smart, don’t you? A pretty face, a quick wit, and a badge can get you far, but it doesn’t make you invincible.” A little bit of warmth returned to her eyes. “Believe it or not, I like you, Agent Viotto. But you are very dumb. Your partner? He’s a bit smarter. He knows not to poke his nose where it doesn’t belong.”
There was a glint of excitement in Viotto’s eye now. “Is that a threat?”
“I don’t threaten people.” Anastasia threw her hair over her shoulder. No part of her movement indicated she was anything but stone-cold sober. “I don’t need to. It’s not my job. But I will do you the courtesy of warning you. Apex can make your life a living hell. I don’t think you deserve that, but if you’re not careful, what I think won’t matter. Now,” she said, ushering them toward the door, “I would like you to leave.”
Cassie filed through the doorway after Viotto, but as she crossed the threshold, she felt Anastasia’s tight grip on her arm.
“And Ms. Quinn? That goes for you, too. Have a great day.”
The door shut in Cassie’s face before she could decide whether she was grateful for the advice or terrified that she needed it.
36
Cassie scooted into the passenger seat of Viotto’s car and squinted back up at the building in front of them. “I have a bad feeling about her.”
Viotto had his head tipped back and his eyes closed. “Is that a psychic thing?”
“A woman thing.” She gave him a dirty look he didn’t see. “Are you sure it was a good idea to press her like that? What if Apex comes after you?”
“I don’t think they will.” He opened his eyes. “I don’t have enough information to be a threat. If they come after me, they’ll show their hand. Something tells me they’re smarter than that.”
“That’s a bet you’re willing to take?”
“For now.” He turned the key in the ignition. “We’ll see how I feel once we get to the bottom of this case. If we get to the bottom of this case.”
“That gun keeps bothering me,” Cassie said. “The one that Anthony Lewis said had been confiscated months prior? If Apex is as powerful as Grayson says it is, then they have law enforcement on their payroll.”
“Which means they would’ve wiped the gun record and used it as evidence in the Grayson case.”
“And if that’s true, who knows what else they fabricated.”
“Or compromised.” Viotto checked his rearview mirror and pulled out from the curb. “How do you feel about going to the scene of the crime?”
“That’s usually the best way for me to get insight into a case, but even if I pick up something, it doesn’t mean we’ll be able to prove what happened. If someone on the force is working for Apex, they might’ve scrubbed the scene. Or planted more false evidence.”
“What are they up to?” He shook his head
