Alpha Billionaire’s Bride, Part Four (BWWM Romance Serial) by Mia Caldwell Read Free Book Online Page B

condescending.”
    “You were acting like it. Being all, let’s pretend Jada is
on the case and distract her with the little details that don’t matter anyway.”
    Ian didn’t care for her attitude and for the first time, was
annoyed. “That’s unfair.”
    “Were you going over the timeline because you think it’s
valuable and will help us solve the case? Or were you only bringing it up to
try to distract me out of my bad mood?” Her head wagged slightly from side to
side.
    “Those are loaded choices,” he said, trying to keep it
light.
    “Whatever.” She sipped her coffee and turned her head,
staring out the passenger window again.
    “You did great back there, you know.” Ian pressed on carefully.
“We learned who made the second entry into the courthouse database. Sylvia
slipped into the office early Thursday morning, before Mrs. Nell got there, and
accurately entered the marriage license using Mrs. Nell’s workstation. I’m
happy to get that mystery solved. It was bugging me.”
    One of Jada’s shoulders rose quickly and fell even faster.
    Ian slogged onward. “I was disgusted that Sylvia’s plan was
to set up Mrs. Nell and let her take the blame for accepting the fake license.
I can’t believe anyone would do that to such a kind lady.”
    “I don’t know,” Jada said, her voice low. “Sylvia knew
everyone would think Mrs. Nell simply made a mistake, which she does, a lot.
The worse thing that would happen to her would be forced retirement. And, let’s
face it, that might not be so bad a thing.”
    “Okay, I can see that. I’m surprised that Sylvia did it for
so little money, though.”
    Jada swung around to face him. “Five thousand dollars is not
a little money.”
    “It’s not even close to a life-changing amount. She risked her
job and freedom for what ... less than a month’s salary?”
    Jada snorted. “You think Sylvia makes that much? Not even
close, I bet. And she darned sure doesn’t actually take home five thousand
dollars a month. Ha! After insurance and taxes and all the other ways they
stick it to you when you can’t afford an accountant, she’s lucky to take home
three grand a month. And when you’re desperate to come up with enough to pay
rent or buy groceries for your children, even a hundred bucks can be a
life-changing amount of money.”
    Ian knew he should back down, but her indignant tone irked
him. “Who’s condescending to who now?”
    “You don’t get it, Ian.”
    “And you do? When have you gone hungry? Not been able to pay
your bills?”
    “That’s not the point. I grew up with these people. I know
them like ...” She sighed softly. “Never mind. It’s not your fault.” She took a
sip of coffee.
    He watched her lips pucker around the rim of the cup. “Let’s
drop it and go back to what Sylvia told us, without passing judgment, either of
us.”
    “Fine.”
    “I thought the most interesting information she gave us was
that the mystery woman didn’t have the bribe money on her when she came to the
records department.”
    “Yeah, I didn’t expect that,” Jada said.
    “What do you think about it? What does it mean?”
    “I’m surprised it was so complicated, actually. Sylvia
agreed to the deal, and accepted the fake license even after the woman admitted
she didn’t have the five thousand on her and said she’d have to go to a bank
for it. Then Sylvia texted her husband to call her at work and she pretended to
Mrs. Nell that the call was Sylvia’s kid’s school so she could leave for the
day. Then she went to a cafe to wait for the mystery woman to show up with the
money. It’s kind of crazy, when you think about it.”
    “I have to admit, though, that I almost laughed when she
talked about slipping into the office the next morning to enter the license
into Mrs. Nell’s computer.”
    “Oh, yeah, the part about how Mrs. Nell is always twenty
minutes late but claims she’s always on time, rain or shine. Good one,” Jada
said, a slight