Page 61 of Devil's Hour
Royce told her about the conversation with Ginny McGraw and also the puritanical attitude toward sex in the website videos.
“Videos?”
“Oh, yeah. The Purists have taken responsibility for the fire, exposed Savage’s illegal escort service while outing both the clients and the sex workers.”
“Oh, hell.”
“Yep. I wouldn’t watch it unless you want to see the police commissioner’s bare ass.”
“Eww. Gross.”
“Guess we know why Savage was never busted,” Royce remarked.
“Good point. I’m going to get cleaned up and head in since my nights as an Alley Cat are over. I’ll make a list of the dancers and bartenders so you can interview them. Maybe they’ll know more.”
“Don’t sound so disappointed your side hustle is over.”
“Don’t sound like such an asshole,” Holly countered.
“Sawyer is the asshole. I’m the dickhead. We go together like peas and carrots.” Sawyer chuckled. He’d remained quiet as he navigated the city streets, but there was no ignoring that one.
“More like gunpowder and lead.”
“That too, Holls. That too.” Then he groaned when he saw two news vans outside the precinct already.
“What’s wrong?”
“Reporters.”
“Smile pretty for the camera,” she teased before hanging up.
Sawyer drove around to the back lot and parked. “At least none of the vultures are back here yet.” Most of them acted like professionals and maintained a respectable distance, but occasionally, they stumbled across a young reporter who was eager to make a name for themselves, such as the one stepping out of the shadows when they approached the building.
“Beat it, Franklin,” Royce snarled when he approached. “You must be a special brand of stupid to show up here and lurk in the shadows after the stunt you pulled. What the hell did you hope to accomplish?” Felix looked from Royce to Sawyer. Why? Did he think Sawyer would take pity on him?
“Um, which one?” he asked sheepishly.
Which one?Royce didn’t like the sound of that. “The one where you sent that photo to Rigby. How fucking childish can you be?” Anger and rage burned through him, and although Fleabag wasn’t the sole reason for it, he was the only one standing in front of him. At least Franklin had the good sense to take a few steps back when Royce advanced on him.
“Settle down, Ro,” Sawyer said, stepping between Royce and the bastard. Even though Royce knew Sawyer was doing it for his own good, the part of his brain where stupid lived interpreted it as Sawyer protecting Felix. “Go inside and talk to the chief. I’ll handle this.”
“You need a witness, GB. Otherwise, this piece of shit can just write whatever he wants about you.”
“He could, but that’s not his style. I can be mad at him all I want for exposing the stuff that went down at the sheriff’s office, but I can’t call the man a liar. He printed the truth, even if it was painful and wasn’t supposed to be revealed.” Nothing Sawyer said made Royce feel any better.
“That old fucker had it coming. Wheeler deserved more than the slap on the wrist he received,” Fleabag said, pulling Royce’s attention away from Sawyer’s pleading eyes. It was a big mistake for Felix to interrupt their conversation.
While Royce begrudgingly agreed with Franklin about Wheeler, he fumed that the man had decided to take the situation into his own hands without regard for the fallout impacting others. Royce looked at Sawyer again. “That’s great if you don’t want to hold a grudge, but he’s trying to fuck with my career now, and I won’t stand for that.”
“I was wrong for sending the picture to Chief Rigby. It was petty and immature, and I deeply regret my actions,” Felix said, his words coming right on top of each other, almost stumbling. “I’ve sent an apology email to the chief, and I’m apologizing to you guys in person.”
“Fine,” Royce growled. “Message received. Get fucking lost.”
Felix held up his hands in surrender. “That’s not the only reason I’m here.”
Royce started to snarl, but Sawyer cupped his face and kissed him. As far as distraction devices went, it worked damn well. He especially liked the sour expression on Fleabag’s face.
“Let’s hear him out and then get on with our day. We have bigger things to deal with right now.”