Page 12 of Awaited Love with You (Wasted Love #3)

Preying Softly

Grace Poole

W atching Edward Rochester is like watching a shadow dance in the night. I catch glimpses of him occasionally—whenever he lingers too close to dawn, but his moves are always fast and sharp as I close in.

It’s been nearly impossible for years, so his case has stalled in a frustrating limbo at the agency.

Since the fire at his mansion during a lavish party—no doubt set on purpose—I’ve been collecting bits and pieces, trying to see where they fit.

I have bits and pieces of the Rochester empire—this decades-old underground game that operates in the grey with syndicates that stretch like spider webs up and down the coast.

Every person is terrified to speak against him. More willing to spend decades in a cramped cell than utter a single syllable in his name.

He’s never made a single misstep… until Autumn Jane.

Until now…

Armed with everything I need, I pull into the parking lot at Puget Sound Physical Rehabilitation Center.

I flash my badge at the desk and head straight to room 425, where Nate Taylor is sitting on a bright blue rubber ball.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Taylor,” I say. “Feel like talking today?”

“If I say ‘no’ will you leave me alone, or just keep firing off questions like the last time?”

“It’s best if you just say ‘yes,’ so I can get this over with.”

“Yes…” He groans, lifting his foot. “What do you need from me?”

“Do you know this man?” I show him a picture of Edward Rochester and his face immediately pales.

“No.”

“Lying to a federal agent is a crime, Mr. Taylor.”

“I don’t know him,” he says. “I’ve only seen him.”

“So, you’re into semantics, too.” I roll my eyes. “Where have you seen him before, and why?”

“I feel a cramp in my leg coming on,” he says. “Nurse! Nurse!”

I kick the ball from under him, sending him to the floor. Then I rush over to the door and lock it shut.

“I only have five minutes before I have to be elsewhere,” I say, ignoring his moans. “So, I suggest you suck it up and answer my questions so I can leave.”

“Fine…” He sits up, glaring at me in pain. “I owe him some money.”

“Some?”

“Millions.”

“Why?”

“That’s none of your business,” he says. “It’s a personal arrangement.”

“Was your ex-wife involved in that? Is that how she got caught up in this?”

“Caught up in what?” He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Autumn doesn’t know shit about my personal finances—or finances in general. I bet she can’t even balance a fucking checkbook.”

I’ll come back to that topic later… “Tell me a bit more about your ex-wife. Her name is Autumn Jane, correct?”

“Correct. What about her?”

“Have you ever known her to get involved in anything illegal?”

“Autumn?” He sucks in a slow breath, and I wait for him to spill, but then he laughs. Uncontrollably.

Nearly wheezing, he leans back against the rubber ball—still laughing as if I’m a comedian.

“Mr. Taylor, I need you to take these questions seriously.”

“My ex-wife is one of the weakest and most na?ve women I’ve ever known,” he says. “She’s not capable of committing anything except being annoying.”

“You’re not aware of any legal issues she had in Canada, years ago?” I’m confused. “You were together when she was a senior in high school, correct?”

“She stole a few candy bars from a gift shop,” he says, laughing again. “Can you believe they kicked her out of the country for that?”

“You know, Mr. Taylor, I’m starting to think you never knew your wife at all.”

“The person you should be going after is whoever helped her with our divorce.” His smile is finally gone. “That’s who should be in trouble. Do you know who that is?”

“I have a sneaking suspicion.”

“Oh, well good. What other questions do you have?”

“None.” I step back. “Thank you.” For nothing…

I return to the parking lot, feeling uneasy and slightly manipulated. It’s one thing for Edward Rochester to do it, but...

Goddamnit.

I slide behind the wheel of my car and beat my fists against the steering wheel. Then I tap the call button on my dash.

“Kylie,” I say the moment she answers, “tell me you’re still in Buffalo.”

“I am.”

“Perfect. I need your best friend to lead us to Mr. Rochester. Breakup or not, she can help. Where is she?”

“I don’t know if she’s opened the new trackers, but I’m sure she’s still with her parents.”

“Show me.”

She hesitates for a brief moment before sending me an email that’s linked with the tracking feed.

I study the feed as two tracking dots move in different directions. One is moving slowly—circling someplace in Seattle. The other is in Buffalo.

What the…

“You don’t think she went back to him, do you?” I ask, hopeful that she did.

“No, I don’t…”

“See if you can break her down and get her to turn on him—hard,” I say. “Do whatever it takes.”

“Now?”

“No, whenever you feel like it.” I roll my eyes. “Yes, now.”

“I think I might need more time… emotionally, you know.”

“I don’t see why.” I pause. “You chose a side the moment you reported that she was dating him to us.”

“But—”

“You’re the reason I confronted her at the masquerade ball to see if she would crack.” I start my engine. “Just seal the deal and break her, once and for all.”

End of Episode 11