Page 34 of Rules of Engagement

"I'm not leaving Montgomery and I am definitely not leaving Solomon."

"Yeah, I knew you would say that." Lily dropped into the chair Anastasia vacated.

"I'm going to speak to the lawyer," I decided. "Just because he didn't tell me anything when he gave it to me doesn't mean he doesn't know anything about it.

"When are we going?"

I smiled at Lily's assumption that she would come, without even asking. "I want to stay here a little bit longer; then I'll go later when one of the PIs comes and sits with Solomon," I said.

"You're not okay with that guy?" Lily thumbed the direction of the police officer still stationed outside.

"I'm sure he's fine but Solomon might have crossed paths with someone very dangerous, in which case, they might try again."

"Maybe you should put it out that he's dead," said Lily. Her hand flew to her mouth. "I did not mean for that to sound so blasé. I just thought it might protect him if someone thought their job was already completed."

"I know what you meant," I said softly because I wasn't mad at her. It was actually a good idea. I just wasn't sure I could pull it off. There were too many people who could easily walk past the room and see he was still here. "There's something else. Solomon said something."

"When?"

"Last night, after he was shot. He told me to go to Maddox."

Lily frowned. "What for?"

"I don't know. He passed out right after he said it."

"Do you think he was giving you to Maddox? Like, a parting gift?" Lily winced. "I didn't mean to say that either! Solomon is not going anywhere. Do you hear that, Solomon? You're not going anywhere! Do you think he'd mind if I kicked him? It might be the angry prod he needs to wake up."

"I think he would mind but thank you for offering."

"Okay, fine. No kicking. Back to your Maddox thing... Why do you think Solomon would want you to go to him? It's not like they're besties."

That was true. When I first met Maddox, he worked with Solomon and while they both got along, and respected each other, it wasn't an easy friendship. They tolerated each other but they didn't hang out. For a long time, I thought that was because of me. I was madly in love with Maddox and we had a happy relationship until it suddenly went wrong and abruptly ended. There had always been an attraction between Solomon and me but we never properly acted on it until after I was free. I called it off between Solomon and me initially for a while, giving me more time to think, but then I realized I wanted to give it a shot. Solomon wasn't thrilled about my continued friendship with Maddox but he accepted it. Or, at least, he tolerated it. Maddox warned me a few times to find out more about Solomon. Did he expect me to uncover something nefarious?

"I can't work that out. It could be that Solomon realized it was something to do with the jobs they worked on together. Maddox might know something. They were on the same team when I met them. "

Lily huffed. "They've always been on the Lexi team."

"I meant the insurance scandal."

"Surely, this has nothing to do with that!"

"I doubt it, but maybe I'll add it to the list."

"There's a list?"

"A long one. We're trying to cross some names off it but it's going to take some time."

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather leave this all to the police?"

"I need to do something. I can't sit here and do nothing."

"You are definitely not that kind of person," said Lily. "I think you should ask Maddox. If he knows anything, he'll tell you and Solomon must have wanted you to go to him for a reason. He's the best lead you have so far."

"I'll call him," I decided as I placed the half-drunk tea on the small side table. I reached for my phone and scrolled the favorites list, pushing Maddox's name.

"I've been waiting for your call," he said when he answered. "What do you need from me?"

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