35. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
B rody
The cop before me takes my statement, his pen scribbling as I speak. My eyes keep wandering to where Ivy stands by the police vehicle, giving her statement, too. Her hands are wrapped around her middle like she’s giving herself a hug.
I haven’t had the time to talk to her properly. When we left the park, the cops interviewed us.
For once, I’m irritated by how thorough they’re being. But I keep my feelings to myself. They need every word to build a case against Luke Ross. I find the man of the moment in the back of the police car with his head bowed. He has been that way since he was caught.
He’s been caught. Finally, the girls are free. Ivy is free.
After the ups and downs to get here, the relief is immense.
“And you followed her vehicle,” the cop repeats my last words.
“Yes. The vehicle doesn’t belong to her. It belongs to Sera, my employee.”
“Right. Then what happened?”
I narrate the arrival and the waiting. As much of the conversation as I can remember. I was on edge, ready to bolt at the first sign of something going wrong.
Nick kept his hand locked on my shoulder, keeping me still. Until Luke yelled, and I couldn’t hold back any longer. He might as well have hit her. I couldn’t wait for a confession. Whatever the cops needed, they’d get it in the interrogation room.
Finding her there, looking hurt and broken, cracked something inside me. I wanted to keep her safe from him. Safe from whatever or whoever would hurt her. No matter the relationship with her.
The cops went easy on Luke. It helped that he didn’t resist. The judge won’t care about his cooperation, though. He tried to murder Ivy. That would earn him a well-deserved harsh sentence, and I will lend a voice to making that happen if needed.
I give the cop the rest of the details leading to his arrest.
The man snaps his notepad shut. “Crazy case.” He glances at the vehicle where Luke is holed up.
“Has he said anything?” I ask.
“Plenty. He says he didn’t come after them. Keeps insisting on his innocence.”
“Why wouldn’t he? He can’t deny the money, but he knows we don’t have enough to hold him on attempted murder. But now he’s in custody, I have no doubt he’ll sing soon.”
“Certainly. He’s even revealed where the money is hidden, in his panic.”
“That was easy.” I mull over that. If he believes we already knew it, there’d be no use hiding it.
“To want to kill your daughter for it? I can’t imagine it.”
“I can imagine it. Especially from a thief’s perspective. He must protect his hoard, and he doesn’t mind removing them to get his way.”
“Well, it’s over for him. We’re already working on finding what he has hidden, and by the looks of it, we’ll recover a hefty sum.”
“Good for Iris. She worked for that.”
“The sister?”
“Yes.” Speaking of sisters, I search out the one my heart yearns for. I thought it was the threat of danger keeping her on my mind. Now that it’s gone, I see what the feeling is. Mom and Cliff told me, but I was too stuck rationalizing things to understand.
Ivy’s still speaking to the cop. She must have a lot to say since she’s the main player.
“You’ve done well today, Brody.” He claps my shoulder. “We may need to follow up with you on a later date, but right now, we have enough.”
“Thank you.” I return the gesture and make a beeline for Ivy.
Nick intercepts me before I can reach her. “How’s Chatterbox?”
I give him a look that makes him laugh.
“Fine. I’ll drop it.” His face straightens. “You alright?”
I’d have been offended by that question if the underlying meaning didn’t reflect in his eyes. He’d seen how worried I was when Ivy was with Luke. He’s talking about that.
“It’s over now. That’s what matters.”
“Yeah.” He turns to Ivy. “You think she’ll get over it?”
I’ll make sure of it. “She’s a strong person. If anyone can get over it, it’s her.”
She turns, searching for something. Then her eyes fall on me, and she smiles, turning to the cop again.
“Whoa. Did you see that?” Nick bumps my shoulder.
“No. I’m blind,” I say dryly. A well of emotions swells in my chest.
“When can we speak to her?” Sera arrives, breaking up our two-way conversation. She has her hands folded on her chest and her face tense. I doubt she imagined she’d be in such nerve-wracking situations when she applied for the role of firm secretary.
“Soon.” I hope. There’s so much I have to tell her I’m almost boiling over with it.
“What are they going to do with him?” Zane joins our group, nodding toward Luke.
“Grill him. Find accomplices. I don’t know. Whatever it is, it’ll be more than he deserves for what he put Ivy through.”
Everyone looks at me.
“And Iris. Don’t give me that look. I was getting there.”
Nick laughs, clapping my back. “Yeah, you were.”
Their teasing leaves my lips twitching. It’s hard to hide what I feel for Ivy. I don’t want to. Everyone knows already. But does she?
The cop taking her statement finally clips his notebook shut and turns away from her. I lead the group toward her.
“Brody,” she whispers, throwing her arms around me.
I hold her firmly, trying to communicate the relief, affection, and care rushing through me. But I can’t have her all to myself. Not now, at least.
Everyone gets a turn, commending her bravery and telling her they’re glad she’s alright.
“This calls for a celebration!” Nick pumps both hands in the air.
No one’s too chipper about it.
“Come on. This is the real one. We’ll call a few friends and liven the place up.” He turns to Sera. “Tell me you’ll help me plan a party in...” He looks at his watch. “Three hours.”
“Since we’re celebrating Ivy,” Sera gives her a small smile, “then yes, I will.”
Nick high-fives her. “You’re the best secretary in the world, Sera. And you, Zane...”
“I’m not planning a party.” Zane’s voice is as cold as the breeze rippling around us.
“Right. You can hang around and not get in anyone’s way.” Nick turns to me. “Brody...”
He must see the look I send his way because he shudders.
“You do... you,” he concludes, throwing his arms around Zane and Sera. “Come on, my troops! We have a party to plan!”
Zane shakes off his hand while Sera joins in his silliness.
When I turn back to Ivy, she’s smiling at their exit.
Then, her emerald gaze meets mine. “Chatterbox doesn’t want a party?”
I’d take her up on the tease if I had the emotional bandwidth for anything else apart from the feelings trying to drown me. If I don’t let it out now, I’ll explode from being too full of them.
I told myself Ivy was always on my mind because of the plan to trap her dad, but that was far from the truth. It’s because of something more profound. More consuming.
“We’ll go after. After we speak.”
The slight smile playing in her eyes fades away. “Oh?”
“Yes. I have something to say to you. Some things to tell you.”
She blinks, apparently confused. I am confused, too. I don’t understand myself, and I hope that speaking to her will help clear shit up for me too.
“Oh, sure. Fine.” She nods. “Go on. Tell me.”