by TJ Hamilton
My thoughts unintentionally drift back to work. Does Pacer know more about Reed than he’s letting on? I watch him for a moment, wondering whether I should broach the subject with him.
Fuck it! “What do you know about Jackson Reed?” I say without a second’s thought.
Pacer laughs. “Be careful with him, Chelsea. The guy is dangerous. He’s got a lot of power behind him.”
“This is what I’m beginning to understand, the deeper I dig.” I sigh.
“Don’t dig any deeper. If he finds out that you know things about him, there’s no telling what he might try to do.” Pacer’s dark eyes are wide.
Should I be worried? What would he do to me? “What do you mean? What’s he doing, Pacer? I can help you. I can get Jackson put behind bars.”
Pacer shoots a look at me. “Don’t Chelsea! I mean it. Just drop it. The guy is bad.”
“What about my meeting with Judge Nolan today? I was going to show him the holes in your case. Holes that I think Jackson is a part of, for some reason.”
“Just be careful. I don’t know exactly who is working with Jackson. But you can’t trust anyone. Just don’t get Jackson backed into a corner. Show the judge what you need to show him without Jackson being held accountable for it all. Can you do that?” Pacer’s stony face looks worrisome.
“If I can do it with my Dad, I’m sure I can manage to persuade Nolan.”
What does Pacer know about Jackson?
I nod in reply, but I’m not slowing down. Not now. Jackson Reed needs to be stopped.
***
Pacer and I haven’t said much to each other after our discussion about Jackson. The mention of his name brought the mood to a serious low, the feeling amplified by the amazing night just spent together. My mind continues to tick over the little things Jackson has said and done. They all make more sense now. His spike in asshole comments increased when I was given Pacer’s case. Their hate for each other is something more than just Jackson wanting Pacer behind bars, for obvious reasons—Pacer being a murderer and all.
We pull into my street and Pacer pulls into the parking space four cars away from my front door.
“Call me as soon as you’ve finished the meeting?” His question definitely sounds rhetorical.
I lean across and kiss him on the lips. “Of course. Make sure you report to the police station before eleven.”
He rolls his eyes. What does he expect? I have to do my job. I won’t ever switch off from that.
As I get out of the car, Pacer catches my elbow. “Hey.” It forces me to turn back to him. “Promise me you’ll drop the Jackson Reed stuff, okay?”
I stare at him for a moment. I don’t want to lie to him, but I can’t stop now. “Okay.” It’s an abbreviated version of what he wants to hear … I can’t promise anything though.
He lets go of me, and I leave the car without looking back. I don’t want him seeing the truth in my lying eyes. I’m sure he knows as well as I do that I have no intention of stopping until I’ve uncovered all of Jackson’s dirty deeds. It’s in my blood, after all.
Briskly walking to my door, I check the time on my phone. It’s almost nine o’clock, and I’m late to meet with Larry, Don and Mick for their bacon and egg rolls. As I unlock my front door, I Google Lou’s café number and call it. Logan has slipped my document folder under the door with a note
He had better be one amazing fuck or else I think you’ve lost your mind.
After three rings, I instantly recognise Lou’s voice. “Lou’s …”
“Hi, Lou. It’s Chelsea. Can you make the bacon and egg rolls for the boys, please? I’m running late this morning so I’m going to have to miss my morning coffee. I’ll fix you up after work; is that okay?”
“Have you been a bit busy, love?”
From the tone of his voice, I’m sure he’s talking about the front page of last week’s newspaper.
“Yeah, big case.” I don’t want to engage in any more of this small talk. I have so much to do, so I end the call as quickly as I can. “Better go. I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“Righto.” I end the call and race up the stairs of my terrace, pulling my jeans and blouse off before reaching the bedroom
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
My meeting with Justice Nolan lasts all of ten minutes. I presented my case … and he had very little emotional response to it, as per usual.
He adjourned the matter for six months to review the evidence, and ordered Pacer’s ankle monitor to be removed, effective immediately. It’s not exactly what I wanted, but Pacer is still out of prison and his restrictions are being lifted again. It’s a good start, and it will give me the time I need to get the real war between Jackson and Pacer uncovered.
Nolan was surprised by the key pieces of evidence that were left out of the investigation. Just how deep is Jackson Reed? And what does Pacer know about it all? The heated warning he gave me has done nothing but rouse my intrigue into the situation. It’s like trying to stem a nosebleed in summer; once it starts, it’s hard to block again. I need to find out what is really behind Pacer’s warning.
Do I tell Dad about my theories on Jackson Reed? I can’t. He’ll just want to handle this the honest way. But from what I’ve learnt during the past couple of weeks, these types of things can only be dealt with a certain way—Pacer’s way.
It’s interesting—after all these years of fighting for the bad guys, they’re the ones who really do need the protection after all. If the city’s controlled by crooks like Jackson Reed, then what hope is there for truth and justice?
Walking through the frosted glass doors of my firm’s entrance, I feel as if there are eyes on me everywhere. I try to take as little notice as possible, and pull off my best attempt at acting normal.
The moment I get to Sienna, sitting at her desk, she dives out from her chair, grabs my arm and pulls me quickly into my office behind her desk.
“What’s going on, Chelsea? It’s all over every newspaper.” She points to the city’s entire catalogue of news publications, spread out across my desk.
I instantly recognise my outfit from yesterday and the seaplane I got into with Pacer. My heart feels as if it’s dropped into my stomach, and the blood has drained from my head.
My instant thought is what my Mum and Dad are going to say about it?
Slapping my hand to my mouth, I sink into my chair. Sienna, as quick-thinking as ever, flicks the blinds shut on my window to the office corridor.
One photograph shows Pacer’s hand on my ass as I get into the seaplane, and the smaller insert is of us laughing in the back of the plane’s cabin—headphones on and looking adoringly at one another.
“Fuck!” I whisper loudly.
“Yeah, fuck alright. How was your meeting with Nolan? Do you think he saw this?” Sienna’s wide stare is a mix of interest and concern.
I shake my head. “No. Pacer’s case is adjourned until the end of the year. Plus, I know Nolan never reads the papers.”
I stop myself from telling Sienna how I know this about Justice Nolan. He’s played golf with my Dad for about fifteen years. Dad’s always told me what his assessment on people is, especially his old colleagues. He profiles all of them, and spends the rest of his friendship analysing every little thing about their personality, no matter who they are. I don’t think he’d ever breathe a word to another soul, including Mum, about this, but our conversations with one another are different. We’ve always been each other’s soundboard, for as long as I can remember. Mum told me he used to lean over my bassinette when I was a baby, telling me all about his day and his thoughts. I wish I could trust Dad with this, and it’s the first time in my life I haven’t been honest with him. But this time it’s different. Pacer is the game-changer.
Knowing how much Dad studies people, I have to work fast on Jackson Reed. If my Dad starts to dig, I’m out of the race. Dad knows people better than I do. It’s how he became the best judge in the country.
I may have fooled him
before, but he will see through anything I say about my relationship with Pacer after these photos.
“What ever you do, do not allow my father to come in here.” I pause. How much do I tell her about Jackson? “You have to do me a really big favour. The biggest thing I’ve ever asked of you.” She nods for me to continue talking. I’m sure she trusts me. But do you ever really know? “You have to keep Jackson Reed well away from me, but be tactful. He can’t know that I’m avoiding him. There are things I’m going to ask you to do for me, which won’t make much sense. But you have to trust me. And I promise I’ll tell you everything as soon as it’s all over.”
Her eyes grow wider. This time they’re filled with fear. “Are you in trouble with this Pacer guy?” She puts her hand over mine on the desk.
I shake my head. “No. Total opposite. He’s in trouble, and I really need to help him. Please keep your eye on everything … and trust no one.”
“Is everything okay, Chelsea? None of this sounds good.”
“It’s not. But the less you know, the less you’ll be in danger.”
“Danger?”
Shit! I don’t want her panicking.
“Danger was a poor choice of phrase. It’s just going to make things easier for you if you don’t know anything.”
She nods again. I really need to call Pacer, so I send Sienna out to her desk to be my buffer from the shit storm that’s about to hit.
Pressing Pacer’s name on my mobile, I pace along the edge of the floor-to-ceiling window as the tone rings. Almost six rings in, his phone finally picks up.
“How did it all go?” He sounds emotionless over the phone, but I figure that’s because he’s cautious about who might be listening.
“Your trial is adjourned until December. Judge Nolan has ordered a review of all the evidence. Your ankle monitor can come off too. Go and see Inspector Lawson again. She will have your orders through for it to be removed.”
“You’re not coming with me this time?”
“I have a lot to do. Plus, all those photos on the front pages of the papers is only going to stir up everyone if we’re together.”
I hear him breathe heavy into the phone. “Yeah, my cousin showed me. But that’s just more reason to go on as normal.”
“Having a ring of cameras flashing around us isn’t my idea of normal.”
“Fine. I’ll deal with that myself then.” His voice is curt.
He’s right. I really shouldn’t be letting him deal with that on his own. I am his barrister, first. Fuck buddy, second.
“Okay. Meet here, in my office and we’ll walk over together to have your ankle monitor removed. Look sharp and keep your cool. The paps will want a reaction out of you.”
My heart speeds up at the thought of seeing Pacer again. It’s been three hours, after all.
“I’ll be there within the hour.” His voice isn’t gentle, like it was this morning.
“Bye.”
Where do I start with my private investigation into Jackson Reed? I know … Travis Jamerson. He was a good cop until he was investigated for selling information to crooks. I was his lawyer. His case was dismissed because none of it was actually true, but the police force weren’t satisfied, and his full operational duties have never been reappointed. He’s now the supervisor of archives in the city, which sucks for him, but works for me. His shunning by the police when he was innocent has only pushed him to do the wrong thing afterwards.
I search through my phone for his number.
He quickly answers. “Hi, Chelsea. It’s been a while. How are you? Or is that a bad question at the moment?”
Is there anyone in this city who isn’t going to have a stab at me?
“Yeah it’s easier to answer how I’m not feeling on a day like today. So I was just wondering if you could pull out some old case files for me? I know I’m meant to be going through the Freedom of Information Act, but I need to get some details quick. Then I’ll go through the correct avenues once I know it’s worth perusing.”
“When do you need them? Is this for that Fratelli guy your representing?”
“Yeah. There’s something not right with the investigations.” I know I can trust him with this information.
“Why am I not surprised?” He huffs. “I’ll be here until about eight tonight. They’ve just delivered a truck-load of boxes from an old station out west that’s amalgamated, so we get all their archives … and I bet you’re really interested in hearing all of this, too … Anyway, if you get here after six but before eight, no one else will be here, so I’ll point you in the direction you need to find what you’re after.”
“Thanks, Travis. I’ll bring coffee.”
“See ya, Chels.”
Hanging up the phone, I wish there was more I could do for someone like Travis. How can he go from being a hands-on cop to shuffling boxes and files? Surely there’s more to life? There are many injustices in the world, but I can’t solve all of them.
If I can get into the old investigations for Pacer’s previous crimes, I’m hoping I’ll find someone, anyone, who might be working with Jackson to see if they’re involved together. There will be a link. I know it’s going to be there, I just need to find it.
The phone on my desk bleeps with the intercom sound from Sienna. “Hey, Chelsea. Your Dad is persistent. He wants to know when you’ll be out of your meetings. He wants you to call him immediately. That’s call three for the morning.”
I sigh and press the speaker button on the phone. “Thanks, Sienna. I’ll call him later. Just tell him I’ve left if he calls again.”
“Your Mum has called too. She said she’s been calling your mobile phone but it has been off all morning. She wants you to call her before speaking to your father.”
I press the button again. “Thanks, Sienna. Pacer will be coming in shortly. Let me know when the front desk informs you of his arrival. I’ll go out and get him.”
“Are you sure?”
“Sienna. Less questions.” I have to be blunt. I can’t waste my time explaining everything to her.
‘Okay’ is her final response.
There are twelve voice messages waiting for me. I’ve forwarded all my voice calls so that I still receive the messages and can make calls.
I sit down and listen to all of them. The first few are just as I imagined.
“Chelsea Elizabeth Blythe Tanner. I will not have you ruin the family name with this charade. There better be a decent explanation behind these reports.” Dad’s voice is the first cab off the rank.
“Chelsea, your Dad is furious. We were told you were with friends yesterday, but we didn’t expect this! Please tell me they’ve got it all wrong again.” Mum’s voice is less angry than Dad’s.
“Hi, Chelsea. This is Delicia Parry from the Daily Telegr…”
Delete.
“Chelsea, please call me. Your father is on his way to your place. Did you get those locks changed? If that boy’s there, you had better tell him to leave. Immediately.” Mum’s message actually makes me laugh, but then the reality of my Dad trying to get into my house is kind of disturbing.
Luckily, I had all the locks changed and new deadbolts added at the back garage a couple of years ago. I didn’t take down that board of Pacer. I didn’t have time. But if Dad manages to find his way inside, I can at least explain that it’s all for the case. Dad is really taking this hard. It’s not like I’ve lost my mind or anything? It’s far from lost … I’ve lost my heart may be, but not my head. My head is firmly prepared to expose Jackson for what he is.
I don’t bother listening to the rest of the messages just yet; I know what I need to do. Mum’s number is in the recent call list. I press her name. I’m pretty sure she was just watching her phone, the way she answered it before it even rang.
“Chelsea.” Mum’s voice sounds stressed. “Have you spoken with your father?”
“Hi, Mum. No, I rang you straight away.” I don’t give her a chance to speak. “Listen, I know what you’re
thinking, but there is more to this. Please get Dad off my back while I sort it all out. Can you please just do that for me?”
“So there’s nothing between you and this boy, then?”
I chuckle. “He’s not a boy, Mum. He’s a man, just like I’m a woman. I know what I’m doing. He’s not who they say he is. I’ll prove everything soon enough. You’ve just got to get Dad to back off.”
“Well, I am really surprised they were even game enough to run the story. I’ve spoken with the chief editors of all the publications, but there’s something not right about it all. Someone is paying really good money for these stories to get out. They spun me some tale about it being for the information of the public to know what’s happening, but it’s just not how we do things.”
I bet Jackson has something to do with this.
“Mum, I think I know what’s going on. This is all to do with one person. It’s for the same reason that Pacer is in the position he’s in.” Well, it’s not all a lie. Pacer is more righteous in his crimes than Jackson. “There are some bad things going on in the city at the moment. Dad needs to stay out of it. It’s not like it used to be when he was a judge.”
“Oh, Chelsea! You’re scaring me. Why can’t you just let this go? If you’re worried about your own father’s involvement, then how am I meant to feel about you being part of all this?” Mum’s voice is shaky.
“Mum, I was put here to do something like this in my life. I am the product of you and Dad. It’s safe to say I’ll be alright.” I don’t want my Mum to worry. “Please trust me.”
There’s a pause. The silence lasts longer than it’s welcome.
“Well, I hope he’s worth it.”
She makes me smile.
“Wasn’t Dad worth it? I love you. I’ll be out there this weekend.”
I end the call and think about my words. At this point, Pacer is worth more than I care to admit.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
