Goddess of Justice Dwayne Clayden (i read book .TXT) 📖

at the name, because it meant something. It meant Brad was okay. That was the code word they’d agreed on two years ago. Brad was with Sadie, or at least Sadie knew where he was.

Annie grabbed her chest and gasped. “Oh my gosh, I haven’t heard from Sissy for quite a while. Is she doing okay?”

“Yes, she’s okay. When I saw her last night, she didn’t appear well. But she’s a lot better this morning, and she wanted me to let you know she was okay. If you have time this morning, I’d love to meet you for coffee. Sissy gave me a few things for you.”

“That would be fantastic.” Annie processed the things she needed to do. “I need to shower and I’m out of the city. Where can we meet?”

“There’s a new coffee shop on Seventeenth Avenue and Eighth Street. They make the most wonderful coffee.”

“I’ll see you there in an hour.”

Chapter Forty-Two

Sadie sat in the back corner of the coffee shop and sipped her espresso. The shop still had the newly renovated smell with a heavy roasted-coffee tinge. What’s old is new. The owners had gone for a fifties theme, with red-topped chrome tables and chairs and mismatched plates and mugs. Sadie couldn’t care less about the décor—the coffee was amazing.

She watched the front door and the large plate-glass window. After she’d hung up, she realized she had no clue what Annie looked like, but Annie must have seen her on TV, so it was up to Annie to make contact.

As Sadie watched clients come and go, she realized Brad had taught her something. He always sat in the back corner facing the door. Sadie realized what she had missed by sitting with her back to the door. He’d even shifted his paranoia to her. She scrutinized everyone who came in and checked the streets for cops in cheap suits sitting in dark sedans.

A few times she perked up when an early twenties lady came through the door. But none of them glanced at her. She checked the clock on the wall. 10:30. Was Annie late? Traffic heavy coming into the city? Took longer to get ready? She decided not to show?

Sadie glanced at her empty mug and headed to the counter for a refill.

When she returned to the corner table, a young lady sat where Sadie had been, with her back to the wall, sipping a drink. Her blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Her eyes darted around the room while keeping Sadie in her sight. Her hands were flat on the table, eyes sizing up Sadie.

“I’m Sadie.”

“I know.”

“Are you Annie?”

She nodded.

“You took my seat.” Sadie cocked her head.

“I know.” Annie grinned. “I’ve seen you on TV a few times. You’re serious when you’re on the air.”

Sadie sat across from Annie. “I’m serious all the time.”

Annie sipped her drink. “I doubt that.”

“Why?” Sadie reached for her coffee.

“If you were serious all the time, Brad wouldn’t be interested in you.”

Sadie’s hand stopped with her drink halfway to her mouth. “What?”

“Oh, come on. Girl to girl.” Annie leaned over the table. “Surely that can’t come as a surprise to you.”

“He … he treats me like a necessary evil.”

“He’s never liked the press, that’s true. For some reason, he’s making an exception for you.”

“Oh, I doubt that.” Sadie sipped the coffee. “Brad is guarded about what he tells me.”

Annie grinned. “But he tells you stuff.”

“Sure.” Sadie shrugged. “Not career-defining scoops, although god knows I’ve tried.”

Annie laughed. “I always thought it was guys who were clueless.” She shook her head. “He’s in trouble, he could be charged with multiple murders, and who does he go to for help? Not me. Not his best friends. You.”

“I don’t think he had a lot of options.”

“True. But he would never go to someone he didn’t trust.”

Sadie stared at the table. “I nearly reported him last night. Again this morning.”

“But you didn’t.” Annie sipped her drink. “He knew you wouldn’t.”

“I’m not so sure. He was defeated last night. I got a feeling that if they arrested him, he’d be okay with it. That he didn’t care anymore.”

“And this morning?”

Sadie sipped her coffee. “The sleep did him good.”

“Sleep?” Annie grinned.

“Yes, sleep.” Sadie glared. “That’s it.”

“If you say so.” Annie’s grin widened.

“Enough with the chitchat.” Sadie sat forward. “Brad told me about the code and what it means to you.”

Annie nodded and stared at her mug. “It’s crazy we didn’t need to use it over the past eighteen months.” Annie’s eyes clouded over, then she stared out the window. “How much can a person take? How many times can their life go to shit and they’re expected to jump back up?”

“Brad said you’ve been through some horrible stuff,” Sadie said softly.

Annie’s eyes scrunched. “I wasn’t talking about me. Brad. Is he safe?”

“He’s safe … for now. I don’t think anyone will search for him at my place. But he’s already going crazy. He wants to get out and clear his name.”

Annie stared over Sadie’s shoulder. “He can’t go out until dark.”

“He knows that. I get the feeling he doesn’t enjoy being cooped up.”

Annie snorted. “He doesn’t.”

Sadie sipped her coffee. “How’s Lobo?”

“Wondering where his dad is.”

“Brad is lost without him.”

“Lobo is his support, his constant,” Annie said. “That dog is fine tuned to his emotions. Now what? As much as it’s a pleasure to meet you and have a chat, there’s an enormous problem to solve.”

Sadie set her mug on the table and leaned forward. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “There’s a place where Brad takes Lobo for a swim when it’s warmer. Tell Steele and Zerr to be there at midnight.”

Annie nodded, set a wrapped present on the table. “Please give this to Sissy.”

“A birthday present?”

“Better.” Annie stood and headed out of the restaurant.

Chapter Forty-Three

Brad stood behind the curtains, staring at downtown. He knew cops out there were searching for him. They wouldn’t find him. But staying in this apartment wasn’t helping clear his name. He needed to find