Page 159 of Salvage Him

"Well, that was fun," Justin said as he entered the room but stopped when five pairs of eyes turned to himatonce.

"Hey, look at you." Justin walked over and leaned in. His lips barely grazed mycheek.

"Hi, Justin." I pattedhisarm.

"How do you feel?" heasked.

"Better."

He reached for my shoulder but pulled his hand back beforetouchingme.

"So Alise McIntyre." He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. "Interesting."

"I know. She's a piece of work,"Isaid.

"No, I mean she had some interesting stuff to say." Justin sat on the end ofthebed.

Abbie, Professor Stewart, and Seth all gatheredaround.

"So I guess Paul had been supporting her, right?" Justinasked.

Inodded.

"What do you mean had?" Harrisonasked.

"Well, it seems he stopped paying her bills, rent, everything six months ago." Justinshrugged.

"What?" Iasked.

"Yeah. So they had been fighting about it, and he told her he had some deals in the works, and he'd work out stuff with her creditors, but that wasalie."

"You notice anything different with your money?" Harrisonasked.

"No. I mean I use one household credit card for everything and then all my business stuff I just set up, but it has nothing to do with Paul or hismoney."

"So the apartment. He rented it, didn't buy it. But instead of paying rent, he was given the use of it for a year in exchange for some deal in Dubai he was in on with the owner," Justincontinued.

"How'd you find this out?" Iasked.

"Dallas is a small town. You should know that by now," ProfessorStewartsaid.

“And you know how these ladies love to gossip. Especially about outsiders," Sethwhispered.

They alllaughed.

"Doesn't Paul have a partner?" Abbieasked.

"Yeah. Phillip Asher," I said. "I wonder if he even knows whathappened."

"Call him." Seth pulled out hisphone.

"Wait a minute." Harrison stood up. "Don't you think you've had enough excitement for one day? You needyourrest."

"I agree with Harrison. This stuff can wait." Professor Stewart held uphishand.

I looked around at each of them as they slowlynodded.

"I need to know," I said, reaching for Seth'sphone.