Chapter 16: No One Signs the Same Way Twice

Annika's POV

I did not scream.

I had thought I would, if the day ever came.

"The hotelier's daughter," I said to Augustin. "Say it again, and say whose hands were on the valve."

"Ms. Rowe," he said. "You've had a long morning."

"My father shook your hand across his own desk."

"And he was a decent man." Augustin lifted his glass. "Decent men sell badly."

Rhys moved, and I put my hand flat against his chest.

"Not here," I said. "Not in his house, with his men at the gate."

I looked at Augustin once more.

"Tomorrow I'm going to a courthouse. After that I'm coming for the rest."

"I'll send my regards to the judge."

Rhys walked me out through the hall and down the steps.

He did not speak until the car doors closed.

Then he took my face in both hands.

"I would have told you," he said. "I was waiting for proof."

"I know."

"She doesn't know. I said it to the investigator every night for three weeks, and every night I hated it."

"Rhys."

"Yes."

"Tomorrow, you sit next to me in court. You don't stand at the back."

"I'm a witness."

"Then be the witness who sits next to me."

His mouth shook, and he kissed me, and I tasted salt that was not mine.

The judge had moved the hearing up, and the courtroom at nine was full.

Emmett sat at his table in a navy suit, and his lawyer had a new file.

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