I had to tell her enough to explain why I wouldn’t be back after lunch, but I didn’t go into detail. I take our food out of the bag and set each order in front of us.
“It wasn’t a big deal. Just a little break-in at the house. I got a notice on my phone when I was at lunch with Chris. Nothing was stolen, thankfully.”
She frowns as she unwraps her food. “They broke in and didn’t steal anything? That seems odd.”
Taking a deep breath, I decide to reveal a little more to her than I intended. “I’d prefer you not to share this, but I think Blake was into something bad. I don’t know what, exactly, but I think the break-in had to do with something shady he was doing before he died.”
Her eyes widen, and she glances over her shoulder, as if to make sure we’re alone in my office. When she’s satisfied we are, in fact, alone, she hisses, “Is that why he was killed?”
I swallow hard and shrug. “I don’t really know.”
“Wow…” She shakes her head in disbelief. “Well, not to be flippant about the dead, rest his soul, but good riddance.”
A strangled laugh drags out of my chest. “That seems to be a recurring sentiment.”
Lifting her sandwich, she wags her eyebrows. “You know who I wouldn’t say good riddance to if I were you?”
I press my lips together, having a feeling I know where she’s going with this. “Who?”
“Chris Rivers.”
Picking up a chip, I say, “I plead the fifth.”
Her giggle helps lighten the heaviness inside me that’s become a constant companion over the last few weeks.
By the time we finish lunch, I’m feeling infinitely better.
“Thanks, Anna. I needed that,” I tell my friend with a smile.
“You’re welcome. I know we see each other every day, but I miss you. Let’s make sure we talk more.”
My cell phone starts ringing, but I ignore it for a second to promise her we will. When she’s out of sight, I connect the call, not bothering to look at the name.
“Hello?”
“Lily, I need you to meet me at your house. I have some papers for you to sign for Blake’s estate.”
I haven’t heard from Vernon in weeks, so I’m a little annoyed that he’d be calling me randomly with papers to sign.
“Does it have to be today?” I check the time on my computer, seeing it’s a little past one.
“I’d prefer it to be today, yes. There are some time-sensitive ones that I need you to sign. Unfortunately, they slipped my mind until that last minute, what with me being old and forgetful.”
“Can you bring them by my office for me to sign here?”
“That’s all the way on the other side of town. It’d take me longer because I have to drive back to my office.”
He’s got a point there. His office is only a few minutes from my house.
Sighing, I relent, “Fine. I’ll be there as soon as I can. You still know the code for the door and security system?”
Blake insisted Vernon have those in case something happened, which made sense.
“I do.”
“Okay, go on in when you get there. Excuse the mess. There was a break-in yesterday.”
“See you soon, Lily. Thank you for doing this. I think we’ll both be happy when this is all over with.”
