Page 50

“Oh my god,” I exhale, leaning heavily against her desk. “He knew all our weaknesses. His accomplice was right under our nose and didn’t even know it.”

Stuart’s still fuming, but I can see he’s slowly getting on the same page as me. “You didn’t know what was in that envelope?”

Nikki’s white-blonde head shakes rapidly. “I never look in his files. Derek said they were confidential. I only type up the reports he specifically gives me.”

Going back to Derek’s office, I scoop up the sealed brown envelope and rip it open. Out drops a photograph and a pair of black lace panties. Digging inside, I pull out the letter that details who Star is, her connection to the murder of Sloan Reynolds, and the address to Derek’s condo in Princeton.

“God... freaking... Stuart!” I shout, and in less than a moment he’s back with me. “He knew Nikki would mail this without question. She only asked because of the arrest.”

Stuart picks up the letter and reads it briefly before glancing at the photograph and the panties. “Are those—?”

“Only one person can say for sure.” I pick up the black thong by an edge of lace and drop it back in the envelope. “It’s probably got both their DNA all over it.”

“A pleasant thought.”

“Tell me about it.” We exchange a glance, but it’s cut short by both the reality of what’s happening and the immediacy of what’s out front.

Nikki is crying at her desk, and I spin on my heel, heading for the reception area. When I get there, she’s packing her stuff.

“Nikki!” I round the corner and catch her hands. “Wait. Please.”

“I can’t stay another day here.” She shakes her head, tears streaming down her face. “It’s all spoiled. I’m nothing but a problem now.”

“It’s not true,” I urge, trying to find the words. “We need you right now, Nikki. It’s a crisis situation. We don’t have time to find a new receptionist.”

?

??No,” she sniffs, touching her face with a tissue. “I’m constantly fucking up everything. I’m a weakness just like you said.”

“Patrick will be here tomorrow. Won’t you at least wait and see him?”

Another sniff, and she considers what I’ve said.

“Patrick’s your friend,” I continue. “Why don’t you take off this afternoon, and come in Monday when he’s back.”

She blinks up at me, and I smile. Leaning forward, I give her a hug. “We need you Nik. You’re part of the team.”

“The weakest link,” she sniffs.

“Not true. You care about Derek, right?”

She nods but doesn’t answer. I watch her dab her eyes more.

“That’s what matters most. We’re all here for him now.” Smiling, I hold her hand. “Now you know to be extra vigilant. Anything unusual, run it past Stuart, okay?”

Her eyes flicker to the office where he remained behind. “I’d rather not,” she says quietly.

“Okay, then run it past Patrick. He’s your guy. Right?”

A wobbly breath and she nods. “Okay.”

Releasing her arms, I head back into the office where Stuart is. I’m not crying, and I’m not fainting. I’m ready to find a solution. My Macbook is on Derek’s desk now, and I stare at the screen thinking.

“What are we going to do?” I say.

He walks over to the bookshelf and pulls out a thick textbook. “We have to think like a lawyer. Our biggest problem is he confessed to the crime. We have to build a defense, find some precedent we can use...”

My mind immediately goes to a person I haven’t seen in years. “I’ve got this.” Sliding my finger across the touch pad, I log into my airline account. “I’m flying to Chicago.”