Page 60 of In Death, Love Survives

“Yeah, him. Maybe the judge too. Who knows who else in here?”

“You’re an infamous man around Roper, even outside this place.”

“I have a problem with that word.”

She studies me before asking, “Why?”

“I’m just a man trying to get by like every single one of us here. Just because I’m good at what I do doesn’t mean I deserve to be in the spotlight.”

“One would argue, maybe given everything, you like the spotlight.”

“Touché, but I’ll tell you this.”

“Go on.”

“I like to be respected by my men, to be given the same courtesy I would give everyone else. I’m good at my businesses. I don’t want the recognition because some people think they’re illegal.”

Nova tilts an eyebrow up.

“That’s all I’ll say.” I chuckle.

“I like your laugh.”

“And I like your smile.”

She beams, and I can’t help but grin back. Getting more serious to answer her question, I adjust in my chair.

“My attorney told me I need to do some digging. Get some intel on why Crawley and the judge have it out for me. What they have that is keeping me here.”

“You think he’s keeping something?”

“I know he is. And you know what? I bet he has more than one skeleton in his closet that he wouldn’t want getting out either.”

She twists her mouth as she ponders what I’ve shared.

“I think you’re right.”

“Thank you for believing me.”

Nova looks up at the camera and back.

“I think I can help.”

“I don’t want you getting involved.”

“Wolfe, don’t you see? I’m already involved.”

Fuck, she’s right.

EIGHT

Nova

I pushedoff meeting with Wolfe again for his Wednesday session after what I learned on Monday. I may not be ready to face all my emotions toward him, but I know I don’t like that he seemed off-kilter.

Something is more than amiss when it comes to the employees of Roper State. I’ve known it for a while, but it’s something I haven’t been involved with. I’ve been trying to keep my head down and do my best to be a high-quality psychiatrist here, for the sake of my patients.

Maybe just trying to make it through the day has been a form of camouflage I’ve used since I was a teenager. It’s not right, but now is my chance to make a difference for someone I care deeply for.