Page 40 of Cause and Effect

“Have fun. Don’t forget golf tomorrow morning at eight a.m.”

“I haven’t.” He smirked. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Don’t forget to wrap it up tight tonight,” I shouted as he walked away.

“I always do.”

After finishing a few laps, I climbed out of the pool and dried off. Sitting in the lounge chair, drinking my beer, my phone rang.

“Good evening, Liza. To what do I owe the pleasure on this beautiful Friday night.”

“Good evening, Julian. I just wanted to inform you that some charges were found on Georgina Bennett’s credit card.”

“What charges?”

“A charge for two hotel rooms the night her husband was murdered. We also found an offshore account for ten million dollars in her name. Things are looking bleaker for your client, Julian. I’m ready to offer a deal.”

“She didn’t do it, Liza. There will be no deal. We’re going to trial.”

“Suit yourself, Julian. Enjoy the rest of your night.”

“Yeah. You too.”

I ended the call. “Shit!” I shouted. Dialing Laurel, it went straight to voicemail.

I went inside, flew up the stairs, and changed into some clothes. Grabbing my keys, I climbed into my car and tried to call Laurel again. It went straight to voicemail again. I knew her girls were back, and she’d be home. I pulled into her driveway, next to her car, walked up to the porch, and heard music and singing from inside. Ringing the doorbell, I stood and waited. There was no answer, so I knocked. Again, no answer. Placing my hand on the handle, I slowly turned it, and the door opened. Stepping inside, Laurel and the girls were singing and dancing to Cry to Me by Solomon Burke in the living room. Stella saw me and covered her mouth. I brought my finger to my lips, gesturing for her not to alert Laurel that I was there as I stood and watched the four of them having fun.

Laurel turned, saw me, and placed her hand on her heart.

“Julian? What are you doing here?” She grabbed theremote from the coffee table and turned the music off. “You scared the hell out of me!”

“Sorry about that. I rang the doorbell and knocked. You didn’t hear me, and the door was unlocked. You four can dance.” I grinned.

“So, you just walk into people’s homes unannounced? Why didn’t you call me first?”

“I tried several times, but your phone keeps going straight to voicemail.”

“It’s dead, Mom.” Sophie picked up Laurel’s phone and handed it to her.

“Oh. I guess it is,” Laurel said. “Girls, say hello to Julian and then go upstairs.”

“Hi, Julian,” all three spoke together.

“Hello, girls.”

“Why is your hair wet?” Laurel asked.

“I was swimming in the pool before I came over.”

“You have a pool?” Stella’s eyes widened.

“I do.”

“Can we come over and swim in it?” Sara asked.

“Uh—”

“Girls, go upstairs while Julian and I talk.”

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