I need to stay focused for Jason.
The line clicks, and a voice filters through the phone speaker.“Ms.Simpson?This is Blake Haywood.”
I breathe out a sigh of relief.“Mr.Haywood, thank you for taking my call.”
“Of course, Ms.Simpson.”His voice is smooth and professional.“I understand from my receptionist that you need assistance with a legal matter?”
“Yes,” I say, taking a deep breath.“My boyfriend, Dr.Jason Lansing, has been arrested for assault and battery in Boulder.He’s innocent, and he needs an attorney.He’s in a holding cell at the Boulder police station.”
“Of course, I’ll take this case myself, considering your family’s longtime relationship with our firm.As it happens, I’m only a mile away from the station.I’ll go over right now.”
“Thank you, Mr.Haywood.”I let out a sigh of relief.
“Don’t mention it, Ms.Simpson,” he says.“We’ll do everything we can for Dr.Lansing.”
Just as I’m about to hang up, he adds, “Ms.Simpson?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry.That’s the most important thing right now.You just take care of yourself and let us handle this.”
I nod, despite knowing he can’t see me.“Thank you, Mr.Haywood.”
I end the call and head back toward Ralph’s room.But as I near it, I stop in my tracks.The last thing Ralph needs to know is that Jason has been arrested and that I’m helping him.
I make a beeline for the elevator, pressing the button for the ground floor.As the doors close behind me, I take a deep breath, leaning against the cool metal wall of the elevator car.
As I make my way to the parking lot, my phone rings again.
It’s Tabitha.
“Angie, where did you go?”
“I’m sorry, Tabitha,” I say.“There was an emergency.”
“Is everything okay?”
“No.”The word leaves me before I can stop it.“But I’m working on it.”
I can almost see her brow furrowing.“Angie, what’s going on?”
“Everything’s fine.”
It’s a lie, of course.And a terrible one at that.But it’s all I can offer her at the moment.
“But somethingdidhappen,” she says.
“Yes,” I admit.“But I promise you, I’ll tell you everything when it’s sorted out.”
“You can tell me now.I’m right behind you.”
I turn.
Jeez.There she is, waving.
She walks toward me as I end the call.
“Okay,” she says.“So what did Ralph want?”
