They approached Gwen’s door cautiously.Bryn took the lead again and knocked at the door.He scanned their surroundings as they waited for Gwen to respond.
“Bryn!”Gwen looked shocked to see them.“What are you doing here?”
“I was hoping we could talk about what’s going on.”When Gwen hesitated, Bryn pressed, “Please?I swear I didn’t take any money or hurt anyone.”
Gwen didn’t invite them in.“Look, Bryn, normally I’d be willing to help you out, but Richard is really upset with you, and I can’t risk losing my job.”She glanced over her shoulder, as if expecting Richard to show up.“He believes you’re guilty.”
“But you know I’d never steal or hurt anyone, don’t you?”When Gwen bit her lip, Bryn frowned.“Come on, Gwen, you know me.You know that though Damien and I broke up, I never hated him.And why would I steal?Don’t you see?Someone else is doing this, not me.I’ve even wondered if Richard might be the one doing this.”
“Richard.”Gwen’s eyes rounded.“No way.That’s completely out of line.And while I never would have expected you to steal from the company or kill Damien, I’m afraid I can’t do anything to help you.I’m sorry, but I need my job.”Without giving Bryn a chance to stay anything more, Gwen stepped back and closed the door.
“Well, so much for being close friends.”Bryn looked dejected.“I should have anticipated she’d side with Richard.”
“Yeah.”Micah glanced at his watch.If the other employees had a similar mindset as Gwen, they’d be done in an hour.He forced a smile.“The good news is that nobody was waiting here with a gun.Let’s move on to the next employee.”
They retraced their steps, ducking through backyards to reach the car.They went to Deon’s next, but nobody was home.
“Maybe he’s driving around with Richard in a new SUV,” Bryn groused as they headed to Sam’s apartment.
“Innocent until proven guilty,” he said lightly.
“Yeah, except when you’ve been framed to look guilty,” she shot back.
He grimaced, wishing he’d kept his mouth shut.For all he knew, Deon was driving around with Richard looking for them.At this point, everyone was a suspect.
Including Gwen.Her staunch support of Richard could be related to her not wanting to lose her job.Or it could be that she’s involved in this too.
Next, they swung past Tabitha’s home.She didn’t answer the door, but she did speak through an intercom.“Go away, Bryn.I can’t help you.”
“Tabitha, please.I’m not a criminal!”Bryn pressed the doorbell again.
“I’m sorry, but if you don’t leave right now, I’m calling the police.”
Micah drew Bryn from the doorway.“Let’s go.She’s obviously not going to help.”
“It’s horrible to know everyone believes the worst of me.”Bryn looked sick as they made their way back to his SUV.“Nobody will even give me the benefit of the doubt.”
Sam lived in a high-rise apartment, and the closest parking was two blocks down anyway, so there was no point in hiding.Still, Micah swept his gaze over the area as they waited to be buzzed in.
“Bryn, I can’t believe you’re here.Come on up.”Oddly, Sam seemed happy to hear from her as he released the door lock.They entered the building, found his apartment, number 312 on the third floor, and took the stairs up three flights.When they reached the landing, Micah caught Bryn’s arm.
“Stay behind me,” he warned.“And be prepared to run if this is a trap.”
She paled but nodded.“I understand.”
The apartment door was open as they approached.Micah led the way, his hand resting on the butt of his weapon.“Sam, I’m Micah Newton, a friend of Bryn’s.Thanks for agreeing to talk to us.”
“I’m glad Bryn has help.”Sam’s Chinese heritage was etched into his features with his slanted dark eyes and jet-black hair, although he was taller than most Asian men.“Bryn, Richard has it out for you big time.Did you see the press conference?”Sam waved a hand at the television in the living room behind him.“He’s begging you to turn yourself in.”
Micah looked over Sam’s shoulder to see a tall man in a suit standing beside the Madison chief of police saying something to the crowd of reporters surrounding them.
Not good.Things were escalating.They needed to get out of town ASAP!
11
Hearing the news about turning herself in to the police chilled Bryn to the bone.This was it.She was going to jail for the rest of her life.
“Let’s go.”Micah’s voice was terse.“We need to get out of here.”
