grinned.
“Lady, I cannot wait to witness the ass-kicking you’re going to unleash on the world. Give me the dates and times, and I’ll let Special Agent Raines know that his offer of bodyguard services has been accepted.” Then he glanced back at the last piece of pizza in the box. “Are you going to eat that?”
“Nope. It’s got your name all over it,” she said, and went to refill her tea.
* * *
Cyrus Parks did not get bail, nor did he get a judge who would even consider a plea agreement for less than life in prison. It had to do with all the collateral damage of using humans for guinea pigs and the ensuing deaths of failed testing. And they hadn’t even gotten to the charges involving him with human trafficking, kidnapping and a list of medical malpractice charges as long as his arm. His choice was a guilty plea and life in a federal prison with no possibility of parole—or a court trial and the revelation of Jade Wyrick’s testimony. It was his own damn fault. He should have left well enough alone.
He’d heard through his lawyer that more than thirty people in five different facilities had been arrested with charges similar to his, and more were pending. Employees of all of the facilities were making deals to lessen their sentences, and their testimonies were adding to what Jade had unleashed.
He was afraid of the future. But there was a light at the end of this tunnel. There was always the chance he wouldn’t be alive to suffer it.
* * *
The past seven days were a nightmare of logistics. Just when Wyrick thought everything was settled and in place for the press conference, another problem would arise. But she dealt with it, using the same skill and concentration she gave to Charlie’s agency. The press conference was tomorrow. But today, a prosecutor for the federal attorney general’s office was coming to Dodge Investigations to take her deposition.
She’d dressed down on purpose, wearing a black leather jacket and pants, with a white satin vest beneath. The red dragon’s head was visible above the V-neck of the vest, and the silver eye shadow below her brow ridge drew attention to her dark eyes. With no other color, not even lipstick, she was a monochromatic version of the feminine mystic. A Picasso portrait-in-waiting for a long-dead master.
She drove herself to work with Charlie on her tail. It was how they rolled these days, and when she pulled into the drive-through bakery to get the sweet rolls for their coffee bar, he was in the parking lot waiting. They got to the office building in unison and went in together in silence.
Charlie knew she was dreading the interview and he dreaded it for her, but the lawyer she had yet to meet was going to be there an hour early so they could talk.
They arrived at eight, and by the time she’d gone through the motions, she was at ease. The only difference between what had been and what was now was the video camera above the door, and the buzzer they’d had added with the sign above it.
Ring to be admitted.
There would be no surprise visits from unexpected visitors, whether they were clients or not.
* * *
Judd Perry arrived on time, but when he reached for the doorknob and then saw the sign, then the video camera, he was taken aback. The whole concept of Jade Wyrick’s safety was brought home in those moments. So he pressed the buzzer and looked up, knowing they would be looking to identify him.
“Judd Perry to see Ms. Wyrick,” he said.
“I’ll get it,” Charlie said, and let him in. “Hey, buddy. Thanks for this.”
“I’m happy to help,” Judd said, and then saw Wyrick, and came toward her with an outstretched hand. “Ms. Wyrick, Judd Perry at your service. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Wyrick liked his vibe, and immediately tuned in to his bulldog nature, which was exactly what she was going to need. Someone who wasn’t afraid to bite. Someone who wouldn’t let go of a truth.
“Thank you for coming,” Wyrick said.
Charlie pointed to his office. “We have an hour before the lawyer from the DOJ arrives. Why don’t the two of you come into my office and do whatever you need to do to prepare.”
He got them seated at the small conference table at the far end of the room.
“Can I get anyone a coffee...or a Pepsi?”
Judd smiled. “I’ll take coffee.”
Wyrick shook