Trusting Danger (Danger, #2)(66)

Leah squeezed Claire’s hand, then pulled hers back to swipe at her eyes. When she seemed more in control of herself, Claire continued.

“He’s no hardened criminal, but the people he works for . . . those are the ones who need to be behind bars. And if we can convince Chris to help himself, to agree to give the prosecutor information about who he works for in exchange for his own freedom, we’ll have managed to do two good things. If we can do that, maybe we’ll keep someone else’s brother from going down the same path as yours.”

Blinking hard, Leah gave Claire a tremulous smile. “You’re right. It’s our job to help Chris, and if what we do helps put some of those scumbag drug dealers out of business, all the better.”

Smiling back, Claire said, “Absolutely. Let’s go do our job.”

Following Leah to the conference room, Claire smiled as they passed Alex standing post outside the door. Professor Moore was already there when they entered the room, scowling as she flipped through the pages of her notepad.

Claire’s anxiety rose as she took a seat. Why did Professor Moore look so irritated?

She didn’t have to wait long to find out. Before she’d even pulled her own pad from her tote, Professor Moore skewered her with an angry look.

“The prosecutor called to let me know about the new deal.”

Claire frowned at her. “What deal?”

Leah’s head jerked up from her notes, her eyes wide. “There’s a deal?”

Ignoring Leah, Professor Moore rolled her eyes. “Don’t play dumb, Miss Parker. You arranged it.”

Claire’s heart pounded inside her chest. “No. I didn’t.”

The professor threw a hand in the air. “Then your father did. That’s not the point. What I need to know is why you didn’t share this little development with me.”

Trying not to let the accusation rattle her, Claire pulled in a steadying breath. “Because I have no idea what you’re talking about. Honestly.”

But as the words left her mouth, something clicked. Whatever deal Professor Moore was talking about . . . could Grayson have played a role?

“I have a friend who works for the government,” she said slowly, considering. “I mentioned the case to him. It’s possible he got involved.”

“I see.” The professor studied her for a moment before her expression softened. “I saw the interview, Miss Parker . . . Claire. I’m sorry for what happened to you.”

“Me too,” Leah said. “I had no idea.”

Claire twisted her hands in her lap. “I wish I could have been up front with you both—”

“I understand now why you disappeared for a while,” Professor Moore said, giving her an abashed look. “I got the messages sent on your behalf, but it all seemed so strange. I just wish you could have told me.”

“Thank you.”

Leah’s gaze went from Professor Moore to Claire and then back again. “Clue me in, please. What is it the prosecutor is offering?”

“They’re willing to go along with the suspended sentence,” Professor Moore said. “This is a huge gift for Chris. I hope he’ll realize how lucky he is.”

Their client was escorted into the room several minutes later and drew in a sharp breath once he was told the news. “Man, I can’t believe this.”

“You’ll be remanded into custody if anything else happens,” Professor Moore warned.

“He’s going to be good,” Claire said.

Chris’s head snapped around and he stared at her in amazement. Then, for the first time in any of their meetings, Chris smiled. The sight of it spread warmth through Claire’s chest.

The boy was going to have his second chance, and she was going to keep an eye on him. He wouldn’t get back into dealing. Not on her watch.

The meeting quickly wrapped up, and once Claire and Leah were left alone inside the conference room, Leah said, “Never in a million years would I have expected that turn of events.”

“Me either.”

“You really are connected, Claire.” Leah raised a brow. “Was it Grayson who did this?”

“Probably.”

Leah looked toward the door. “Looks like you have a new guy now. Where’s Grayson?”

Claire tried to ignore the curiosity on her friend’s face. “He’s not guarding me anymore.”

Normally, she’d have told Leah what had happened between her and Grayson, but with Leah’s blatant interest, it was best to keep things to herself.

Leah swung around to study Claire. “Why isn’t he guarding you?”

“They assigned me someone else.”

“The other hottie I saw.” A frown crossed Leah’s face as her brain spun. “Wait. Did something happen between you and Grayson?”

Claire avoided her eyes, focusing on returning her pad and pen to her tote.

“Oh my God! Did you guys hook up?”

“Leah . . .” Claire let out an exasperated sigh.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Claire shrugged.

“I’m sorry about the other day,” Leah said. “Seriously. I would never have flirted with him if I’d known something was going on.”

“There isn’t anything going on between Grayson and me.”