“Of imprisoning your father.Because you believe if he’s in jail, you’re free to be with Breck.”When she shrugged, he sighed.“You went and saw this ADA again?Alone?”
“He lives in the same building we stayed in, he’s Roxie’s ex.I didn’t go to his office, I wasn’t seen with him.I was safe.But, yeah, I went down there to…”
“Nudge him.”Hmm, disapproval, but not exactly judgment.“What’s done is done.But you’re not finished, are you?You think there’s more to do here?What’s LA got to do with it?”
“My brother Joey killed Dayah Lynn, the actress.”According to Trish and that was enough for her.“Murdered her.”That was such shock news, he deserved a beat or two to process it.“The DA here is invested.Heavily invested.”
“Ackley, I know him, he’s dedicated.”Hopefully to the truth.“You want to nudge him too?Where?Nudge him toward what?Your father is a Chicago problem, is he not?”
“The plan with him is slightly different… It’s complicated though, Ackley and Roxie have history.”
“Yes.Given the way Zairn was treated after Dayah’s death, it doesn’t surprise me there’s acrimony there.”
“That was long before he and Roxie got together…” Long?Maybe not so long.Memory could teach valuable lessons.“Roxie’s not Ackley’s biggest fan and the feeling is mutual.”From what she could gather.“So I need to figure out a way I can get to him without Roxie thinking she has to come along.”
“Because if you show up with her, Ackley won’t be receptive to what you have to say.”
Bingo.“I don’t want to insult Roxie.She’s been incredible, kind, generous, she’s supported me, even when we were practically strangers.”
The woman had been with her when she read the negative pregnancy test, one of the most profound moments of her life.
“And she can support you in this too, from the sidelines.”
That would be the hope, but she didn’t want to tell the woman she wasn’t welcome when she’d done so much.
Bastian sighed.“I’ll make a call; we’ll go see him tomorrow.”
Uh, hold up.“We?”That hadn’t been her intention at all.“You don’t need to come.Breck doesn’t know about any of this, and I don’t want to put you in the middle.You shouldn’t have to lie to him for me.”
“Do you have any idea what he would do to me if he discovered I’d walked away from you?What my mother would do?”That last question came with a smile that quickly faded.“Ackley’s paranoid about his own safety.He travels with security who won’t let you near him.I can get you in without any fuss, without an explanation.Do you want to explain to security and assistants why it’s important you talk to him?Remembering, of course, we’re in one of the most paparazzi-infested cities in the world.”
And there it was.Nuts.“The price for your help is your attendance?”
“Yep.”
She knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t budge.“Okay, but you can’t tell Breck.He’ll talk you out of it.”He nodded once.“Will Ackley meet us on a Sunday?”
“I can make it Monday, if you’d prefer.”
“No, it can’t be Monday, it has to be this weekend.I have to work on Monday.”
“Benedict Breckenridge won’t deny you some personal time.He’d never deny you anything.”Bastian stood up.“Either way, Sunday or Monday, Ackley may want a follow up meeting.I’d plan on being in LA for a few days at least.”
“I can’t take advantage of Ben’s kindness.”
“You never ask that family for anything.I promise you he won’t mind.Give him a call before I take you to dinner.”
A call?No, a text would need less explanation… Tripp would need a phone charger.
Bastian offered a hand and she took it, allowing him to help her to her feet.“I don’t want to leave Roxie and Tripp—”
“I’m taking all of you out for a meal.And you can repay the favor by getting me into Roxanna’s good graces.My mother may disown me if I don’t have her approval.”
“Why is she giving you a hard time?”
“No idea, but I’d like it to stop.”
“Okay.Is there somewhere in town that does good deep dish?”
