All Fall Down by Erica Spindler Read Free Book Online Page B

adjust.”
    He said it so casually, so carelessly. This was Casey’s life they were talking about. His feelings. That the man could blow them off so easily made her blood boil. “You son-of-a-bitch,” she whispered, voice shaking. “All you care about is yourself.”
    â€œThat’s your opinion.”
    â€œI won’t let you do this.”
    â€œYou can’t stop me.”
    â€œMom?”
    She looked over to find Casey in the doorway, eyes wide with alarm. The phone must have awakened him—if he’d ever fallen asleep. She pulled herself together and smiled reassuringly at him. “I’ll be off injust a second, honey. Crawl back into bed and I’ll come snuggle with you. Okay?”
    Casey hesitated a moment, then did as she asked. She returned her attention to her ex-husband. “It’s inappropriate for us to have this conversation right now. I’ll have to get back to you.”
    â€œThis isn’t going to go away, Melanie. I intend to sue you for custody of our son. And I intend to win.”

7
    T he conference room in the Law Enforcement Center was too hot. The personalities around the long, oval table too strong. Each person accustomed to having their way. Melanie moved her gaze from one face to another. Charlotte’s mayor, Ed Pinkston, and Chief Lyons of the CMPD, her own chief, the district attorney. Representatives from all their offices, as well as the SBI—the State Bureau of Investigation. Connor Parks. A man with him, also FBI, she guessed. Whistlestop’s mayor was not in attendance, a fact Melanie found curious. Or ominous, she amended, shifting her gaze to her chief’s set face.
    They had been called together that morning because the daughter of Charlotte’s most prominent citizen had been dead a week now and that citizen was demanding answers. So was the press.
    And they were no closer to an answer than they had been the day after her murder.
    There would be no glad-handing here today. No give-and-take, no backslapping and mutual support. Instead, a head or two might roll—Melanie’s included. Even the CMPD guys looked apprehensive.
    The Charlotte mayor stood to bring the meeting to order. Before he could, the conference-room dooropened. Cleve Andersen and another man walked through. An uncomfortable hush fell over the room.
    â€œSorry I’m late,” Andersen said briskly, moving to the head of the table, taking a place beside Mayor Pinkston.
    The mayor cleared his throat. “Cleve, we didn’t expect—”
    â€œI thought it best,” the man interrupted. “The decisions made here today affect me. My family.” He smiled, the curving of his lips automatic, the consummate player doing his thing. “As you know, I’m not one to let others lead.”
    He indicated the man who had entered with him. “My attorney, Bob Braxton. Now—” he settled into his seat and turned his gaze to the room’s other occupants “—shall we begin?”
    Mayor Pinkston looked as helpless as a fish flopping on a dock, hook still embedded in its mouth. Clearly, the politician didn’t have the guts to oppose the more powerful man.
    Apparently, Connor Parks did. “Excuse me,” he said, standing, facing the businessman. “With all due respect, Mr. Andersen, you don’t belong here.”
    The room fell quiet. All eyes focused on Andersen. He stood stiffly, his chiseled features tight with restraint. Or dislike. “Young man, my daughter is the topic of this meeting.”
    â€œExactly the reason you shouldn’t be here. We don’t have the time to tiptoe around your feelings. Go home to your grieving family, Mr. Andersen. That’s where you belong. It’s where you can do some good.”
    An ugly flush climbed up Cleve Andersen’s paleface. Melanie held her breath. Parks had verbalized what each person at the table had certainly been thinking.