To Save a Child--A Clean Romance by Linda Warren

Author:Linda Warren
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-12-06T14:36:07+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

IT TOOK COLE less than ten minutes to drive to the sporting goods store. He retrieved a big pad and pen from his briefcase and marched inside. He walked through the store to Allan’s office in the back. The door was partially open, and when he kicked it with his foot, it banged against the wall.

Allan jumped in his seat and carefully laid the cell he was holding on his desk. Obviously José had called.

Cole placed the pad in front of him. “I want the truth this time.”

Allan got to his feet. “I had to lie. If my wife found out, she would leave me.”

Cole poked the pad. “Write down what happened the night someone broke your jaw. Every detail.”

“Will my wife find out?”

“If you don’t tell me the truth in writing, I will personally pay her a visit.” He was bluffing, but Allan didn’t know that.

Allan sat down and began to write. Cole patiently waited. It was a tiny break, but it was a good one. It proved Briggs was violent and had a temper, which would help in a custody hearing. But it didn’t prove Briggs had done anything to Brooke. This was just the tip of the iceberg, though—a tiny piece of a big puzzle that he had to put together. The more he investigated, the clearer the picture became. He had to keep poking to get to the truth.

When Allan finished writing, he ripped off the page and handed it to Cole.

“So that was your first night at the bar?”

“Yes, that happened just like I told you. The bouncers weren’t at the door, and I just walked in. Joel was bragging how he was a better player than the ones on the TV screen, and after too many drinks I said, ‘I’ve seen you play, and you’re not that great.’ That’s when he hit me. I woke up in the ER and he was there.”

“Briggs was in the ER being treated?”

“No. He came to see me and he apologized. He said he was sorry he lost his temper, and he asked that I not mention his name. He gets TV commercials and stuff like that, and his income would suffer.”

“And you agreed?”

“Yeah. He’s a celebrity, and I should have kept my mouth shut.”

“He assaulted you. That’s a crime, and he should be punished for that.”

Allan shook his head. “I’m done, and I’m not bringing charges against anyone. Besides, he kind of made up for that by buying stuff from the store, and he got me into Deuces. After my jaw healed, he cleared it with the manager and I can come in any time I want.”

“So Briggs has power at Deuces?”

Allen shrugged. “I guess.”

“Did you ever see Brooke Bennett in the club?”

“Yeah. She’s a waitress, and everyone knows she’s Joel’s girlfriend. She’s beautiful and the guys like her. They’re always giving her big tips.”

“Had she worked there for long?”

“No, at first she just came in with Briggs to get a drink and visit with people and leave.

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