Chapter 27
Aria
“Tell me again exactly how you procured this information, Ms. Cunningham.” Deja Simpson’s dark brown eyes are intense as she pins me to my chair on the other side of her desk.
“Like I said, I hired a private investigator through Aisling Investigative Services.” I see her perfectly manicured eyebrows rise even further. We both know the price point for their services, but they are widely considered to be the best in the city.
“Right.” She goes quiet, her nails tapping on her desk as she reads through the files I sent over as soon as she agreed to see me. Finally, she lets out a breath and looks up meeting my gaze once again.
“This is very…thorough,” she says slowly, implication heavy in her tone.
“Yes, they do very good work,” I reply, my voice void of any nerves I may feel, mindful of the recording device sitting on her desk. “I love the fact that they included the origin of their evidence in Appendix B. It makes my—and hopefully your—job easier.”
She clicks through the documents to the aforementioned appendix and sees exactly what made me breathe a sigh of relief: lists and references to exactly where and how they procured the evidence contained in the files. Thank you, Lila.
“For the record, can you provide your reason for bringing this to me and not directly to the police? There is a possibility of criminal charges, not just a civil suit. Can you elaborate on your thought process?” Another stare pins me in place and compels me to answer.
“I…well, there are two reasons, I suppose,” I answer, fighting to keep my calm facade in place.
“First, I would like to pursue a civil suit against Mr. Beaumont in addition to the criminal charges. I would like to retain your services as representation for that. Second—” I swallow heavily.
“—I was…unsure how well the evidence might be received due to the…allegations that the article alluded to. I wanted to ensure they were received and taken seriously.”
“I understand.” Deja’s eyes burn with an intense understanding and empathy. “Thank you, Ms. Cunningham.” I nod and she shuts off the recording device on her desk, letting out a long breath and running a hand over the tight braids her hair is twisted into.
“Okay, Aria, let’s speak plainly here,” she continues in a more casual, but still intense tone. “I need to know everything that’s been going on to know what we’re up against. Is there anything you haven’t told me that might be relevant?”
I take a deep breath and walk her through the accusations that led to my firing from Edwards you know I would never.”
“I know, Aria,” she answers, throwing me a sincere look.
“I also know how much of a boys’ club that place is.
” A slight roll of her eyes marks the first break in her professionalism and I give her a small smile.
“As a woman, especially a woman of color, I know when I am passed over for the recognition that I know my work deserves. That’s why I ended up leaving and coming here.
” She shifts slightly in her seat and glancing to the side.
“I know you applied for a position here,” she continues in a gentler tone, “but the partners were concerned about the optics of hiring someone who was—”
“—fired due to ethical concerns. I understand completely.” I give her a smile to show that I am not holding any grudges. “I figured as much. I am hoping we can address that in the civil suit. False accusations leading to loss of employment and income…” I trail off and she nods in understanding.
“Absolutely. If you can, I would recommend contacting—” She checks the documents again.
“—Harlowe Flannigan and seeing if they can find any information or evidence about this claim. I will be submitting a subpoena for the information, but I would like to wait until we see if criminal charges will be initiated. That gives them less time to cover anything up and more incentive to distance themselves from Jacob.”
“That sounds like a plan.” I stand and offer my hand to her. “You’ll invoice me for your retainer?”
“Oh,” she says with a sharp, predatory smile on her face, “the civil suit at a minimum will be a slam dunk, especially with the information Mx. Flannigan has already gathered. We’ll make him pay for it after we get a win for you, yeah?”
A laugh bubbles out of me as I nod my agreement.
“Thanks, Deja. Remind me that I owe you a drink after all of this is over?”
“You can bet on it.”
***
On my way home, Lucy shoots me a text letting me know she wants to come home again tonight. Apparently, Mama Betty is coming home tomorrow and she wants to make sure her apartment is in order before that happens.
I alter my course and head directly there. She is eager to get home, jumping into the vehicle just as soon as I slow it to a stop.
“Any stops?” I murmur, leaning over to press a kiss to her forehead. Her smile grows as she shakes her head and turns to put on some music. I bop my head along to the infectious pop beats; it’s not my usual style of music, but I don’t mind it too much. Especially when it makes Lucy this happy.
The apartment is dark and quiet when we enter, but we don’t stay long before heading across the hall into Mama Betty’s apartment.
It is odd to be in here for the first time without Mama Betty, but I can feel her presence lingering in the very fabric of the home anyway: the apartment is immaculate, but the handmade quilts, drying herbs, and variety of family photos make it unmistakable that this is her space.
Lucy and I work for a few hours ensuring that there is enough space to maneuver a wheelchair throughout the apartment.
“It’ll be a struggle to get her and the chair up here,” Lucy had said, “but I want to make sure she can get around once she’s settled in. I simply smiled and pressed her earbuds back into her ears.
As we are finishing up after several hours of hard work, I receive a text from Jeremy. I smile and slide my phone back into my pocket. Walking up behind Lucy, I envelop her in my arms and press a kiss to the top of her head.
“What do you think, Princess? Passable?”
She takes another look around before twisting her head around to catch my lips with hers.
“It’ll do,” she smiles, looking far less stressed than she has in a week.
“Perfect, then I need you to close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.”
She looks at me suspiciously before slowly squinting and finally closing her eyes completely. Despite her act, the trust she places in me makes me melt.
I slowly lead her back out to the hallway, keeping close to the wall so she doesn’t worry too much as we approach the staircase. Once she is in position, I lean down and whisper in her ear.
“Okay, Princess. Open your eyes.”