“Harm?”
Paul pushed out a breathe. “It’s just safer this way. I’m not saying Phillip Morris is any sort of threat to you, but you never know how someone will react when they learn they’re being investigated. Morris doesn’t know you were the one to blow the whistle, nor does he know your first name just yet, but chances are, with you making the news in the future—”
“The news?” I blinked, wondering what Paul was referring to.
“Sports news. Brenda informed me that you’re now married to Williamsport Cougar quarterback, Tyler Townsend.”
I pursed my lips. I’d told Brenda … well, technically, Mike had told Brenda after Tyler told him and she came to me for confirmation. So far, we hadn’t made the news public yet, wanting all of our family and friends to know before we did. And since Resha was constantly on the go, I hadn’t been able to tell her yet. Apparently, the secret was starting to get out anyway.
“It’s only a matter of time before you’re photographed with him at some event. Morris would definitely find out. Now is the perfect time to pull you from this investigation. While he is still in the dark on the information being gathered on him.”
I sighed again. “You’re right. I still hate the thought of him continuing to deceive people. Even the likes of Leonard Riggs.” I sneered as I said his name but it was true. Even Riggs didn’t deserve to have his hard-earned wealth stolen by a snake like Morris. Scumbag though he might be, in his own right, Riggs still busted his ass on the field every week to help the Cougars win.
“Hey, speaking of the Cougars, you think I could get an autograph from your husband?”
Paul’s question pulled me back to the fact that I was still on the phone with him. I frowned. “Yeah, sure,” I answered half-heartedly.
“Thanks. Listen, I’ve gotta go. I can’t say I’ll keep you informed because I won’t be able to, but once anything becomes public I’ll give you a call to let you know first.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing that was the best Paul could offer. SEC and FBI investigations were private until charges were filed publicly. It was necessary to preserve the integrity of the investigation. I understood it, even though I didn’t like it.
“Thanks,” I murmured.
I hung up the phone with Paul, ready to get back to what I’d been working on before the call, when there was a sudden knock on my door.
I glanced up and smiled. “Hey you.”
“Hey, you like my ensemble?”
My eyes scanned down the length of Resha’s black, knee-length wrap dress and I frowned, lifting an eyebrow. “It’s a little plain for you.”
She nodded and stepped into my office. “I thought you’d say that, but I figured it’d be the most appropriate thing to wear to your funeral.”
My eyes widened. “Ouch! What the hell was that for?” I growled, frowning at her and rubbing the arm she’d just pinched.
“That …” she pointed at me as she rounded my desk to sit opposite me, “is for lying to me for weeks now, heffa!”
“Lie about what?”
“Oh, I don’t know, the fact that you’remarried.”
I gasped. “Who told you?”
“See? You don’t even deny it. Just wanna know who spilled the beans.”
“Mama,” I groaned, raising my head to the ceiling.
“Don’t blame Auntie. She was only looking out for her favorite niece since her daughter is a lying, backstabbing, cheating—”
“All of that, Resha?”
“Yes,” she answered, smacking her gloss colored lips together, pouting as she folded her arms across her chest.
Rising, I moved around my desk to stand in front of her. Her light brown eyes pinned my every move. I could see the hurt in them.
“You know you were thefirstperson I wanted to tell. Even before we told Ma. But you were out of town so much and it’s something I wanted to tell you in person.”
“We talk damn near every day, D. Why couldn’t you just say it over the phone?”
