Lies Beneath the Surface (Buried Secrets 2)

“Joshua Moore began making deposits into Mr. Eldridge’s personal bank account in November. The deposits ranged from one to five thousand dollars with the total lump sum paid to Mr. Eldridge totaling fifty thousand dollars. We checked with the bank and Mr. Eldridge’s mortgage has been pulled from foreclosure. I sat on the Destin Andrews ownership specifically for the reason that I was suspicious of Josh and Drew’s involvements in the sabotage. I want them to be charged for every crime they’ve committed. Had I unveiled their ownership in Destin Andrews prior to this investigation, these charges would have been overlooked and I don’t feel that justice would have been served properly. One phone call, Carly. That is all it will take to put the wheels in motion. I already have the documentation drawn up. I just need to call in a favor to a judge to expedite the arrest warrants quickly. When you’re ready, say the word.”

Anxiety grips me and anger surges through me as the story unfolds. I suspected that Drew was behind the sabotage, but knowing that it was in fact Josh, causes my blood to boil.

“How long will the process take?”

“Tiffani can file the charges at the courthouse now and I just have to call in my favor to Judge Thornhall. The arrests should be made within forty eight hours, seventy two hours at the latest. You need to understand, Carly, once charges are filed that can’t be reversed. Josh and his entire family will be scrutinized under a fine tooth comb. I’ll also be sending the evidence we gathered of their involvement with Destin Andrews to the attorney over the class action law suit. The shit storm brewing is about to hit the fan, hard; and it’s gonna stink this town up for a long time.”

A means to an end. I know that Savannah may hate me for pulling the string that will completely unravel her family; but this may be her only chance at escaping Josh’s abuse. I know this path we are about to walk down will be hard for her, but I’ll do my best to be by her side every step of the way. I just want to protect Savannah and do what’s best for her and the kids.

I pull in a heavy ragged breath and push myself up from the chair. “Call me when it’s done,” I say without sparing them a passing glance.

Colton seethes in anger, his usually tan face is now a deep red and his chest rattles with a deep grumble as I relay the facts to him. It’s taking every ounce of his inner strength to compose himself right now, but I’ve said repeatedly that it’s in the hands of the law, we just have to sit by and let them handle the case.

“Savannah might just come unhinged after this, Carly Jo. You need to prepare for that.”

“I know, baby. I feel terrible, almost at fault for putting the wheels in motion but I have to protect Simon Energy. In doing so, I’m protecting my family as well and I can only hope that she will understand that. I’ll be there to help her through it.” Rolling my head from side to side, trying to ease the tension in my neck, I release a pent up breath of air.

“Darlin, you need to quit stressin’. You’re too worked up over this, I can see the tension rollin’ off of you in chaotic waves. You need to go home and rest.” Colton orders.

“There is too much work to do here, Colton! Did you get everything straightened out with the other Superintendents??

? I ask, turning in my chair to pull reports from the file cabinet.

“Carly Jo, it’s handled. Get home. Now.” He orders. Turning me towards him he removed the files from my hands before he pulls me up from the high back leather chair. He grabs my purse and ushers me out of my office.

“Can I at least take some files with me to work on from home?”

“Hell no! Woman, you’re thirty two weeks pregnant. You’re tired, stressed out and worryin’ ‘bout this shit ain’t good for your blood pressure. Now, get your cute little ass home, sink down in a nice warm bubble bath and read one of them stupid romance books you’re always readin’.” All but dragging me outside, he helps me up in the Tahoe and waves me off as I pull out of the gravel parking lot.

I know I’m doing the right thing, but I can’t dismiss the foreboding sense of despair that fills my veins. Savannah may hate me after all is said and done, but one thing I know without a doubt is after Josh has been arrested, she’ll no longer have to worry about suffering at his hand.

With my mind wandering endlessly, I find myself in the parking lot of the Village Diner instead of home. I haven’t been here in so long and I don’t know why I’m here now. Looking around the gravel lot in slight confusion, I know when my eyes lock on the shiny black Harley why I ended up here. Slowly waddling into the diner, I wave to Tabby as I make my way to the back of the diner where Luke is sitting.

“Ain’t you supposed to be home, readin’ some love story or somethin’, Carly?” He asks as I approach his table, his eyes not even settling on me yet. How the hell does he do that? “What’re ya doin’, beauts?”

“How’d you know it was me behind you?” I laugh as I try to force my belly into the booth.

“I can feel ya, Carly. I always know when you’re near.”

“But you said I should be home reading?” I question, tilting my head to the side in confusion.

“You know that man worries ‘bout ya, beauts. Believe it or not, he worries about Savannah, too. Which is why he called and gave me a heads up about the shit storm that’s about to land.”

Tabby approaches the table with a glass of sweet tea and instinctively Luke orders a double slice of peanut butter fudge cheesecake. We make small talk while we wait for her to return with the pie. Naturally, I get giddy with excitement when she slides the piece of delectably sweet pie in front of us. Pulling it directly in front of me, I lick my lips slowly as I unfold the fork from the napkin ready to dig in. Sliding a forkful of pie in my mouth, I moan around my fork as my eyes drift closed. Oh I’ve missed that taste. Luke reaches across the table with his fork and cuts off a sliver of cheesecake. Before he can lift the fork from the plate I slap his hand, causing him to drop the fork in a clatter.

“Luke Ashton, I don’t know what the hell you’re thinkin’, being bold enough to reach across MY plate trying to snatch a bite of my cheesecake. I’ll cut your damn finger off if it happens again.” I snap, poking my fork in his face. Lifting his hands defensively he chuckles to himself, muttering something about a crazy ass pregnant woman.

“I heard that, jackass.” I frown.

“Beauts, I ordered a double slice so we could share, not so you could hog it all.”

“You ordered a double slice, because I’m eating for two…not my fault you can’t count.” I shrug.

“Alright, you win. Eat ya damn pie and get it all off your chest. We both know that’s what you’re here for, right?” He implies. “I’m worried ‘bout her too, Carly.”

“Am I doing the right thing, Luke?” I ask, chewing on the corner of my lip nervously.

“Should that even be a question? Carly, look at it like this; if it were Drew who had paid that man off to destroy your mines you wouldn’t be second guessing yourself right now, would ya?” I shake my head from side to side. “So what makes Josh special? I’m tickled pink that the son of a bitch is goin’ down, because now we both know that we can protect Savannah easier. Will she be hurt once you tell her everything? I’m sure she will be. But keepin’ secrets can be forgiven, beauts.”