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Chapter Nineteen
Joyelle
I looked around my tiny apartment. It hardly looked like anyone lived here at all, if I was honest. Usually if I wasn’t at work, I was hanging out with Lizzy. All I ever did here was sleep, and even that hadn’t happened much since I met Richard. I wish I had just been honest with him up front.Once he sees my bed, I might not have to worry about us having sex anymore either.
I glanced at the wall clock. Richard would be here any minute now – he was always prompt. I usually prided myself on that too, but lately I had so much on my mind that things were beginning to slip. The more I could take off my plate, the better. I couldn’t afford a setback, either personally or financially.
My cell phone rang and I rushed to get it. It was possible Richard had pulled up to my building and needed to confirm he had the right address. But instead it was Deno.
“Hello, Deno. I thought you said I had until morning.”
He answered, “You do. But I’ve done some digging.”
“Please tell me you didn’t call Richard and ask him if he was a thief,” I asked wearily.
“Nope. I used the internet. Can’t explain why he’s fixing a car that isn’t his, but I can’t believe someone like him stole it. Hell, the guy could’ve bought another one instead of fixing this.”
“Just tell me what you found out.” Not that I really wanted to hear this from Deno, but at this point it was best to humor him.
“I don’t follow all those gossip things…”
“You mean tabloids?” I asked.
“Yeah. That shit drives me crazy, but my wife loves ‘em. And when I mentioned his name at dinner, she pulled out a magazine with the guy’s face on it.”
“How do you even know that’s the same Richard Heart? You’ve only spoken to him on the phone,” I reminded him. Not that I was trying to talk him out of calling the police.
“He is. And how the hell do you know him?” Deno asked. “I mean, someone like that doesn’t use a private towing company. Something still doesn’t add up.”
“I just happened to be in the area when he needed a tow.” It wasn’t that simple, of course. Deno might not read the tabloids, but he couldn’t keep a secret if you paid him. And if he didn’t blurt it to everyone, his wife would. “Please tell me you haven’t shared your suspicions with anyone.”
“Just my wife, the guys at the garage and…. oh yeah, the postman and…your father.”
“My dad?”
Oh shit!I hadn’t told my parents anything about Richard, because there really wasn’t anything to say. We weren’t a couple, even though I felt myself falling for the guy.
“I had to stop at his shop to pick up some parts. We got talking about you and then before you know it, I told him what I thought about Richard. Have to say, your father looked as surprised as you sounded when I told you,” he said.
“I hope you’ll tell everyone now that you were wrong.” Richard didn’t need rumors going around about him. And I sure don’t want my parents thinking he’s a crook, either.
“Sure, if I remember to. But I just wanted to let you know there’s no need to reach out to the guys. I don’t care whose car it is as long as someone pays for the repairs. Which, by the way, are all done. You might want to see if he needs it delivered someplace.”
“Why me?” I asked.
Deno chuckled. “I have a feeling you know him better than you’re letting on.”
“You’re imagining things,” I stated.
“Really? I’ve never seen you risk your reputation for someone you don’t know.”
Deno was right, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. “Stick to auto body. But thanks for the update.”
“You’re welcome. Thanks for the referral. Have a good night, Joyelle.”
He ended the call and I let out a long slow breath. Well, that’s one thing off my list.
There was a knock at my door and once again, I tensed up from head to toe.
