Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 70628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
She can deny it all she wants, but it’s true.
We follow Harrison back to his corner office. Glass windows line both outer walls, and the view is spectacular.
“Have a seat, both of you.”
He walks behind his desk, and Aspen and I sit in the lush leather chairs facing him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t have more time to talk to you yesterday.”
“We totally understand, Mr. Wallace,” Aspen says. “It was your daughter’s funeral, after all.”
“Yes, it was. But unfortunately, Rita and I had to say goodbye to Taylor a long time ago. After what she did to you.”
“But she’s still your daughter,” I say.
“Was,” he says. “She’s in a better place now, Mr. Moreno.”
“Buck.”
“Then you must call me Harry.” He turns to Aspen. “Now Ms. Davis, what else can I enlighten you on?”
Aspen clears her throat. “I guess I just want to know… why? What made Taylor go rogue like that? At the time, she was dating my backup, Gloria Delgado, and Nancy was third in line for my position.”
“I don’t think she ever really got over Gloria,” Harrison says. “She used to call Gloria the love of her life.”
“Really?” Aspen says.
“Yes. I think she was more upset than Gloria was when you took the spot on the team.”
Aspen wrinkles her forehead.
That doesn’t jibe with what Gloria or Taylor told us.
But then again, why should we believe Taylor? After all, she’s the one who got this whole ball rolling.
“According to Taylor and Nancy,” I say, “Gloria was very upset about Aspen taking her place on the team. And she was upset that she was reacting negatively, as she was a devout Catholic and didn’t like having these kinds of feelings about someone.”
“She was a devout Catholic?”
“Oh, yes,” Aspen says. “Very. Very nice girl, and she prayed for everyone.”
“That’s strange,” Harrison says. “Taylor never mentioned that.”
“She didn’t mention that her girlfriend was a devout Catholic?” I ask.
“Not that I recall. I think I would’ve remembered that.”
“Yeah, you probably would have,” Aspen says.
“Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter now,” Wallace says. “They’re both gone.”
“Yes.” I clear my throat. “They are.”
Something is not right here.
Then again, windows line this entire office. Anyone can see what goes on in here. At least anyone who can see up to the fortieth floor.
“We need to find out who this albino is,” I say. “He’s the one who truly tormented Aspen on that island. He caused her much distress and injury.”
“I wish I could help you. I don’t understand the workings of the prison system. I would imagine anyone who tried to take my brother’s place had to have help from the inside.”
“From guards, yes,” I say.
“Are you absolutely sure it was your brother who was killed?” Aspen asks.
“I identified the body myself,” Wallace says. “And he was cremated.”
“And this happened a week ago?”
“Yes. I saw no reason to have any kind of memorial for him. The man was a degenerate.”
“I see your point,” I say.
“How do we find out who the albino is?” Aspen asks.
“You’d need some help on the inside,” Wallace says. “And I don’t have that for you. I’m sorry.”
“I understand.” I rise.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help.”
Aspen rises then. “Thank you for seeing us. I guess we ought to go.”
Wallace stands. “All right. You have my number if you need anything else.”
I turn toward the door, but then I look over my shoulder. “I just have one more question for you, Harrison.”
“Certainly. Whatever I can do to help.”
I don’t have a question. Just a hunch. Just a feeling that we don’t have all the information.
And then, on his credenza behind him, I see it.
42
ASPEN
I’m not sure what more Buck thinks he can ask Mr. Wallace. He clearly doesn’t know who the albino is. And maybe it’s okay that I don’t know. He’s in prison. He’s not getting out anytime soon, except…
If he had enough connections in prison to take the place of Greg Wallace…
My God.
I’m still not safe from him.
A bizarre look passes between Buck and Mr. Wallace.
I cock my head, not sure what—
Then I gasp.
In a flash, they’re both armed, guns pointing at each other.
“Buck!”
“Get out of here, Aspen. Now,” he says, his voice not wavering.
My heart begins to pound. “No, no, I’m not leaving you.”
“You might want to do what he says, Missy.” From Wallace.
“Please,” Buck says between clenched teeth. “Leave.”
But my feet are glued to the fucking floor.
I can’t leave. I can’t leave Buck.
“What’s going on? I don’t understand. We’re all on the same side here.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Missy.” Harrison shakes his head and glares at Buck. “What do you think you have on me?”
“The conch shell on your credenza behind your desk. It’s a milk conch. My sister has one just like it.”
“It’s a trinket,” Wallace says. “Maybe I picked it up in a thrift shop near Venice Beach.”
“Nice try,” Buck says. “First, I doubt you’d ever go within a hundred yards of a thrift shop, but that’s neither here nor there. I happen to know that thick shells like that are only found in the deepest parts of the Southwest Pacific Ocean. And I happen to know of an island where they’re abundant.”