Page 86 of Always Right

Fuck it.

Everything else could wait.

I had her in my arms and that was all that mattered.

At least for that night, we would forget.

Chapter 31

Hannah

Private Investigator Mark Wilson sat across from Derek, listening intently to everything he said as he looked through photographs and heard about my lengthy history committing fraud against both small businesses and larger ones. It was so matter of fact, it almost seemed like he was talking about someone else...like it wasn’t me.

Although technically maybe it wasn’t me...not anymore.

I wished I could detach myself from that person as easily as he seemed to have forgotten everything she did to hurt him. Mr. Wilson glanced at me from across the living room, unable to hide how well he was studying me...like he couldn’t believe I was truly the person Derek was talking about. He nodded once before sitting back and running a hand through his dark brown curls. He seemed friendly enough, but with the way things were going I didn’t trust him.

I didn’t trust anyone.

“Do you have a list of previous clients for your marketing firm?” He finally asked.

I blinked a couple of times, shocked. How hadn’t it occurred to me to look at the list of clients?

“I have one,” Derek said, forcing a smile as he opened his laptop. My brows furrowed but he placed a hand on my knee, easing my worries. “Evie sent it to me.” His attention returned to the private investigator, handing over another file he’d set to the side. “We also have the police report for the break in at the gallery a few weeks ago. I’ve thought about it and I think it may all be connected.”

I hummed, watching the PI’s face as he skimmed the list Derek had sent on his phone.

“Quite a list, huh? Glad to see you turned your life around.” Derek tensed next to me but didn’t say a word. It wasn’t a backhanded comment, simply the truth. “Is there someone in particular that you think would try to hurt you?”

“I...uh...several of us settled out of court so I don’t think so...” I paused, running a brief list of people through my mind...

There were too many of them and my mind swarmed with all the possibilities. Perhaps it was too far-fetched to think that everyone had joined forces to destroy me but there had to be one...just one...

“Oh my god,” I gasped, standing up with my heart thundering in my chest. “Mark, I can call you Mark, right? Eugene Calvin. Look into Eugene. He—he found me when I worked at your restaurant, Derek, remember? He was so upset...it has to be him.”

I’m glad to see you're still in the game.

Still.

Eugene hated me—I’d cost him his family, cost him his company and reputation. There wasn’t anything he cared more about than his reputation.

“She’s right,” Derek nodded. “He would show up at my restaurant and cause a fucking scene every time she was there.”

Mark smiled as he typed something in on his phone, like he had hit the jackpot.

“Continue to live your life as if you haven’t hired a private investigator,” Mark said, standing up and typing out a text. "I will be following you to see if I notice anyone doing the same thing. In the meantime, get your attorney on board...we’re going to need one when this all boils over.”

The man walked toward the door with resolve, as if he had everything he needed to get this situation under control. I cleared my throat, gaining his attention once more.

“How long is this going to take?” Bile crept up my throat at the thought as I admitted out loud what I feared for the first time. “I don’t feel like time is on our side and we have two daughters and...”

Mark offered a smile...a confident one. “I’m very good at what I do. I’ll have your answers sooner than you think.”

Did I really want to know?

I fell back onto the sofa as Mark closed the door, leaving the house quiet. The girls still slept and though Derek was awake, I could tell he was also flooded by concern. He disappeared into the kitchen and when I heard the door to the backyard close, I knew he needed to be alone.

Just like I did.

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