“So…where does that leave us?”
“Well, let me ask you a hypothetical question…Say we were walking down the sidewalk, and we had to cross the street. The little guy on the crosswalk sign is white and we’re good to cross the road. Then…a massive bear comes strutting down the street.”
I laughed at his change in the story. “A massive bear?”
“Well, we do live in a small town. It’s possible.”
“Ah.”
“Anyway, this massive bear comes out of nowhere and neither of us have a weapon. Me, being the big, strong hero, I try to save you. I yell at the bear and try to distract it so you can get away. Do you run for help and hope you get back in time, or do you stand there and watch while I get torn to shreds by the bear?”
I swallowed hard and stepped forward, sliding my arms around his waist. “Option three. I push you out of the way and get eaten by the bear so that you can live.”
His eyes flared and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “That’s a pretty stupid thing to do.”
“I’d rather get eaten by the bear than either of the other two options,” I whispered.
“That’s a pretty fucking perfect answer,” he said as his lips crashed down on mine. I slid my hand up the nape of his neck and ran my fingers through his hair. It didn’t matter if he had secrets right now. It didn’t matter if I had them. We both wanted each other, and I would accept that until the time that I had to tell him everything.
He pulled back, his brows furrowing. “I think both of us need to take out a life insurance policy.”
“For what?” I asked in confusion.
“For all the bears and cars that are about to attack us.”
“Can you give me just a minute?” I asked Andrew, extracting myself from the comforter. Callum was calling and I needed to answer.
“Sure, but don’t take too long. I’m not done with you yet.”
I leaned over and kissed him, then took my phone into the hallway, shutting the door behind me. The phone had stopped ringing by now, so I called him back, anxiously awaiting what he had to say.
“Lorelei, I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for two days.”
“Really? I didn’t get any calls,” I said in confusion.
“We need to talk.” His tone was so serious that it sent chills down my spine.
“What’s going on?”
He sighed heavily, and I could imagine him running his finger across his eyebrow like he always did when he had something on his mind. “The police want you to come in for questioning.”
“But…they have my number. They haven’t contacted me yet.”
“This isn’t official.”
“Okay, so that means I don’t have to go, right?”
“Technically, yes, but if you don’t go, it’ll just make you look guilty.”
“I don’t understand. What do they want to talk to me about?”
“Bartholomew went to the police. He said that his father didn’t die of natural causes. He wants an investigation opened.”
I huffed. “Yeah, he’s already made those claims.”
“But this time he actually went to the police.” He paused for a minute and then cleared his throat. “Lorelei, the trust won’t be handed over if there’s any doubt. Now, as it is, there’s nothing to actually prevent you from getting your money, but if you don’t go—“
“The police might open an investigation.”
“And that would definitely stop you from receiving any funds. At first, this was just a normal bump in the road, but this is turning into something much more dangerous. If they’re bringing you in for questioning, that means Bartholomew told the police something that leads them to believe you may actually be guilty. They just don’t have the proof. You need to go and you need to leave them with no doubt that you’re innocent.”
I sighed. That was going to be more difficult than he suggested. “Callum, I’ve already killed three people. How the hell am I supposed to walk in there and convince them I’m innocent?”
“You tell them that you loved your husband, that he was taken from you way too soon and you left because you couldn’t handle the pain of being in the same house that you shared with him.”
“And what about his kids? They hate me.”
“Not all of them. Oscar never hated you.”
“He wasn’t exactly on my side either,” I grumbled.
“So, meet with him. Give him something that his father owned, something you can say his father always wanted him to have. Make it convincing. You need him in your corner if you’re going to win against Bartholomew.”
“Yeah, and what about Elena? She hates me more than Bartholomew.”
“I don’t know,” he said honestly. “She’s an evil bitch and she’s never liked anyone. I’m not sure how you convince her. Think of what it would be like to be in her shoes and try and bond with her.”
I started pacing up and down the hallway, trying to find some way to get out of this. “So, what you’re saying is I need to return to New York.”
“The sooner the better. Go back to the house and stay there for a few days. When you get there, contact the police and inform them that you heard they wanted to speak to you. Show them you have nothing to fear. Invite them into your house. That’ll keep things informal and show that you have nothing to hide. Tell them they can walk around the damn house if they want.”
“Alright, I’ll leave tomorrow.”
I chewed my fingernail as he continued to give me instructions, which were basically things he had already told me. I could do this. I’d been playing the game since I turned eighteen. This would be a cake walk for me.
Andrew
I laid in bed for a few minutes, but when I heard her talking on the other side of the door, I got out and pulled on some pants, creeping over to the door. I didn’t know many people that actually left the room just because they were on the phone. At least, not down here. Everyone knew everyone’s business, not that she shouldn’t have any privacy, but now I was curious as to why she felt she needed to leave the room. Pressing my ear to the door, I strained to listen to what was being said.
“Okay, so that means I don’t have to go, right?” There was a pause and then she said, “I don’t understand. What do they want to talk to me about?”
I leaned harder against the door, trying to hear what she was saying. What I wouldn’t give to hear the other end of that phone call right now.
“Yeah, he’s already made those claims.” Another pause. “The police might open an investigation.”
Shit. This was about her husband. It had to be. I closed my eyes, mentally smacking myself for being such an idiot. I’d gotten so wrapped up in Lorelei and the fact that I was falling for her that I hadn’t stopped to consider that maybe I was missing something. I knew she had secrets and I hadn’t tried to find out more.
“Callum, I’ve already killed three people. How the hell am I supposed to walk in there and convince them I’m innocent?”
I flinched back, staring at the door in shock. She had just admitted to killing three people. Three fucking people. That was insane. I was sleeping with a murderer. All this time, I thought that I was the crazy one, that Barty had it all wrong. I was so fucking sure of it because she seemed so damn normal. Granted, I still couldn’t figure her out, but she was a woman. But now that I knew, what the hell was I going to do? I actually felt something for her. That was her plan, of course. She wanted me to feel something for her. She wanted me on her side, to trust in her and believe that she was an innocent person. She wanted someone on her side when the police came knocking, and here they were.
Did she want me for a character witness or something? Or maybe that wasn’t it at all. Maybe I was just a pawn in her game. Maybe I was still the next target. It made sense. If she had any kind of resources on her side, she would know that I made plenty of money. Hell, I could have bought this house and redone it the exact same way she had. My days as a hacker had been very lucrative,
though none of my family knew that.
I stepped away from the door and tried to figure out my next move. I couldn’t just run out of here. She would think that I was on to her, and if I was on to her, I would be collateral damage. I was caught in her web, and I couldn’t see a clear way out. I pulled out my phone and texted Robert, giving him the signal that I needed an out. Just as I was finishing up and pulling on my shirt, the door flung open and Lorelei walked through with a questioning look on her face.
“I thought you weren’t finished with me,” she said saucily.
I laughed nervously, smoothing my hand through my hair. “No—what?” My voice kind of cracked, making me sound like a moron. “Yeah, I was just going to find some food or a log…for the fire.”
She looked at me strangely. “The fireplace that’s still blazing?”
I smacked myself in the head, laughing like I was just being an idiot. “Right, I totally see where you’re going with this. The fireplace doesn’t need any more wood, so why would I need another log.”
“Why are you being weird?”
“Me? Weird? Psh, this is just my normal, everyday charm,” I said, swallowing hard.
She took a step toward me and I involuntarily took a step back, terrified she was going to snap my neck or something. I’ve already killed three people.
“Why are you acting like you’re afraid of me?”
“Me? Afraid?” My voice cracked as I spoke.
“And why do you keep asking questions about my questions?”
“Me? I’m not— No, I’m not doing that. I’m just…just tidying up the room. You were out there and I was in here and…” I glanced around the room, noting that it was already pretty clean. “I thought I would do the laundry. You know, a dirty comforter is a breeding ground for…dirt.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and stared me down. “Okay, what’s really going on here?”
Luckily, my phone rang, saving me from having to answer, but she snatched it out of my hand before I had the chance to answer it. She slid the bar to answer the phone and put it on speakerphone. My brother’s voice filled the air.
“Hey, I need your help…blah, blah, blah. I think I broke my leg. By the way, I’m not sure why you’re trying to get away from that hottie, but you should definitely reconsider.”
I wanted to interrupt him so many times, but it wouldn’t have mattered. She already knew what was happening.
“I mean, I agree with Joe, she sounds a little psychotic, but that can be a good thing. You know, tie you up and all that fun stuff. Just make sure you’re clear about knife play first.”
I closed my eyes, wondering if she was actually going to kill me at any moment. When I didn’t say anything, Robert cleared his throat.
“Uh…am I just talking to myself here?”
“Actually, you’re talking to me, the psycho,” Lorelei answered with a grin.
Silence filled the space and I scratched the back of my neck, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
“So, tell me why you needed to call and get him out of here?” Lorelei asked.
“What?” Robert chuckled. “That’s not—I didn’t do that.”
“Is your leg broken?”
He laughed slightly. “Oh, that? No, you’ve got it all wrong. That’s just something we do to each other from time to time. Like a prank.”
“Uh-huh. And the whole getting away from the hottie thing?”
“Well…he…didn’t want to be around you anymore…because you’re too hot.”
She nodded as she scrolled through my phone. “So, he sent you an SOS?”
“Andrew, if you’re actually fucking there, now would be a good time for you to step in and say something,” Robert said irritatedly.
“Yes, Andrew, why don’t you tell me why five minutes ago you were ready to maul me and now you can’t wait to get away from me?”
“Yeah, I think I’m gonna let you handle this one,” Robert said.
“No, wait!” I shouted, but he had already hung up. I sighed and hung my head, but not for long. I felt her hand on my arm and flinched away, afraid she was working her way to my neck. I knew from a little research that I had done that it took approximately one thousand pounds of torque to break someone’s neck in a hanging. Now, I wasn’t exactly sure how that translated to person to person neck-breaking, but it sounded scary as fuck. I’d seen her wield an axe. It was possible. Then again, if she wasn’t strong enough, she could just fracture my neck. I might end up as a vegetable for the rest of my life, never being able to talk or move, but knowing what was going on around me.
Was that right? I think I had that wrong. If you were in a vegetative state, there probably wasn’t any brain activity, so then, not only would I not be able to speak or move, but I wouldn’t be able to think. I’d just be laying there. Until someone decided to pull the plug, that is. But knowing my family, they would wait it out, sure that I would pull out some miracle. Hell, we waited for seven years, sure that Josh would return at any moment. And he did! And that’s what they would expect of me. Christ, I was screwed.
“So, are you going to tell me what that was about?” Lorelei asked, dragging me out of my thoughts.
“Uh…”
She sighed and flopped down on the couch. “You’re getting cold feet, aren’t you?”
“Yes! Good!” I practically shouted, glad she gave me an out. When her face turned down, I realized that sounded just a tad too enthusiastic. “Uh…I mean, I’m glad that you get it. I was freaking out big time and…look, I just need some time.” To figure out how to handle the fact that I now know you’re a killer.
“I figured this might happen. I’ve never connected with someone like this before.”
“Even your husband,” I said, trying to prove a point.
She shook her head, swiping at a very visible tear that fell from her eye. “Not even then. I’m sorry, I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had this with someone. It’s just taken me by surprise.”
That’s because you kill everyone before you have the chance to have a connection.
“Look, I just need a few days to wrap my head around this.”
She smiled slightly and nodded. “Well, then this comes at a good time. I have to go home for a few days. That should give us both some time to figure out what we want.”
I took her hand, even though I was fucking terrified. “When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“Then I’ll see you when you get back.”
She leaned in to kiss me, but I quickly stood, grabbing my shoes and socks. I didn’t even bother to put them on as I headed toward the door. I just slid them on at the door and turned to her with a quick wave. I was gonna miss those legs, and those eyes, and pretty much every other part of her body. But if it came down to seeing that body one last time or having a life, I’d choose life. Especially now that I heard from her own mouth that she was a killer.
As I drove home from Lorelei’s, I smacked myself in the head. I was so fucking stupid. Look at her hometown…that’s what had been suggested to me weeks ago. Why hadn’t I done that? Oh, yeah. Because I was too busy thinking about getting my dick wet.
I pulled up to the curb outside the tattoo shop and darted up to my apartment. I flung the door open, ignoring Sofia as she asked me if I wanted dinner. I slammed the door to my bedroom, pulling out my investigative reports that I had created and then grabbed my laptop. I searched through everything Barty had given me about the town, but I didn’t find anything, other than the fact that the town was dirt poor.
The catalyst to everything seemed to stem from around the time her mother died. I looked into everything that was happening in the area at the time, and the only thing I came up with was that the mine had shut down. That was the main source of employment for the area. It made sense. Soon after, the town started to die off, and people looked elsewhere for work. But how did her mother’s death fit into all of that?
Had her father already become abusive?
Frustrated with finding no answers, I sat back on my bed and tried to find out what the common denominator was. The father was an abusive drunk. The mother had been killed by Lorelei. The friend, Matthew, must have found out that she killed her mother, and then Lorelei killed him. That had been my working theory. And then if the fiancé found out about her past, that would be why she killed him. She had to get rid of anyone that might know the truth about her.
So, what if her father wasn’t actually just wandering around drunk somewhere? What if she had killed him too? She said she had killed three people, but by my count, it was much more than that. There was her mother, possibly her father, Matthew, the fiancé, and now Arlen. The first four didn’t have any money to pass on to her. So, if she was killing, it wasn’t for money. She had another motive. The mother, father, friend, and fiancé could all be explained. They knew her secrets and they had to be eliminated, but what about Arlen? This was a different situation because money was involved, and that seemed to be what she cared about.
Would a man as rich as Arlen really marry a woman without looking into her first? Without seeing if there were any skeletons in her closet? It seemed unlikely. Passing down the trust to her looked even more unlikely than that. So, maybe Arlen was a completely different situation.
I spent the rest of the night digging into Arlen, all his companies and anything that might relate to Lorelei in any way. Finally, as dawn was breaking in the sky, I found something that couldn’t be just a coincidence. Murray Claybourne, Lorelei’s fiancé, worked at a sub-corporation that Arlen owned. He hadn’t just worked there, but ran the company. Lorelei had been poor and struggling for so long, so it would make sense that she would attach herself to someone like Murray. He was rich enough to take care of her and protect her. Maybe that’s why she chose him. But as I dug deeper, I saw that Murray and Arlen were actually at several functions together over a year’s time. I looked back at the photos I had found of Murray and Lorelei together, examining them closely. Sure enough, in one of the photos, Arlen was standing in the background, talking with another person. They knew each other. They had met before. So, what if she didn’t kill off Murray because he found out about her past. Maybe she killed him off to get to the bigger fish. Arlen Henning.
Tangled Web: A Small Town Romance (The Cortell Brothers Book 6) Page 22