Nelson seemed to balance discomfort and empathy better than most people. It fed Lila’s resolve.

“That was eight years ago,” she said. “And I clawed my way out of that hell. I went to college and law school, and now I have the job I’ve always wanted—except Frank doesn’t think I’m cut out for it. He sent a letter to the Board of Law Examiners telling them about my suicide attempt.”

Nelson looked at Dovey. “Frank?”

“Ms. Nash had to be relieved in court because she had some kind of episode. I was being prudent.”

Lila said, “But you didn’t just tell the board about the episode, did you? You told them that I’d been involuntarily committed in a psych ward because of a suicide attempt.”

“I didn’t tell the board a single word that wasn’t true.”

Lila leaned back in her chair, turning her focus toward Dovey. “Fair enough; it was true. But, Frank, you found out about my hospitalization and my suicide attempt by reading the investigation file for my rape.”

“I have a legal right to access to those files.”

“Yes, you do, but you don’t have the right to share that information with anyone else, do you? The Data Practices Act is clear on that point. Active investigations are confidential—especially with regards to medical reports. Sharing that information with anyone is a crime. My case may be old, but it’s still active. You broke the law, Frank. You wanted me gone so badly that you committed a crime to get me out.”

Bright red patches began to mottle Frank Dovey’s neck and cheeks. He opened his mouth to speak, then, apparently finding no words, closed it again.

Lila turned back to Colin Nelson. “I just needed to tell you what he’s been doing. I expect I won’t have my job much longer, and I regret that, but you needed to know who this man is at his core. I care too much about the mission of your office to let this go unsaid.”

Lila stood up. “I apologize for interrupting your lunch, Mr. Nelson.”

With that, she turned and left the restaurant, her back erect and her mind clear. She didn’t even feel the need to count her steps.

Chapter 46

Every day, Gavin waited for the news that Sadie Vauk no longer walked the earth—and every night he went to bed disappointed. Committing murder, at least for most people, didn’t come easily, and Gavin understood that Jack would need time to see the inevitability of what had to be done. But time—like Gavin’s patience—was quickly running out.

He had two days until his status hearing and an opportunity to send another text to Jack. It would be more urgent than the first text, more demanding, a message delivered with the nuance of a sledgehammer. After that, Gavin would have a mere twenty-four hours between the status hearing and the omnibus hearing on Thursday. Sadie Vauk had to be gone by then. Gavin needed to make it clear to Jack that if Vauk wasn’t out of the picture by Thursday, there would be consequences.