“Yes.”

  “Now go do as I said. Call Bruce and get help.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  This was one time Elizabeth didn’t argue with her father and his overprotective nature. She was on the phone with Bruce as soon as she hung up with her dad.

  “Bruce. I need your help.”

  “I’m coming.”

  “Bring Cole,” she added.

  “Sure.”

  Before the phone clicked off, Elizabeth heard scrambling in the background. Not two seconds after her phone hit the cradle, her doorbell rang. She rushed to the door, threw it open and fell into Bruce’s arms. Sobs racked her body as his arms wrapped around her and held her close.

  “Elizabeth, what’s wrong?”

  She was crying so hard she couldn’t answer. Pulling back, Elizabeth gestured like a crazed woman with her hands, begging them to enter. Bruce led her to the couch while Cole followed behind them.

  “Cole, get her something to drink,” Bruce said.

  Cole went to the kitchen and pilfered around until he found a glass, filling it with ice cold water. When he brought it back, Elizabeth took a sip and tried to calm herself enough to speak.

  “Bruce, someone was here.”

  “Where?” questioned Cole, his head turning around in circles and looking.

  “Upstairs.”

  “I’m on it.” Cole left them bounding up the stairs two at a time.

  Bruce turned to face Elizabeth. “Tell me everything.”

  Elizabeth told him the same story she’d told her father. His hands rested on his knees, rubbing back and forth. When she finished, Bruce stood and paced. If they didn’t find another way to release stress, she was going to have a worn strip in her carpet.

  “Are you sure about what you heard?”

  “Yes, I’m positive. It was her. But I don’t have a clue about the identity of the guy with her.”

  “It sounds like the one that was with her has more of a stake in finding George than she does.”

  “Agreed. I hate to say it, but I have a feeling Janice knew the letter was in her house. That’s why she went home while I was with Mr. Hampton. She wanted to go back and find it. But what I can’t understand is why?”

  “I guess that’s what we need to figure out.”

  Before Bruce could say anymore, Cole came down the stairs with a whistle on his lips. “Someone really did a number on your place up there. It’s going to take a week to get it all cleaned up. Don’t touch anything. I called the fingerprint experts in. They should be here soon. We’ll take down a report and—”

  “Cole, I want you to keep your findings secret,” Elizabeth said.

  “What—?”

  “Listen to me. If you do a report, just don’t find anything. Yet. Understand?”

  “But why? We can put these guys away for a very long time if we do this right.”

  “Trust me. We need to wait and let Bruce get them at trial.”

  “Like a Matlock thing?” Cole winked.

  “Yeah, exactly.”

  “Bruce, I have to say I don’t know if this is a good idea. I mean, she could still be in a lot danger. We don’t know what they were looking for.”

  “Actually we do,” said Bruce.

  “We do?”

  “They’re looking for the letter,” said Elizabeth.

  “That stupid thing.” His eyebrow rose incredulously.

  “I don’t think they’ve read it. Bruce and I believe they know the letter exists, except they don’t know what it says. The man said something about being incriminated by the letter. They’re also looking for George.”

  “They can join the crowd on that one,” mumbled Cole.

  “Cole, we have to put Elizabeth somewhere to protect her,” said Bruce.

  “She could stay with you,” Cole said with a smirk.

  “I don’t think that’s the best idea.”

  “Well, she can’t stay here. Her place is a mess, and they might come back when they believe they have more time to look. I’m telling you, she’s in danger. Do you want her to stay here and be at risk?”

  “Of course not. But it wouldn’t be right to let her stay with me.”

  “By whose standards?”

  “By those standards you accepted by going back with Julie. God’s standards.”

  Elizabeth watched the two go back and forth. This was becoming a regular occurrence. She was not happy they were deciding her fate like she wasn’t even there. However, she was proud of Bruce for not trying to take her into his home.

  “Can you two stop? I may have a suggestion?”

  Two matching heads turned to face her. “Go ahead, Elizabeth.” Bruce answered.

  “What if I stay with Julie?”

  “What? No, that won’t work. I plan on moving back in tomorrow.”

  “You can’t. You’re not married yet.”

  “But—”

  “I think this is the perfect solution. She can stay with Julie. It’ll protect us all,” said Bruce, with his own vindictive look.

  Chapter Forty

  Elizabeth gathered her clothing and left with Julie and Austin, while Bruce and Cole stayed behind, waiting for the police. Cole had taken down Elizabeth’s statement and was prepared to pass everything along to the officers when they arrived. Bruce was adamant that Elizabeth not be seen by anyone, not even the police.

  After pictures and statments were taken by the officers, and everyone was gone from Elizabeth’s, Cole and Bruce went back to Bruce’s townhouse. There they sat across from one another in the living room, he couldn’t help and think about what had transpired. What a day it had been. Realizing lost loves. Protecting their women from harm. Unfortunately none of this brought them any closer to a solution.

  Mrs. Tillman’s case against the Winterbottom Corporation was slated to begin next week. After today’s aftermath, Bruce had a decent idea where to start, but would it be enough? Not only did he need to win the case for Mrs. Tillman; he also needed to expose the Winterbottom’s other behavior as criminal, or Elizabeth would never be safe.

  For the next few hours, Bruce bounced ideas off of Cole. He turned out to be a very useful sounding board. In the end, Bruce had a plan. Now he just needed to get through one more week of work without letting on to anyone at the firm what he was planning.

  Cole stood. “I better go.”

  “Where are you going?”

  He shrugged, stretching his arms over his head and letting out a sigh. “I can’t stay with Julie in the house, but I can stay in the apartment over the garage. At least that way I’ll be close to the ladies if they need something.”

  Bruce allowed a slow grin to split his face. “Yeah. That’s a good plan. I’m jealous.”

  “Do you want to come and stay too? I believe I could find you a cot or something,” Cole replied with a smile.

  “You love this, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do, little bro. Finally, you have a love interest, and Mom can drive you crazy.”

  “Ugh, Mom! I completely forgot.”

  “You didn’t tell her Elizabeth wasn’t—”

  “Catholic. Yeah, I told her.”

  “How did that work out for you?”

  “Not too well. On a positive note, Dad and Mom spoke cordially to one another.”

  “Hmm. That could be good; that could be bad. Listen, don’t let it bum you out. I’m sure it’ll be okay. Especially when they know you’re in love, and we’re both going to convert to Protestantism.”

  “Oh, I’m sure that will make it all better. Are you crazy? We can’t tell Mom that. And definitely not at the same time. It might send her into cardiac arrest or something. You know how she is about the Church.”

  “Bruce, let me ask you a question. We know what we’re doing is the right thing, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then we’ll just have to take the consequences. At least this time we’re both on the same side.”

  “Cole, I’m glad you’re back with Julie. She was the best thing that ever happened to you.”

  “Yeah, don’t I know it? I just wish it hadn’t taken me a whole year to find it out. And to think, I have Elizabeth to thank for that. When I tried to come on to her—now, don’t get your feathers in a bunch—she pushed me away. She’s in love, you know.”

  Bruce shifted uncomfortably. There had been so little time to talk about how they felt for one another. Yesterday they’d discussed that they liked each other a lot. Now she had jumped all the way to love? Was this how he felt as well? He didn’t know.

  “Who’s the lucky guy?”

  “Bruce, are you stupid? You are.”

  “I bet she told you not to say that.”

  “Of course she told me not to tell. When have I ever listened to good advice? Except for getting back with Julie. That was good advice I’m glad I listened to.”

  “Did you really show up at her church this morning?”

  “Sure did.”

  “What did you think?”

  “I think I should’ve listened to her long ago. Julie really loved me. That whole time she was going outside and sitting in the swing and praying for me, and I was pushing her away. She only wanted the best for me. And look what I did to her? You know, she’s been asked out by other men, and she said no every time. She told them she was still married.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “Well, she told me. Besides, I would’ve wrung any man’s neck that tried to go out with her. Don’t look at me like that. I know I have a double standard. I can’t help it. I’ve loved Julie since the moment I laid eyes on her. It just took me a while to remember it.”

  “Cole, go home. Watch over the womenfolk. I’m going to solve this case and then… Well, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

  “Are you trying to tell me you don’t love Elizabeth? Because from where I sit, that’s all I see coming from you. You’re oozing love. Maybe when you have time to think, you’ll be able to admit it to yourself.”

  ****

  After Cole left, Bruce pulled out his case files. Every time he looked at them, a new piece of the puzzle fell into place. Staring at the pages, the sound of a soft knock startled him. Who would be visiting at this time of day?

  When Bruce looked through the peephole, he blinked. On the other side stood Lisa and Wesley. Opening the door to them, he said, “Elizabeth isn’t here.”

  Lisa spoke first, “We aren’t here to see her.”

  Bruce gave them a questionable look, and then stepped back to allow them to enter. He led them to the living room. “Pardon my mess.”

  “Bruce? You don’t mind if I call you Bruce, do you?” asked Lisa.

  He indicated they should take a seat, but they continued to stand as he answered, “Of course not.”

  Lisa nodded and continued, “Are these files for the Tillman case?”

  “Sort of,” Bruce hesitated.

  “Well, that’s why we’re here.”

  Bruce studied Wesley. He shifted from side to side. He looked as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

  “I don’t understand,” Bruce responded.

  “Wesley has something to tell you. Go ahead,” Lisa urged.

  Sighing deeply, Wesley plopped down on the only available seat. His hands were balled into fists in front of him. When he spoke his voice was full of contrition. “This is all my fault.”

  Bruce waited.

  “Elizabeth being in danger. Mrs. Tillman losing her case. All of it.”

  Lisa stood beside him, holding his arm. She urged him to continue. “Wesley, tell Bruce what you told me.”

  Wesley spent the next couple of hours telling Bruce all the Winterbottom secrets. During the conversation, it came to light that Wesley had been the actual attorney on most of the lawsuit cases, and Henry had only signed off on them.

  Wesley admitted he had used some backhanded methods to get evidence dismissed. But he claimed to know nothing of the shady demise of the plaintiffs.

  In fact, Wesley hadn’t known for sure there was a problem until Elizabeth was attacked on the subway. After that he began to receive phone calls, telling him to keep quiet. Warning him to shut Elizabeth’s mouth or face the consequences.

  Bruce’s blood boiled. Wesley had ignored the calls and remained quiet. He should have told the police or something. Lisa explained he’d been afraid of ruining his career and his newfound reputation.

  Bruce talked to Wesley until the sunlight filtered into the room. He promised to keep him out of the limelight as much as possible for the wealth of information he was giving him. Once the conversation was over, Bruce realized he had to take this information and make it work for Mrs. Tillman. The only question in his mind, now, was how?

  Chapter Forty-One

  Elizabeth woke early. She’d been treated like royalty by Julie and Austin. The room she slept in was decorated in pastel colors. Light blues, pinks, and yellows dotted the walls. Austin whispered and told her this would have been his sister’s room, if she’d lived. After the divorce, the color of the walls had stayed the same, except the room had been changed to a guest room.

  Elizabeth lay back against the pillows and looked around. Perhaps this was what had caused Julie to seek the Lord. The death of her child? Elizabeth wondered why Cole had neglected to mention this fact during all their conversations.

  Before getting up, Elizabeth gave a prayer of thanks for her safety and for the family that had sheltered her.

  Swinging her legs off the side of the bed, she showered and dressed for work. Bruce would be by to pick her up any moment. They’d all agreed it was best to go to work and carry on as normal. If the intruders from the day before came to the office, Elizabeth was to stay close to Bruce. It wouldn’t do to let them know Elizabeth had been a witness to their break-in.

  When Elizabeth entered the kitchen area, Austin sat on a stool eating a bowl of cereal and reading the back of the box.

  “Are you ready for school, little man?” she asked.

  “Yep,” he answered, with a sweet innocent look.

  “Where are your mom and dad?”

  “I think they’re in the living room kissing or something.”

  Elizabeth snickered under her breath. “You don’t say.”

  “Yeah. I can hear them smacking their lips from here. It’s kind of disgusting.” He shivered to express his revulsion.

  At that moment, his parents appeared. Both looked disheveled. Their clothing was rumpled and their feet bare. Julie’s hair was mussed as if fingers had run through it numerous times. Her lips were red and puffy from being smashed against Cole’s. They looked like two lovesick teenagers.

  Elizabeth fought to restrain her laughter. She was happy for them. A sense of peace flooded her.

  Julie said, “Austin, you need to finish getting ready for school. Elizabeth, can I fix you some breakfast?”

  “No, I’m fine. Besides, I believe Bruce said he would pick something up on his way over.”

  “Okay. I guess I better go fix myself up a little bit.” Julie patted her hair, sending a sly grin toward Cole.

  “That wedding can’t come soon enough,” said Cole gruffly.

  Elizabeth and Julie shared a look as the honk of a horn was heard.

  “Bye, guys. I’ll see you this afternoon,” said Elizabeth.

  Cole, immediately alert, walked toward a window. “Wait a minute, little lady. I haven’t checked to see if that’s Bruce.”

  “Oh, it’s him,” Elizabeth said with a smile.

  “Do you hear his honk a lot?” asked Cole.

  Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose at the question, and Julie and Cole laughed loudly. Sighing to herself, she left the amorous couple and went outside to the idling car. When she slid into the passenger seat, her head was still shaking.

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Nothing. Let’s just say your brother and sister-in-law are perfect for each other.”

  “Okay. Are you hungry?”

  “Famished.”

  “I brought cinnamon rolls and hot coffee. Will that do?”

  “Yes.”

  Elizabeth chewed the soft, gooey roll, licking the icing from her fingertips. Bruce was squirming in his seat as he drove. “Is something wrong?”

  “No. Why would anything be wrong?”

  “You’re behaving like you have an anthill in your pants. You don’t, do you?”

  “No,” he chuckled.

  “Then what’s wrong with you? You haven’t sat still since I got in the vehicle.”

  “Elizabeth, let it go. You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”

  Her eyebrows rose in confusion. Oh, well. Elizabeth guessed she would just have to listen to him squirm.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Bruce was terribly uncomfortable. The sight of Elizabeth licking her fingers was killing him. He wanted to grab her hand and kiss each one clean. Didn’t she understand how attractive she was? How her simplest of movements could drive him to distraction? He needed to get to work and get out of this vehicle. There needed to be space between them.

  When they arrived at the office, Bruce rushed to her door. Opening it for her, she slid out, one slender leg at a time. He gulped. What was happening to him? It was all Cole’s fault. If he’d not said anything about Elizabeth’s feelings, then Bruce would’ve been fine. Now he knew she loved him, everything was different. All he could think about was being married to this woman. Raising children with this woman. Holding and touching this woman.

  Taking a deep steadying breath, Bruce placed his hand on the small of her back and directed her toward the elevator. Just the simplest of touches sent a shock wave up his arm and down his spine. Perhaps he needed to find something for her to do outside of the office today. How could he concentrate knowing she sat right out in front of him? But then again, he couldn’t let Elizabeth out of his sight. He had to protect her. What a mess.

  When they arrived at the tenth floor and stepped off into his office, Elizabeth went straight to her desk and placed her belongings down. Bruce watched as she made coffee. Then she walked back to her desk, retrieved a pen and paper and started walking to his office.