Trail of Secrets(52)

                                      EIGHT

                Seth had barely said anything to her ever since they’d left the mission, and Callie was beginning to wonder if he was truly upset over her suggestion. She studied his profile out of the corner of her eye as they entered the building that housed the District Attorney’s offices and took the elevator to the third floor.

                When they stepped off the elevator, Callie could hold her tongue no longer. She stopped in the hallway and put her hand on Seth’s arm. “Is something wrong? You’ve been way too quiet.”

                He shook his head. “What you said back there about volunteering has gotten me thinking. I shouldn’t bring you into this investigation. It’s dangerous, and you’re not used to dealing with situations like this. I can’t run the risk of your getting hurt. How could I explain that to Dan?”

                She sighed and shook her head. “Seth, we’re never going to find out anything if you keep trying to protect me. I feel like we’re on the verge of discovering something that may lead to some answers, and we have to go forward. I’m willing for you to take the lead, but I want to be there with you.”

                He looked at her, then pointed down the hallway. “Behind the doors down this hallway are the assistant D.A.s I work with all the time. I have never brought a person who has a special interest in a crime to a meeting before. I don’t think Ms. Dalton will want you in there when I see her.”

                “I can understand that. Why don’t I wait outside in the hall? I see a bench against the wall down there, and I can sit there while you’re inside with her.”

                “You’d be willing to do that?”

                She laughed. “Of course I would. I want to do whatever it takes to find out some answers.”

                “Then that’s settled. Let’s go.”

                At that moment another elevator door opened, and a woman who appeared to be her mid-thirties stepped off. She wore a black skirt with a matching jacket, and her blond hair was pulled into a bun at the back of her head. Small-framed glasses perched on the end of her nose. She smiled when she saw Seth. “Detective Dawtry, how are you today?”

                “I’m good. In fact, I’m here to see you.” Her gaze swept Callie, and he nodded in her direction. “Abby Dalton, this is Judge Lattimer’s niece, Callie.”

                Her eyes darkened, and she stuck her hand out. “I was so sorry to hear about your uncle. How is he?”

                Callie grasped her hand and shook it. “He’s holding his own.”

                “Good.” She turned back to Seth. “You wanted to see me?”

                “Yes. Could we talk in your office?”

                “Sure.” She darted a glance at Callie.

                Callie pointed to the bench she’d mentioned earlier. “You two go on. I’ll wait here for you, Seth. It was nice to meet you, Ms. Dalton.”

                “And you, Callie. I’m praying for your uncle’s recovery.”

                “Thank you.”

                Callie sank down on the bench as Seth and Abby disappeared into her office. How she wished she could be a fly on the wall and hear what they would say, but she knew she had done the right thing. Seth needed to follow police regulations, and having a victim of a crime present while he was talking with the District Attorney’s office might have raised some red flags. Still, she wished she could have been in there. She sighed and settled back on the bench.