Page 8 of The Billionaire's Commitment

“But it isn’t a confession. Even if what Mr. Blackwell says is true, there is no way to prove it and no way to bring Mr. Denton in on the charges. It is just hearsay. I’m not even sure if he has any proof or he is just saying it. His proof might be what he heard Mr. Denton say,” I said.

“It gives us more than we had two hours ago. Do you think Blackwell would be willing to talk to us?” Logan asked.

“I have no idea. Why would he? I don’t mean to be rude, but he’s going to ask what is in it for him,” I said.

“There is the reward for information that could lead to Lauren’s killer. That might entice him. We have a guy who’s working with us on the investigation who owns a private security firm. He has connections to the NYPD, as does Amber. If we have any credible information, we can bring it to them and see if we can get him a reduced sentence,” Logan said.

“The money might be enough. There’s no guarantee he’s telling the truth. I don’t want to get your hopes up. He might tell you what you want to hear just to get the money or to try and get a reduced sentence.”

“You aren’t. This is a lead, and we will know how to talk to him and get the information we need,” Eric said.

I shivered at his statement, and Grace let out a short laugh. “He didn’t mean they’re going to waterboard him. Sean has an excellent interrogator who will be able to question Mr. Blackwell if he’s willing and see what information he has and how credible it is,” Grace said.

“Oh, okay.”

“Thank you for the information. Can we get you another drink?” Eric asked.

He wasn’t exactly dismissing me, but I could tell I had given them all the information I could, and there wasn’t anything more to say. He was trying to be friendly by asking me to stay.

“No. I should get going. If you need anything, Amber knows how to get a hold of me,” I said as I slid off the barstool.

I had wanted to stay, and I should have taken the offer of another beer. I wasn’t one to drink much, the one was already going to my head, and I didn’t have enough courage to ask for something non-alcoholic. Plus, I could imagine they all wanted to talk about what I had said without me being there.

“How much do I owe you for the beer?” I asked and reached for my purse.

“On me. Don’t worry about it. My thanks for coming in,” Eric said.

“That is kind of you,” I said.

“It’s nothing.”

“You’re welcome here anytime,” Logan said.

“I work here most days in the afternoons or evenings. I would love to tell you about New York and give you some hints about places to go,” Grace said.

“We still have that dinner date,” Amber said.

“Date? Are you cheating on me?” Logan teased.

“You wish,” Amber said and patted Logan affectionately on the cheek.

They were all being so kind. It made me feel like I could come back and see them again, and I wanted to. I looked over at Brody to see what, if anything, he was going to say, but he wouldn’t look at me. I don’t know what I was expecting from him, but the cold shoulder wasn’t it.

“Thanks for the offers. Have a good night.” I waved to them and walked towards the door.

“Wait. We’ll get you a cab,” Logan said.

“That isn’t necessary,” I said, but he was already pushing Brody towards me and the door.

“Brody will get that for you. We insist,” Logan said with a smile as he looked at Brody.

I had two older brothers, and I knew when someone was telling me to do something for my own good and I needed to accept it. Arguing would only make me lose time and the argument. I didn’t look at Brody as I was sure he was just as excited about having to catch me a cab as I was having him do it.

We didn’t speak as we walked outside, and I looked down the street to see if there were any cabs. I didn’t see any and then stepped back. Brody did the same, but when he didn’t see any, he walked backwards until he could see the cars coming down the street and me.

I thought he was going to say something about how we knew each other. I thought he would ask how my family was or how long I had been in the city. Maybe say something about how crazy it was that I had come into his bar of all bars. Something that would tell me he knew me and the past that we shared. When the moment stretched on and he didn’t say anything, I crossed my arms over my chest and said, “You don’t have to do this. I’m more than capable of getting my own cab.”

“I’m sure you are, but we have a thing about letting women walk out of our bar alone at night. Considering what happened to Lauren, I would think you would understand,” Brody said. He still didn’t look at me but was eying the street as if he could conjure up a cab.

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