Page 77 of Everyone’s a Liar

“Ah, I see. No worries here. The deed to the property is owned by an investment company. There are no liens or potential lawsuits. It’s all very straightforward.”

Livia glanced toward the windows that offered a distant view of the lake. How did she get the information that would reveal why Stella was living in a half-million-dollar house that was owned by her family? It seemed unlikely the agent would have any details. Maybe Stella had a lawyer? Or a financial advisor?

She was still floundering when she was distracted by the buzz of her phone.

Reaching into her purse she pulled it out and glanced at the screen. Her brows snapped together as she recognized the number.

“I’m sorry. It’s my office,” she said. “I have to take this.”

“Of course.”

With a nod, the agent turned to leave the kitchen, giving Livia privacy as she connected the call.

“Marcel? What are you doing in the office on a Sunday?” she demanded, knowing it had to be an emergency. She was right. “Oh my God. I’ll be right there.”

CHAPTER 19

New Orleans, LA

Sunday, July 6th

Livia was furious by the time she’d pulled to a halt behind the police car blocking the street in front of her office. It hadn’t been a long drive, but there’d been plenty of time for her to mull over Marcel’s revelation that some idiot had destroyed her window in a drive-by shooting.

She should have been terrified. There was no way it had been a random act of violence. Whoever had shot out her window had done so on purpose. But despite her frayed nerves, the more she thought about the attack the more her blood boiled.

She’d already been locked in an empty apartment and shoved onto the tarp covering the pool where her mother had died. Now her office had been vandalized.

The more she thought about the escalating harassment, the more she wanted to punch someone.

Forcing herself to take a deep breath, Livia climbed out of her car and approached the uniformed patrolman who was waiting for her in front of her office.

He had a youthful face set in sullen lines, as if he’d rather be on a high-speed chase or maybe working undercover with drug traffickers. Anything but waiting to take a statement about a busted window.

From his expression, Livia was already prepared for his uninspired questioning. Did she have surveillance? Yes, but only inside the office. Did she have any disgruntled former clients or employees? None that would shoot at her office. Any vengeful exes? She gave him Larry Sutton’s name. He wasn’t really an ex, but she was already convinced he was guilty.

The man jotted the name down and, with a promise to return tomorrow to speak with the other business owners in the area, he then climbed in his patrol car and zoomed away.

Livia headed into the office, not surprised to discover Marcel on his phone as he stood at the far side of the lobby. Livia took a second to study the damage.

It wasn’t as bad as she’d expected. There was glass scattered over the carpet and two bullet holes were visible in the far wall, but it was all surface stuff. Nothing that couldn’t be fixed.

Still, the sight of the damage struck sparks off her already smoldering temper.

“What a mess,” she growled, planting her hands on her hips.

Marcel ended his call and strolled to stand next to her. He was wearing a pair of khaki shorts and loose cotton shirt. The casual style only emphasized his natural elegance.

Livia, on the other hand, was hot and sweaty from standing in the heat while she chatted with Flora. And honestly, she was pretty sure she hadn’t brushed her hair since she’d stepped out of the shower hours ago.

“Yeah, on the bright side, there was no one here when the lunatic shot up the place,” Marcel murmured.

Livia sent him a jaundiced glare. “There is no bright side.”

“Oh, thank God,” Marcel breathed, glancing toward the broken glass that glittered like tiny daggers in the late afternoon sunlight. “It’s a total mess.”

“We’ll have to call the lumberyard and get some plywood for the window.”

“No worries. I’ll call my cousin Darius. He can swing by and get the plywood and put it up for us today. Plus, for the right price I can get him to order and replace the window so we don’t have to worry about it. He’s always looking for a way to make a quick buck.”