Chapter 30
CHAPTER 30
PEN
E lijah drives us to the police station where they’re holding Peter Levon. We’re greeted by plain-clothed officers who lead us into the maze of corridors before taking us into a debriefing room.
“Has he said anything?” Elijah asks, taking a seat.
“No, he’s requested a lawyer, who is currently on his way.”
“Do we know the name of the lawyer?” I ask, my suspicious mind running.
The lawyer he has chosen may be the key to who is behind this.
The officer passes over a piece of paper with the name on it. It’s not anyone I recognise, but then again, it doesn’t surprise me. I’ll need to investigate potential connections. The law firm is small, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a parent company lurking in the background.
Another officer enters.
“Evening, Mr Frazer. I’m Detective Ross. Sorry to have called you in so late, but we felt it important because of the severity of the claims you’ve made.”
Elijah stands and shakes the hand of the man who entered.
“Are you ready to give your statement, Mr Frazer?”
“I am.”
Detective Ross looks over at me, and I nod. Time to make myself scarce.
“I’ll have a colleague take your statement as well, Ms Dawson.”
I smile, getting up and following his colleague to the door.
“I’ll see you later,” I say to Elijah.
We exit, and I follow the female officer down the corridor to another door.
She holds it open for me to enter before closing it behind me.
“You really can’t stay away, can you?” a voice I recognise comes from deep inside the room.
“You know me,” I say, stepping forward with a grin. “It’s good to see you. I missed you before I left.”
“How’s the move gone? Are you settling in?”
“You know, still surrounded by boxes, but baby steps. I was only there for a week before I came back.”
“Wedding plans? How was Kristophe when you left?”
“What’s this? Twenty questions,” I ask, dropping into the chair opposite.
“Small talk?”
I laugh. “You and small talk? Kristophe was fine. He understands me.”
“I’m glad.”
We sit in an awkward silence.
“What next?” I ask finally.
There’s only one reason The Seamstress is here.
She smiles. “Nothing.”
I incline my head. “Nothing?”
“You’re retired. That hasn’t changed. They sent me to thank you. You foiled a plot that could have had a serious impact on businesses and the government. But then you know that.”
I nod. “I added safeguards.”
A small smile plays on her lips.
“I expected nothing less. You always were the best.”
“Am the best,” I say.
“Are the best,” she agrees. “How is Elijah doing?”
“Frustrated, confused, as we all are. Unable to see the bigger picture.”
“The Frazers are under attack. This is likely to be just the beginning.”
I think back to the number of plots I uncovered that stopped after Robert’s death. My heart lurches at the memory.
“And we’re still no closer to discovering who is pulling the strings?”
“No. Whoever did it is covering their tracks well.”
“You got my statement?” I ask. I finished it while Elijah showered. “I recognised the code patterns. Know Needle is involved.”
“You need to leave us to do our jobs.”
“These are my friends,” I tell her.
“You’re retired. Enjoy it. Go back to the US, make beautiful babies with Mr Lansdown. We’ve got this. I promise.”
I hate that she’s shutting me out, but what more can I do? I can’t force her to share what she knows.
“Can I ask you to keep me updated? I’m also available if you need me.”
A look of shock passes over the face of the woman sitting opposite me.
“You’re out,” she says.
“These are my friends, and I owe Robert. If you need my skills, I’ll be there.”
The Seamstress nods.
I stand up and turn to leave. Pausing as I reach the door.
“I want Robert’s killer brought to justice.”
“We all do. But until we have more evidence, it remains a tragic accident. We don’t need any added complications, Tailor. Is that understood?”
I nod. “It’s okay. I wouldn’t do that to them. Knowing myself is torture enough.”
The words catch in my throat. The secret I’ve held from those I love for seven years.
“I’m glad we understand one another. No good will come of it,” she says. “Go back to the US settle down. Live your life. I promise to call if we need you.”
I place my hand on the door handle.
My thoughts flash to Elijah, to Gabriel, Caleb, Kat, and even to Harper.
They got to Robert, and now they may come after his family.
“I mean it. If you need me. I’m available.”
“I heard you. Now go.”
With that, I leave the room, making my way back to where Elijah is still giving his statement. I grab myself a coffee from the vending machine and hiss at the bitter taste as I wait for him to finish.