“Ellie Grant was murdered tonight, and your fiancé is a suspect.”
“I didn’t do it!” he shouted as his eyes burned into mine. “Addison, call Luca Russo. His private number is in my office. Call him now!” he shouted as they took him away.
My heart was racing, and tears were falling down my face as I ran into his office and searched for Luca’s number. Once I found it, I composed myself the best I could and called him.
“Luca Russo,” he answered.
“Mr. Russo, my name is Addison Belle. My fiancé, Andrew London, told me to call you. He’s been arrested.”
“Arrested? What charge?” he asked in shock.
“Murder. The police came to our home and just took him away. Please help him.”
“Fuck. I’m on my way to the station.”
“Thank you. I’ll meet you there.”
I ran to the bedroom, threw on a pair of jeans and a shirt, and hailed a cab to the station. When I walked inside, I saw a man and a woman at the counter asking for Andrew.
“Luca?” I walked up to him.
“Are you Addison?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you under the current circumstances. This is my wife, Ariana. She’s a partner at my firm.”
“Nice to meet you,” I lightly shook her hand.
“Don’t worry, Addison. Luca and I will get this straightened out,” she spoke.
They were called back to the holding room, so I went and took a seat on the bench. I needed to talk to Charlie, so I reached in my purse for my phone, but it wasn’t in there.
“Shit!” I spoke to myself. I must have left it in Andrew’s office at home.
I sat there for what seemed like hours. Finally, Luca and Ariana walked out and sat down next to me.
“How’s Andrew?”
“His bond hearing is tomorrow.”
“What? A bond hearing? What fucking evidence do they have?”
Ariana reached over and took hold of my hand.
“The victim died from a blunt trauma to the head. The weapon was a stone paperweight that Andrew kept on his desk. His fingerprints are all over it,” she spoke.
Tears filled my eyes, and within seconds, were streaming down my face.
“He didn’t do it.” I looked at Luca. “There’s no way.”
“I know, Addison, and Ariana and I are going to do everything in our power to prove his innocence. I’ve known Andrew a long time and I know he’s not capable of murder.”
“Can you come by our office tomorrow at nine o’clock so we can ask you some questions?” Ariana asked.
“Yes. Of course I can.” I wiped my tears.
“His hearing isn’t until one o’clock, so that’ll give us plenty of time to start putting our case together.”
“Can I see him?” I begged.
“I’m sorry, Addison, but no. They’ve already taken him to his cell. It’s just a holding cell and he’ll be okay,” Luca spoke.
The three of us got up from the bench and left the station.
“Try to get some sleep,” Ariana spoke as she patted my shoulder.
I gave her a small nod as I climbed into the cab that Luca waved down for me.
****
The minute I stepped into the apartment, I collapsed on the bed. This was a nightmare and I wanted to wake up. I didn’t have the strength to call Charlie, Emma, or Jasper. And God forbid, Madeline. She’d freak out and stress me out even more.
I lay there, looking at Andrew’s side of the bed. Tears fell down my face as I ran my hand across the empty space.
“Please come home to me, Andrew,” I spoke in a soft voice as I closed my eyes.
The next morning, I was up at the crack of dawn after tossing and turning all night. I picked up my phone and called Andrew’s secretary, Maria.
“Hello,” she answered.
“Maria, It’s Addison. I’m so sorry to call you this early, but Andrew and I are both home with the flu, so we won’t be in today.”
“Oh dear. I hope the two of you feel better.”
“Thank you.”
“If you or Andrew need anything, please call me.”
“I will. Thank you, Maria.”
I hopped into the shower and as I was getting dressed, there was a knock on the door and I freaked the fuck out.
“Hey, Andrew, it’s Philip,” he spoke.
Letting out a deep breath, I opened the door.
“Philip. Thank God.”
“Addison, what’s wrong?”
“Andrew was arrested last night.”
“What? For what?”
“Ellie Grant was murdered.”
“And they think Andrew did it?”
“They found the murder weapon. A stone paperweight that he kept on his desk.”
“For fuck sakes. He hated her, but he would never murder her.”
“I know. I just can’t believe any of this. I need you to drive me to Luca Russo’s firm.”
“Sure. Are you ready now?”
“Yes.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
I met with Luca and Ariana and told them everything that had happened with Ellie. I told them how someone was stalking me and how Andrew was convinced it was her.
“Yesterday, when she approached me at Starbucks, she looked very nervous.”
“What do you mean?” Luca asked.
“She told me she needed to talk to me, but the way she said it, it was almost as if she was frightened or something. I can’t really explain it.”
“Andrew said he was at the club last night. We looked at the security footage and saw him enter the club around seven o’clock, but then he left at eight,” Luca spoke. “What time did he get home?”
“Around ten thirty.”
“He told us that he went to Central Park to do some thinking. Without any witnesses, this is going to be difficult to prove he was there. Unless the security cameras pick him up.”
“He didn’t do this, Luca.” I pleaded.
“I know, Addison. Please trust us,” Ariana spoke. “I know exactly what you’re going through.”
“How?” I cocked my head.
“Because Luca was arrested and accused of murder.”
“You were?” I looked at him.
“Yes, and I don’t like to revisit that, but Ariana was my attorney and she proved my innocence.”
“Is there anyone that would want to frame Andrew?” Ariana asked.
“No. Not that I can think of.”
“We better get going,” Luca spoke. “His hearing is in an hour.”
“You take Addison and go,” Ariana spoke. “I’m going to do some digging around.”
Luca and I went to the courthouse and Andrew’s bail was set for one hundred thousand dollars. As soon as he was released, I ran into his arms.
“Are you okay?”
“God, I’ve missed you. I’ll be fine once I get home.” He hugged me tight. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
As soon as we stepped out of the courthouse, reporters charged at Andrew, sticking microphones in his face and blinding us with the flashes from their cameras.
“Please respect the privacy of Mr. London during this difficult time,” Luca spoke on his behalf.
After we got to the Escalade safely, Andrew and I climbed in and shut the door.
“I can’t even believe this,” Andrew sternly spoke. “I did not kill Ellie, Addison.” He looked into my eyes. “You have to believe me.”
“I do believe you.” I grabbed hold of his hand and laid my head on his shoulder.
Philip pulled up to the curb of Andrew’s apartment building and we climbed out and scurried into the building. The moment we stepped inside the apartment, Andrew went into the bathroom for a shower. My phone was ringing non-stop with calls from Madeline, Emma, and Jasper. Not to mention Lucas, Sam, Maria, and Cody. As soon as I ignored all their calls, I did a three-way between me, Emma, and Jasper.
 
; “What the hell is going on, Addy?” Emma asked in a panic.
“He didn’t do it.”
“Of course he didn’t,” Jasper commented.
“Do you need us, because we can be over there in a second?” Emma asked.
“No. We just got home from the courthouse and we want to be alone. I’ll keep you guys updated. I have to call Madeline.”
“Okay, baby girl. We’re here for you and Andrew,” Jasper spoke.
The moment I ended the call, Andrew stepped out of the shower.
“Did I hear you on the phone?” he asked as he walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.
“I was talking to Jasper and Emma. I have to ask you something, Andrew.”
“What?”
“You told Luca that you went to Central Park after you left the club.”
“I did go to Central Park, and I went there to meet Charlie, but my private jet had to make an emergency landing due to some mechanical difficulties. But I couldn’t very well tell the police or Luca that, could I?”
“Why were you meeting with Charlie here?” I asked as I cocked my head.
He sighed as he took a seat on the edge of the bed.
“I don’t know. He called me yesterday morning and told me that he needed to come here, and he’d explain when he arrived. I told him it wasn’t a good idea, but he insisted. I told him I’d have Philip pick him up from the airport and he said no, that it would be best if we met in Central Park. After my pilot called to tell me that he had to make an emergency landing, I came home. Then I was arrested.”
“So you still have no idea why?”
“No. But he didn’t want you to know he was here.”
“What the fuck!” I spoke with irritation as I got up from the bed.
“Calm down, Addison.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down. I’m sick and tired of all the secrets with you people.”
The house phone rang, so I walked over to the nightstand and picked it up.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Miss Belle, it’s Doug from the lobby. There’s a gentleman here to see you and Mr. London. Says his name is Bobby.”
“Send him right up.”
“Send who up? Who’s here?” Andrew asked.
“Charlie.” I looked at him.
He got up from the bed and pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I went to the foyer and waited for the elevator to come up. As good as it was to see him, my nerves were shot.
“Dad.” I smiled as I hugged him.
“Hello, Rosebud.”
He looked different. He was wearing a wig, baseball cap, sweatpants, and a baggy sweatshirt with a hood.
“What the hell is going on? Why didn’t you want me to know you were here?” I asked in an irritated tone.
“I’ll explain everything. Is Andrew here yet?”
“I’m right here, Charlie.” He walked over to him, and they lightly hugged.
“Are you okay, son? You’re all over the news.”
“I’m fine.”
“Dad, come sit down. I want to know what’s going on,” I spoke.
We all went into the living room and Charlie and I took a seat on the couch while Andrew sat down in the chair across from us.
“I can’t believe I didn’t make it here in time,” Charlie spoke.
“In time for what?” I asked.
“I don’t think it was Ellie who was stalking you all that time,” he spoke.
“Why do you think that? And if not her, then who?” I asked.
“I believe it’s your co-worker, Cody.”
A sick feeling rose in the pit of my stomach.
“Jesus Christ, Charlie,” Andrew spoke. “You can’t be serious.”
“Listen, Andrew. Don’t forget that I used to be a high-powered criminal attorney. I’ve worked with these types of people before. After Addison started telling me about him, something wasn’t sitting right with me, so I did some investigating.”
“Dad, come on. Cody isn’t that type of person.”
“They never are, Rosebud. Anyway, about ten years ago, in Miami Florida, he was arrested for stalking a female co-worker. She turned up dead and the ex-boyfriend was arrested and imprisoned for her murder. I paid him a little visit. He told me that he and his ex had started seeing each other again, and that’s when the stalking became out of control. After Cody was arrested for stalking and released, a restraining order was issued. She turned up dead two weeks later from a blunt trauma to the head caused by the ex-boyfriend’s bat, which was found in his home covered in blood the next day with his fingerprints all over it.”
“Oh my God,” I spoke.
“They checked into Cody’s alibi and it was solid, so as far as the police were concerned, he wasn’t a suspect.”
Andrew got up from the chair and paced around the living room.
“If he had a criminal record, we never would have hired him!” he shouted. “This is fucking unbelievable!”
“That’s because you know him as Cody Wilson, not Jonathan Friedman.”
“What?” Andrew cocked his head.
“He changed his name before he left Florida, and somehow had all his documents doctored. His high school and college diplomas, birth certificate, social security number, driver’s license.”
“How the hell did you find that out?” I asked.
“I still have my ways, Rosebud.”
“So you’re saying you think he killed Ellie?” Andrew asked as he got up from his chair.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. I think he wants Addison and he knew about Ellie and the restraining order she got against you, so it was the perfect opportunity to frame you for her murder and then move in on Addison.”
“OH MY GOD!” I placed my hands on my head.
“This is why I didn’t want you to know I was here. I was going to talk to Andrew and tell him my suspicions and then follow Cody around. I didn’t want to scare you or make you more nervous than you already were. Plus, I knew you were safe with the bodyguard Andrew hired.”
“I wonder if Ellie found out about Cody, because that day I saw her in Starbucks, she said she had to talk to me and it was important. She seemed really nervous.”
“It’s possible. She may have been trying to warn you.”
“So now what?” Andrew asked. “My paperweight with my fingerprints from my office was used as the murder weapon and I have no alibi. To everyone, I’m guilty as fuck!” he shouted.
“Andrew, calm down.” I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist.
“I’m trying to, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of my head.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“We’re going to get Addison to make Cody confess,” Charlie spoke.
“What?! The hell we are!” Andrew shouted. “She’s not going anywhere near him.”
“Andrew, we don’t have a choice. Do you want to go to prison? Addison is our only option. He’s in love with her.”
“You don’t know that for sure, Charlie,” I spoke.
“The mysterious flowers that were always popping up on your desk without a card, him showing up everywhere you were, the phone calls, I know that was all him. I know what goes on in the heads of these guys. I used to defend their asses. Don’t forget that. The only thing going right for us at the moment is that he doesn’t suspect you know he’s the one behind it all. So, this is what you’re going to do. You’re going to be friendly with him like usual and not let on you know anything. He’s going to want to comfort you because of Andrew. He’s hoping you’ll fall right into his arms. Let him.”
“Charlie, stop!” Andrew scowled.
“I’m sorry, son, but this is the only way. I’ll be tailing him, and Addison will still have her bodyguard with her. She’ll be safe.”
“He’s right, Andrew. We have no other choice.”
“I will not let you be a part of this!” he shouted.
“And I will not let you go t
o prison!” I shouted back at him as tears filled my eyes.
Suddenly, the lobby phone rang, so I went over and answered it.
“Hello.”
“I’m sorry to disturb you again, Miss Belle, but your mother is here.”
“What?!” I exclaimed.
I placed my hand over the phone and looked over at Charlie and Andrew.
“Madeline is here!”
“Shit.” Andrew shook his head. “Have her come up and take her right into the kitchen. Charlie, go in the bedroom and wait until the coast is clear.”
“Sure, Andrew,” he spoke.
“Send her up, please.”
My heart was racing a mile a minute as I hung up the phone.
“Where are you staying, Dad?” I asked.
“At a hotel. We’ll discuss it later. It isn’t safe for me to be here or around you. I’ll be in touch, Rosebud.” He kissed the top of my head before heading to the bedroom.
I heard the elevator approaching, so I walked into the foyer and waited for the doors to open.
“Addison,” she spoke as she held out her arms. “What on earth is going on?”
“Hi, Mom. I wish you would have called and told me you were coming.”
“You would have told me not to and you need me at a time like this. Where’s Andrew?”
“He’s in the bedroom. He’ll be out in a minute. Let’s go into the kitchen and I’ll make us some coffee.”
“Are you okay?” she asked me.
“Mom, I’m fine. And to be honest, now isn’t a good time for you to be here,” I spoke as I made us each a cup of coffee.
“I needed to see for myself if you were all right. You weren’t answering my calls.”
“That’s because I was at the courthouse all morning and talking to Andrew’s lawyers. Now he’s home and he and I need to talk.”
“Hello, Madeline,” Andrew spoke as he casually walked over and kissed her cheek.
“Oh, Andrew.” She got up from the stool and hugged him. “I know you didn’t kill that woman. You could never do anything like that.”
“Thanks, Madeline, for believing in me, and no, I did not kill her.”
“We can’t talk about the specifics of the case, Mom, but Andrew has excellent attorneys that are going to prove his innocence.”
“I hope so.”
“It was nice to see you, Madeline, but if you don’t mind, I’m going to go lie down. Sleeping in a jail cell was not very comfortable.”