I have to do something to help the police find the son of a bitch.
“Since you asked…a press conference has been scheduled for two hours from now. The FBI’s liaison is taking the lead, of course. I’ll be there, along with the Mayor and the Chief…”
When Donald’s voice trailed off, she understood exactly what he wasn’t saying.
“You want me at the press conference?”
“Not me. Chief Kelton. In fact, he’s…insisting.”
Oh. Well, since he’s insisting…
Ellie rolled her blue eyes and blew out a breath. “The man does realize he has absolutely no authority over me, right? I mean…” Her shoulders shook with a humorless laugh. “I haven’t employed by Pierce County in over five years. So no. I’m not just going to bow down to the great and powerful Richard Kelton simply because heinsistsI—”
“The man plays dirty,” Donald reminded her. “Everyone knows it. Hell, the guy has more political connections than you and I will ever know. Including judges all over the state of Washington. He can cause trouble for you, Ellie. Professionally, I mean. You know I’m right.”
Yes, unfortunately, she did. Chief Kelton’s reputation preceded him for a reason. The man was rich, ruthless, and onlycared about himself and his political aspirations. And anyone daring enough to stand in his way, well…
Trouble always seemed to find them.
“Kelton is an arrogant asshole and a bully,” she bit out. “He doesn’t scare me.”
“Well, he should. Because thatbullyhas his thumb on damn near every judge in the entire Seattle Metropolitan Area. He gets in their ears about one of their defense attorneys refusing to show her support of the search for an escaped murderer…”
Donald didn’t finish because he didn’t have to. Even worse, the man was right. If she didn’t show up at that press conference today, if she didn’t play the game the way Kelton expected, there was a very good chance her career—and more importantly, her clients’ fates—could be adversely affected.
Was it right? Not even a little bit. Was it fair? Hell no, it wasn’t fair. Was it the reality she lived in?
Damn you, Kelton.
“Fine.” Ellie glanced at her watch and blew out a breath. “If I leave in the next ten minutes, I should be able to make it there before the top of the hour.”
“I’ll let him know. And…for what it’s worth…I really did try to convince him your presence wasn’t necessary.”
“I know you did, Donald.” Her shoulders fell with a sigh. “It’s all part of the game, right?”
“Yeah, well…sometimes this game of ours really sucks.”
Despite the situation, Ellie felt her lips curving into a small smile. “Yes, it really does. I’ll see you soon.”
“Drive carefully. Oh, and Ellie?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“Anything for, Donald. You know that.”
“See you soon.”
Ellie replaced the phone into its black cradle, effectively ending the call. Closing her eyes, she pressed the palms of both hands against the smooth surface of her shiny desk and hung her head between her shoulders.
The day had started off so well. She’d slept great, woke up before her alarm, made great time on her morning run, and managed to only hit two red lights the entire way into her office.
You should’ve known something big was about to come down.
Her phone rang again, the unexpeted sound making Ellie jump.
“Eloise Fisher,” she answered as she always did when she didn’t recognize the number.