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“I understand how you feel,” I say “If you need a reference, I’ll be happy to give you one”

“I won’t make you lie for me,” she says with a bitter shake of her head “I slept with Mr Knight, I helped a blackmailer trap Mr Alexander in a murder rap—”

“To be fair, it was an honest ainst her

“Yes, because I’od-awful secretary, you didn’t let me open your mail”

I don’t have a good answer for that because it’s true I’ to think of a nice send-off when the glass doors open, and a face I never expected to see here ees

Slayde pauses in the doorhen he sees Nikki andthere “Hi,” his voice hesitates “Hope I’”

“I was just taking these files away for Derek” Nikki takes off toward the back office, and I’ the son of my nemesis

“Would it be okay if we talked in your office?” He steps forward, and his expression is conflicted “Star told me what happened I just I need to ask you some questions”

“Of course” I step to the side and motion for him to enter

He walks in, but doesn’t take a seat Instead, he steps to the bookshelves and puts his hands in his front pockets as he studies raphs of Melissa and Dex I step around my desk and take a seat

“You hired this guy Bennett to be your private investigator?” He asks, turning toabout him?”

“I knew his work history,” I say “I needed soton He cah name I’m sorry, but you never entered my mind”

The young man nods and paces to the other side of my office “No, I’ with intensity “I’ and the forcing you to turn yourself in I’d never have wanted hie”

Nodding, I lift the Montblanc pen off my desk “I believe you”

“It sounds like a line, but I’rateful killer” He pauses and rubs an inked hand over his ed my life I’d never have met him if it weren’t for what you did”