Diabolical (Shaye Archer Series Book 3) Read Free

it was a good idea either.
    But if it worked…

    * * *
    P ierce Archer , in his custom-tailored suit and wearing a watch that probably cost more than her car, looked out of place sitting in a lawn chair in Corrine’s backyard. But Corrine had insisted on getting some sunlight and air, so if her father wanted to continue harping at her, then he was going to have to do it on the patio.
    “I spoke with Police Chief Bernard and the medical examiner yesterday,” he said, “and let them both know that if anything about that despicable woman who gave birth to Shaye or that insane man who sold her leaks to the public, then I’ll have all their jobs.”
    Corrine closed her eyes and silently asked forgiveness for her father’s complete lack of manners. On a normal basis, Pierce didn’t use his considerable wealth or his position as a state senator to manipulate or threaten people, but when it came to Corrine and Shaye, the lines of propriety blurred. She opened her eyes again and stared at him.
    “Why would you do that?” she asked. “You know as well as I do that it only takes one person looking to make a quick buck for things like that to get out. We’re not the Kennedys, but in New Orleans, we may as well be.”
    “Damn people are always looking for an easy way to get rich. This is my family. I’m not going to have the Archer name bandied about like a Kardashian.”
    “It’s not the same, and you know it. None of us have done anything to cause the talk, and Shaye can hardly control what was done to her. Do you think people will blame her for what happened? I know you don’t think highly of mankind in general, but that’s a stretch, even for you.”
    Pierce ran his hand through his hair, clearly agitated. That wasn’t unusual. Things outside his control always frustrated Pierce. “How is Shaye? I don’t want this to affect her.”
    “You may as well wish for unicorns then, because I don’t see how it’s possible for her to remain unaffected. It affects all of us. She’s just got the worst end of it.”
    “And you. If she bleeds, so do you.”
    “That’s true.”
    “What can I do? Let me send the two of you away for a while. I saw a place the last time I was in Italy. A small castle. I’ll buy it and the two of you can go there for a few months and take in the culture, pick out drapes, whatever.”
    Corrine held in a sigh. Her father held fast to the belief that money could fix anything and refused to think differently, even though all his money hadn’t been able to prevent her mother from dying.
    “I don’t think a vacation will fix this,” she said. “Not even one that includes a castle.”
    “I’m not trying to fix anything. That’s Eleonore’s department. I’m trying to get the two of you out of Louisiana and away from talk.”
    “I can’t just leave my job for a couple of months to gallivant around Italy. We’re already shorthanded, and my being out has already put cases even further behind.”
    Pierce threw his hands in the air. “You were attacked by a psycho while doing that job. I will never understand why you insisted on being a social worker in the first place, but then you compound the first bad decision by putting yourself in such risky positions on top of it. You’re not average people, Corrine. No matter how much you’d like to convince others that you are.”
    Corrine frowned. She was well aware she wasn’t average people. If the mansion she lived in wasn’t enough proof, the private security guards parked in front of her gate, courtesy of her father, were a clear indication. Corrine wasn’t obtuse. She knew people treated her differently because of who her father was, but that didn’t mean she had to act special just because people tried to treat her that way.
    “I’m not taking off work,” Corrine said, “and that’s final. I’ve missed enough already, and I’m looking forward to going back in another week. But if you want to try to tempt Shaye with your castle