Chapter 47
Beau entered the club around nine PM on Wednesday evening, but he wasn't alone. He escorted a short, stocky black woman wearing a blue business suit to our usual booth. When he motioned me over, I left the pole after my dance and drifted towards them. It was awkward trying to figure out where to sit. Did I sit next to him? Or his friend? Or did I simply just stand? Beau scooted over, giving me my answer.
"This is Chief Nelson. She's the Chief of Police in Top Hill."
The woman held out her hand, and I quickly shook it. I gripped the booth seat anxiously with both hands, trying to force myself not to fidget. This was it. There was no going back. "Senator Wakeland says you may be able to get Mr. Trevor Hobbs to confess to the murder of Mr. Alex Freeman?"
I nodded.
"How are you so sure?"
I could've really used some Nova to get through all this. I'd hit Cherry up right away if I didn't need my mind to be crystal clear. "I've known Trevor for thirteen years. Trust me, I can get him to say it." I was going to risk getting my ass beat and probably raped, but she didn't need to know that.
"He hasn't already confessed to you?"
I shook my head.
"Then how do you know he did it?"
How much did I tell her? Running away as a servant added more to my debt, so I needed to come up with a lie quick. "Hobbs found out I was seeing someone. He thought it was either Alex or someone else, and Alex was helping me keep it a secret. The moment I mentioned another man, he turned the TV on... Hobbs didn't confess, but the look in his eyes and the way he said Alex's name... I knew he did it." I cleared my throat. "The way he did it, the way his voice sounded…" A shudder ran down my spine. "It was a threat. He may not try to kill me, but he will hurt someone I care for again if I don't play by his rules."
The Chief of Police reached into her pocket and pulled out a sticker with golden wiring. "We will look into Mr. Hobbs, even if you can't get him to confess. And we will conduct a surprise audit on him to look into your status as a servant. Hopefully, we will be able to get to him before he has time to wipe his records."
"I have them. I just don't know how to tell what's what."
She nodded. "The moment you peel the protective layer off of this sticker, it will pick up any conversation you take part in. You will need to stick it to your chest so that we can get clear audio and voice recognition... which means you'll have to wear a shirt."
"Look, lady, typically I prefer to be fully clothed." I held up my bracelets and shook them. "But I'll make sure to be covered. When can you have a team ready?"
"We can have a sting team in place within an hour of when you give us the word."
"Can it be tonight?"
"I don't see why not."
"Good, I'll put it on before I leave tonight. Hobbs will take me home, and that's when I'll get him to confess."
"Then we will get set up near your apartment. If you are in danger or feel like you will be after getting him to confess, use the word 'checkmate.' We will come running. I highly suggest that you don't use it until we have a confession. He needs to say it, not simply imply it. That is very important."
"I'll get him to say it."
The woman got to her feet and smiled kindly. "Good. I will have my team set up and ready for when you get home. Good luck, Mr. Braun."
She left, but Beau stayed behind. I could feel his sad eyes on me, which made me even more uncomfortable. I needed to be strong. It was going to be hard enough handing the man I had loved for so long a death sentence.
"Are you sure about this?" he finally asked.
"You'll get the video when this is all over. Don't worry, I don't have a backup. A deal is a deal."
"I'm not worried about that. I'm worried that Hobbs could hurt you."
I grinned at him. "I'm Starburst, baby. Nothing can hurt me."