Page 27 of Trusting Laurence
“Who is it?”
He was glad to see she’d listened to him about not simply opening the door in blind faith that she was safe.
“It’s Larry.”
It took a moment for Tahlia to unlock the door before it swung open and she greeted him with that beautiful smile he loved.
“Laurence, hi. What a lovely surprise. Come in.”
“Hi yourself.” He stepped past her into the living room.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“A cup of coffee would be great, thanks.”
“Certainly. Have a seat, and I’ll be right back.”
Taking a seat on the sofa, Larry checked his phone while he waited for Tahlia to return. There was a missed call from Finn’s number and a text message asking him to call back urgently. With a frown, he dialed his agent’s number. What the hell could be so urgent? The phone was answered before it even had a chance to ring on his side.
“Boss man, I think I might have a lead on our leaky situation. One of my ‘cousins’ thinks he’s got something for me, so I’m heading out for a meet up. Do you want the down low in person onsite, or shall I give you a call this evening?”
“Nah, no point in going back into the office. Besides, might be best to get the down low offsite for now, you know?”
“Yeah, I hear you. I’m flying solo on this one, so if I haven’t checked in by nineteen hundred, I might need a little assistance.”
“Affirmative. Nothing by nineteen hundred, I’ll come looking.”
By the time his call was done, Tahlia had put his cup on the coffee table in front of him.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your company today, Laurence?”
“I need to talk to you. And I prefer doing it in person.”
Tahlia’s expression turned wary. “That sounds rather ominous.”
“It isn’t an easy conversation I need to have with you. But I’m not going to sugarcoat it. You know that’s not my style. I’ve always played it straight with you.”
“Yes, you have. It’s not always been what I wanted to hear, but you were always open and honest with me. So, what is it you need to talk to me about?”
“The other day, when you got the message and the flowers. There have been some developments.”
He watched as she swallowed, not quite able to keep the nervousness off her face. “I’m listening.”
This time it was Larry who swallowed. Cleared his throat. Seeing no way around it, he sighed. “I’ve been in touch with Marcus about the case I’m working on. He knows I have the papers from the safety deposit box; he just doesn’t know I got them from you. After my visit to him, he was badly beaten. Someone didn’t like that he was meeting with a ‘badge’.”
He watched the color drain from Tahlia’s face. Knew he had her attention.
“How does that relate back to the message and the flowers?”
“It doesn’t, directly. But we suspect they are part of the same bigger picture. I’m still investigating how you made it onto their radar since I never told Marcus I got the papers from you. There is, however, a definite connection somewhere. I just need to figure it out.”
“Okay. Where does that leave me?”
“See, now that’s the thing. I think it would be safer for you to go into protective custody.”
Tahlia’s entire body went stiff. Even her expression froze. Right before a fire kindled in her eyes.
“There is no way I am going into protective custody! I am only just getting my life back, Laurence. Reconnecting with my daughter. I am not throwing it all away over this. Not now. If I were to simply disappear again, right now, Madison would never forgive me. No. Absolutely not. You’ll simply have to find another way.”
