“You and I know all about the evidence against George. Doesn’t mean the press knows.”
“My understanding was that Costas could be close to a plea deal.” He’d heard that straight from Liam.
“That’s what Gwen Menard told me when I spoke with her last week.” The FBI agent who’d originally questioned Liam.
Talk of a plea deal was worth nothing until it actually happened. Could change in the space of a heartbeat—or a conversation. And until it was done, Liam and his father were going to be under attack.
Even after it was done the suspicious-minded would probably still doubt them. Still wonder. Still tell the stories conjured up by their conspiracy-theory mind-sets.
“I’m assuming you set him straight,” Elliott said, making the last turn that would allow him to pull up at the curb right outside Gabrielle’s building.
“Of course I did. And he thanked me for allowing him to know the truth firsthand.”
“He’s up to no good,” Elliott said aloud.
“That’s a strong possibility.”
He couldn’t stop a reporter from reporting—even when the news was false. The guy would just claim that he believed his story to be the truth. Liam could always sue for defamation of character, but not until after the damage was done.
“So I’ll call and get some extra security for the front of the coffee shop just in case. And we stay on high alert,” Elliott said, sliding the vehicle into the curb as Gabrielle, in a navy pantsuit and with briefcase in hand, came outside.
“I was afraid you’d say that,” Liam grumbled.
But he didn’t argue.
* * *
MARIE WAS ALREADY UPSTAIRS, having left Eva and Nancy—another college student, a weekend employee who’d asked to pick up some extra hours—to close up the shop for the night, when Gabrielle got home. Gabi called her to invite her to share Chinese takeout in their apartment.
Chinese takeout that had already been ordered and that would be delivered momentarily. Which meant one thing to Marie. Trouble was brewing.
She hoped to God it wasn’t between Liam and Gabi.
Anything but that.
Putting the tuna she’d been mixing in a container and shoving it in t
he mostly empty fridge, she changed into a clean pair of jeans, a black tailored blouse and sandals before heading out. In the olden days, during most of the past thirteen years that Gabi had been living with her, Marie would have shown up to the table for Chinese takeout in the sweats she’d had on. But in the olden days, they’d never gone to Liam’s world. He’d always come to theirs.
As soon as she stepped into the apartment, she was glad she’d changed. Elliott Tanner was there, his big body looming over the small cardboard cartons from his seat at the table. Liam was in the kitchen getting drinks. But it was clear from the table setting that she’d been left to sit next to the bodyguard.
She wanted to be upset about that.
Or at least unmoved.
It would be their first dinner together.
She pulled out her seat with such force it almost toppled. “How’d you know I’d be free for dinner?” was the first question she asked.
And then, with a glance at Elliott, she answered her own questions. “Because you have my schedule.”
He nodded. Offered her the honey walnut shrimp. “Gabrielle says this is for you.”
They had more for her, too, she found out as they started to eat. With apology written all over his face, Liam confessed his actions of early in the day.
Marie cared about the reporters. Didn’t want their residents or her customers harassed. She cared that Liam and Gabi could be dragged through the mud again socially.
But what worried her most was that Liam had been caught out at an undisclosed lunch meeting with editor woman.