Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Laurel
“Sam, Laurel. Laurel, my driver, Sam,” Julian said as we slid into the back of his Escalade.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sam.” I smiled.
“You as well, Laurel.”
“I want to apologize to you.” Julian glanced at me.
“For what?”
“For back in San Francisco. You were right. I hoped you’d return to my room with me for the night.”
“I know.” A sly grin crossed my lips. “Apology accepted.”
“Thank you. And just so you know, I don’t want to sleep with you anymore.”
“Oh…kay..” I drew out the word as my brows furrowed.
I couldn’t believe this guy.
“Should I be offended?” I asked.
“Nah. It’s not you personally. It’s the fact you have kids. ”
I noted how Sam glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
“You don’t want to sleep with me because I have kids?”
“That’s right. I’m not a fan of kids at all.”
“What about your niece?” I asked.
“She’s different. She’s family.”
The crease between my brows deepened as I stared at this man.
“What?” Julian asked. “Listen, Laurel. This tension between us is because of what happened back in San Francisco. I’m just clearing the air with you. Now that you know I no longer want to sleep with you, we can let the tension fade away.”
“Okay. Tension gone.” I subtly rolled my eyes and stared out the window.
“Now that we’ve settled that, I’ll fill you in on Georgina Bennett. She’s the daughter of Ken Bennett, CEO of Bennett Technologies. Shit,” he said, staring out the window at all the reporters in front of the precinct.
“I guess word about her arrest already got out,” I spoke.
Sam pulled up to the precinct. Julian climbed out first and extended his hand.
“Come on. Hold my hand tight, and I’ll get you through this crowd.”
“I can manage,” I said, dismissing his hand.
He wasn’t amused. As soon as I stepped out of the car, I felt his hand on the small of my back. I wouldn’t lie and say it didn’t affect me because it did.
“Georgina, this is Laurel. She’s new to the firm and will be working on your case with me. Tell me what happened.”
“They think I killed Derek, Julian.”
Julian opened the file and studied it .
“Why was Derek at a hotel?” he asked.
“Isn’t it obvious? He was cheating on me.”
“Did you know he was cheating on you?”
“No.” She shook her head.”
“Where were you last night?” I asked her.
“I was home all night,” she said.
“Can anyone verify that?” Julian asked. “Your son, Chase?”
“No. I was alone, worrying about my husband because he didn’t come home or answer my texts or calls. Chase was with my parents that night.”
“What about your housekeeper?” Julian asked her.
“She was gone for the night. I didn’t murder my husband, Julian. You have to believe me.”
“I do, Georgina. Don’t worry. We’ll get you out of here.” Julian reached across the table and placed his hand on hers.
The guard removed Georgina from the room, and Julian and I spoke with Detective Larry Costner, who was handling the case.
“You have no evidence, Larry,” Julian said. “There’s no murder weapon, and my client was home all night. You have nothing to hold her. Come on. You know better than this.”
“We were only questioning her. She was the one who insisted on her lawyer being present. We’re getting a search warrant for her house.” He glanced at his watch. “Which should be ready soon. You might want to be with your client while we search the house.”
“We will be,” I said.
The detective’s phone pinged. “We got the search warrant.”
We led Georgina out of the police station and into the back of Julian’s Escalade. When we reached her home, the police officers were already there searching the place. I scanned the living room, looking at the pictures of Georgina and her husband on various trips—Switzerland, Italy, Paris, Germany, and Japan. My biggest pet peeve was how the officers were destroying her home.
“Can you not?” I looked at one of the officers. Julian turned his head and glanced at me.
“Just doing my job, ma’am.”
“Don’t call me ma’am. And I know you’re doing your job, but please have some respect for other people’s things. There is no need for all of you to destroy someone’s home while you’re searching it. What if this were your home? Would you want your things just thrown all around? Things you worked hard for to buy?” I cocked my head. “Well, officer? Cat got your tongue?”
I heard Julian snicker.
“Ma—Miss, please. Just let me do my job.”
“I will when you all stop acting like wild animals with power trips.”
“Listen here, lady.” He puffed out his chest.
“Yes?” I took a step forward and got in his face.
He stared down at me momentarily. “I have a job to do.” He walked away.
Detective Costner walked into the living room. “Georgina Bennett, you’re under arrest for the murder of your husband, Derek Acosta.”
“Wait a second,” Julian said as Detective Costner handcuffed our client.
“We found a black Nike bag in the closet that contained the murder weapon and this blood-stained dress. Is this your dress, Mrs. Bennett?”
“Well, yes, but—Julian?” She shouted as they walked her out of the living room .
“Don’t say a word, Georgina. Shit.” Julian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “What the fuck?”
“She didn’t do it, Julian. She’s telling the truth,” I said.
“Well, it isn’t looking good at the moment. We have our work cut out for us. Let’s go.”
I was sitting behind my desk when Roman walked into my office.
“How’s it going so far?” A handsome smile graced his face.
“It’s good.” I grinned.
He unbuttoned his suit coat and sat down. “I hope Julian is being civil.”
“He’s fine. I can handle men like your brother.” I smiled.
“Good.” He winked. “After work, we’re going to Harrison’s for our mother’s birthday. Join us.”
“Harrison’s?” I asked.
“It’s a bar that my father owns down the street. It’s our hangout with great food and drinks. We’d love to have you celebrate with us.”
“I’ll have to call my mom and see if she and my dad can stay and watch the girls.”
“The girls?” His brows furrowed.
“I have three daughters.” I picked up the picture frame from my desk and handed it to him.
“They’re adorable. I didn’t know you had kids.”
“Thanks. I hope this doesn’t change your mind about me.”
“No way.” He shook his head. “Kids are great.” He smiled. “I love my daughter more than anything in the world. ”
“Well, your brother has his opinions about children.” My brow arched as a smirk crossed my lips.
Roman inhaled a sharp breath. “He said something to you about that?”
“He did. He told me he no longer wants to sleep with me and that it wasn’t me personally. It’s because I have kids.”
“Jesus Christ.” He ran his hand down his face. “Just ignore him, Laurel. He has issues. He puts on this tough guy act, but the reality is he’s only tough in the courtroom.”
“I didn’t take offense to what he said, nor do I care.”
“Good. Call your parents and ask if they can babysit so you can join us.” He stood from his seat and buttoned his suit coat.
“I will. Thanks, Roman.”
“You’re welcome.” He winked before leaving my office.
I picked up my phone and dialed my mom.
“Hi, honey. How’s work?”
“It’s good, Mom. Do you think you and Dad can watch the girls tonight? Roman invited me to their father’s bar tonight. I want to make it look like I’m a team player, so I really should go.”
“Of course we can. You know we’re here for you.”
“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it. Tell the girls I love them.”
“I will, honey. See you later.”
“Bye, Mom.”