“You’d be amazed at the people who’ll help someone like that,” I add, knowing that evil people tend to help each other no matter what the cost to themselves. Rather like a code of honor among thieves.

“So, anyway,” Max adds, seeming to come to the point of his visit. “If I were a betting man, I would say that Lee Jacks knows all about Lia by now.”

His statement does not even vaguely surprise me. It’s something I’ve expected from the moment Max told me what he’d found out about Lia’s past. Asking questions about a man like Jacks was sure to be noticed. “Anything in particular which leads you to that conclusion?”

“I received a call earlier from Mark Wilks, who is one of several attorneys on retainer to Falco Enterprises. He and I play golf on a regular basis, and he wanted to let me know that my interest in Mr. Jacks’ personal life had not gone unnoticed.”

“Was he fishing?” I ask, curious as to why Jacks would choose such an indirect route to me.

“No, not at all. He didn’t ask me any questions. It was just a courtesy call to give me a heads-up. I don’t think Jacks is the type to use his lawyer for something like that.”

I grin, catching his double meaning. “I think we both know you’re more than my lawyer. Besides, I don’t employ people to keep their ears to the ground like Jacks does, as I don’t have as much to hide.”

Max shakes his head. “We’ve all got skeletons in the closet, Luc. Some of them just rattle more than others.”

“True,” I acknowledge his statement before asking, “So, you think it’s only a matter of time before he shows up?”

“You better believe it. If we’re right, then Lia is his only child, at least that I know of. There’s no way he’ll be able to resist seeing her in person.”

“We both knew it was inevitable from the moment we found out. I know his dealings are sometimes questionable, but really, could he be any worse than her mother?”

“I don’t know, Luc,” Max answers honestly. “He does maintain close ties with his brother, so obviously family means something to him. I don’t think he’ll approach Lia without coming to you first. You two are acquaintances. I figure he will want to feel you out before going to Lia. I have to believe he’s as fucking blown away by this turn of events as we are.”

“What makes you think he hasn’t known about her all along?” I ask, hoping to Hell I’m wrong. The last thing Lia needs is another parent who has failed her.

“It’s possible,” Max admits. “But from what I know about him, it’s not probable. No matter what he is, I don’t see him leaving a daughter in the situation Lia was in. Lee isn’t the type of man to let someone else mess with his possessions.”

I’m inclined to agree with Max’s assessment. Regardless of whether his dealings are legal, not legal, or strictly in the grey, Jacks is an accepted and sought-after member of Asheville society. He’d never leave a scandal like that to come back to haunt him later. If Lia is his daughter and he knew about her, either she’d have lived with him or he would have sent her somewhere far away. He would have never left her here right under everyone’s nose for someone to stumble across at an inconvenient time. He’s not a stupid man. Although, the argument could be made that he must have had a severe lapse in judgment at least once in his life. A relationship with Maria Adams is enough to make me shudder. It’s hard to imagine that the bitch could have been that much different then.

“We’ll see what comes of it,” I finally say. I fight the urge to light another cigarette while I process his news. I’ve been gone a while, and I need to get back to Lia. I can’t imagine what she must think at the abrupt way I left. I feel like it will be easier for her to talk to the police about what happened to her without me present, but I need to be close in case she needs me. If I’m truthful with myself, I’ll admit that I’m afraid I’ll have a hard time dealing with it, as well. The thoughts of anyone touching her makes me violent. I’ve never been this possessive of a woman before, certainly not of Cassie, and it’s more than a little disconcerting. “Let’s go back in.” I wave Max forward.

I don’t miss the look of relief that crosses Lia’s expressive face when I walk into the room. I cross to her immediately, blocking the view of everyone in the room as I stop next to her bed. “Okay?” I ask, probing her tense expression. She nods just once, but looks so grateful to see me that I immediately feel guilty for leaving her. “I’m here, baby,” I assure her before settling into the chair on the other side of her bed and rubbing her leg soothingly.

The police detective is obviously still dressed for an evening out.. If I were a little more juvenile, I would give Max a thumbs-up because Carly Michaels is a very attractive woman, and if the form-fitting black dress she’s wearing is any indication, she looks just as good under her clothing. Who in the hell am I kidding; I’ll comment on it to him for sure the next time we’re alone.

“Miss Adams…Lia, I know this is hard, but let’s go over it one more time from the top. If you don’t have any objections, I’ll record your statement this time. I’m sorry to put you through this again, but I’ve found that sometimes things are clearer after you’ve had time to reflect on your initial memories of the event.”

When Lia’s eyes fly to me as if concerned by my presence, I say, “Honey, I can step out in the hallway if it’ll be easier for you?”

She looks conflicted for a moment before saying, “Please, don’t leave. I want you here, just…”

I know what she is trying to say. She’s afraid that what I hear will change how I feel about her. It’s likely to tear me apart and infuriate me all to Hell, but it won’t make me walk away. She doesn’t realize the hold she has over me; even I don’t understand it. I never intended to be in this kind of position again, especially with someone just as damaged as I am. Nevertheless, Lia became a part of me before I even knew what was happening. I can no more cut her from my life and survive than I can stop breathing. “It won’t change anything,” I reassure her while bracing myself for her story. Max excuses himself from the room, not wanting to make Lia more uncomfortable.

“All right, Lia, I’m ready,” Carly says as she lays a recorder on the bedside table. “Just take your time and go from the top, please.”