I felt like a huge weight had lifted from my shoulders. And to be honest, I felt more than a little guilty for not giving the Parkers the benefit of the doubt.
"By any chance," I said, "do you know anything about their lease?"
"Yeah, that got all screwed up too," he said. "That'll be my next stop. Lucky me."
I pulled the money from the envelope, rolled it up, and stuffed it in the front pocket of my jeans. Still smiling, I handed him back the empty envelope. "Got a pen?" I said.
He pulled a shiny gold pen from his lapel pocket. He handed it over along with the receipt. I checked the amount, signed on the dotted line, and then handed it back.
With raised eyebrows, the man glanced down at my front pocket. "You really planning to walk around with that?" he said. "Seems to me, you'd want to put it inside. Someplace safe and all."
I couldn't help it. I laughed. I pointed toward the street. "See that guy out there?"
The man looked and then gave a short nod.
"That's my bodyguard." I patted my pocket. "I think I'll be fine."
"Yeah. But who's gonna guard you from him?"
"Well, there is the dog," I said.
In unison, we turned to look. Chucky was flopped over Lawton's shoes, staring up at the clouds.
"Um, yeah. Good luck with that," the man said, turning to walk back to his car. A moment later, he got inside and drove off.
I shoved the cash deeper into my pocket and jogged back to where Lawton waited, his posture stiff and his expression stony.
"Sorry about that," I said.
Lawton didn't respond. He was still looking toward the house. His gaze narrowed.
"Ready to finish our walk?" I said.
"First," he said, turning to face me. "Tell me something. What's the money for?"
Chapter 48
I looked up at him, taking in his tight jaw and hard eyes. I looked down at Chucky. He was still flopped on Lawton's feet like all that spazzing had worn him completely out.
Perfect. Just when I could use a good distraction, Chucky decides to roll over. Didn't he have a squirrel to chase or something?
Then again, I shouldn'tneeda distraction. It's not like I'd done a damn thing wrong.
The mental whiplash was making me crazy. First, I was mad at the Parkers and happy to see Lawton. Now, I was fine with the Parkers, and unhappy with whatever Lawton's problem was.
Did I askhimabout his financial arrangements? No. Not even once. Even though his stuff had to be a whole lot more interesting than mine.
I lifted my chin. "I don't really like the tone of your question," I said.
"Alright," he said. "Then how about this one? Who do you live with?"
"What?"
"It's a simple question, Chloe."
"I already told you, I don't live with anyone."
He pointed toward the Parkers'. "So that'syourhouse."
