Chapter 33
CHAPTER 33
“All right, I think that’s all of it,” the disembodied voice said on the other end of the speakerphone. “The HamptonFest funds will be transferred tomorrow morning.”
Will looked over the email on his computer screen again. His lawyer had sent it an hour ago, outlining the steps taken to repay Tristan’s fee to Hank Donato. He didn’t have the specific amount, but guessed it was around what Tristan had demanded to ensure Mary went free. If he was over… well, they could just consider it interest for the mess Tristan created.
“You’re transferring anonymously, correct?” Will asked.
“Yes. Which will probably mean they’ll think it’s from Tristan. You’re okay with that?”
“Yeah.” Will frowned. “He hasn’t been in touch, has he?”
A deep chuckle on the other line. “I think even Tristan is too smart for that.”
Thank God. Will closed his laptop with a snap that echoed through his office. “I owe you, Christopher.”
“That’s why we have an accounts payable department.”
Will smiled. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Until then,” his lawyer replied, and hung up.
Will leaned back in his chair and let out the first breath in what felt like hours.
It was done. The charges against Mary had been dropped. Tristan was gone. And the money he had been paid by HamptonFest was about to be back in the hands of the organizers. All was neatly settled, with Will’s involvement reasonably concealed. It should have been a relief. He was good at making problems disappear, cleaning up other people’s messes while no one was looking. It was a bit like slipping on a pair of old shoes, broken in and comfortable from years of use, so they almost felt like a second skin. He knew how to do this. He was good at it.
Still, relief was evasive.
There was no chance Lizzy would find out about his involvement. He would never want her to, especially since she would either be pissed or feel indebted. But he had been so busy fixing this he hadn’t considered that, in order to keep his involvement concealed, he would need to lie about it when it was done.
But he couldn’t lie to Lizzy. He felt gutted to even be considering it. So where did that leave him?
A beep from his desk phone stole his attention, signaling a call from his receptionist. He reached over and pressed the speaker button.
“Hi, Mr. Darcy,” Jenna said nervously. “I have your aunt on hold? She says it’s urgent.”
Will scratched the stubble along his jaw, trying to curb his frustration. He had gotten her texts over the past few days, but barely read them. Something about scheduling a showing for the Montauk house. He couldn’t contemplate that, not now.
“Take a message, please.”
“I tried that, but she says she’s already left three.”
“Then let’s make it four.”
Jenna laughed. “I’ll try.”
Will hung up and stared at the wall again. He had to deal with his aunt, tell her about his concerns. But that could wait. Right now, there was one more problem he needed to fix. The thought had only just entered his head when there was a knock on his office door.
“You want the roast beef or the club?”
Will turned to find Charlie in the doorway, a bag from Lexington Deli in his hand.
“Club,” he replied, ignoring the stab of anxiety in his chest. He wasn’t hungry, but he wasn’t about to send Charlie away, either. Not when he was exactly the person he’d been about to go looking for.
Will straightened in his chair just in time to catch the wrapped sandwich Charlie tossed his way. Then his friend sat down in the chair opposite the desk, grabbing his own from the plastic bag.
“Lexington Deli,” Will said. “Bad day?”
Ever since they opened Hampshire M he didn’t have to. He just had to say so.
The corner of his mouth ticked up in a grin. Here he was contemplating how he had saved her from her problems, and somehow, even in her absence, she had saved him from his own.