Abrupt Changes: A Second Chance Romance (O-Town Book 3) by Karen Renee (comprehension books .TXT) 📕

“Thanks for clearing that up for me, boss.”

“No problem. I’ll let Gaspar know what you told me regarding Nailer.”

“Good,” I murmured.

“Take care of that arm. Need you back. I forgot how much I hate training field operatives, so get better.”

Chapter 28

Best Plan I’ve Heard All Day

Raegan

“NO COMMENT,” I CLIPPED out before I stabbed my finger at the red ‘end call’ icon on my phone.

Clint gave me a hard look. “Turn the phone off, Raegan, and you won’t have to field those asinine calls.”

I returned his hard look with one of my own. “I would, Clint, but I was supposed to hear back about doing a job from Orlando.”

His lips formed a flat line as he shook his head. “Fine. Then don’t answer calls from the Orlando area, hotshot.”

My eyes rolled to the ceiling and back. “I haven’t been. Those were calls from New York City local television stations. Seems a conspiracy to commit murder is a huge headline.”

Clint shoveled another bite of cheese grits into his mouth, but Mom pursed her lips at me while she thought about things.

“How about you call them?” she asked.

I gave her a small smile. “That’s not how it works, Mom.”

When my cell rang again, Clint’s good arm shot out to grab it, and I swatted his hand out of the way. The number had a New York area code, but it looked familiar. “Raegan Connelly.”

“Raegan, it’s Sandra Baltus from HR at Eastern, Sharpe, and Prescott.”

“Good morning, Sandra, how are you?”

“I’m well. The executive directors met and have decided the position in the creative department for which you interviewed can be done from our Orlando regional office. If you’re still interested, we’re offering you the position. Ordinarily, we would expect you to begin working for us within two weeks. However, I understand there is some news swirling around you currently, so we are willing to be flexible on a start date. That being said, I still need to know when you can start?”

I did some mental math. Then I remembered I had to go to New York to move my things. “I know you would like me to begin sooner rather than later, but I will also be moving my belongs in the next couple of weeks. Will the first of November work?”

There was a pause and I thought I might have pushed my luck too far. Then she said, “That should be fine, but I’ll verify with Raymond, the executive director you will report to. If it’s possible, when you’re in the city, would you mind coming by the office?”

“Absolutely. That won’t be a problem.”

“Good. Let us know when that will be, and welcome aboard, Raegan.”

When I put the phone down, Clint smiled. “You got the job and it’s here in town?”

I nodded while Mom said, “Congratulations!”

Quick as lightning, he snatched my phone away and turned it off. “Now we can have some peace and quiet.”

The doorbell rang, making Mom and I both laugh.

“Nope. That’s Tanya and her boys,” Mom said.

Clint groaned and I patted his arm. “It’s all right. She’s taking Mom to the park with her and the boys.”

A devious look hit his eyes. “So we actually will have some peace and quiet.”

Mom stood up. “Excuse you! I’m not the one with a phone ringing off the hook.”

I went to answer the door and stopped short when I saw a large, somehow familiar, man. “Are you expecting anyone, Clint?”

Turning to go back to the kitchen, I jumped since Clint stood right behind me.

He shook his head. “That’s Gaspar. Better let him in.”

DETECTIVE GASPAR PICKED up the coffee I had set in front of him when he finished telling us everything he had learned. He swallowed a sip, nodded his head toward Clint, saying, “And I’m sure he told you about Angela Nailer.”

My eyes slid to Clint, but Mom spoke before me.

“He most certainly did not. Since he’s being so tight-lipped, how about you tell us, Detective?”

Clint sighed. “I didn’t tell you because Rae’s phone wouldn’t stop ringing off the hook this morning, and I intended to tell both of you together, which is why I didn’t tell you about it last night, mamita.”

“Well, nothing’s stopping you now,” Mom muttered.

When he finished his story, Mom glared at me. “You should never tell people what medications you’re on, Raegan.”

I heaved a sigh. Then I thought back.

“I never did tell Angela I was taking Xanax.”

Mom’s glare didn’t dim. “Then how on earth would she know?”

“She at your place often?” Clint asked.

“At least once a week.”

“And you only have one bathroom, I’m guessing?”

I nodded. “And my medication was in the medicine cabinet.”

He looked at Mom. “Not unheard of to snoop through people’s medicine chests.”

“Fine,” she said. Then she gave me a remorseful look. “I’m sorry, Raegan.”

“It’s okay, Mom.”

With all the information we had received, a thought hit me. “If the wine would’ve been chilled in the fridge, Wynnie would still be alive?”

Gaspar shook his head. “That’s unlikely. He would’ve killed Bronwyn one way or the other. Though it would have been sloppier, or the foul play would’ve been obvious. Carlos was money-hungry, and so was Jason, for that matter. They had to kill you to get their pay-off. It wouldn’t have mattered if it appeared to be murder or accidental.”

Mom shook her head. “And to think that man sat at our table eating your lasagna.”

A muscle in Clint’s jaw ticked at her words. “Yeah, that was some bullshit, Penny.”

“Has Angela been arrested?” I asked.

Gaspar nodded. “Yes. She was charged late last night. Whether she can post bail or not is another story.”

“So, this is done?” Mom asked.

He nodded. “Seems so. Garrity will be moved to jail once he’s discharged from the hospital. When it goes to trial, you’ll both hear from the District Attorney’s office.”

“Thank you very much for your work on this,” I said.

He stood up. “You’re welcome, Ms. Connelly. I’ll see myself out.”

Clint stood and followed him to the door.

Mom stood up and came to sit next to