Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 133849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Kim nodded on the screen. “She’ll be an excellent witness, but I’m hoping that tape leads to a plea agreement.”
“I think the Holloways will do anything they can to take the death penalty off the table, which means they’ll have to plead,” Roman continued. “When we have everything, I’ll send a copy to your lawyer, Nicole. Lucas O’Malley. I take it he’s the family attorney.”
Nicole nodded. “For the Barnes-Fleetwood family. He also handles the business.”
“If we need to get her a criminal attorney, we will,” Josh added. “But Lucas knows what he’s doing. I want her name cleared and all warrants rescinded as soon as possible. We plan on getting married within the year.”
“That’s not enough time,” their mom complained.
Abby had been thrilled they were back together, but she thought they needed more time. Not for the relationship but for the massive wedding she was planning.
He wanted Nicole to wear their ring, to have the name they’d all agreed on.
“So you’re meeting with her this afternoon?” Grim wanted the timeline.
“Yes,” Roman explained. “She’s going to give us the tape, and we’re handing over the cash your father wired. We bought her plane ticket. She’ll be in the air before her husband knows what’s happened. We originally planned this meeting for next week, but she bumped up the timetable. I think she’s worried for her safety.”
“She should be. Ted’s already proven he can be ruthless,” Nicole said.
“We’re going to catch a plane and meet her early this afternoon.” Kim checked her watch. “I hope to have something for you by this evening.”
“We’ll be waiting,” Josh said with a nod, but there was a tightness to his best friend that let Grim know he was still worried.
Grim was as well, but then he would be until the minute Ted Holloway was locked away.
“Can someone go out to the motel and pick up my stuff?” Kim asked. “I paid through the end of this week, but I don’t think I need to fly back out there.”
Harlow held up a hand. “I can grab it when I go into town if someone has a key.”
“I do,” Nicole acknowledged. “And I’d like to grab my things, too. I left a lot of my stuff in Kim’s room because… Well, I got a little freaked out one night.”
“Yes, that motel is not known for its safety record,” Dad managed to say with a frown. “A lot of criminal activity goes on there. Harlow…”
Harlow groaned. “Uncle Jack, I get enough of this crap from my dads. I assure you I can handle walking into a motel in the light of day and getting all Kim’s stuff packed up.”
Dad’s hands came up in acknowledgment. “Sorry. I’m overly protective.”
“And I was paranoid,” Nicole said. “I felt like someone was watching me all the time.”
Roman cleared his throat. “Uhm…”
Nicole laughed suddenly. “Of course. It was your mom.”
“Hey, I’m excellent at my job,” Kim assured them. “I blend into the background.”
There was another masculine snort, and this time a big muscular man wearing a T-shirt and jeans walked in front of the camera. He bent over and kissed his wife’s head. “You, my love, always stand out.”
She winked her husband’s way. “All I’m saying is I’m not the one who freaked Nic out that night. It was probably the meth dealer two doors down. Or one of the drunks. They don’t always remember where their rooms are. But I think it’s safe enough to send someone to pick up my stuff. This should all be done in a couple of hours. I’ll contact you when I have the footage in hand.”
Kim gave them a wave and a smile and then she was gone.
Nicole sat back, her hand on Buddy’s fur. “I can’t believe it’s almost done.”
Josh leaned in, brushing a kiss over her lips. “Just because we’re at the end doesn’t mean we skip the safety protocols. I’m going to want those in play for a while.”
Grim did, too. “I want Landon to go with you guys. And before I impugn Harlow’s abilities, I need someone to stop by the shelter and pick up a package for me. I would drive you myself, but I’ve got to check in on a couple of herds. I’ll be out of pocket most of the day, but I promise I’ll be back for the afternoon call with Kim.”
“And I have a couple of things I need to do as well,” Josh said. “I have a call into Uncle Lucas. I think I’m going to file a lawsuit against your father’s church. Not sure for what, but I’ll find a way. I’m going to let those assholes know I’m done with them coming after my family.”
“Or we could beat the shit out of them until they leave us alone.” Grim knew which way he would go.