Chapter 12
Andrew Richardson sat behind his large mahogany desk, his glasses perched on the tip of his nose, holding my gaze.
He acted as though it was his money I was asking to withdraw, even though he's my lawyer and the one who made sure I didn't go crazy and spend all the money my grandmother left me.
I appreciated him, but it could be hard work at times.
It's not like I asked all the time. The last time was when I opened Coffee Bean. It had been at least a couple of years.
Andrew sighed, removed his glasses, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I'm not going to ask this time because I have a feeling this has something to do with Penelope." He held my gaze. "Just look after her, Tallulah."
I swallowed hard and nodded. "I will."
He uncapped the black-and-gold fountain pen he always used. Before signing, he looked up from the document. “Will you be safe, Tallulah?”
"The sheriff is aware of the situation." I winced. "That's all I'm comfortable saying."
He nodded and signed the document with a flourish. "Here you go."
"Thank you." I took the signed document and put it in my purse. "I'll be going."
He nodded.
Outside, I took a deep breath, feeling a bunch of nerves twisting in my belly.
Even though we were close to having the money, we still needed a plan to get it to Angel.
The two million dollars worried me, though.
Pen had only found and spent over 100K. Would the creepy man accept that?
I shook myself. Of course he wouldn't. Oliver would be there to arrest him.
I wondered if the money Pen spent was necessary.
Considering how much was stashed away, the $100,000 was a mere blip in the grand scheme of things.
I'd have to ask Oliver about it. Maybe I would lose the money. But I would if it meant Pen was safe.
"Tallulah."
I whirled around and found Riley standing behind me with his hands in his pockets and a deep frown on his face.
Up close, he was handsome in a rugged kind of way.
He looked tired, and although I couldn’t read his thoughts this time, I found myself offering sympathy.
"Can I get you a cup of coffee? On the house. "
He laughed. "I must look bad for that offer."
"You look tired." I started walking toward the café, and he fell into step beside me.
"This assignment never ends." He shrugged. “So, are you dating Carlisle Hallen?”
I sensed his eyes on me when he asked. My instinct was to tell him it was none of his business. "What Carlisle and I are is debatable."
"Hmm," he mumbled as we reached Coffee Bean.
"Do you know we're investigating your boyfriend?"
I very nearly snapped a reply, but then I realized he hadn't said that out loud. Heck! Not again. Well, at least his thoughts were off my body for once.
"Sam," I said. "Could you get the detective a cappuccino?" I asked Riley, "Would you like something to eat?"
He shook his head. "Just coffee to go, please." He took my elbow and steered me over to the side, out of the customers' hearing. "You spoke to Aiden and Jane earlier."
"It didn't do much good."
“You looked upset when you left Aiden."
Sam arrived with the cappuccino, so I told him, "It's on the house, Sam."
"Gotcha."
Riley asked, "Did he say anything about the money?"
I raised my eyebrow.
The man smiled, which left me a little breathless, I must admit. "He had it," I admitted. "He said someone took it. He wouldn't tell me who." I was annoyed and upset with Carlisle, but I wasn't going to turn him in to the police.
"You are beautiful, and I wish you weren't lying to me."
I gasped, and Riley's eyes focused on my face. "I have something to do." I rushed out and moved away. As I reached the door behind the counter, I glanced over my shoulder and met Riley's gaze. He slowly sipped his coffee.
“What I wouldn't give to kiss you right now!”
"In your dreams," I thought back at him.
He paused mid-drink, spilling some coffee onto the floor as his eyes widened.
I raised my eyebrows as I dashed through to the hallway. What was that? He heard me in his head. He did. I know he did. That was the only explanation for his shocked reaction. Good grief. What had I done?
My hands shook as I handed the bag of money to Oliver. He had remained silent while we got the money from the bank. My life had imploded after learning about Carlisle and Jane. I still found it difficult to comprehend. He'd lied to me.
Tears threatened to fall, so I blinked them away.
"Tallulah," said Oliver softly. "I'll try to keep your money out of the investigation. But if it's questioned, then I'll have no choice but to include it. I'll give you a heads-up beforehand if I can."
"I'm not worried about that as long as it keeps Pen safe. I am worried about Angel, though."
He shook his head. "As soon as it's in the safe in my office, I'm going to send out a press release. I'll let whoever is looking for the money know that we have it. I'll hold the amount back." He winked.
"I'm not sure about this." I fiddled with my fingers. "Lots of things could go wrong."
"I know Carlisle pissed you off, but I'm sure he's keeping an eye on you and Pen."
"I don't want him watching me."
He laughed. "I'm not touching that one."
I narrowed my eyes. "He has Hegarty watching me, doesn't he?"
Oliver smirked. "I'll feel better when this money is locked behind a steel door."
"I'm coming with you," I told him as I followed him out of the bank office.
"Go back to the café, Tallulah."
"No way. You need protection."
His lips twisted, and his eyes danced. I rolled my eyes. "I have a purse. It has a brick inside." I smirked. "I'm not clueless, Sheriff!"
"God help me from sexy women."
My smile widened. "You think I'm a sexy woman? Why, thank you, Sheriff Oliver. You're not so bad yourself." I winked and moved ahead of him to get the front door. I smiled to myself as he walked past, blushing.
Maybe flirting with the sheriff wasn't the best idea. But it was certainly fun.
"Let's cut through the town square. There's less chance of someone driving by and snatching the bag."
I trailed after Oliver and inhaled the cold, crisp air. It would be colder soon, as December approached.
I wasn't paying much attention to my surroundings. It was only when Oliver faltered that I glanced around.
A large man wearing a leather jacket was quickly approaching us. Oliver froze and whispered, "Stay behind me.
Not on your life!
The man pulled out a knife, and I gasped in surprise. Oliver shoved the bag at me. I grabbed it, and then he faced the man. "Run!" Oliver shouted as he struggled with the man. With adrenaline pumping through me, I grabbed my purse and swung with all my strength. I missed.
The asshole grabbed my purse on my second attempt. I shouted for help as Oliver punched the man in the face. The man cursed and his face contorted with fury. One punch caught Oliver in the face, and he went down.
Oh, crap!
I saw a car pulling up to City Hall, so I opened my mouth to scream. But the man clamped a large, meaty hand over my mouth before I could make a sound. His other arm went around my waist. I wiggled and kicked, but it did no good.
Riley and his two colleagues were talking beside the car, so I tried something I'd never done before.
"Riley," I yelled in my head.
I saw the man go rigid.
"Town square! Help!" I thought again.
His head whipped around, and when our eyes met, he took off running toward me. The other two followed. I bit the guy's hand, and he cursed. He dropped me. "Bitch!" he snarled, hitting me in the face.
I fell to the ground as I heard Riley shout, "Tallulah!" in my head.
Then, oblivion.