Page 51 of Evidence of Secrets

“Laura was mugged this morning, and the mugger got away with her purse.”

“Shit,” said Logan.

“Well, that wasn’t the worst of it. Her bank deposit was in it. It was several thousand dollars.”

“Did they catch the bastard?” asked Hank. He was trying for a calm voice, but it came out gruff.

He heard a soft growl and got another look from Danny. Dial it back.

Hank nodded. Yes, he understood he was being rude, but if Hailey didn’t finish the story, he was going to go ballistic. He rubbed the back of his neck.

“No. I understand the mugger pushed her down on the ground and ran off before the security guard from the bank could catch him.”

“Was it a random mugging, or was she targeted?” asked Logan.

“It sounds like it was random. The security guard told Laura it had happened several times over the past year. They were supposed to get more police presence, but that hadn’t happened yet.”

“Tell me about Laura’s injuries.”

“She has a sprained shoulder, cuts and bruises on her knees. Her ankle and head hurt. The doctor told her to rest and get physical therapy for her shoulder.”

“Does she have health insurance?”

Hailey shook her head.

“Damn.”

“So, this Laura. Is she your woman?” asked Logan.

A pair of shocked eyes stared at Hank.

Danny turned to him. “Something you forgot to tell me, Hank?”

“Later.” Never, if he could avoid it, but that wasn’t going to happen. He noticed a smirk on Hailey’s face and suspected the girls guessed they were dating.

He glared at Logan, who put his hands up. “What did I say?”

Hank ignored Logan and exhaled a long breath. “Where’s Sam now?” Getting information around here was like pulling teeth.

“She went to grab some things for Laura.” Hailey clapped her mouth with her hands. “And then she’ll drive my car here.”

“Why didn’t she take Laura’s car so she wouldn’t worry about it?”

“Good question. Apparently Laura sold it. She needed cash for the bistro.”

Laura sold her car? Even though her bistro wasn’t far from her apartment, it still meant she’d be walking home in the dark—sweet Jesus. What was wrong with the woman?

What was wrong with him? He knew she was having problems and treated her like a gold digger.

When the Atlanta job ended, he tried to talk to her, but she blew him off. Work got busy, and he called Laura, but she never called back. He was hurting and upset. Consequently, he never took another opportunity to touch base with Laura and clarify things like he planned to.

Money was something that he never worried about—never had to. He knew people watched their pennies. He didn’t live in a bubble, after all.

He admired everyone who worked hard and stretched a dollar. But this was his Laura in the other room.

His Laura? Was she his? The past week and a half were the worst days of his life. He missed her smile, her laugh, and her kindness towards others. Most of all, he just missed her. If he were being honest with himself, he was in love with Laura. Deep, unconditional love. He felt safe and comfortable with her. He wanted to marry and have children with her. But first, he needed a plan to regain her trust. Otherwise, none of that would happen.

Hank knew she’d never accept money from him, but there were other ways of helping that Laura didn’t know about.

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