My hands curl into fists at the reminder of that fucker when he came at me with a knife.
Helena leans back into her chair.“The exact words I overheard Royce tell Jolene were, ‘I promised you half of Burk’s fortune minus the shares in the company which are rightfully mine.You have to give Nolan his share because he’s been doing all the dirty work, including getting rid of your cheating, asshole husband.’No need to tell you Jolene didn’t want to share, right?According to her Nolan was a loose end.”
I rub a hand over my face.Nolan still being alive meant she’d had to share.
“I should have recorded their conversation with my phone, but sadly I only caught a few sentences.They had to return to the gathering where Jolene played the grieving widow.All while she apparently organized the death of her cheating husband.”
Taking my phone, I type my words and show her.“Burk didn’t sign the Last Will and Testament Jolene’s husband notarized.He couldn’t because he was already dead.That’s why they killed him.”
Her eyes slowly go up to collide with mine.“I probably shouldn’t ask why you know he was already dead, right?You know, because Burk’s official cause of death was ruled an animal attack on his own damn land where his munched-on bones were found.”
I bring my hand to my face, pinch my thumb and forefinger together and move them across my lips.
Helena snorts.“Your lips being sealed is a bit of overkill if you don’t have a voice, buddy.”
For the first time in weeks, I can feel a huge fucking smile slide across my face.The woman who caused it is grinning at me, and makes my damn chest fill with warmth.Shit.This right here is why I wanted to keep everyone out of my life.
Feeling alive means facing my inabilities.Though, the way she’s still looking at me gives me a huge motivation to keep this thing between us going.That, and the blow job she’s going to give me when I get us the first lead to break this case.
CHAPTER FOUR
–HELENA –
Ballard locks his truck as we walk to my sister’s house.Last night, after he agreed to become my fake boyfriend, I showed him the invitation I received.The invitation to my sister’s party is what gave me the idea of asking for Ballard’s help, after clearing it with Orson, of course.
I could have tried to do it by myself, but the thought of facing my family by myself and handling this case alone along with it?Too many distractions.Not to mention, the emotional, legal, and ethical conflicts I’d be facing.
Everything is on record, and I’m the only person with the right connection who might be able to crack this case.Orson actually suggested Ballard as the right person to be my partner during this sting operation.We went by the station earlier today, and Ballard signed some forms to make things official.
I throw a glance at the man who is now wearing black boots, dark jeans, and a white crisp dress shirt instead of a flannel one.He’s looking all business instead of the rugged mountain man version I saw last night.His dark gaze hits me and one of his eyebrows moves up.
“Let me do all the talking, okay?”I tell him, and cringe when his mouth turns into a flat line.
Okay, definitely a bad choice of words.
I smack a flat hand against his chest.“Don’t act like I stepped on your dick.You know very well you’re capable of using other ways to talk.Like you did just now by giving me one look.”
