Page 64 of Blackmail of a Billionaire

After another tense hour, Mitchell popped into the room.

Grant stretched his neck as he shifted in his seat. “Where have you been? I’ve got to get out of here.”

“Has something happened? Did they question you without me present?”

“No,” Grant growled, his fist clenching. “That doctor let himself in to have a conversation with me. There’s something else going on here Mitchell. We need to check into his background. There’s something personal going on here, I think.”

“I’ll make a note to look into it. On the other front, they’re getting the paperwork completed for your release. Charges are still pending, but you’re free to go. Julia came through for you again.”

Grant raised his eyebrows, prodding for more.

“She gave yet another award-winning statement on your behalf, refuting everything the doctor claimed and confirming he threw the first punch.”

“Is she okay?”

Mitchell settled into the seat across from him. “She’s understandably upset but weathering the storm as usual.”

Grant heaved a sigh, scrubbing his face. He needed to get to Julia, though he dreaded the conversation. Would he find her packing her bags? “How much longer is this going to take?”

“You know they aren’t going to hurry.”

Grant let his head fall back between his shoulder blades.

“She’ll be there when you get home, Grant. She was on her way back to Harrington House when I left her. She offered to stay and wait for you, but I thought you’d prefer her to be home.”

“Yes, you’re right, Mitchell.”

They waited another tense twenty minutes before the handcuffs were finally removed, and Grant walked free of the police station.

He stepped out of the police station as the sun dipped low, casting elongated shadows that stretched across the concrete like dark fingers. The city’s evening sounds, a blend of traffic and the hum of life, resonated with his turbulent thoughts. “Thanks, Mitchell.”

“I’ll look into this Kyle Carter and see what I can find. We’ll be in touch.”

Grant nodded at him before they parted ways. Grant strode through the streets toward the Magnolia Grand where his car still sat. He’d had so much hope for their lunch this afternoon, and now he dreaded their next conversation. Had the doctor managed to plant any seeds of doubt into her mind?

He drummed his fingers against his thigh as he waited for his car to be brought around. The Mercedes finally appeared, and he slipped behind the wheel. The supple leather of the seat surrounded him and the engine roared as he aimed for home. The status symbol used to bring him comfort, but it no longer did.

Instead, his drive home was overshadowed by the looming conversation. The disagreement this morning now seemed trivial compared to the current chasm. The thought of untangling the mess Kyle had created left him gripping his steering wheel with white knuckles.

Warm lights illuminated the sprawling mansion as he approached it, though it never looked so cold as it did tonight. He eased the car to a stop outside the front door before he let himself inside. A pall hung over the house, making it empty and silent. A momentary panicked thought dashed through his mind as he wondered if Julia had already packed up and left.

His eyes lingered at the top of the stairs, hoping to see her appear, but not wanting to begin the conversation with her.

Worthington hurried into the foyer, his voice hushed. “Mr. Harrington, so very good to have you home.”

Grant couldn’t hold back the disappointment in his voice over the latest debacle. “I assume you heard.”

Worthington followed him into his private office. Grant stalked straight to the drink cart, dropping a few ice cubes into a tumbler before he splashed bourbon over them.

“I did, sir, yes. An unfortunate incident, to be certain.”

Grant stalked to his desk, staring down at the envelope containing the photograph of Julia. Had Kyle sent it? Was it he who had made the phone call?

“Is Julia…” He couldn’t finish the statement, not certain he wanted the answer.

“Mrs. Harrington is upstairs resting. The incident seems to have taken a bit of a toll.”

Grant snapped his eyes up to the man. “A toll? Is she okay?”

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