Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 30055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30055 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
“It’s pretty good,” I admit. “I went down a rabbit hole last night and…” I stop myself.
Telling him I researched the man my ex-boyfriend hates—and read his last two court transcripts before he became an author—seems a bit too much.
Is telling him that Peter Hansel seems just like my father “too much” as well?
“I looked up his other old books—” I make a quick correction instead. “I’m excited to see where I should start next.”
“His newest one.” He deadpans. “You know, the one he’s on tour for.”
I give him a blank stare.
“No Parole for You,” he says, like I should know the title. “It’s the fictional follow-up to the story that started his entire career.”
I’m still confused.
“The guy—Jameson Tate—comes up for parole later this year,” he says. “He’s pretty much guaranteeing it won’t happen since the murder was so brutal. His author’s note at the beginning says he feels bad for ever taking on the case. So, you know it’s…”
I can’t hear the rest of his words.
“I need a rain check on dinner.” I snatch my bag. “I’ll call you later.”
I rush out of the theater without another word and head straight to my mother’s hotel.
I changed my mind about only wanting the signing package for Friday.
Can you get me a VIP Q&A session ticket too?
Mom
Absolutely.
INSANITY DEFENSE (N.):
THE CLAIM OF A DEFENDANT IN A CRIMINAL PROSECUTION THAT HE/SHE WAS INSANE WHEN THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED, USUALLY ONLY TEMPORARILY.
JAMESON
Iskim the latest play reviews in the Los Angeles Times, not the slightest bit surprised that Scarlett is earning rave reviews.
“She was a world-class liar when we met, so the stage is the perfect place for her…” I try to convince myself that’s the only reason she’s doing so well, but just like all my other mantras lately, it falls flat.
Sighing, I pick up my phone and click on the website I’ve visited at least fifty times over the past two days.
The words are still the same.
Our Theater Runs on Audience Support, so Please Donate to Keep Our Stage Lights Bright!
Get a Personal “Thank You” Call & Tour from a Main Cast Member!
Call 555-232-8771
I’ve donated five thousand dollars under Scarlett’s name so far, and I have yet to reach her directly.
I refuse to give up, though.
I follow the prompts again, and this time, I donate ten thousand dollars.
WOW! You’re a STAR!
Thank you so much for your generosity!
Would you like us to call and tell you thank you now? Or would you like us to schedule contact?
I hit now and stare at my phone, waiting.
One minute passes.
Then two.
Then ten.
Before I can hit the “complaint” button, my phone lights up with the familiar Los Angeles area code.
I answer without saying hello.
“Well, hello there! Thank you so much for donating to the Arts!” Scarlett’s raspy voice floats over the line. “My name is Scarlett Winters, and I’m so excited to tell you about our lineup. What’s your favorite genre?”
“I like true crime,” I say. “But since it reminds me too much of my job, let’s pretend I like fantasy.”
She sucks in a breath, and the sound instantly takes me back to her mouth against mine.
“Jameson,” she says. “What are you doing?”
“I needed to find a way to reach you,” I say. “I need you to know that I could never be ‘just friends’ with you.”
“Well, we’re not anything right now, so that’s perfectly fine.”
“Are you in love with him?”
“Who?”
“Cole,” I say. “Your new boyfriend.”
“What the…” She lets out a breath. “You’re stalking me?”
“Rachel was stalking you,” I say. “She hasn’t given me an update lately, though. How are you?”
“Conflicted. And yourself?”
“Same.”
Silence settles over the line, and for the first time since I’ve known this woman, I have no idea what to say.
“I’ve been looking into Peter Hansel this week,” she says, and my blood instantly runs cold.
“Hello?” she asks. “Are you there, Jameson?”
“Yes.”
I’m in uncharted territory.
“Did you hear what I said about Peter Hansel?” she presses.
“I did. Why are you looking into him?”
“My mom’s a huge fan of his books.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say. “You’re on speaking terms with your mother?”
“It’s a long story.” She pauses. “He was your father’s lawyer on his murder case, right?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Is that why you hate him so much?”
“Okay, Scarlett.” I sigh. “I shouldn’t have called you tonight.”
“I called you.”
“Because I donated money. You would’ve never called me on your own.”
“I’ve wanted to.”
Silence.
“Can you tell me why you hate Peter Hansel?” Her tone softens. “Just, please?”
“Because he barely did his job as my father’s lawyer,” I say. “And the guy who was killed, Tom Raider, was not a victim. He deserved to die.”
“No one deserves to die, Jameson.”
“Tom Raider did.”
She lets out a breath. “And you know for a fact your father didn’t kill him?”
“Five thousand percent.”
“Can I ask you to tell me why?”
“You can, but I won’t answer.”
“Fine, then,” she says. “How’s my father’s case going? How much dirt have you washed away?”