Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 99

After he finished speaking, he took Cecilia and left; even his retreating figure screamed “cold

fish“.

I never expected we’d end up at each other’s throats, ready to duke it out in court. And I was totally blindsided by the fact that Hogan had his ear to the ground about us secretly chatting up lawyers.

“We can’t rush these things.” Darren comforted me before we parted ways, “I’ll dig a little deeper on my end and hit you up when I’ve got something.”

Thinking back to the way Hogan was all up in Darren’s grill at the dinner table, I diplomatically said. “You’ve helped us a lot. I’ll handle the rest on my own.”

Darren did a double–take, hesitated for a hot second, and then said, “Sure, it’s your call.”

After seeing Darren off, night had just started to light up the town, and before long, Wallis was on the horn with me.

“Come scoop me up at the Bluebell Bistro & Bar.” Her voice was all stumbly–bumbly, clearly liquored up, “It’s an emergency.”

I didn’t drag my feet; hit the gas and bee–lined there. Busting through the door, Lsaw her, one woman hemmed in by three or four dudes, and my heart just went out to her.

I had to knock back three drinks before I could get her out.

garage, Wallis dropped her act and started griping, “If I wasn’t fishing for info on that FreeMan, I wouldn’t bother shooting the breeze with those clowns. And

sit right with me, “Next time you’re in a tight spot

threw an arm around me and said, “Chill, I can take a little booze. What’s lit is, I snagged

be making a low–key appearance at

want to drag Candy into anything that would bum her out.

place, I chewed it over and decided we absolutely couldn’t let

Hogan was my only play. Wallis put her neck on the line

the cab pulled up at Rainbow Capital, night had already thrown its cloak over the city. I took a deep breath and stepped into the building. But then

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13:31

Chapter 99

duty.

a

gave me the side–eye, half

Mr. Zade and I go way back;

attention and bowed towards someone behind me, “Mr. Zade.”

into a hole. There stood Hogan and Zachary, just a stone’s throw

caught my little chat with the guard.