Read Online The Consequence by Karin Tabke - Free Book Online Page B

No, Simon did not wax poetic, but his infrequent words were more meaningful than a book full of sonnets.
    She simply texted back xo
    An hour later, making sure she was not being followed, she was standing in the ante office to Veronica’s office. She’d been called away on an emergency but Veronica’s assistant gave Katy an envelope.
    “There are several papers she’d like you to review, then sign.”
    “Does she want them back today?”
    “She wants you to take your time, so the end of the week is fine.”
    As Katy made her way down to the lobby, she realized her cellphone she had left with Veronica was in the envelope. Immediately she wondered if Evan had sent more texts. Hurrying to the ladies room she locked herself in a stall and quickly turned on the phone and waited impatiently for it to boot up.
    Tapping the app she smiled as it alerted her to several more cypher texts. Looks like Evan had been busy. She frowned, despite the possibility of having more dirt on him. Unfortunately she didn’t know Morse code, but Simon did. Smiling, she slipped the phone into her purse, called her car service and in no time was heading south, destination the Santa Clara County Sherriff’s Department HQ.
    Simon had said he’d be at the office today; she’d surprise him by showing up. Even though he said lunch was off with Livy, Katy took that to mean he was still taking that half day, so maybe she could surprise him by taking him out for a bite and share the news that there were more texts to decipher? That’s what two people in love did for each other, right?
    When the car pulled up in front of the multi-level brick and glass building, Katy started to second guess her actions. Maybe he was really busy? Or maybe he wasn’t allowed to have visitors? Nonsense, he was a captain. He called the shots, not the other way around.
    “I’m not sure how long I’ll be, John, so please wait.”
    “Yes ma’am.”
    As luck or bad luck would have it, just as Katy reached for the front door of the building it opened and she nearly collided with, of all people, Amanda West. While she was aware Simon’s sister-in-law worked in the same building, she didn’t expect to bump into her.
    They were both about to offer apologies when they realized who they had bumped into. And like any good Mexican standoff, the two women, each in love with the same man, stared at the other, one knowing she had no chance of winning him back and the other terrified the other knew her lover better than most people and would somehow destroy what she and Simon shared.
    “Simon isn’t here, if that’s why you’re here.”
    Katy swallowed, threw her shoulders back and notched her chin. “Actually, I’m here to see you, Amanda.”
    The blonde’s eyes widened. “Really?” she said like a cat about to dig its very long, very sharp claws into you.
    “Yes, I’d like to discuss a few matters with you.”
    Amanda wrinkled her nose like she’d smelled something bad. “We have nothing to discuss,” she said, then started to walk past Katy.
    “I can cut him completely out of your life, Amanda, or we can work together for Olivia’s sake. You decide.”
    Amanda whirled around, her red lips twisted in a nasty sneer.
    “Do you actually think you have any control over Simon?”
    “He loves me.”
    Amanda threw her head back and laughed, the sound cold, malicious and knowing.
    The hair on the back of Katy’s neck sprung straight up.
    “He
loves
you? Are you kidding me?” she spat. “Simon loves no woman. You’re nothing but a means to an end, Dr. Winslow.”
    Katy’s stomach began a free fall. “What are you talking about?”
    “You really have no clue do you?”
    “About what?”
    “Do you think he picked you up at that bar by accident?”
    “He didn’t—”
    “He was there at that hotel because
you
were there. He set you up from the beginning.”
    “You’re lying,” Katy choked, refusing to believe it.
    “He’s part of a state wide sting