As You Were

11. Claim Another

Fresh air felt better than it ever had as Dahlia took her first steps out of the jail as a free woman. The lawyer that Evie had left her with had assured her that she would get her out, and Dahlia had no doubts. Her old friend really wanted the information she had, and she knew that was a powerful bargaining chip. Still, even Dahlia had a heart and she couldn't help but to feel a little guilty for having to use it. Normally she would never have given me up like that, but there was no other way she could see to get Evie to help her out. And Evie was her only chance. It was simple mathematics above and beyond that.

Because she'd been arrested so unexpectedly she had been confined without any means to get home. She didn't have her cellphone on her, and the only thing that was brought in with her—the twenty nestled in her bosoms—had been confiscated as part of her booking fee. At least she had her heels for comfort her as she clicked along, looking just as good as she had when she'd went it. However Dahlia didn't get too far before she paused, smelling something familiar in the air. Annoyed, she put her hands to her hips as she continued to inhale the stench of the cigarette.

"You can come on out, don't make me wait all day." Dahlia chimed, not turning as Conley emerged behind her from around the corner.

"Ms. Weiss, I was just out here enjoying the fresh air. What a surprise it is to see you here, and not in handcuffs I might add." The detective smiled as if he had done nothing wrong, but she didn't see.

"What can I say? Can't keep a bad girl down." She nipped and clawed through the air for effect, giving him a glance over her shoulder before continuing on her way.

"Don't tell me you plan to walk all the way back to your bar? Why, your feet might blister and fall off, or, or, you might run into the murderer and he might kill you." Conley frowned, nodding empathetically.

"I can handle my own." Dahlia laughed slightly, content to play their game the way they always had. But she still hadn't forgotten.

"No, no, no, let me give you a ride, I insist." Now the detective had a cheesy grin as he beckoned for her to follow him.

"I couldn't, but that's so sweet of you." Returning his large grin with one of her own, she kept right on walking.

"Don't be so stubborn now, Dahlia." Conley teased her, still in jest. She turned, just in time for him to smile again, ear to ear. With a sigh she made her way over to where he was, slowly, so that he wouldn't get the grand idea that he had won. She decided that she would go with him—not only because it was a free ride that would inevitably save her much trouble, but also because it was the perfect opportunity to do a little bit of digging. Conley would pay for trying to get Dahlia put away, he would learn a valuable lesson that he would never forget. This was a good time to begin.

"Let's not waste any time," she told him, following him as he led her to his car, opening the door for her before she could do it for herself. "And they say chivalry is dead." When she was secured in her seat Conley went around to the driver side and got in, wasting no time as they pulled out and started on the way. Dahlia tried to decide the best way to begin, and settled on making obvious, amused glances at the detective for the time being.

"I must admit I am curious. How is that you managed to weasel your way out of my charges, they were bulletproof." Conley finally asked, knowing also that she didn't have her phone on her. They were safe in here, secure, and it would be her word against his—perfect time for some straight talk.

"Maybe back under whatever rock it is that you crawled out from. This is New York, sweetheart, you're going to have to try a lot better than that." She smiled, not cocky, but just a smile. "You know what we have a lot of around here? Lawyers. And with all the money in the world you can buy the best one."