Chapter 4
"I thought she was dealing drugs or prostituting, not the best friend of a model," Fin replied in annoyance. Since the second he walked into the office, he hadn't heard the end of Egypt and Shayne. Everyone was talking about them. And he couldn't escape from it.
"You should give your daughter more credit, Detective Tutuola," Shayne said from behind him. "And you should know her a little better before you start assuming stuff like that too. Really, to be honest, she's one of the best kids I've ever see, especially one with a cop for a dad." She grinned a bit snottily and tossed Elliot a file. "Mom said you wanted all the names of photographers, models, managers, all that that I've worked with for the past few months. It's all in there. Pictures included."
Elliot glanced through the pictures for a moment. "Who's this?" he asked, pointing to a tall man.
"Oh, that's William, my bodyguard," she answered. She caught Elliot's look and her grin widened. "Dad's idea. He's my bodyguard when he's home. When he's not, Will is. Anyway, he's been checked out by my dad already. You don't even have to run a background check on him. Dad could give you his whole life in a file. Talk about a stalker."
"When Egypt was raped, where did she go?" Fin asked thoughtfully.
Shayne glanced back at him. "Take a guess."
"Her boyfriend's?"
"No. She came to my house. That's where she always is when she's not out with friends or at your place or her mom's. She has her own room there and she feels safe there. Believe it or not, her boyfriend's really a great guy."
"That's what I hear about Nick," Fin said quietly.
"Really? Run a background check on him yet? Making sure Egypt stays away from a convicted speeder, right? Yeah, that's useful for cops. Really. No joking. You know, Detective Tutuola, Egypt really does try to win your approval and you go accusing her of being a fucking whore. No wonder she hates you. I don't blame her. And no good dad would freak out so much in front of her boyfriend like you did. And I'm sure you'll be glad to know that they broke up and Egypt is going to the doctor for antidepressants today. Aren't you happy about that? Yeah, thought you would be." Shayne stood quickly. "I'm off to work. The address is in the file somewhere if you need me."
"Shayne!" Egypt yelled, running in.
"What? Did you get the beer for tonight?"
"Yeah, and a really awesome dress. Totally amazing idea about the party. Did you invite that one model guy?"
"Yes, but he says he might not be able to come. But he's in my shoot today so you're coming, right?"
"Yeah, and your dad is too. He's out in the car. Signing autographs again, I think."
Shayne laughed. "We're off now to go get drugs," she told Fin and walked off with an arm around Egypt.
"Wait a minute. How did you buy beer if you're both under age?" Fin asked.
Shayne laughed, exchanging a glance with Egypt. "Actually, we didn't. My dad did. And you're free to ask him or go ask the store. Egypt was just in with him. God. Talk about jumping to conclusions."
"We need to talk to your dad," Elliot called before Shayne could leave.
"Why? Do you think I wouldn't recognize my own dad if he raped me? Am I really that stupid looking? So first Nick raped me, now my dad raped me... You said everyone is a suspect until proven innocent. So why are you guys not investigating each other, especially Detective Tutuola! Motive's piling up and it's all aiming towards me and he hates me, which he's made damn obvious."
"I don't even know you."
"Really? Well, you don't know your daughter either, do you?"
Egypt looked away from Fin in what seemed like embarrassment. "Come on, Shayne. Let's go. He doesn't care. Let's just leave," she whispered.
"Yeah, we will. After I say this: I made the threat already. If you dare to even suggest my dad raped me, you'll get a law suite like nothing else. And if you ruin my friends, my family, me, or anyone else near me, you will never get out of the whole I'll put you in. From this second on, if you even think about hurting my family or my friends, you'll learn the real meaning of money, especially when I take it all away from you. Okay? And Detective Tutuola, don't pretend to care when you're at work because you know you don't. You don't care for Egypt. I love her more than you do and my parents love her more than you do. If she really felt like you cared, why did she come to me about being raped? Think about it and get back to me." Shayne slapped his back with a cool smile and left quickly, arm around Egypt.