Chapter 367

The DA’s knees were an inch from my side. If either of us moved, I would be discovered.

“I’m with you,” Diana reminded me. “You aren’t alone. Don’t be frightened, but be ready to defend yourself. Shift if you need me.”

“Hurry up,” the other man growled. “You didn’t lose the file, did you?”

The desk drawer slid open. “Of course not,” the DA snapped. “It’s right here.”

A pair of expensive loafers walked toward the desk. They stopped beside the DA, and I heard the other man grab the folder.

If only I could see who he was. But moving out from under the desk was out of the question.

“I’ll take care of it,” the man said. “And I’ll make sure that doctor keeps his mouth shut.”

Oh no! Dr. Mancini is in danger. I had to warn him. First, I had to get out of this office with my life and show the Public Defender the file.

The other man’s cologne was musky and overpowering. My throat began to tickle from breathing the fumes.

“Don’t cough, Daisy,” Diana said. “Hold it in. Think about running over the field behind the mansion. Feel the fresh air flowing over your face as we run.”

I swallowed hard and tried to envision running over the tall grasses. It helped a little, and the tickle in my throat lessened. But I felt like I’d never get the scent of that cologne out of my nostrils.

The DA stood and pushed his chair in. It bumped into my side hard enough to hurt.

“Let's get out of here,” he said. “I’ve got to get to my kid’s birthday party.”

“Just don’t mess this up,” the other man warned the DA. “The boss wants that Omega woman in prison. Make it happen!”

“I don’t like Daisy Wilson being involved in this,” the DA said. “I’ve heard she’s quite good at discovering the truth about things.”

“Then you better keep her from finding out anything,” the other man growled. “Arrest her for interfering in an investigation. The boss would love to see her behind bars.”

The men walked out of the office, and I heard the door close and lock behind them.

“They are almost gone,” Diana said. “I can barely hear them, and their scent is fading quickly.”

“I can’t wait to get out from under this desk and stand,” I told Diana.

“It's safe now.” Diana sounded as relieved as me.

I pushed the chair out of the leg well and crawled from under the desk. I clung to the chair and sighed with relief to be able to stretch my legs.

I rubbed my backside and panicked. “My phone! Where is it?”

“It may have fallen out of your pocket while you were under the desk,” Diana suggested.

I bent over and saw the phone near the left back leg of the desk. I retrieved it and walked to the door.

“Daisy, be careful no one sees you leave,” Diana said.

I carefully entered the secretary’s office before peeking out into the hallway.

The security guard was in the second-floor hallway checking offices!

“Hurry, get back into the DA’s office,” Diana said. “Wasn’t there a large window opposite his desk?”

“Yeah, but we’re on the second floor,” I reminded her.

“I could jump that easily,” Diana said. “Let’s check it out.”

I hurried to the window and looked outside.

“There’s a fire escape!” I unlatched the window and opened it before sticking my head outside.

I climbed onto the fire escape before closing the window, and I scampered down the metal ladder.

Safely on the ground, I hurried to the front of the building and to the sidewalk before returning to my truck.

“That was an adventure,” I grumbled as I unlocked the driver’s door and climbed inside.

I started the truck's engine before pulling out my phone and calling Allen Cross.

Allen was shocked by what I had discovered.

“I always thought the DA was crooked,” Allen declared. “But it’s sad to know for sure. This means hundreds of cases will need to be tried again.”

“First, we need to warn Dr. Mancini and keep Marlee from going to prison for the rest of her life,” I said.

“Send me the file and test results,” Allen said. “You try to get ahold of Dr. Mancini to warn him, and I’ll arrange to put him into protective custody.”

“I’m sure he could stay at Alex’s mansion with us,” I offered. “Alex has a serious security system.”

“That would be more comfortable for him than a hotel room,” Allen agreed. “But send me that file right away.”

I manipulated my phone screen. “I both texted and emailed the file. I’ll call Dr. Mancini as soon as we hang up.”

“Excellent work, Daisy. I’ll be in touch,” Allen promised and hung up.

I immediately dialed the hospital and insisted on speaking to Dr. Mancini immediately.

He came on the line in about two minutes. “Daisy, what’s the emergency?”

I told him what I overheard while I was hiding under the DA’s desk.

“I’m sorry, but I think you are in danger,” I explained. “The Public Defender is placing you in protective custody. You are welcome to stay with me and Victor at my father’s mansion until Marlee is released from prison.”

Dr. Mancini was quiet for a long moment. “I have things to finish up here before I can leave. But I will take you up on your offer.”

“Good,” I said. “Then I’ll see you this evening.” It was a relief to know the doctor would be safe.

I remembered Amy was expecting me before I went home, so I called Benson to tell him to expect a visitor for an indefinite stay and promised to explain later. He took the news in stride, and I assured him I would be home for dinner.

The sun was low enough on the horizon to cast long shadows onto the streets by the time I made it to Lycan Square.

I parked outside the burned and taped-off Plum mansion and walked to the shelter’s front entrance. The barred security door Amy had installed during the riots was still there. It was hanging open, but the door was locked.

I rang the bell and waited for someone to answer. Alfred opened the door before I could ring a second time.

“Miss Gray is waiting for you in the family lounge,” he told me and motioned to the second door on the right.

“Thank you, Alfred,” I said and gave two small children playing in the foyer a finger wave before going in search of my friend.

Amy was on the couch in the family lounge, scrolling through something on her phone.

She looked up at me and grinned. “Hey, Daisy.” She patted the spot on the sofa next to her.

I sat down, watching happiness shine from her soft brown eyes. There were waves of pure joy flowing from her. It washed over me and made me giggle.

“You’ve got to tell me your news,” I said between chuckles.

Amy nodded, turned sideways, and folded her legs beneath her.

“Justin and I are getting married,” she announced.

“Yeah, I knew that months ago,” I said.

“No, I mean, we decided to get married soon,” she said.

It felt like all the air left my lungs, and something like anger slithered through me. “How …how soon?” I stammered.

I was jealous because I wanted to be married to Victor so badly, and something always stopped us.

“Two weeks,” Amy replied. “We decided to do it during fall break and take a few days to go somewhere nice.”

I took a deep breath and swallowed my emotions. Amy deserved to be happy. I shouldn’t feel this way.

“That’s great,” I said. “I’ll do whatever I can to help you. Just tell me what you need done.”

“You’re upset because your wedding to Victor was canceled,” Amy patted my arm. “I hoped you would be okay with me getting married before you, but I understand.”

“It’s okay,” I told her and tried to smile. “I am a little jealous and wish it was me marrying Victor, but I’m happy for you and Justin.”

“Thank you, sweetie,” Amy said. “And I’ll need your help planning everything.”

“I’d be happy to,” I said. But inside, I was anything but happy. I told Amy I had to go home to greet an overnight guest, asked her to call me in the morning, and left.

I drove home on autopilot while images of the wedding I couldn’t have flashed through my mind. Then I thought about how nobody would come to my wedding and our failed attempt to elope.

When would it be my turn to marry?

I suddenly realized I was turning onto the driveway to the mansion. I drove to my spot beside the garage and parked before bursting into tears.