I sit up a little straighter, ready to listen, but before she starts, I rehash what Detective Sanderson said.
Shaking her head, she lets out a huff. “That's bullshit.”
“I know, and it has me more convinced it was premeditated.”
She sucks in a deep breath, then goes into detail about what happened the night of the accident. Then tells me about Brittany’s SUV being at the deli, the rental car, and how she showed up to work the next day.
“Honestly, she never mentioned what she was driving,” I explain. “I just assumed, but that's an important piece of information to give someone if you’re stranded.”
“Unless she never intended for you to meet her,” Katie mutters. “And it was just a ploy to get you out of town.”
I nod. “At the hospital, I had asked you if she was there because I heard her in my room talking to another man. She listed all the things she had paid him to do and was adamant about wanting me dead. Even threatened that he'd better not fail the next time.”
Katie's eyes are wide, and she nervously chews on her bottom lip. “I'm convinced Loretta has something to do with this. She took twenty thousand out of the bank the same day of the accident. She was nervous and fidgety about the situation, too, and told me she would take care of it. I know what you heard, but I feel like Brittany's the middleman, and Loretta is really calling all the shots.”
I try to take this all into account. “That's a lot of fucking money to be withdrawing at one time.”
“Exactly. Especially in cash because it's not traceable. I don't know what happened to that money unless she delivered it to Brittany to help take care of a problem she was having,” Katie says. “Plus, the way Brittany's always acted around you. The fact that she guilted you into exchanging numbers and has been pushy about you hanging out with her son is odd. I wonder a lot about her motive, especially if she wants you dead. You going directly to her would just make her job easier.”
I let out a deep exhale. “If I can give hard evidence that this was planned, then we have a fighting chance. Right now, it's our word against theirs. I know my aunt, and she won’t go down without a fight.”
“I know. Also, I looked inside Brittany’s SUV at the deli and saw a can of red spray paint on her floorboard. While it's not concrete evidence, it's a link. Honestly, though, I can't seem to shake the way Loretta was acting at the bank. It was awkward.”
I grab her hand and kiss her knuckles. “We're going to get through this, Katie. I promise.”
“We will as long as you stay safe. There have been too many close calls, and I'm worried that something terrible will happen. I love you so much, and I can't lose you again,” she says.
Pulling her close, I can tell she's worried as hell as I slide my lips against hers. “I love you too. I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart. I promise.”
When we break apart, I smile. “They're too stupid to pull this off. Look how many mistakes they've already made. It’s like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are trying to scare me. We just have to ensure you and Owen stay safe, and I don't let my guard down. Justice will be served; I can guarantee you that. With all the attention on what happened and what's been happening, I imagine they’ll lie low for a while to figure out their next move.”
“You're right. A lot of people were talking about the accident today, and news has traveled fast. Oh, I got you shepherd's pie,” she says, changing the subject.
“Really? I haven't had that in forever.”
She grins. “I know. It’s Belinda's famous recipe too.”
As if my stomach understands, it growls. Katie checks the time and sighs. “I should get Owen home. He has homework, then needs to eat dinner and take a bath.”
“Okay, thank you,” I say. “You're too good to me.”
“Just wait and see how good I am to you when you're better,” she teases with a wink.
“Damn,” I say, adjusting myself. “Hopefully, I recover sooner than later.”
Chapter Three
KATIE
I can't believe it's already been a week since Noah's accident. Over the past few days, we've texted and talked as much as we possibly can. Noah's been a lot more angsty and irritable than usual, and I'm worried he's going to overdo it because he’s growing bored. Since he's still recovering, I've tried to keep his mind on other things that don’t involve the accident or work. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't sent him a few scandalous pictures when I got out of the shower last night. The thought has me smirking as I drink my second cup of coffee this morning.
Missy walks by with a lifted eyebrow, and before she can say anything, I shoo her away. As she continues toward the break room, I hear her chuckle. There's never a dull moment when she's around, something I can be grateful for considering the bank is boring most of the time. After I spend an hour on a call explaining interest rates in great detail to a customer, I finally pull my phone out of my desk drawer and see a text from Everleigh.
Everleigh: Brittany just left the boutique, and something is going on with her.
I check the time and saw she sent the message ten minutes ago. Considering it's a Friday and she launched new spring items today, I know she's probably busy. I text her back anyway.
Katie: What happened?
Fifteen minutes pass before she replies, and I swear I checked my phone every thirty seconds.
Everleigh: Sorry, Mrs. Beverly came in here talking my ears off about the weather. Anyway, Brittany was here acting strange. She was being overly nice, almost to the point where it seemed sarcastic. Her eyes were shifty, and she seemed nervous too.
I think back to the way Loretta acted at the bank, and it sounds eerily similar.
Katie: Did she say anything?
Everleigh: She asked if I’d heard from Noah.
I send a tirade of angry face emojis.
Everleigh: There was something venomous about the way she’d look at me, like her mask was melting off her face when I said he was fine and would fully recover.
Katie: It’s because she’s fake as fuck. And really wishes he was dead.
The more I think about this, the more annoyed I become.
Everleigh: Not to mention she tried on fifty different things and bought a key chain. A fucking key chain! It’s like she did that shit on purpose so I’d have to fold and rehang everything even though we’re busy as hell this morning.
Katie: Wow. I’m pissed for you right now.
Everleigh: She better never step foot in here again, or I might punch her in her face. Anyway, I gotta go. Super busy!
Katie: Don’t let her ruin your day! Sell all the things.
Everleigh: Thanks! Margaritas soon…please and thank you.
Katie: Deal!