even if the relationship was in name only. In fact, I encouraged him to settle down.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
He crossed his arms. “I figured we should clear the air.”
“Are you upset?”
“Not about that.”
“He’s been arrested.”
“I saw that on the news. Can you tell me what is going on?”
I explained everything.
He looked thoughtful. “I heard rumors that the police thought he brought someone along with him on his away games. I’ve talked to several of the players and the trainers, and by all accounts, Mica has never invited any woman along with him. According to his teammates, the only thing he cares about is talking to you or texting you. He’s been focused completely on the game, hardly drinks and, based on eyewitness accounts, he is alone when he goes to his room. If it ever came to it, we could subpoena hotel security footage of the hallway outside his hotel rooms, but I would bet that the footage from those tapes would prove he’s always alone.”
It shouldn’t have, but that made me feel almost sick with relief. “Thank you.”
Krista interjected. “What we can’t figure out is why he’s being set up like this.”
“Do you have anyone working on this?”
“Both of my PIs are working around the clock.”
He nodded. “Good. Any more details on why he has been arrested or what they are charging him with?”
“Lawyers can’t get near him, but we know it is in regards to Sabrina’s disappearance.”
He looked thoughtful. “You know, I play golf with the chief constable of the police force. Charlie, would you mind if I called him and did a little digging around myself?”
My body filled with relief that so many people were going to bat for Mica. “Whatever you can do to help.”
He came around the desk to put a warm arm around my shoulder. “Don’t give up on Mica, okay?”
My smile was watery. “I won’t.”
“We will sort this out.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, you take care of yourself. We’re all working to get him out of this mess, and we will make that happen. I think all of us know this is complete baloney, so it’s just a matter of time before the truth sets him free, right?”
Together Krista and I walked out of the stadium.
“You look like shit.” She eyeballed me critically. “No offense.”
I was exhausted. “None taken.”
She paused and looked over the mostly empty parking lot.
“Krista, did you know?”
She turned to me. “Know what?”
“That Mark Ashford knew this marriage wasn’t real?”
She grimaced. “He called my bluff before you got married.”
“What?” Disbelief flooded me.
She looked apologetic. “He didn’t believe that the relationship was real, but he loved the idea of Mica getting married. We made a deal. If I could get Mica to marry you, he would cut the suspension and re-sign Mica.”
I blinked at her. “You didn’t tell Mica.”
She looked stressed. “Mark made me sign an NDA.”
I swallowed, so confused by everything that was happening.
She grabbed my hand. “It worked out though, right? You and him?”
My eyes filled with tears. “He’s in jail.”
“Well, besides that part, it’s pretty great, right?”
I gave her my best WTF look and then we both started laughing. Until I started crying.
She wrapped her arms around me. “Come on, it’s going to be okay. I want you to go home and try to get some sleep.”
It felt weird to be back at home in the middle of the day. It felt even worse that Mica wasn’t home. I lay down, but sleep eluded me. All I could do was think about Mica and worry about what was happening to him.
When my phone rang, I lunged for it.
“Hello?”
“Charlie, thank God you answered.”
I sank back on my bed. “Hey, Andrew.”
He gave an embarrassed laugh. “I seem to have gotten myself in a pickle.”
I didn’t give a shit about Andrew’s problems. “You know, this really isn’t a good time.”
He talked over me. “I locked myself in my storage room in my basement. Can you come and open the door for me?”
I wanted to refuse. “Andrew.”
“Please,” he almost begged. “This is so embarrassing. I don’t want to call 911. They have enough to worry about. Can you please come in and let me out?”
It seemed churlish to refuse. “Sure, I guess so.”
“When you come downstairs, it’s the second door on the left. My front door should be open.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
I took Sniper with me, but I left Sasha at home. I slipped out the front door and walked two doors down.
True to his word, Andrew’s door was open. The