Page 24 of Dead and a Best Friend
"Oh, God," I snickered, then remembered my headache. “When I’m out of here, perhaps you’d come by the café and see me?”
“I’d like that.” He took out a business card and slipped it into my hand. “Call me anytime.”
"When I find my phone, I'll text you, so you have my number. I have a feeling I'm going to want to talk to you about this weird head thing."
"Take care of yourself, Tallulah."
"Thank you, Riley."
He smiled. "The name's Levi." He winked and left.
"Are you sure you're comfortable?"Carlisle asked, fluffing my cushions, and adjusting the throw blanket.
"I'm fine. I'm just glad to be home. My head and face don't hurt as much now." I smiled and patted his hand.
"I wish you had let me take you to the hotel or the house. You'd be safer there."
"Angel has the money. There's no reason for him to come after me. I just need some peace and quiet to rest. My apartment is the perfect place for that."
Carlisle nodded. "I need to go get some work done. Are you?—"
"Stop!" I said exasperatedly. "You're irritating me now."
"Okay," he said sheepishly. "I'll go to work and leave you in peace."
"Thank you." He crouched down, hovered, and then pressed a soft kiss to my mouth. "Are we okay, Tallulah?"
"As long as you don't visit Jane again or talk to her, we're fine."
His eyes flitted away from my face; his guilt was evident.
"Seriously?" I snapped. "When did you see her?"
He stood up. "I might as well tell you because Oliver will tell you anyway. I was there when you got hurt." He shot me a glare. "I told you she knows things about my business. I have to make sure she doesn't spill the beans."
"You said you would take care of it by paying for her attorney. You didn't mention visiting her multiple times." I paused. "You better not get her out of jail." I narrowed my eyes. "I mean it, Carlisle. She belongs in jail, and I will never forgive you if she walks free because of your fancy lawyer."
"Goddamn it, Tallulah. I might not have a choice if it means keeping her quiet."
"Don't get annoyed with me! This is your mess. You know she belongs in prison." I huffed out a breath. "Since you're angry with me, I might as well tell you that I want you to hand over the money you have from Aiden—or whoever it belongs to—to the sheriff's office. That is not negotiable."
I glanced his way, and his face was tight with anger. "I'm going to leave before I say something I can't take back." With that, he strode from the room, his anger evident in every tense muscle.
His heavy feet pounded downstairs, and then I heard the secure door at the bottom engage. I rested my head against the back of the sofa, wondering how I had gotten tangled up with Carlisle Hallen.
The café buzzedwith news that the man known as Angel had been tied up like a Thanksgiving turkey and left on the steps of City Hall. There were two million dollars in bags around him.
I hadn't heard from Carlisle since yesterday, but I knew he must have planned it. Hegarty had undoubtedly caught up with Angel.
Pen watched the commotion at City Hall from the corner of the café as more reporters gathered. I was only interested in the outcome because I knew Pen would be fine with Angel locked up. In a few minutes, Angel, along with Aiden and Jane, where going to be transferred to a more secure facility until their trials.
My friend sipped her decaf latte, but she wasn't enjoying it. She wasn't enjoying much of anything at the moment. I wondered where Jessop had gone. I thought he had gone after Pen when he left the hospital, but she hadn't seen him. Yes, I confessed, I told him everything. Thank goodness she was okaywith that. Of course, I didn’t mention the bundle of joy that belonged to him growing inside Penelope.
Something was off, though. Where did Aiden get two million dollars?
A lightbulb moment hit me. Carlisle had the money. Had he had it all along? Or did Aiden have it, and did Carlisle know where it was because they were working together? I shook my head, trying to rid myself of all the mistrust I felt toward Carlisle. Surely, he wouldn't be working with Aiden. But was he? Carlisle was involved in many things in this town and beyond, so it made sense that he knew what Aiden had been doing. I knew Carlisle didn't know Aiden had killed his sister because I had a feeling Carlisle would have killed Aiden rather than work with him. Should I talk to Oliver about my suspicions? I wanted to protect Carlisle, but how could I if he was working with Aiden and Jane? I must be wrong about this. I had to be.
Pen moved over to where I was pondering everything. "I will never get used to decaf," she complained quietly. So far, I was the only one who knew she was pregnant. I hoped she would tell Jessop soon.
