Page 57 of Contentious

“That it is. Is Julian available by any chance?”

“He sure is. I’ll put you right through. You have a blessed day, honey.”

“You do the same.”

Cresley would miss talking to Mattie.

“Hey, Cresley,” Julian said. “What happened with Marlon last night?”

“The police came and checked things out. Carson noticed a footprint in the garden, so the police brought in a crime scene team to retrieve it.”

“Wow, that’s brazen for a guy under an RO.”

“I understand they’re often not worth the paper they’re written on.”

“That is sadly true.”

“Carson has appointed himself my protector, and as such, he said I need to change law firms. He’s going to set me up with your sister Kaidan.”

That was met with silence.

“Julian?”

“I’m here.”

“I’m sorry about this, but Carson said there are ethical concerns.”

“He said that, did he?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry to lose you as a client. I’ll hope for all the best for you and Ty. If you decide to go with Kaidan, let me know, and I’ll have the file sent over to her.”

“Thank you so much for understanding. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me so far.”

“Of course. No problem. Take care, Cresley.”

“You, too. I hope things work out for you and Isla.”

“Thank you.”

Cresley ended the call, feeling bad about ending her professional relationship with him. He’d been good to her from the minute they’d first met when they’d been photographed having lunch together, which had sparked romance rumors. Funny that the romance, if that’s what you’d call it, had happened with his brother and not him.

As she went to change into her yoga clothes, she hoped there wouldn’t be trouble between Julian and Carson over this.

* * *

Carson had dropped Ty off at school and was on the way home to shower and change when he took a call from Julian.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“That’s exactly what I want to know. I just got dumped by Cresley because you’re concerned about ethics all of a sudden.”

“It’s not all of a sudden. I know I’m not a lawyer, but as you know, I’m a certified legal investigator, bound by the same ethical code you are.”

“What possible reason would you have to be concerned about an ethical violation with Cresley? You said you’re just friends.”

“We are, but I plan to stick close to her and Ty until this situation with Marlon is resolved, and I’m doing that as her friend and not on behalf of the firm, which makes it murky.”