Page 46 of Junior Has a Secret

“I thought Pocher handled this.”He lifts his phone from his desk.“He told me he handled this.”

“We think it was the killer, who may or may not be in the group we’re waiting to interview.”

“In other words, the crazy person is running the show.”

“If you mean me, I am.And I have this under control.”My phone buzzes with a text from Adams with Houston copied:We need to hold a press conference.

I reply with:No press conference.It gives the killer the chaos he seeks and he’ll keep digging for more.Issue a statement.Short.Simple.House vacant.Discovery made at the house and we’re investigating.

“Lilah,” my father bites out.“I need your attention.”

“If you prefer that I let the other investigators hold a press conference that screws you, I can ignore them.”

“Don’t let them do a press conference.No.That will be like shining a light on me and my governorship.”

And it’s all about him, not the man who lost his life.My cellphone rings with Houston on caller ID and I walk to the hallway and shut myself on the other side of the door, away from my father.

“Do not rush to the press,” I answer, skipping a greeting.

“This is going to be the lead story tomorrow.”

“So have about three dead bodies in Central Park in the last year,” I argue.“The news came and went.This is New York City.It’s just another day in the big apple.”Except for the hanging and missing hands, I think, but I don’t say that.

“This is the governor’s mansion.”

“And the victim may well be a groundskeeper for all we know.”

“How likely is that?”

“Zero, but they don’t know that.I need to go.I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I heard about the interviews.”

“I’m also having the mayor come to the morgue to try and identify the victim.I want to be there when it happens.”

“You think he’s involved?”

“At this point, we don’t even know who the victim is.Ask me again when I know more.And call Tic Tac.You have his number, right?”

“Yeah, why?”

“He’s doing a search for me to find connected cases.You might be able to help.”

“Holy fuck, you think this is a serial killer?”

“I don’t know anything yet.I’m just being proactive.For all we know this was a revenge killing.As in singular.I need to go.Call Tic Tac.”I disconnect and walk back in the office.

My father pushes to his feet.“Well?”

“They’ll hold off.”

He motions me forward, a conspiratorial look on his face.I sigh and cross the room, to stand at the side of his desk.“I crossed him.You’re right about that.”

He means Pocher, but he’s being cautious in case he’s recorded.“What about it?”

“He told me to check myself or he’d check me, a vague threat that didn’t feel vague after last night.The more I think about his potential involvement, the more I think it’s likely.”

“The good news for you is that I’ve been thinking about that, too.Him arranging last night I could buy into, but he’s invested too much into you to implode it all this soon.I wouldn’t rule it out in the future, but not now.You do know that when you aligned yourself with the likes of him that had far-reaching consequences.You’re not paying them now, but you will.If you want a way out, come see me, but you won’t like what you have to do to make that happen.Keep your mouth shut.I’ll handle the press.”I rotate and walk to the door, pausing to turn to face my father, “I am only your daughter.You’re a sperm donor and not my friend.But I can be an ally should you choose to make me one.”