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  She leads them inside the banquet hall. It is stuffed with hundreds of people, making it difficult to navigate. Lara manages to force their way up to the front where a table has a lone gentleman sitting with a neat glass of golden liquid. A head of silvery hair is combed to perfection while his grey beard has been trimmed with precision. The man sets down his glass when he sees Lara approaching. He has a pair of steely eyes that stab into Grady, eyes full of suspicion. However, they seem to soften when Lara stands in the way.

  “Hi, Daddy.”

  “I’m so glad that you were able to come,” he says, clearly delighted. He stands up and hugs her, pulling her shawl up at the same time to cover her tattoo. He then looks to Grady and some of his happiness sours. “And I see you brought a friend.”

  Lara ignores his reaction and introduces them. “Grady, this is my father, Dr. Charles Lexington. Daddy, this is my new boyfriend, Grady Miller.”

  “Miles’ gone?”

  “Yeah,” she says and giggles. “I kinda put him away.”

  Grady blinks in surprise. Did she just tell her dad she somehow sent her ex-boyfriend to jail? Did her father know Miles and he was okay with his daughter dating him? This was one crazy, fucked-up family.

  As if Dr. Lexington reads his thoughts, he says, “I never met the guy. Lara wouldn’t bring him around. However, here she barely tells me about you and now here you are.”

  Grady stares at the features of the doctor’s face. Something about his eyes seems to trigger a memory. He shrugs it off, figuring they are similar to Lara’s. Except Dr. Lexington has steel grey-blue eye color and Lara’s are brown.

  Snapping out of his trance, he sees that Dr. Lexington has already extended his hand. Grady does the same, making sure to match grip strength. Neither averts their stare. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Lexington.”

  “The pleasure is all mine,” he says with a feigned smile. “Lara, if you would be so kind as to leave me with your new boyfriend. I would like to speak with him, man to man…”

  “Daddy,” she growls under her breath.

  “No, it’s okay, Lara,” Grady reassures her with a smile. Whatever this guy wants, Grady wants to hear it.

  He takes the seat across the table from her father, who has already sat down.

  Lara puts a hand on his shoulder and leans down. “Whatever you do, don’t lie,” she whispers before disappearing back into the crowd.

  Both men stare at her retreating figure and then at one another for some time, neither saying a thing. They seem to be trying to read the other’s face.

  Grady decides he needs to make the first move. “I thought I had heard your name from somewhere before. Would you happen to be the same Dr. Lexington who wrote, What Makes a Criminal?”

  This seems to take the old man by surprise. “Why, yes I am. Forgive me for being blunt, but I never expected one of my daughter’s boyfriends to have read any of my works. Truth be told, I never expected them to ever have read a thing in their lives.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” Grady smirks. He motions to a waitress carrying a red bottle of wine and she fills a glass for him. He sips it, finding it bitter to the taste, but does not show it.

  “So you’re an educated man?”

  “I am. I was attending Drexel University last spring. I had hoped to be attending Harvard this fall for law.”

  “Ah, a lawyer,” Charles says with a satisfactory nod. “Then what brings you to New York?”

  Grady fakes an expression of embarrassment. “It’s not exactly something to be proud of.” He pretends to hesitate over his explanation. “I ran into some financial trouble and had to postpone my continuing education. I have a cousin in New York who owns an auto-body shop. He gave me a job so I could save up enough money to pay tuition.”

  “I see, sorry to hear that.” The professor frowns as he thinks for a moment. “And you met my daughter.”

  “And I met your daughter,” Grady repeats and then realizes what the man’s implying. “No, no, sir. I met your daughter through Miles. I didn’t meet your daughter because…” He lets his words trail off, realizing he’s only digging himself into a deeper hole. He takes another sip of wine, a longer one.

  Dr. Lexington taps his thumb against the top of his glass. “Since you’re going into law, let me ask you a question. Which is harder; being the prosecution or the defense?”

  Grady swallows, mulling the question over in his head. “I suppose it seems easier to convince twelve people that the man appearing in court is guilty rather than to change their mind.”

  Dr. Lexington’s eyebrows raise. “That’s true, but why?”

  “Well…” Grady is actually enjoying the conversation with the doctor. “I suppose it’s due to the fact that criminals are often, and forgive my bluntness, stupid. They don’t cover their tracks all that well.” Personal experience proves that one for me.

  “I agree,” he nods in approval, “but what happens when you have an educated man delve into a life of crime?”

  Grady pauses, sensing something venomous hiding in those words. “Well, I suppose that an educated man would have a better chance of getting away with it, especially if they know the way law enforcement works. That’s why—I mean, probably why—it’s harder to convict a white collar crime than a blue collar one.”

  He watches the doctor smile, his steel eyes unreadable. “I couldn’t agree with you more. Now back to you being here, you said you worked for your cousin and you know Miles?”

  “Yeah, I met him as well,” Grady sprinkles in the truth, trying to figure out where Lara’s father is taking this.

  “Oh, is that so?” He raises an eyebrow.

  “I met the man on my first day here in New York. I saw on the news today that he was arrested for possession of cocaine with the intent to sell. The guy seemed like scum, so I’m glad that he is off the streets. And not dating your daughter anymore.” He adds the last part with a hint of disgust.

  “That we both can drink to.” The old man raises his glass in a toast. “However, I do find it quite odd that the police were able to find him. I tend to keep a catalogue on the scum in this city, and Miles was a first time offender. How do you think they were able to catch him?”

  Grady puts down his glass. “The man was carrying $200 million worth of cocaine, driving it in a pickup truck that was reported stolen earlier that day. Clearly the plan was not thought out. The man was just a two-bit drug dealer who tried to play in the big leagues of the drug world. It’s obvious that a police officer spotted the stolen vehicle.”

  “Hmm, that might be true.” He averts his eyes from Grady, seeing Lara returning to them. “Lara! Your timing’s impeccable.” He swallows the rest of his glass and stands up. “Would the two of you please come with me?”

  “What about your award?” Lara asks. She’s holding a glass of champagne.

  “I’ll have them mail it to me.” He smiles. “I’ve never been fond of meaningless trinkets anyways.”

  Grady and Charles get up from their seats. Both men walk on either side of Lara as they make their way out of the banquet hall. Dr. Lexington is stopped by some people who congratulate him. He acts polite and precise, shaking their hands before he departs from them.

  “What’s the award for?” Grady asks Lara as he touches her elbow.

  “He’s the Dean of Criminology at Cornell.” Lara shrugs. “He’s always winning some kind of award.”

  Grady grips her elbow suddenly and Lara tries to pull back in surprise.

  Chapter 8

  “What did you say?” Grady can’t let go of her arm. He’s clinging to her like she’s a lifeboat.

  Lara stares down at his hand and then back up at his face. “He’s always winning some kind of award.”

  “He-He’s at Cornell?” Grady lets go of her arm and shifts his weight from the front of his expensive shoes to the back. “He’s the dean?” It’s just a coincidence. Grady knows he’s fishing, but if there was the chance… a slight
possibility, shouldn’t he jump on it? “How often is your dad in New York?”

  Lara laughs. “He lives in the state.”

  “Sorry, I meant in the city.” He glances at the doctor, who’s still being congratulated by people and unable to get away.

  She looks at him weird. “He’s at Cornell. That’s in Ithaca. We’ve got a house just outside the city. Why?”

  Shaking his head, Grady smiles. “Nothing. I was just curious.” He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. He realizes he’s jumped to a conclusion too fast. “What does your dad do?”

  Lara bursts out laughing. “He’s the dean. At Cornell. Of Criminology. Do you have a man-crush on my dad?”

  “Excuse me?” He straightens.

  “You want to be a lawyer and my dad’s like the king pin.” She giggles. “You’re man crushin’ on him.” She leans forward, her lips brushing his ear and he likes the feeling of her warm breath teasing his neck and earlobe. “And sleeping with his daughter. Keeping it all in the family?”

  Grady straightens when he sees Dr. Lexington break free of the group and start walking toward them. “Your dad’s coming,” he whispers quickly.

  “Let’s go.” Dr. Lexington moves to the exit doors.

  Once outside, he grabs the valet and asks for his vehicle. Lara is about to do the same when he stops her. Pulling up is a vehicle large enough to fit all three in the back seat. He climbs in the front while the two of them go into the back. He speeds off before they have the chance to buckle in.

  The drive is fast, yet drowned in silence. They drive away from the city, into the suburban area. In this area there are no streetlamps to light their way, only the high beams of the vehicle. It pulls up a hill as another light comes into view. Grady pokes his head out the window to see an enormous mansion sitting atop a hill. High walls surround the perimeter of the estate, with lights shining on the border to reveal any potential lurkers. Once they pull up to the entrance there is a thick iron gate blocking any intruders from entering the grounds. Dr. Lexington pulls up beside the gate where a device sits next to the mailbox. He places his thumb on top of a panel. It flashes green. The gates open, allowing him to pass into the estate.

  Once he parks in front of the large garage, he steps out and escorts them inside the mansion. The interior of the large house is dimly lit, decorated in cool colors. White furniture fills the living room. Grady sees a large fish tank stretch across the far wall. It is filled with a colorful assortment of tropical fish.

  “Grady, have a seat.” He takes a chair and points to the couch. “Lara, why don’t you go fix us a drink?” It’s not a request.

  “Sure, Dad.” There are bottles and glasses near the far wall but Lara leaves to the kitchen or wherever else there are more drinks.

  “You are a smart man, Grady,” the doctor says as he crosses a leg over his lap when Lara’s left. “Why are you with my daughter?”

  “Pardon?” Grady moves forward on his seat.

  “I know who my daughter is and what she does. Why the hell are you with her?”

  Grady doesn’t know what to say. He’s shocked by the comments. “I barely know your daughter—”

  “But you’re sleeping with her.”

  He opens his mouth but has no comment to say back. What is he supposed to say?

  “I had a hunch. Now you just confirmed my suspicions,” the doctor says, his face unreadable, except his steel grey eyes are hard. “I’m watching you, Grady. There’s something about you I don’t like.”

  Lara walks in, saving Grady. “You don’t like him?” she snaps at her father. “You don’t know him.”

  “Neither do you.”

  Grady stands, unsure of what to do or say. “Why don’t I let you two talk. I’m—”

  “No, I’m going with you. I’ve nothing to say.” Lara slips her arm through Grady’s and purposely ignores her father, who hasn’t gotten up from his chair.

  Without saying another word, she leads Grady out the front door of the large house. Her car is parked in the driveway right at the end of the walk. Someone must have driven it here for her.

  She climbs in the vehicle and as soon as Grady is clicked in, she pulls out of the driveway and drives away. She says nothing along the way home nor does she speak when she drops him off.

  Grady’s beyond confused. He should have known better than to go to this dinner tonight. It’s like it was some sort of test and he failed. For a fraction of a second he thought he had found the man they were after. Instead, he found a controlling father and a daughter who would do anything to tick her father off. With Miles arrested, he’s got no in and no leads. “I’m sorry,” he tells Lara as he gets out of the car.

  “For what?” She stares at him from the driver’s seat. She obviously has no intention of getting out of the car tonight.

  “I’m not sure for what.” He scratches his head.

  A sarcastic scoff escapes Lara. “Listen, I’ve got some stuff to do tonight. You still interested in making money to pay your debts off?”

  He nods.

  “Good.” She revs the engine. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  Grady watches her drive away. He can hardly believe this was the same girl in Miles’ apartment a few nights ago. What if she’s the king pin? The one they’re trying to catch? He shakes his head. It’s impossible. The grainy photo the commissioner showed him was definitely a man. A smart one who knows how to use people like pawns to confuse them.

  He’s about to go into the house when he catches something out of the corner of his eye. Parked across the street is a black sedan that he never noticed before. As he looks, the vehicle drives off into the night, but he knows it’s going to be back. He walks into the house and closes the door behind him.

  Chapter 9

  Around two AM, Grady goes back to the window to peek outside. Parked across the street is the same black sedan. It has been hours since it stopped there and no one stepped out since. No doubt someone is keeping tabs on him. The most likely culprit is Lara’s father. After a moment, he steps away from the glass and checks around his bedroom. Scouring the walls and under the bed, he finds nothing out of the ordinary. He checks every drawer and even the shower. Still there is nothing that would rouse suspicion. Once he has gone around the room, he returns to the window and takes a peek through the curtains. The vehicle has yet to move even after the twentieth time he has checked.

  Pacing back and forth, Grady thinks to himself, I can go out with my badge or gun, my cover’ll be blown. This is some kind of test. Lara is in deeper than she’ll admit. Shit, she left the bag of money here and didn’t even consider picking it up. He hid it in a part of the wall that had a secret compartment. Pretty good idea if he said so himself.

  Lara was his ticket in. He knew that now. She was the one who would lead him to Dean. I have to get in contact with the commissioner. Should I call him? No, they might have bugged my phone too. I can’t take that risk either. I haven’t found any cameras so I doubt they have total surveillance. There has to be some way I can slip out unnoticed.

  Walking back to the bed, he looks down to see that Lara had left her underwear by his bed. Remembering her and that night brings a smile to his face, allowing him to put the current troubles aside, if only for a second. Thinking of that day, he remembers their rooftop romp from the restaurant to his house.

  Wait! That’s it!

  Heading to the window, he opens it and looks out onto the fire escape. Nothing looks to be keeping tabs on him from this side of the building. He climbs up to the rooftop the same way he and Lara had done that day. The metal structure makes some creaking noise as he climbs it, but nothing loud enough to be heard across the street. Once he reaches the ledge, he pulls himself up on the roof. Even in the depths of darkness, the sight is still breathtaking. The city that never sleeps provides him with all the light he needs to see to the next building. After some much needed stretching he takes a runner’s pose before bolting across his rooftop. When the sole
of his foot hits the ledge, he vaults over to the next rooftop.

  Similar to that day, he leaps gracefully from roof to roof like a gazelle across the savannah. He keeps running, never breaking stride as he hops three more buildings. When he lands on the fourth roof, he stops and looks to the streets. For half a heartbeat, he looks for the black sedan, fearing that it has followed him. While the street is filled with an assortment of cars, none appear to be the vehicle he dreads to see. Taking another deep breath, he runs to the next rooftop, and then the one after that. He keeps running until he lands on the roof of the restaurant. Climbing over the edge, he hops down to the fire escape. He makes his way down and at the bottom, just about ten feet above the pavement, he has to slide down the last ladder. The morning dew makes the bars slick. Just as he is on the last wring, his foot slips out from underneath him and he bangs his head on the metal ladder before falling to the ground. It leaves his head pounding, but otherwise all right.

  Stumbling to his feet, he steps out of the alley. Once he gets to the road, he looks around and comes to a horrible conclusion. He has no idea how to get to the police station. A part of him is tempted to use his phone, but still fears it’s been bugged. So he must rely on another means to get there. As he contemplates his next move, he sees a taxicab slowly driving along the road. He hails the cab and it stops instantly. Climbing into the vehicle, he is greeted by the man from the day before. The cabby gives a big, toothy grin. In his mind he is going to be paid handsomely again.

  “Get me to the police station,” Grady says. A plan is forming in his mind. He’s going to get Lara to get him to the king pin and save her at the same time.

  “Yes, sir, right away, sir,” the cabby says happily.

  The taxicab travels in the same manner as it did the day before. It speeds in between cars. A few of the other drivers honk their horns at this reckless driver, but the cabby only laughs it off. He seems to find the notion of death amusing as they are almost run off the road by a truck. Grady is tossed around the back of the cab all the way to the police station. The cab finally screeches to a halt outside the New York Police Department. Grady hops out of the taxi before the cabby is able to give him a charge.