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CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
“I’ll take a look at your car while you pack,” Dash offers, once we’re inside my garage.
“Thanks,” I say, “but I’m not expecting good news. It’s old and it’s been sitting at my mom’s place for years.”
“Don’t be doom and gloom, just yet,” he says, lifting the hood. “Go pack. I got this.”
I hurry inside and head to the bedroom, picking out an outfit for work tomorrow, and filling an overnight bag. The necklace is in my nightstand and I decide to show it to Dash. I stuff it in my bag and head to the kitchen. Dash is just headed back inside.
“That was fast. Is that good or bad?”
“It’s not good,” he says. “I think you have engine trouble. I pushed it to the driveway so I can have it towed to a mechanic friend of mine.”
“I really appreciate that, but I’m not sure it’s worth the money.”
“He won’t charge me to look at it. We can talk about what to do about it when I hear back from him. And you can drop me at the airport tomorrow and use my car this week.”
“What? No. I’m not driving your fancy sports car. It’s brand new.”
“It’s just a car, baby. I don’t mind and at least it’s safe.”
“I’m safe. It’s not. I’m not doing that. I’ll get a rental.”
He steps in front of me and cups my face. “Use my car, Allie. I want you to.”
“No. Dash, no.”
“We’ll fight about it at my place when we can argue naked.”
“I’ll lose that argument.”
His lips curve. “That’s the point.” He kisses me hard and fast and says, “All ready?”
I give up the battle for now and let him change the subject, but only because now seems as good a time as any to show him the necklace. “I am, but I want to show you something first. You never asked how I ended up at Hawk Legal and it’s kind of a strange story.”
He leans on the island beside me. “Strange how?”
“I was doing a temp job at the Frist Art Museum just to plump up my diminishing savings account and a delivery arrived for Allison W. We all assumed that was me.”
“But it was the other Allison.”
“Yes. Exactly. Easy to explain since we worked a few blocks apart. But I want you to see what it is.” I unzip the bag I’ve set on the counter and pull out the velvet box. “It’s a highly personal gift that came with a note just as personal.” I open the lid and display the stunning necklace. “It’s expensive and the card, well you can read it.” I pull the card from my bag and show it to him.
Dash accepts the card from me and reads it out loud, “Forgive me.” He frowns. “And no name.”
“No,” I say. “I guess the person assumed she’d know who it’s from, but most people would still sign their name as a personal gesture. It’s weird and so was her rapid departure. I know it’s probably crazy, but I’m a little worried about her. And I don’t know what to do with the necklace. It’s a personal gift, and telling anyone about it at the office feels wrong.”
He glances at the necklace. “It looks expensive. Is there a brand?”
“Nothing on the necklace or the box,” I say, “but I’ve developed an eye for expensive at Riptide. I agree. It’s valuable.” I hesitate. “You said her and Tyler were a thing. Could it be from him?”
“Was the delivery meant to be received at Hawk Legal?” he asks.
“Yes. That was the address on the delivery.”
“Then no. Despite how contrary this sounds, considering his personal relationship with Allison, Tyler doesn’t like his personal life to touch his professional life.”
“Which is my impression of Tyler, it is, but as you just said, she was an exception to his norm. Maybe he thought he’d convince her not to leave.” I frown. “No. That makes no sense. She’d been gone weeks by the time I received the necklace. Though I do believe the necklace arrived at the museum and got stuffed somewhere before it made it to me.”
“Have you tried to call her?”
“Yes. I did. And I texted her, too, and received no answer. Though I did make it a business call. Maybe I should just leave a message about the necklace?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“And maybe Tyler can get in touch with her? And if I talk to him, do I tell him about the necklace? If it’s not from him, that’s also a bit of an invasion of her privacy, right?”
“You could probably go to HR, but then again, that would probably still end up with either Tyler, or one of his parents, which means it still ends up with Tyler. Ask him to call her over the auction.”
“Yes. I’ll try that. She literally went on vacation right before she took leave, too. It’s all strange and not returning calls—I mean I guess I of all people can understand a personal leave, but I still talk to my employer. I’m still aiding their success.”
