Undeniably His(94)
Kalin smiles and embraces me, and I welcome the relief from the traumatic moment.
“Why did she do it, Kalin?” I ask against his chest.
Kalin pulls away from me and looks into my eyes. “Who?”
“Madison. Why would she do it?”
“I don’t know, baby. I don’t know.”
“She was in love with you the whole time.”
Kalin places his hand over my head and holds me for a moment, and the words hang in the air like the aftershock from the afternoon.
I go with the police and give them the video with Charlie Cattano’s confession regarding the board’s plot to kill Kalin. When the police arrest Brian McMillan, Jeff Corman, and Madison Jacobs, I can’t help but think back to when I asked Madison about whether or not my relationship with Kalin was an issue. I was trying so hard to be honest, like friends would do. Why couldn’t she just tell me?
After reading more about how Brian McMillan and Jeff Corman operated ProEast Energy, leaving a trail of destruction and damaged lives along the way, it is not surprising to me that they would take one more life for the right amount of money. But Madison? I still can’t believe it.
Lia breaks through my thoughts with a bright smile and a plate of chocolate chip cookies. “Chocolate always makes you feel better,” she says with an encouraging smile.
“That usually works for a bad date, Lia, not attempted murder.” I frown.
“You haven’t tried these cookies.”
I can’t stifle my giggles, and Lia laughs with me. I needed to laugh more than I thought, and the release washes over me, taking the tension wound up in my body like a gentle massage. I also suddenly feel like I could actually eat something. “You’re so good for me, Lia. I hope we’re friends forever,” I say, taking a cookie.
“Why wouldn’t we be?” she shrugs. “If our friendship can survive the past few months, it can survive anything. Oh, your dad called. News travels fast these days. He called your cell phone and our line. I spoke with him and told him you’d be in soon and would call.”
“Dad, really?” My eyes are aglow. She tosses me my cell phone. I press the button to redial.
“Hi Dad.”
“Sweetheart, you’re about to give us a heart attack over here. Are you okay?”
“Yes, Dad, I’m fine.”
“I heard you shot one of those men. Is that true?”
“No, Dad. I shot both of them.”
“You what?” he says in a stressed tone.
“He was trying to kill me. If it weren’t for you teaching me how to shoot, I probably would have fumbled the gun all over the place. The other guy had a gun pointed at Kalin and his parents. I don’t think we’d be talking about it right now if I didn’t shoot them.” My heart weighs heavy in my chest from the memory.
“Sweetheart, we’re coming to see you. We want to spend a week with you.”
“Sure. That would be wonderful.”
“We also want to meet Kalin, if that’s okay with you.”
“Of course, Dad. He wants to meet you too. When are you coming up?”
“Considering everything that’s happened, as soon as possible.”
“Yes. Please. You know Kalin has a beautiful house in the Hamptons. I am sure you can stay there.”
“Isn’t that where the shooting took place?”
I smack my lips. “Yes, Dad, but it’s not like the place is cursed or anything. After all, it led to the evidence that got them all arrested.”
“Okay, sweetheart. We’ll plan on flying in first thing at the beginning of the week. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, Dad, stop worrying. I have Lia here making me chocolate and everything.”
My eyes dart to Lia and she crinkles her nose at me.
“Tell her we look forward to meeting her. Your mom wants to talk to you.”
I tell my mom what happened, and the sound of her voice calms my nerves.
“We’ll see you soon, sweetheart. I love you.”
“Bye, Mom. I love you, too.”
I purse my lips at Lia and call Kalin, showing her his picture on the screen. “Hi Kalin. Guess what?”
“You sound excited. What?”
“My parents are coming in next week. They want to meet you.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“Can they stay at your Hampton house? Pretty please?”
“Of course they can. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
I turn to the side and hold my hand over my mouth. “Can I invite Lia? I know she would love that beach.”
“I would love to see Lia there.”
“Great. I haven’t asked her yet, so not sure if she’s coming.”