Page 33 of Live Love Steal
If I could without starting World War Three with his mom, I’d do it in a heartbeat. And if I didn’t have to drop a load a drugs off for a prospect… I chanced a look at Isobel. She was still pretending not to listen in, but she was doing a piss-poor job of pretending. “If your mom lets me, I’ll stop over. But that will be later, once I drop my friend off.”
“Who’s your friend?”
Should I lie? Damn it. I studied Isobel for any hint of what I should say. I mean, it wasn’t like I could tell the truth.
Yet, her “go on” hand gesture indicated just that. “I helped a woman fix her car. And we’re picking it up.” That was very close to the truth.
“Cool.”
His voice sounded weak. “Why don’t you go lie down. I need to talk to your mom.”
His mumble wasn’t reassuring. Sharon got back on the phone.
Isobel wasn’t the only one eavesdropping. “A woman?”
That didn’t deserve a reply. “He doesn’t sound good. Do me a favor and take him in as soon as you get the copay I’m sending you. Okay?”
Her sigh was one of those weary, hard-edged ones that set my teeth on edge. When her sarcastic, “Fine,” sounded, it was as if I were replaying a conversation from four years ago.
“I’ll call you later and see how he’s doing. Would it be okay to stop by to see him?”
“We’ll see. He might be sleeping. You know how he is.”
I did. He was born premature and got sick easily. Once whatever medicine hit, he’d sleep for ungodly long hours. The first few times it worried the fuck out of me. But after talking to the doctor about it and getting reassured that it was normal, I tried not to let it bother me so much. He just needs rest, and he’s getting it. I’d tell myself. And worry just the same.
“But maybe we could talk?”
Oh, hell no, anything but that. “We’ll see. Talk to you later.” I hung up both phones, being certain to leave an addendum on my lawyer’s voicemail about the events. Then sent Sharon the eighty I promised.
My lawyer called me back almost as soon as I pulled back onto the road.
“I listened to your voicemail. What’s the problem?”
“She wanted cash. Five hundred for a copay that was eighty.”
“That doesn’t prove anything, and I couldn’t find much in that call to use for your defense. But I’ll add it to the list.”
I figured as much.
“What about my testimony?” Isobel asked.
“Are you the woman he’s with?”
“Yes.” Isobel rattled off her name and gave my lawyer the details and her impression of the call. Tacking on the end her opinion, rather than sticking to the facts. “She’s a right bitch.”
“Iz,” I warned her.
“While I appreciate your feedback, I can’t use your testimony. I’m afraid the animosity you carry for his ex will taint the evidence.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“It’s reality,” I quickly told Isobel. My reality. The one where my ex was going to get my kid and move him just far enough away that the courts wouldn’t get too pissed off and just far enough away that I’d never see him again.
“It sucks.” Isobel crossed her arms and glared out the window.
I thanked my lawyer for her time and hung up. While I agreed with Isobel, there wasn’t much I could do without screwing everything up. This had to go through legitimately, otherwise I didn’t stand a chance of keeping him. The silence in the car was loud.
So loud, I didn’t notice the cop tailing us until he turned on his lights.
