Page 81 of Operation K-9 Brothers
Chapter Twenty-Three
Jack hadn’t been home, and he still wasn’t answering his phone or responding to her texts.Nichole was dying to tell him that Lane had admitted to Mark that he was lying when claiming that Jack had beat him up, but she didn’t have a clue where to find him.
After arriving at the River Arts District and getting her booth opened, she called Deke, told him about the recording and how she and Mark had obtained it.
“It’s doubtful his attorney will be able to get it allowed in court as evidence, but she needs to hear it,” Deke said.“If nothing else, Detective Margolis won’t be able to ignore Gregory’s confession.”
“Thank God.”The detective had already wasted almost a week trying to nail Jack for something he didn’t do.“We copied it to a thumb drive, so Mark can drop it off to her.”
He gave her the attorney’s contact information, then said, “It’s great that you got it, Nichole, but you and your brother stay away from Lane Gregory from now on.He’s bad news.”
“I know, and we will.”She was embarrassed that she’d ever had a relationship with a man like Lane.“The good news is that my restraining order against him has been processed.”The hearing had been yesterday, and when Lane hadn’t shown up to protest it, the judge had granted the order.Nichole hadn’t bothered to mention that he wasn’t there because he was in the hospital.
“That is good news.Now the cops can act if he comes anywhere near you.”
“And believe me, I will call them if I see his face.”
He chuckled.“You better.Talk to you later.”
“Okay.And, Deke, thanks for everything.”
“I’ve only done what I felt was right.”
She hoped Jack realized what a great friend he had in Deke.Next she called the attorney’s office, expecting to have to leave a message.Instead, Ms.Boyd was available to talk.Nichole introduced herself, then told her about the recording.
“Can you get that to me today?”Ms.Boyd said.
“My brother can drop it off to you.Will it help?”
“At the very least, it will get the detective on the case off Jack’s back and looking for the real guilty person.”
“That’s great.My brother will drop off the thumb drive shortly.”
After talking to Mark, she called Jack’s number again.When she got his voice mail, she didn’t leave a message.She’d already left three, and he was making it clear that she didn’t matter to him, that those words hadn’t just been drunk talk.And for the first time since he’d slung those hateful words to her, she really believed him.
“Darn it, Jack.”Also, for the first time, she acknowledged what her heart had been trying to tell her.She was in love with the man, not just falling for him.
Lane had fascinated her, much like her first high school biker bad boy had.Where a high school bad boy had been pretty much harmless, a grown-up one like Lane wasn’t.As it turned out, Lane hadn’t been even close to fun.He hadn’t been a bad boy with a soft heart and an enthusiasm for life like the first boy she’d loved.It had taken her entirely too long to realize that, so stupid her.She’d finally found a good boy to love, and where had that gotten her?Heartbreak, that was what.Maybe she wasn’t meant to be in love.
That was a sad thought that hurt deep in her heart.She squeezed her eyes shut against the stinging tears.This wasn’t the place to have a meltdown.
“These fairies are adorable,” a woman said.
Nichole blinked away the tears.“Thank you.”She forced a smile she didn’t feel.The woman was holding one of her glittery fairies that Nichole had made on a night when she was bursting with happiness.Would she ever feel that way again?
The customer tilted her head, her gaze on Nichole’s watery eyes.“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.My allergies are killing me today.”She just had to get through the day, and then she could go home and have that much needed meltdown.
The rest of the day seemed to last forever, but it was finally time to close up.She debated going by Jack’s house one last time, then decided it was up to him to make a move...or not.
When she got home, she ignored Mark trying to talk to her, ignored her dog for the first time since she’d gotten him, went into her room, closed the door behind her, kicked her shoes off, got in bed, pulled the covers over her head, and quit trying to pretend her heart wasn’t broken.
Mark knocked on the door.“Nic, are you okay?”
No, she wasn’t.She cleared her throat.“I’m fine.Just tired.”
“Have you talked to Jack?”
