Page 94 of Call Back

“It is my business if he’s my friend.”

She lifted her eyebrows with a smug smile. “Is he?”

I tried to hide how much her question bothered me. “What does that mean?”

“If you were as smart as I thought you were, you’d know.”

She was trying to get me to turn on Colt, but I wouldn’t let her twist me into knots and sidetrack me. I decided to try a different angle. “Why do you care so much that I find out the truth about my father?”

She looked me up and down, as though deciding whether I deserved an answer. Finally, she said, “I have my reasons.”

“Your reasons.” I picked up the empty plates and took them to the sink. “When you told me that your business is information, I knew I’d have to pay for what I learned.”

“And what is it that you think you’re paying?” she asked in an indignant tone.

That was the scary part. I’d gotten piece after piece of information, and aside from my role in poor Janine’s dismissal, I had yet to pay any price. Which meant I was now beholden to Ava Milton, even if I’d never agreed to any terms.

I opened her dishwasher and began to load it with plates as I rinsed them off.

She stood behind me for several seconds. “Don’t you think of leaving before all of this is cleaned up. Remember that whatever personal plans you may have for later are not my concern.”

I didn’t answer, continuing my task. The angry part of me demanded I walk out, pack up the few belongings I had in my apartment, and never speak to Ava Milton again. But another part of me said to swallow my pride and not rush into a hasty decision. My apartment represented freedom and Ava dangled answers. Was I willing to forsake either?

She turned and left the room, leaving me in uneasy silence.

* * *

A half hour later, I unlocked my apartment door and found Colt still asleep on my sofa.

“Do you have any idea what time it is?” I asked as I shoved his leg.

His body jerked and he lifted his head. “What?”

“It’s twelve fifteen.” I crossed my arms and gave him a disapproving look. “I hope you got enough beauty sleep.”

He sat up and rubbed his eyes. “What are you doing back already? I thought you said you wouldn’t be back until after twelve thirty.”

“The Bible study ended abruptly, which worked in my favor since I couldn’t clean up the kitchen during their meeting like I did last week. This time I had to wait until after.”

“Why did the meeting end abruptly?”

“I could tell you,” I said, plopping into the overstuffed chair. “But then I’d have to kill you.”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny.”

To hell with all her secrecy. “She fired someone.”

He grinned. “You? That would explain why you’re back early.”

“No, I still have my job, which flies in the face of all reason.” I shook my head. “She dismissed one of the women in the Bible study.” I narrowed my eyes. “Did you know that their Bible study consists of reading one Bible verse and the rest of the time is spent gossiping?”

He yawned and stretched his arms over his head. His T-shirt clung to his chest and arm muscles, and his hem lifted enough to show a sliver of skin above his waistline, making my stomach flutter. Dammit. I needed to get control of myself. Thank God I looked away before he noticed.

His grin fell. “You’re not supposed to be talking about what goes on during those meetings, Maggie.”

“Why? What’s the big secret? I have a notebook full of minutes I took, which include such scintillating discussion points as the group’s plan to deliver meals to Ruby Frey for the rest of the week and who had the most beautiful tulip display. Oh!” I exclaimed, as though just remembering it. “And that Janine Cumberland was dismissed in the most humiliating way after offering me information that Ava encouraged me to get.”

“Slow down there,” Colt said, then scrubbed his hand over his face. “What are you talking about?”

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