by Kacey Shea
“I am so fucking happy for you. You hear me? You’ll always be my number one and I want you to have everything good life has to offer. Tate’s a great guy. I know he can give you that.”
She lets out a deep breath.
“Thank you, Kate. And you know I want the same for you. There is a perfect man out there for you, you just haven’t met him yet. Hey, maybe I can get payback and try and play matchmaker for you!” I laugh. I may have set her up on some disastrous dates in the past.
“No way, sister! I find my own meat. I’m a damn fine huntress if I do say so myself.” She chuckles and rolls her eyes at my enthusiasm.
“Yeah, maybe I should stay away from matchmaking. You seem like you still want to play before settling down.”
“I love to play so much that I may never settle down.” I grin.
She chuckles before going all Dr. Phil. “Oh, you just watch, Miss Kate Bryant. One day some man is gonna come rock your world so hard you won’t even know what hit you. You’ll join the club of happily ever afters one day, mark my words!”
“Well when you say come and hard in the same sentence it doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Kate!” We laugh and I smile so big it hurts my face. I love this girl and the joy we share together.
“Okay. Your turn to spill. How is it really going with Jon? Are you going to survive living together without committing murder? I won’t have my bestie in lock up on my future wedding day. Please tell me you haven’t committed any crimes as of yet.”
“Err… does destroying public property count?” I bite my lip and tap my chin, “Well, technically I got off with a citation so I guess it doesn’t.”
“Kate!” Evie’s brows shoot up. I nonchalantly sip my tea, shrugging my shoulders.
“What can I say? I didn’t mean to, and Jon asked me to cause a distraction. He should know better than to make a request without specific instructions.”
“Hold up. Jon was there? Please start at the beginning.”
I fill her in on my day yesterday and about the band I’m working with. She Googles them while we talk and is impressed.
“Wow. Kate, this is a big account for you and the studio. How will you get around all week without a car, though? Damn, this is like the worst timing to not be living at your own apartment.”
“You’re preaching to the choir. I know, I’m having a bit of bad luck, but it’s sprinkled with good, too. Jon said he’ll drive me this week since he owes me for saving his ass.” Evie’s brows lift in surprise.
“It’s nice to hear you two are getting along better. Not gonna lie, I was a little worried that this temporary living arrangement would be a disaster.”
I wave my hand across my face. “Pssh. We’re both grown adults. We’ll manage. Oh, and best news ever, I have free VIP tickets to Three Ugly Guys this Tuesday night at Goat Head. Please tell me you can make it.”
“Uh, yeah! I’m so there. How many tickets do you have? We should make it an impromptu girls’ night out.”
“As many as I need. I’ll text Melissa now. Do you think Carly would want to come too? If she could get someone to watch the boys?”
“Let me text her. I think Tate is off this Tuesday night. He’ll stay with the boys.”
A few minutes later we’re all set with plans for an epic girls’ night. We split the bill and walk outside to where Evie’s parked.
“Now I know why you wanted me to pick you up!” She laughs and opens her car doors with a click. I walk around the front to the passenger seat.
“Ha ha! Get your laughs in while you can.” I smile and buckle up.
“I’m sorry, I won’t laugh anymore. Oh, hey, is Jon’s friend staying the week?”
“Jon has friends?” I turn my chin to study Evie as she talks.
“Apparently, yes. Some Army buddy, Alex I think, is coming into town and Jon asked if he could stay at the apartment. I said yes. I’m sorry, I hope that’s okay. I should have asked you or had Jon ask you.” Evie glances sideways, a worried frown pulling at the corners of her lips.
“It’s fine. It’s your apartment, I’m just visiting. Besides, you’re concerned I won’t be okay rooming with not one, but two, hot ex-military guys? Hello! I’m not sure we’ve met. I’m Kate Bryant and I love men.” Evie giggles, focus back on the road.
“You’re right, what was I thinking? I can always count on you to come through for your country.”
“It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.” We continue to joke until she pulls up to the apartment.
“Thanks for the ride, hooker!” I lean over the console and give her a squeeze before I open the door and walk to the apartment. I’m happy and carefree, the same way I always feel after time with my best friend. She brings out the best in me, and I swear the laughter we share should be bottled up and sold, it’s that contagious.
I slide my key into the lock and open the door, surprised when I walk in to find Jon’s not alone. In fact, he’s smiling as a gorgeous woman with pixie blonde hair and big blue eyes sits next to him on the couch. She’s talking animatedly and I feel as though I’ve intruded upon a private moment. Neither notices my arrival.
I drop my purse loudly on the kitchen counter, paste on my most charming smile, and walk toward the living area.
“Kate! You’re back!” Jon waves and then nods to the woman sitting beside him. She studies me with a curious smile. “This is my friend Alex. We served together in Iraq. Alex, meet Kate.”
“You’re a woman.” I blurt out. My eyes widen and I slap my hand over my mouth. Jon scowls and Alex laughs at my verbal diarrhea.
“Yeah, I’ve always been a woman. We’re you expecting someone else?”
“Oh, my god! I’m so sorry. I just—When Evie told me your Army buddy was named Alex, I just assumed. Well, you know what they say when you assume... I’ll shut up now.” I cringe and rub my temple.
“I like your friend, Jon.” Alex laughs and moves to stand, gripping the edge of the couch before pulling herself up.
“You’re missing a leg.” It falls from my lips before I can zip my mouth shut. Oh, my god. Seriously, Kate. Sensitive much?
Alex bursts into laughter and Jon sends me a glare so fierce I have to look away.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be allowed to speak in public. That was horribly insensitive. I just didn’t notice at first. Stupid excuse. I swear I’m not usually an asshole.”
“It’s okay, I know my leg is missing. Damn IED tried to take me out. It’s easier to address the elephant in the room. The worst is when people just stare. It’s nice to meet you, Kate.” She walks forward and offers her hand with a grin. I return her smile with one of my own and shake her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Alex. And I’m glad to see Jon has friends. We worry about him sometimes.” I pause to wink at Jon, who looks slightly less irritated. “Anything you need while you are staying here you just let me know. Mi casa, su casa.”
We release hands and I step back. I feel better now that Alex seems like a cool chick. “Well, I’ll let you guys catch up. I’m going to head to my room for a little bit.” I grab my bag from the kitchen, fill a glass of water, and head down the hall. Just as I’m about to close my door I overhear a piece of their conversation.
“—can I say, that’s Kate.”
“Well, I like her.”
“Yeah, I do too.”
“HAVE A GOOD DAY AT school, little girl.” I shout out the window as I drop Kate off outside the studio. She flips her middle finger over her shoulder without a look back and struts to the door, ass swinging from side to side in the black leather and lace rocker chick outfit she’s wearing.
Trouble.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts and drive to Matt’s Big Breakfast over on Seventh Avenue, where Evie and I are meeting Susie McAllister. I figure the best way to break bad news to a pregnant lady is over good food. I still can’t believe the evidence I was able to scrounge up on Saturday.
My phone rings and
I click the button on my steering wheel to pick up.
“Hello.”
“Ah, yes. Is this Jonathan Beltran?” A woman’s soft voice comes through my speakers.
“Speaking. What can I do for you?”
“I would like to hire you. I’m concerned about my husband and I hear you’re the one to call.”
“Sure thing. If I can just get your name and number, we can set up a time to meet. My partner Evelyn Harper and I are free most mornings for new client consults. So, you let me know what day works best for you.”
“Can I ask a special request?”
“You can always ask.” I roll my eyes. So this one’s gonna start out high maintenance. This is why I prefer Evie to handle client communication. I have no patience for this shit.
“I, uh… I happen to know your partner, Evelyn. Quite well, in fact. So, I’d like to have you handle the case without her involvement.”
“Huh. Well, I’m sure we can work something out. How exactly do you know Evelyn?”
“She and my daughter have been best friends since middle school.”
My eyes widen. Wow. I’m speaking to Kate’s mother. I’m glad Mrs. Bryant can’t see my reaction as I’m sure my face reads: WTF!
“I just don’t want her personal feelings toward myself or my husband to cloud the investigation. And I can’t have my daughter aware of what’s going on. You understand, I’m sure.”
I clear my throat. “Of course. I’m pulling up to a meeting now. Is this the best number to reach you?”
“Yes, it’s my cell phone.”
“Okay, give me a few hours and I’ll call you back with a time to meet.”
“I look forward to your call, Mr. Beltran.”
I press end and shake my head again. I should probably decline the case, being so personally involved with Kate and Evie, but hell if I’m not curious as to what Kate’s parents have going on. Since I’ve moved back it’s clear Kate doesn’t have much of a relationship with her parents. I wonder what happened while I was in the service to cause that change.
Grabbing the manila envelope from the dash, I secure it under one arm, step out of my truck, and lock the doors with a click. I see Evie just inside a booth and wave as I approach. We talked last night on the phone and came up with the best way to break the news to Mrs. McAllister. I hope this goes well. In these situations you really can’t predict just how people will react.
“Hey, Evie.”
“Hey, Jon. How’s it going?”
“Not too bad. You ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be for this kind of meeting. I already ordered breakfast for the three of us. Food should soften the news, right?”
“Usually does. Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“How come Kate doesn’t talk to her parents anymore?” The words barely leave my mouth before Evie frantically shakes her head.
“Oh, nope. Not going there. Bestie code and all that. You’ll have to ask Kate if you want to know and just a heads up—” I nod for her to continue. “—you don’t want to ask her about it.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.” Evie waves over my shoulder and I get up to switch sides of the booth so I sit across from our client.
“Mrs. McAllister, you look beautiful this morning.” Evie compliments.
“I look like hell.” She squeezes herself into the booth and rubs her belly, huffing out a big breath of air. “It is too hot to be this pregnant. Now, what did you find on my husband?” I’m glad for her no nonsense attitude this morning. Should make things easier.
“I was able to obtain some documents over the weekend. And what we found is very surprising.” I open the envelope and slide out the copies I printed.
“He cheated on me, didn’t he? With that pretty young secretary? He knocked her up too, didn’t he? That lying son of a—”
“Susie.” Evie cuts in. “Your husband didn’t cheat on you. That is, unless you were dating during his senior year of high school?”
Susie blinks her eyes, her brows furrowing. “What? No. We didn’t meet until after grad school.”
“That’s what we thought. Has Rob ever told you he has a child?”
“No. That can’t be. What are you talking about?” I hand over each copied document as I give her the rundown.
“We found documentation that shows your husband’s secretary, Tammy Fellows, was given up for adoption three days after her birth. These records were sealed until she was eighteen. Only a year ago, she was able to track down her father, your husband, with the help of a private investigator. Your husband had her go through testing to confirm she actually is his biological daughter. That and sign an NDA agreeing that she would never tell anyone of their relationship if he helped her with employment and medical expenses. About the same time you became pregnant, Rob received the proof he was Tammy’s father, and a soon to be grandfather.”
Susie’s eyes are wide and her mouth gapes open. She hasn’t stopped rubbing her large belly. The server stops by and plops down three big, steaming plates. Continuing to stare at the paperwork laid before her, Susie grabs a fork with her left hand and shovels food into her mouth.
“Anything else I can getcha?” Our server smacks her gum and glances at Susie, Evie, and myself before taking in my headshake to move to the next table.
“So you’re telling me that my husband is going to be a father and a grandfather about the same time, all before his thirty-eighth birthday.” Susie chokes out between bites.
Evie and I nod our agreement. I glance at Evie, who shrugs before she picks up her fork and digs in. I guess I better catch up before these women move in on my plate.
Susie shakes her head and blinks her eyes. “Of all the possibilities I was prepared to face today, this wasn’t even a guess. Do you know why Rob didn’t tell me?”
“Now, that we don’t know. That’s something only you can find out. If you choose to confront him on the matter.” Evie offers sympathetically.
“Well, I don’t know how I can’t. It’s not like I’ll be able to forget what I’ve learned. And now it’s clear that Rob loves Tammy, just not in the way I feared. He’s always talking about how she’s the best assistant he’s ever had and how she’s such a strong woman for being brave enough to be a single mom. Oh!” Susie’s face lights up. “Now I get it. Everything makes sense. I was taking all of his interest as a romantic relationship. He’s just a proud father. Yes. I have to confront him. Confront them both. Tammy needs to know she’s welcome in our home. Hell, that makes me a stepmom doesn’t it?” She giggles before adding. “And I guess grandma too. Never thought I could say that at thirty-three!”
I’m relieved Susie’s taking the news in stride. I just have one last piece to deliver.
“Mrs. McAllister. There’s something else you should know. The methods used to obtain these documents. Not completely innocent. So, if you bring this up, be prepared to answer questions.”
“Where were the documents?”
“In the client and vendor files of your husband’s office. Under the tab Virgo. That’s what caught my eye.”
“Ha! My OCD husband. Even when he’s hiding something, he’s organized.”
“What do you mean?” Evie questions.
“Oh, just a conversation I had once with Tammy. She’s a Virgo and I’m a Sagittarius, astrology signs.” Evie and I nod. “Oh! I can’t stand it. I have to talk to Rob right now. I hope you don’t mind that I eat and run. I’m just so relieved. I can’t wait another second to clear the air.”
“Of course. It was a pleasure working for you, Susie.” Evie and I both stand and shake hands before she waddles out the restaurant.
“Well, that went well.”
“It sure did. I’m glad. So, shall we?” Evie nods to the exit and I drop cash on the table cover the bill.
“I’ll meet you back at the office.”
“Sounds good.”
When I’m back in my truck I pull my cell out and dial
Mrs. Bryant’s number. Well, if Evie and Kate didn’t want to tell me about the past I’d just have to find out on my own. That, and figure out what exactly Mr. Bryant is up to these days to cause his wife to hire a PI. I set up a meeting for the following evening. Now to focus on another day’s work before I pick up my roommate.
Pulling up to the studio, I find a coveted space street side. She asked me to pick her up any time after six, but I’m a little early so I decide to go inside and see where she spends all her time.
I open the front door and appreciate the blast of cool air that comes from inside. The building is older but the place is clean and modern. Indie rock plays through the stereo and a pretty young thing with a full sleeve of tattoos sits behind a big desk. Breathtaking photographs, some more commercial, others portraits, line the walls in the only decoration. Loud laughter drifts down the hallway.
“Hi, how can I help you?”
“Hello, I’m Kate’s friend. I’m here to pick her up but I’m a little early.”
“Oh, you must be Jon! She told us all about you. I’m Teagan.” She offers a wide smile, pulls her phone from the desk, and cradles it at her ear. “Kate. Jon’s here for you. Yep. Sure thing.”
“She’s still finishing up. She’ll come get you in a minute if you want to have a seat.”
“Yep. Thanks, Teagan.”
I move to sit in a space age looking silver chair and try to settle in to wait. The furniture is cool to look at but about as comfortable as a metal bleacher. Thankfully, only a few minutes pass before Kate emerges from the hallway.
“Hey, Jon. I’ve still got some work left before I can wrap up, do you want to leave and come back? I’m sorry, I should have called.” I pull myself up from the chair and loud boisterous voices follow Kate from down the hall. Soon the small waiting room is filled with several faces I’ve never met before and a few I have.
“Hey, Jon!” Marc waves and Steph nods my way before they head into their offices. Kate gives me an apologetic smile before she steps closer and gains the attention of the group.