trouble reciting it. As the guilt in her eyes augments, she shifts on her feet to face me. For a woman facing ten to twenty years for conspiracy in aiding and abetting a criminal by supplying him with official government documents, she looks remarkably smug.
Preferring to hold our conversation in private, I nudge my head to her apartment door. “I need to talk to you. In private.”
Before Hugo can voice any of the disdain in his eyes, Isabelle clasps my hand in hers before making a beeline for the hallway. Hugo doesn't follow us, but I have my suspicions he’s eager for some privacy. His eyes darted to a stack of boxes the instant Isabelle turned her back on him.
Once I’m confident I have my script in order, I raise my eyes to Isabelle’s. “I need a favor.”
I’m taken back when she answers, “Anything, Brandon.”
I had hoped my friendship would be reciprocated one day, and today is as good a day as any. She didn’t hesitate, not in the slightest, so it makes what I’m about to say ten times easier. “Thank you, Izzy.”
What? Every man knows you always begin a negotiation with a compliment. Only once you’ve smothered them in gooey goodness do you hit them with the big stuff. “I need a date.” When Isabelle balks, I talk faster. “My mom is chairman of a charity that holds an annual gala. I tried to get out of it, but she won’t accept any of the excuses I’m giving.” When her facial expression gives no indication she’s sympathetic to my plea, I veer my ruse in a direction even I hadn’t considered. “I don’t want to go alone because Melody will be there.” The uneased mask on Isabelle’s face slips away in an instant, assuring me I’m on the right path. “I am so desperate for a date, I'm not below getting on my knees and begging. Please, Izzy. I'll do anything, anything at all if you'll fake liking me for one night.”
The wish to find a shallow ditch to bury myself in weakens when Isabelle mutters, “I do like you, Brandon.” Gratitude for charming, boyish features fills me when she adds, “So I'm sure it won't be hard pretending I'm your date for a night.”
My cheeks groan in protest from their sudden movements when a blistering smile stretches across my face. “Thank you, Izzy, thank you.”
My grin sags when she mutters, “You’re welcome… but now, I need a favor.”
Although hesitant, I agree to her request as quickly as she did mine. My favor comes with dangerous consequences, so it’s only fair I give up just as much.
My heart beats out a thunderous tune when Isabelle discloses, “I’ve been looking a little deeper at Megan Shroud.” I then realize I have no reason to panic when she garbles, “There are a lot of holes in her file I could fill in by driving out to her hometown to check things out.” She licks her dry lips before adding, “The thing is, I don’t have a car, so can I please borrow yours?”
I almost dip my chin, but the quickest idea pops into my head, stopping me. “It hasn’t recovered from the last time you drove it.” I wink and smile when she pouts. “But I’m more than happy to drive you there.”
“Really?” She shouldn’t be as stunned as she is. Not only will this give me a chance to look a little deeper into Carlyle Shroud’s purchase twenty-nine years ago, but the guilt that’s been eating me alive the past four hours may slacken.
“I still have nightmares from when you went to her hotel room alone. I refuse to make the same mistake twice.” I’m not lying. Letting Isabelle go to Megan’s hotel room alone was a stupid thing for me to do. I should have gone with her. Alas, I’m too nosy for my own good. “I have the weekend off, so why not go on an adventure?”
“Thank you, Brandon.”
I squeeze her hand, assuring her that her gratitude isn’t required. She’s helping me more than I’m helping her. “You’re welcome. I’d do anything for you.” Cringing about the awkward wording of my thanks, I shift our conversation back onto mutual territory. “When were you wanting to head out?”
Isabelle twists on the spot, endeavoring to appear innocent. “I was hoping tomorrow morning?”
“Eager?” I ask through the lump in my throat.
She laughs, then nods. “There’s something strange with her records.”