Lila

She stared at the cop, her mind blank. She had an answer for this, she knew she did.

​​

"Back off, sir. She literally just got out of hospital. She's got an appointment with Detective Harry Quinn tomorrow and we were all going to go through the entire story then," Chris said, drawing the cop's attention to himself. Lila sighed with relief.

The Detective gave her a wary glance, but then turned to Chris. "And you are?"

Christian Daniels. Dane's brother. Douglas's step-son. Lila's brother in law."

"Well, you're just elbow deep in all this then, aren't you?" the Detective said. "And how is that you know your sister-in-law's plans and movements so intimately?"

"Because I'm also Security Director for Daniels' Security, and Lila is… It's my job to keep her safe. Especially now."

The detective made notes in a little notebook. "Mrs. Daniels," he said, turning to Lila. "Did you enter the premises today?"

"No. I was just… I had to know, be sure he wasn't there. But when I got down there the door was open and it scared me. I was afraid Douglas might be in there, or one of his men. I rushed back up here, and Chris arrived and… that's it?" she said.

Chris cut her a look. She guessed he'd been in the Penthouse a lot longer than it would have taken her to walk down the stairs and back up, but she didn't look at him. She prayed he wouldn't say anything.

"Detective, Lila has had a helluva week, and now she's just had a shock. And her home is full of strange men right after she's been abducted. Perhaps you could consider that she's not at her best just now?"

The man pressed his lips together, but nodded. "Of course. And you're meeting with Harry Quinn, you said?"

She nodded. "He said tomorrow morning. I was supposed to call him for a time."

"Well, I'll have a chat with him when I get back to the station and make sure he calls you with that time, okay?"

"Thank you," she said, and looked at Chris, who was staring at the man like he though the might try to arrest Lila then and there.

"In future, if you have simple answers to our questions about a major investigation, perhaps you could get that information to us quickly? We could have been sweeping this place forensically for days now."

"I didn't know you didn't know…" she said. "I hadn't thought… I'm sorry. I just hadn't thought it all through. I'm… sir, I'm facing losing my husband. I was just held against my will by a man who threatened to kill me. And I was injured and infected. I… I haven't even showered yet. I wasn't thinking it all through."

The man put his hands up, nodding. "I understand, I understand. Let's just move forward from here, shall we?"

"I think you better ask your supervisor to give me a call," Chris said, his voice low and menacing. "If this is how you treat victims of crime."

The detective looked like he wanted to snarl back, but he was better trained than that. He took a card out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Chris. "Of course, you can speak with my supervisor anytime you feel it's necessary," he said through a fake smile. "And I do understand Mrs. Daniels' situation. But I'll ask again: If you or anyone in your organization has a simple lead, getting that information to us quickly is of great use to us."

Chris nodded, scanning the card. "We will. We didn't enter the apartment, and established a perimeter to help you as soon as we were aware of it."

The man's eyes flashed. "Yes. That was… useful. Though if you could make sure your men all know now that their presence is no longer needed, I'd be grateful. We're having some pushback from the fellows in the next building."

Chris lifted his phone. "I'll call them right now and make sure everything's clear."

The Detective nodded to Lila and excused himself, and Chris turned to make the phone call to bring all the men in. Lila's heart pounded uncomfortably. She was grateful for Chris's help, but she still had these phones and a house full of men.

When Chris was off the phone, he turned back to her and stared for a moment. "You okay?" he asked quietly, glancing at the men filing through the Penthouse to the fireplace and down the stairs.

She nodded. "I'm just tired. And… scared." She dropped her head and brought the hand up that didn't have a cellphone in the sleeve to rest her face in it. "I don't know how to… my head isn't working. All I can think about is what Dane must be going through—then I remember what he did and I feel sick. I wish…"

"What?" Chris asked quickly.

Lila shook her head and tried to sigh but her breath caught. She let the pain show on her face. She hated manipulating Chris this way, but she still wasn't sure he could be trusted. And she had to find a way to be alone. "I don't know," she whispered eventually, when he didn't take his attention from her. "I just wish… things could be different than they are."

Chris blew out a breath and ran his hand through his hair. "You and pretty much everyone involved, I'm sure."

She nodded sadly. "How long are they going to be here?" she asked. "I mean… Dane didn't want anyone in here who wasn't… but I suppose that doesn't matter anymore," she said like it had just occurred to her.

"I imagine they'll bring all the crime scene techs through today, cordon it off, and leave a guard. We'll make sure some of our guys are here, too, Lila. You don't have to worry about being left alone with these guys."

"I know, but… I don't think I could sleep. I think… maybe I could go down to my apartment instead? All these people are making me nervous. And it's going to be noisy. Josh could come with me, and you could put someone at the door? I need to get my cat back anyway…"

Chris frowned thoughtfully. "I don't see why not. At least, for today. I don't like the idea of you staying there long term. We've got a much better security system up here. But with all this going on, it's not like we're secure anyway. Let me talk to Josh and his team. They can keep the floor for you."

"Thank you, Chris." She met his eyes and gave a grim smile.

He nodded and touched her arm. "Whatever you need, Lila. That's what I'm here for. It's what I do."

She nodded, but had to look away from him.