Page 132 of What Started In Deception

Nick’s frown was back. “What the fuck does that mean?”

Ty shrugged as he shook his head. “I couldn’t tell you. Right before Asher stormed out, he told Will that he’d helped him out because they were supposed to be best friends.”

Nick sighed as he shook his head. “This case is one big fucking riddle.”

“Tell me about it.”

“But when you put those pieces together, I agree with you. It sounds like it was about money.” Nick traced the condensation on his plastic cup. “Do you think Will has financial problems?”

Ty shrugged again. “I broached the subject with Lydia, and she’s thinking no. Will makes a good income. They have savings accounts. They set aside the money from the sale of Mac’s salon for his upcoming partnership with the law firm. They live on the estate, which shouldn’t cost them much beyond paying for groceries and other basic stuff. They drive nice vehicles and have nice clothes, but I haven’t seen anything that’s extravagant.”

“What about their little girl? Maybe she has medical expenses.”

Ty shook his head. “I know Ev has speech, physical, and occupational therapy sessions, but I’m nearly certain that they’re considered early intervention, so the school district pays for those. I can ask Lyd, but I feel pretty confident that’s how that works. Will and James talked about it once when we were in the gym. Everly has Down Syndrome, but she’s pretty healthy, like any typical kid.”

Nick blew out a breath. “Did you talk to him about the Asher stuff?”

Ty shook his head. “This morning, we talked about his marriage. He wants to fix things with his wife and get them back on track.”

Nick scrubbed at his face in an unmistakable gesture of frustration. “So, you’re a marriage counselor?”

“No. I’m earning his trust. We’re talking about real stuff now. I’m not just correcting his form with weights. We’re getting there.”

Nick sighed. “Get there faster, man.”

“I’m doing what I can.”

“Is there anything else?”

He shook his head. “Not really. I had some words with Asher, but otherwise, things are status quo.”

“What kind of words?”

Ty shrugged. “The guy pretty much hates my guts. He’s got a thing for Lydia. Apparently, he has for years, and he’s less than happy that I’ve moved in on his turf.”

“I’m sure he’ll be relieved when he learns that you’ve moved on in just a few more weeks.”

Ty clenched his jaw, loathing the idea. “Lydia thinks of him as a friend.”

Nick shrugged. “I guess it doesn’t really matter one way or the other. Fairly soon, your girlfriend’s love life won’t have anything to do with you anymore.”

Ty bobbed his leg up and down under the table, ready to be done with this conversation. But Nick spoke the absolute truth. He and Lydia were on a clock, just like the case. They were sleeping together now, but their summer together would end eventually.

Chapter Thirty

Lydia put the last dirty plate in the dishwasher as Ty washed the pan they’d used to cook a batch of fresh scallops that they ate with a mix of summer vegetables. She smiled at him as he put the pan in the dish rack.

He smiled back, wearing one of his typical athletic shorts and tank top outfits as he wiped his hands on the towel. “What’s up?”

She shrugged, dressed down in simple cotton shorts and a T-shirt after a long day. “I was thinking that instead of walking on the beach tonight, I could show you something.”

He raised his brow as he snagged her by the arm and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Does this thing that you want to show me require a bed?”

She laughed as she settled her hands on his shoulders. “No, it does not.”

He grinned as he wrapped her up tighter. “The couch?”

She shook her head. “What I want to show you has nothing to do with sex.”