Chapter 23
Knox and his team headed to the locker room. They had finished practice and now they were headed to Keeneston for team building. Together, they’d help Keeneston set up for their Founder’s Day celebration.
Knox grabbed his phone and a feeling of dread filled him as he saw the missed calls and the flood of text messages.
There were calls from Juniper and texts from her with the address of the police station.
He had a message from Ryan that he was going to take care of the arrest. Messages from DeAndre ranged from on his way, to the lead investigator is a dick, to the grumpy detective is smart, to the fact that he thinks the new FBI agent and the grumpy detective are eyeing each other.
Finally the text he needed from DeAndre: They’re releasing Quinn.
Zain: I was with Quinn, along with the Rose sisters, Draven, and Addison. Draven set his sparkly balls on the interrogation table. I think Agent Warner has a thing for Detective Braxton. Remember her?
Addison: Oh my gosh, Knox! You finally found a girlfriend who isn’t a bimbo! Also, sorry about Draven traumatizing her with his balls. Can’t wait to see you. We’ll bring Quinn back to Keeneston with us. We’ll be at my parents’ house.
Juniper: Have you heard anything?
Knox was already running out the door as he called Juniper. “She’s been released. I’m on my way to get her. She’s on her way to my hometown.”
“Wait! I have her phone!” Juniper stopped him from hanging up. She’d need that.
“Are you at the office?”
“Yes. I can meet you out front.”
“Be there in just a minute.”
Knox slid to a stop out front of Quinn’s building a minute later. Juniper was bouncing on her feet waiting for him. “How is she?”
“I don’t know yet. My friends just told me she was released and heading to Keeneston with them.”
Juniper handed him the phone, but she was still frowning. “The guys recorded her arrest and posted it online. Then those jerks spent the rest of the time arguing over who should take her job. I had to kick them out of her office. They were trying to rearrange it.”
Knox’s phone pinged with a text.
Kale: We found something.
Knox smiled and it wasn’t one of friendship, but one of knowing he’d soon be able to hurt those who hurt Quinn. “Don’t worry, Juniper. They’ll get what’s coming to them.”
“Good, because I refuse to work for any of them.”
Knox rolled up to the Rooneys’ house to find the driveway packed with cars, which was surprising since he figured the whole town would be helping the Founder’s Day Committee set up for the big event tomorrow.
But Addison, Draven, and what looked to be all of their mutual friends were at the Rooneys.
There was even a firetruck parked on their lawn.
The wraparound porch was full of people mingling, laughing, and visiting. Nolan saw him first and called out to him. “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be helping the football team downtown?”
“Aren’t you?” Knox asked back.
“Yeah, we’re headed that way but Addison said she brought us some things from Bermalia and then it just turned into a party.”
“Old habits die hard. Now the parties are midday instead of at midnight,” Knox said with a smile as he remembered sneaking into some of the parties Addison had thrown in high school when her parents were out of town. “Is Quinn in there?”
“Here I am!” Quinn called as she rushed through the open front door and threw herself into his arms. “I am so sorry, Knox! It’s all over social media.” Tears threatened to fall as he held her tight. “I’m embarrassing you and your team. You and your dad must be furious.”
“He is, but not at you. He’s furious at your old team for posting videos of your arrest online.
Same with me. I know you didn’t do this, Q.
I could never be mad at you for this. I’m just sorry it took me so long to get to you.
I hate not being there for you.” Knox kissed the top of her head as the rest of the firefighters and Addison and Draven came out to join them on the porch.
“You’re here for me now. That’s all that matters. I was so scared, but then Nico’s attorney, Olivia, came. And well, all your friends. Now I’m no longer a suspect. I can’t thank everyone enough for believing me.”
“You can thank us by telling us any special dates you have coming up? Birthdays, dating anniversaries?” Addison asked smoothly.
Knox chuckled, but stopped when the smooth, yet aggressive-sounding engine of a sports car tore up the driveway. It was ruby red and sleek as it came to a stop. Knox knew all his friends’ cars, but didn’t recognize this one.
The door was flung open and one shapely leg wearing a brown leather boot appeared as a navy skirt fluttered around her leg. Then the other leg appeared before a woman with long, wavy, dark brown hair wearing a tight ivory sweater that showed off a gorgeous figure stepped out.
“Hel!” Quinn screamed and pulled free from Knox before dashing down the steps as the woman began to run toward her too.
“Holy Hell is right. That woman is beautiful. Who is she?” Nolan asked.
“Quinn’s best friend from college,” Knox told him as the two women embraced.
“What the hell were you thinking not calling me? I thought you were still in jail. I tracked down your assistant’s phone number and she told me where you were.
And I heard you got to meet Olivia Townsend-Fox.
Total badass, right? I knew she’d get you off as soon as I heard about her being here, but I was already on my way to rescue you.
Helena looked at the porch and winked at Knox. “Hello, Knoxy. It’s been a while.”
Knox smiled at Helena and walked toward her, ready to give her a hug. Quinn and Helena were total opposites, but the most loyal and best of friends. They were closer than most siblings. “It’s good to see you, Helena. And I’m glad you’re here.”
“Draven, it’s okay,” Addison said patiently, drawing their attention.
“But it wasn’t just this attorney who rescued Quinn. It was the royal jewels. No one can say no to them. And they’re in Thoroughbred colors for the game on Sunday.” Draven crossed his arms over his chest and frowned.
“What the hell, Quinn?” Helena whispered. “Do you know who they are? That’s the king and queen of Bermalia.”
“I don’t even know where to begin. Addison, Draven, this is my best friend, Helena Diakos,” Quinn introduced.
Addison smiled warmly and shook her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. Welcome to my home, well, my childhood home anyway. My parents are in court right now.”
“Did you try to bribe the gaming board with jewels?” Helena asked her.
Before Knox could warn her not to ask, Draven had unzipped his pants and pulled out his sparkly balls. “Diakos? I know your family in Greece. But the more important point here is that anyone will do what I ask to have a look at the royal jewels. Have you seen anything so magnificent?”
They were the Thoroughbreds' colors. “Thanks for supporting the team, Draven,” Knox said dryly as Helena blinked in surprise and Quinn had a been there, done that look.
Suddenly Nolan was elbowing Knox and when he turned to ask his friend what he was doing he saw Nolan looking at Helena.
“Helena, this is my friend, Nolan Flynn. Nolan, Helena Diakos.”
Nolan towered over Helena as he shook her hand. His hand had to be twice the size of hers, having grown up tossing haybales and animal feed. Yet, he handled Helena as if she were the most delicate porcelain. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Helena gasped and turned to Quinn. “Am I old enough to be a ma’am?”
Nolan flushed red. “Not at all. I’m sure you’re younger than I am. It’s a sign of respect.”
Helena looked at the patch on the black quarter zip Nolan was wearing and then smiled. “Thank you, Firefighter Nolan. I’m glad you don’t find me ancient. Now, where can I get a drink and hear what exactly has happened?”
“Right this way,” Addison said with a smile. “Apple cider mimosas are inside.”
“You are speaking my language.”
Helena headed inside, leaving Nolan staring after her.
“Q, I’m sorry, but I have to get downtown to help set up for tomorrow.
There’s plenty of security here and I know you want some time to catch up with Helena.
The spare room is not really put together, but she’s more than welcome to it.
Here’s the key to my place. I’ll meet you back there tonight or come find me downtown. ”
“Thank you! I need some time with Hel. I’ll text you and see you tonight.
I lov . . . I appreciate this and you, Knox.
” She might not have completed the word, but it made Knox’s heart soar.
She loved him and he couldn’t wait to tell her that he loved her too.
Instead of saying it, he leaned down and kissed her.
He hoped the kiss told her how he felt. Soon, when the time was more romantic than this, he’d tell her.
“Have fun, Q. You deserve some relaxation time.”
Knox headed down the stairs as Nolan turned and headed into the house. Knox was downtown in minutes only to run right into an annoyed-looking Kale. “Dude, where have you been? Crap, I said dude. Freaking Alex. We found something. Where’s Quinn?”
“She’s with her best friend and Addison at the Rooneys’. She’s really shook up and scared that the arrest will hurt me, the team, and of course I’m sure she’s worried about her own job.”
“What arrest?” Kale asked with a wink. “Delaney was pissed and took care of it.”
“What did you find?” Knox didn’t want to hope too much. It wasn’t like they had a smoking gun, just suspicion.
“Short answer, the anonymous tip came from Karson. I was sleeping when he sent it in but when I reviewed their activity, I found it. Also, the second Quinn was arrested, all three of them sent Nico their résumés. I’m sure Nico doesn’t check his company email—probably an assistant. But we can have him look into it.”
“That’s good, but it’s not enough evidence to prove Quinn was set up,” Knox pointed out.
“I know, but I have an idea about that. I assume you need to stay here and help set up?” Kale asked.
When Knox nodded, Kale set down his computer bag.
“The quicker we get this done, the quicker we can put a plan in place.” Kale looked over Knox’s shoulder and frowned.
“What are the Rose sisters doing to your backup quarterback?”
Knox turned around to find Miss Lily gripping Austin’s ear and wagging a finger in his face. Knox saw his father smile and realized this was part of the plan. Miss Daisy just rapped the knuckles of Jayson, Deon’s problem rookie, and Deon looked elated.
“We’ve been working on this for a week, young men. I’m very disappointed.” Miss Violet put her hands on her ample hips and frowned at them. “Maybe you boys need a hug.”
“No, ma’am. We’re very sorry, ma’am,” Austin said loudly, dropping to his knees. “Please, no more hugs! I’ll be good, I promise.”
Miss Violet frowned at them some more. “Then make your apologies.”
Kale shivered next to Knox. “Your dad sent the rookies to the Rose Sisters’ Manners Training for Naughty Kids? That’s harsh. Seriously, I’ve been waterboarded. It has nothing on the suffocation of Miss Violet’s bosom when she gives you one of her hugs. Your life literally flashes before your eyes.”
The two rookies climbed up on the tower of hay bales they’d been complaining about building. “Can we have your attention?” Austin called out.
Jayson cleared his throat. “We want to apologize for our behavior this season.”
Austin nodded. “It’s come to our attention that we’ve kinda been dicks.”
“Ya think?” someone shouted.
“Tell us something we don’t know,” another teammate called out.
“We have learned our lesson and we both,” Austin said, looking to Jayson, “promise to be good men and good teammates.”
“We won’t let you down,” Jayson added.
“Will you give us another chance to prove to you that we can be the responsible, well-mannered men the team deserves?” Austin had clearly been listening to the Rose sisters’ lectures.
“Let’s vote,” Knox called out, loving the angst written across the rookies’ faces. “In favor of giving them another chance, raise your hand.”
At first no one raised their hands and the rookies’ faces dropped. The silence was broken by the sound of a spatula being slapped against an open palm. Then Knox raised his hand and slowly so did the rest of the team. The rookies looked so relieved.
“We won’t let you down!” Austin swore as the Rose sisters smiled at them and held out some homemade cookies. They patted the rookies’ heads as if they were good boys before sending them back to work.
It didn’t take more than two hours to get the downtown set up with the help of the whole team.
It looked fantastic. Each small business had a booth outside, and a large historical display about the founding of Keeneston was in front of the courthouse.
In the courthouse parking lot, a petting zoo and games for the kids were being set up.
In front of the café were two booths. One for kids, one for adults.
The adult booth had a bar. But the largest booth was at the end of Main Street by Paige Parker’s boutique and belonged to Marcy Davies and her pies.
“Delaney says Quinn is still at Addison’s. The party has grown,” Kale told Knox. “I’ll meet you there and we can come up with a plan to end this threat against Quinn once and for all.”