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TWENTY-SIX
Monday morning was definitely not welcome. Oliver hadn’t been able to stop thinking about his conversation with Adelia. The shocked look on her face and those tears in her eyes had stuck with him. So much so that he’d picked up his phone numerous times intending to call and apologize, to tell her how much he wanted things to be different, to tell her he missed her already. But he never dialed.
The coffee cup he was blank staring into at the moment wasn’t enough to tempt him. It was most likely cold anyway. He sat at his desk at work, doing a whole lot of nothing, when he should’ve been filing reports.
Carmen strolled up and placed a fresh to-go cup of coffee before him. “The good stuff.”
He broke from his stare and gave her a little smile. “Thanks.”
“Our blackmailer got off with a fine and probation. No jail time.”
Oliver’s eyes widened. “How?”
“First offense, and he had a very good, very expensive attorney.”
Oliver groaned. “Super.” He shook his head. “There’s no way he could afford that on his convenience store wages.”
“Which lines up with what we’ve been saying all along. Someone put him up to this.”
The frustration took over, and Oliver grabbed the closest thing to him—his computer mouse—and tossed it across the room, which turned some heads.
“Hey, get control.” Carmen retrieved the mouse and placed it back on his desk.
“I’m sorry.” Oliver ran his fingers through his hair. “There has to be a trail back to this guy.”
“So far, Cyrus has paid for everything in cash or with a cashier’s check. There is no bank trail. Whoever did this planned ahead.” She patted him on the shoulder. “We’ll keep on it.”
Oliver nodded, finding it difficult to concentrate after that. Whoever planned this was still out there, and there was a chance they might try something again.
Later that morning, Oliver drove his police cruiser to the Schultz’s home, a nervous flutter settling in his stomach. He could’ve easily texted Adelia to let her know about the photographer getting out, but it was an excuse to see her and make sure she was okay.
Gerard greeted him at the door, as always, and ushered him into the house. “The family is having brunch. I’ll announce you.”
“Thank you.” Oliver immediately second-guessed not calling ahead.
Gus came into the foyer less than a minute later and shook his hand. “Hey, Oliver. Come on in. Have you eaten?”
“I didn’t mean to interrupt.” His stomach growled at the mention of food. He hadn’t felt like eating anything all morning.
“No worries. Mer and I are having brunch with my parents before we head off on our honeymoon.”
“I just came to talk to Adelia.”
“Oh, she left this morning.”
“Left for where?”
“Her project got the green light, and she flew back to California for meetings.”
A smile crossed Oliver’s face at that news. “She got her movie? That’s wonderful.”
“Yeah, she was really excited about it. I’m sorry you missed her.”
“It’s all right. I can call her later.”
Merritt came into the room then and greeted Oliver with a hug. “Come and join us.”
He waved her off. “I don’t want to impose.”