STELLA
“As of right now, we don’t need your testimony. We have your statement and the hospital records. He’s in enough trouble with his employer.”
I nodded, even though the detective from Ohio on the other end of the line couldn’t see me, as I sat on my mother’s couch, hoping to end the conversation before she came out of the kitchen. I wouldn’t hide anything from her, but seeing my first reactions to whatever he was about to tell me would only worry her even more.
“He stole from work too? My God,” I said, rubbing at my temple.
“Yes, he seemed to get sloppy toward the end. Happens when you’re in over your head and borrow from the wrong people. You’re lucky you found out when you did.”
“Yes, lucky is one way to look at it.”
I didn’t feel lucky at all, even though I could have lost a lot more than cash and jewelry. I scoured my credit report for any cards and charges that I didn’t recognize, thankful I hadn’t kept paper bills around the apartment for him to find. Still, he could have gone throughmy purse and grabbed a card out of my wallet without my knowing, but it seemed like he hadn’t resorted to that before I’d caught him.
“Borrow from the wrong people?” I straightened against the cushions when what the detective had said sank in.
“Well, when you’re involved in illegal gambling rings, you get caught up with the criminals who prey on guys like your ex. So desperate to keep playing and win, they help them fall deeper and deeper into debt. I’m sure the police are the least of his worries right now.”
My mind went to Rodney, the guy who’d stopped by the apartment looking for Zach and had given me the creeps. Not only had I not realized any of this had been going on, I’d had no clue how deep and dangerous it was.
“There was a man who stopped by while I was moving out of our apartment. He said his name was Rodney. I’d never met him before, and he asked me if I knew where Zach kept things. He left when I told him I had no idea and I was leaving, but I felt like he would have pressed more had the police not been there watching. I thought he was just a friend Zach may have screwed over or maybe was stealing with him, but now I’m wondering if it was more than that.”
“Was he stocky? Bald with a long beard and tattoos on his fingers?”
“Yes. Like I said, I’d never met him before, and I knew most of Zach’s friends.”
I just didn’t know Zach.
“Rodney was one of the guys who ran the sports betting ring. So you’d be right, Ms. Parker. Had the police not been there, he probably wouldn’t have left so easily.”
I scrubbed a hand down my face as my stomach plummeted to my knees. I looked up and found my mother studying me from the kitchen table.
“Thank you for the update, Detective. Be honest with me—should I be worried?”
“I don’t think so, but I’ve learned not to put anything past anyone. Stay alert, and let me know if Rodney or anyone connected to Zach tries to contact you.”
“I will. Thank you,” I said, ending the call and finally turning to meet my mother’s worried gaze.
“Did they let him out?” A frown pulled at her mouth as she padded over to me.
“No, but he was borrowing from loan sharks to cover his debt. The detective told me the police are the least of his problems now.”
“Hopefully one of them teaches him a lesson in jail. A painful one.”
“That would be nice,” was all I said. If I had just broken up with Zach when it was time, I wouldn’t be a part of this mess. I had nothing to do with anything Zach did, but the bad guys he’d fallen in with might not be so easy to convince.
Hopefully, I was out of sight and out of mind. Whatever they ended up doing to Zach, in or out of jail, I didn’t have an ounce of sympathy for him. I just wanted to be left alone so I could move on. I hoped the detective was right and I didn’t have anything more to worry about.
“He said not to be worried.” I held up my phone. “But be aware. I’m going to try to forget him and everything that happened, and you should join me.” I flashed her a grin.
“When someone hurts your baby, you’ll see how hard it is to forget and move on.”
I smiled at the murder in my mother’s eyes.
“You can totally hate him and hope for the worst for him, but don’t worry about me,” I said, pushing off the couch. “Or try not to.” I kissed hercheek.
“That’s not so easy either.” She pinched my chin as a smile twitched at the corner of her mouth. “What time did Lee say he was dropping his mother off?”
“He said they were dropping her off this morning to allow her time to settle in.” I checked my watch. “They should be almost done by now.”
