Page 126 of See You There

“I’ve arranged for Dahlia to make the identification this evening, and the DA has agreed to take her testimony tomorrow.”

“Why?” Luke blurted out. On one hand, he was happy that the threat appeared to be eliminated, but on the other, he needed more time alone with her. To convince her.

“What’s wrong with you? That was always the plan. This case has Bratva connections. The sooner they lock her testimony down the safer she’ll be.”

“They aren’t the ones she would testify against.”

“No, but it would probably relieve interested parties if they knew for sure what she was going to say. That she wasn’t testifying about the gambling or potential people she saw inside.”

“Fuck,” Luke muttered.

“Is there something you need to tell me?” James’s tone was cold.

Luke groaned. His brother was going to cut his balls off when he found out he’d slept with Dahlia. “I had Brady look into her ex-husband.”

“I know.” James sounded confused. “He told me a little while ago.”

Luke scrubbed a hand along his jaw. “Yeah. The thing is, Dahlia told me specifically not to. Now she’s pissed.”

“Why didn’t she want you to? Is she hiding something?”

Luke scowled. Why did James always assume everyone was lying? “It’s not that. She wanted to do it herself.”

“Ahh, and you white knighted it. She’ll get over it.”

Luke grit his teeth at his brother’s blasé tone.

“How soon can you be back? I need to give them a time for the lineup this evening.”

Luke’s stomach twisted into a knot. “It can’t wait until the morning?” If he could have the night with her, he might be able to…

“No, they can only hold him for twenty-four hours, and they want to get this done. Once he’s been identified, they’re hoping he’ll roll on whoever helped him.”

“What about Chandler?”

“There’s no evidence to support his involvement. Unless Hank implicates him, there’s nothing there.”

Dahlia appeared through the glass, towing her suitcase behind her.Fuck!

“James, I’ve got to go.”

“What time, Luke?”

“I’ll call you from the road.”

Luke hung up on James’s voice still protesting in his ear.

The door to the bathroom was closed, her bag by the door. They couldn’t just walk away. They needed to pack up the food, bring the chairs inside… Dahlia would have to talk to him.

The door swung open, and Luke’s heart fell. Dahlia’s makeup was flawless, and she had put on one of her interview outfits.

“You heard?”

“Yes, it’s why Elizabeth called. James contacted her when you didn’t answer your phone.”

“They want to do the lineup tonight and your testimony tomorrow. We can go straight—”

“Elizabeth has already arranged my ride.”