Page 65 of Nothing to Beat

Did he really expect her to ask for a favor like that?What kind of people did he deal with every day?Probably best not to ask; this was as close to the criminal element as she ever wanted to get again.

“I’ll give you the information, and no matter what happens in Chicago, you promise to pursue this.”

“Until I have the information, I can’t make any promise.”Confusion edged in.“That’s what you want in return?Your father prosecuted?”

“I want him in a place that he can’t hurt anyone anymore.I don’t believe in miracles or lucky breaks, I believe in forward-planning, anticipating the unexpected.I like to have a backup plan where possible.You are my backup plan, Mr.Ackley.

“My father is dangerous and he’s resourceful.Don’t underestimate him.He’s been running illegal money through your city for years, laughing at people like you because you’re oblivious.Do you want him and his friends laughing at you?”

That hit the mark.Appealing to the man’s pride got his cooperation, how predictable.

Ackley bristled.“Tell me what you know.”

Good, his interest was encouraging.DA Ackley was a man who held a grudge, if Roxie and Zairn’s experience was any indicator.It wouldn’t be so bad if he developed one toward her father.

“Have you heard of a production company called Enter Out?”she asked.

“No.”

“Then let me enlighten you.”

TWENTY-THREE

“I’LL BE FINE,” she said to Bastian just outside the suite door.

“It’s been a long day.”He rubbed her arm.“I can stay, or you can come to the house.Mom would love to have you.”

The last thing she needed was well-intentioned people fussing.

“No.Thank you.I appreciate the offer, and send her my love, but you’ve done plenty.”

“I wasn’t the one swinging the bat,” he said, addressing her with pride rather than the expected revulsion.“You surprised Ackley and that’s not an easy thing to do.”

“I told the truth.”

“All these years you’ve known… Now that you’ve shared what you know, will there be retribution?”

“Not if no one mentions my name.”She started to turn, then thought twice.“Look, like I said in the meeting, this is a backup plan.Chicago might put my father away.If they don’t, I want LA waiting in the wings.And, truthfully, Ackley’s only one part of that.They’ve kept Enter Out off law enforcement’s radar for a long time.”

“Your father’s associates won’t be pleased to fall under suspicion because of their connection to him.”

“No.They won’t.”

“Okay.”He leaned in to kiss her head.“Stick with Roxie and her security.”

“I will.”

“And you may not appreciate the suggestion—”

“I’ll call Breck.”

His smile grew.“Thank you.”

She slipped into the suite and closed the door, pausing just a moment to catch her breath.It was surreal.On going to the DA’s office, she had every intention of dishing up her father on a silver platter.That wasn’t the surreal part, or even what bothered her, that was what came next.It could actually happen, actually work, there was a real possibility she didn’t have to be afraid anymore.Not of her father or the family, she’d never feared them for herself, but there was a distinct possibility she could let go of the fear that her father might hurt the Breckenridges.

Except she was scared to hope.This might seem like progress, but it wouldn’t be the first time her father pulled a rabbit from his hat at the eleventh hour.If he beat her this time… the consequences for all of them…

Ackley had been open to it.Seemed more optimistic with every word she uttered.It could happen.