Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Laurel studied Abigail, wanting more than ever to get into her head. “Why did you stab him?”
“I didn’t. Stop asking me about Zeke Caine, Laurel.”
At the moment, Laurel required Abigail’s assistance, so she chose to abandon that line of questioning. “Tell me where you think Jason Abbott would go.”
Abigail tugged on one sparkling earring. “Who knows. By the way, speaking of Abbott, I saw the interview that our good old Captain Rivers gave to Rachel Raprenzi. She still has the hots for him, you know?”
“I care little what she feels,” Laurel said. “The purpose of the interview was to notify the public about Jason Abbott’s escape. You knew him better than anybody. If you’re not involved with his escape, then help me. Where would he go?”
Abigail tapped one red fingernail on her chin. “You know, as your big sister, I could take care of that reporter for you.”
Laurel believed the woman would do just that if asked. “Again, I wish for her to be left alone by you. If anything happens to Rachel, I will arrest you immediately.” The gun at the back of her waist provided necessary reassurance right now. “We both know you threatened her before, and I have no doubt she’d be happy to testify against you.”
“If you had any proof whatsoever that I threatened that perceptually challenged twat, I’d already be booked.”
An unfortunately true statement. “Let’s return to the subject of your jail visit with Jason Abbott. Where is he right now?”
Abigail flicked an invisible piece of lint off her shoulder. “This is so tedious. I couldn’t care less where he is. Let’s talk about us. Let’s talk about the baby inside you. The one who will probably be a genius. What are we going to do with her?”
Laurel would keep Abigail far away from this baby. “You and I do not have a relationship.”
“Of course we do. We’re sisters,” Abigail returned. “This baby is going to need both of us. Do you think she’ll have our eyes?”
Laurel had never met anybody more able to talk in circles than Abigail. The talent would be impressive if it wasn’t so irritating. “Where would Jason go?”
Abigail tossed a hand through the air. “Would you give it up? I have no idea. Did you check with that insipid fiancée of his? Haylee, whatever it was?”
Abigail knew Haylee’s name as well as Laurel did. She had an eidetic memory and didn’t forget anything. “You know her last name.”
“I choose not to spend any time on that twit. If anybody helped him escape, it would be her.”
Laurel failed to discern an underlying tone in Abigail’s voice. It was too bad Huck wasn’t available right now, but then again, perhaps Abigail wouldn’t speak so freely around him. “How would Haylee have assisted Jason Abbott?”
“Who cares?” Abigail murmured. “At least things are about to get interesting around here again.”
Abigail’s lack of emotion should not surprise Laurel, yet it did. “Just tell me why you’d want him out of jail if you have no plans to end his life.”
“I have no wish to harm Abbott,” Abigail said briskly. “If I’d wanted him dead, he’d be dead. I didn’t need him to escape to take care of him. Surely you understand that much about me.”
As a point, it was a good one. Abigail could probably engineer any situation that she wanted. “So, why do you want him free?” It just didn’t make any sense.
“Again, I couldn’t care less. As of now, I’m bored with this discussion.” Abigail dug into her overlarge purse and brought out a notebook. “I’m writing you a song.”
Laurel blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Since you’re knocked up, I’m sure the good captain will propose soon.”
“We have no plans for marriage.”
Abigail continued as if Laurel hadn’t spoken. “As your maid of honor, I’ll need to give a speech, and I saw one online where the maid of honor sang a song that she’d written. I enjoyed it. A lot of interesting words rhyme with Huck.”
Laurel shook her head. “You and I do not have a personal relationship.”
“Of course we do. I very strongly advise that you stop saying that.” Abigail lost all semblance of a smile. “You really don’t want to be my enemy, especially since we share a common one.”
“Zeke Caine?” Laurel recognized the truth in her statement. “I don’t need your assistance ensuring Zeke sees justice. You and I don’t have a scintilla of feeling in common.”
Abigail stood. “That’s where you’re wrong, dear sister. You’ll need me more than you realize. Soon.”
Chapter 12
After a night at her mom’s spent dreaming about chasing Jason Abbott through icy water and over snow-filled peaks, Laurel finished her breakfast burrito sitting in her FBI office. The Bearing family still hadn’t been located, nor had Pastor John, and she fought irritation as she glared at the rough surface in front of her. Like the conference table, her desk was an old, repurposed door. She leaned to the side and yelled down the hallway. “Kate, are you any closer to acquiring a desk for me?”