“Hey.You guys made it.How are you doing, Caylee?”Liam shakes my hand.
The case against Brad is complicated.He was denied bail given the nature of his job working with young women.
Thank god.
His wife was given permission to keep running the company, which meant the Thornton Dental employees weren’t out of a job immediately.
Our lawyer advised the company it would soon go under as people learned about Brad’s case.It was national news, so it was just a matter of time.
The Feds had gone in and spooked a few employees, who chose to leave, and Caylee sat on the decision for a few days before choosing not to return.
I totally supported her decision.
Just quietly, I like her being at home, recovering and baking the god-awful cupcakes she seems to enjoy making.
Note to self: check the sugar isn’t filled with salt.
I’ll still eat them, though.
Thornton’s case is going to take time, and all we can do is hope that the state has enoughlegallygained information to put him away.
“We will keep following the yellow brick road, so to speak, to see if we can find some of the big players,” Josh had told Agent Reed.
“Appreciate your help, and Murphy, if you decide to come back, give me a call.We need more good agents.”
I shook his hand and waited for Josh to say something when he left.He didn’t.
“You think I’m going to leave,” I said to him.
“No, I don’t,” Josh replied.
Sliding my hands into my pockets, I tilted my head and waited.
“You haven’t decided yet, but you wouldn’t give up this early.”Josh smirked.“And my money is on you staying.”
I laughed as he walked out of the room.
He was probably right.
Being here at the BHS Christmas party felt like a milestone of sorts.
“I’m good.Tired some days, but I’m getting there.”Caylee replies as she gives Liam a hug.Then she spots the girls and waves out excitedly.“I’ll be back.Don’t upset my brother.”
As she dances away, I mumbleof course I won’t,and Liam snorts.It’s more of a joke than reality these days.
Mostly.
I spot Aidan and Josh fighting over the score of a lawn game I don’t recognize and tune in.
“You tap it, not fucking bash it.”Josh jabs the stick towards a ball that’s rolling miles away.
“No one said you had to tap it lightly.Always a poor loser.Damn SEAL.”Aidan laughs.
“Language, Josh.”Briar puts her hand over the ears of the baby she’s holding.I can’t tell the difference between their twins.
Cole and Scarlett arrive with Zara.While she bounces the baby on her hip, the men shake hands.
“Put a ring on it yet, Murphy?”Scarlett asks me, and I grin.
