“Josh?” Damon called into the phone.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m here,” I answered just as the door closed behind Kayla. I made the decision to deal with the information Damon was about to tell me and then get back to handle whatever was the issue between Kayla and I.
Unfortunately, things would turn out a hell of a lot more complicated than I’d anticipated. The heat level of my body rose the more Damon talked. He’d been able to find out some information through his contacts. Apparently, whoever it was that was at the bottom of all the shit that was happening with Townsend Real Estate had been asking around for a few guys to set up the robberies.
“Someone from the Better Business Bureau had been looking for fired employees of yours,” Damon stated.
I lifted an eyebrow. James had been telling the truth.
“Go on.”
“Guy named Rich McCloud had tried to hire a runner who used to work for me back before I went legit. Well, mostly legit. Anyway, he was told there’d be money in the model home and empty condo.”
“In a safe, right?”
“Yeah. My guy didn’t fall for it but he remembered the name.”
“Rich McCloud. McCloud,” I repeated, being familiar with the last name.
“McCloud is the name of—”
“Yup,” I grunted into the phone. He was a real estate developer in the city as well. At least, he used to be. “I gotta go. Thanks for the intel.”
“Not a problem. Handle your business.”
“I always do,” I responded before hanging up with Damon. I immediately dialed Brutus to inform him of the information I’d just learned. Within an hour his team had gotten the names and locations of the other three robberies as well as the names of who had hired them. All fingers pointed to Rich McCloud, who was the cousin of one Wallace McCloud, the formerly well-known real estate developer in Williamsport. One my family had a not so nice history with. The more I found out, the more the pieces started falling into place as to why this person had it out for my company. His business had gone under and he blamed Townsend Real Estate for his troubles. Too bad for him, his pathetic life was about to get much worse.
Chapter Eighteen
Kayla
“I was surprised you called. Especially after what happened the last time we tried to view a place,” Darla commented, mumbling the last part.
I turned to her in the empty loft apartment we were standing in and nodded, giving her a half smile. “How’re you doing after that?” I asked.
She shrugged. “Better. I took off for a couple of weeks but Townsend Real Estate has been more than generous, paying me handsomely for time lost. It was way more than I expected.” She smiled brightly.
I simply nodded, not knowing that information. But I was sure Joshua was behind making sure Darla was taken care of after the robbery.
“I’m sorry about not calling more to check in with you.”
She waved my comment off. “Don’t even worry about it. I’m sure the experience was as traumatic for you as it was for me. I haven’t seen any news outlets talking about it and the police only reached out to me that one time after it happened.”
“I haven’t heard much but I know Joshua has been working his butt off to figure it out. I think that’s what had him leaving town in such a rush the other day.” Which, for me, was the perfect opportunity to meet up with Darla. I needed to find a new place to stay.
I’d overheard Tyler, Carter, and Aaron teasing Joshua that night at his parents’ house. What’s more, is that I heard Joshua’s response.I don’t have time for love or anything that comes with it.My chest ached with the memory of his harsh words. I rubbed my hand along my chest to attempt to ease the pain, but that didn’t work. I’d tried over and over to push his declaration from my mind but it kept coming back, reminding me that something I wanted so desperately, was the very thing I couldn’t have. His heart.
That’s why I was there with Darla. I had to make a clean break and I needed to do it while he was away. Sure, it was the coward’s way out, but the way I’d given myself to him in his driveway right after hearing his grim words was a testament to how much of my heart was wrapped up in this. He had my heart, but I didn’t have his.
“This place is great because of its open floor plan and the natural lighting that it receives from the fact that it faces the west side. I’m pretty sure that was done on purpose.”
I barely listened as Darla went on about the condo’s amenities. I was there, but my heart wasn’t in it.
“Excuse me,” I told Darla as my phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my bag and rolled my eyes when I saw Joshua’s name appear on the screen. After hitting ignore, I stuffed my phone back into my bag before turning back to Darla.
“Let’s put in the offer.”
****
