Whispers

Chapter 16

Jeremy and I met up with the girls at the mall and they had their hands filled with bags. They were all laughing. It was nice to see Erika getting along with two of my best girl friends. She was beautiful with a smile on her face. I suppose I have come to see that on this trip. Jeremy and I stopped walking as they got closer, I held my suits with their protective bags over my shoulder, their hooks resting peacefully on my index and middle finger. I smirked as I watched them. They were all so happy. They stopped once they reached us.

"Did you boys have fun?" Camille smiled as she saw our suits.

"Let's saw that I owe Michael big time." Jeremy nudged me and I rolled my eyes.

"Oh?" Alexa looked at me with wide eyes. "What did our dear Michael do?"

"Jeremy, don't," I plead.

"Too late." Jeremy snickered. "He bought me two top dollar suits, along with his own."

"Wow." Camille looked at me in surprise. I rolled my eyes.

"Can we not talk about it?" I laughed nervously. I looked at Erika and she didn't seem interested in the money talk. Thank god. "Anyway, what did you girls go shopping for?"

"Just some small stuff," Erika said with a shrug.

"Oh, show him what you got," Alexa said as she elbowed Erika. Erika blushed. "Don't be shy."

"Fine. It's nothing special. These two convinced me to get it after I tried it on." Erika reached into one of her bags and pulled out a lavender colored, lace dress. It had straps, but the sleeves were off the shoulder. Erika blushed as I looked from her to the dress and back again.

"I think it's pretty." I was simple. I wanted to say it was gorgeous, didn't want Alexa to get jealous. I held up a finger before I grabbed my phone out of my pocket. I walked away, acting like I had a phone call. Ironically, the moment I turned away, I got a phone call. Loyd. I groaned, but answered. "Hey, Loyd."

"Hey, I got those documents in already. I wasn't expecting them so soon, but I guess since he owes me that he wants it over and done with."

"Well, I'm at the mall. I can stop by once I am done, so you don't have to leave your office." It was a suggestion that I would have preferred, but as I looked up, I could see Loyd walking my way. He held up a file folder. I hung up the phone and quickly sent Erika a text. You will look beautiful in that dress. I put the phone in my pocket as Loyd reached me.

"I could've stopped by again." I sighed as I lowered my arms to my side.

"And risk Diaz getting her hands on you again? No thanks." Loyd chuckled humorlessly. He opened the folder and pulled a pen out of his pocket. He grabbed my suits from my hand. "I'll hold this while you sign the forms."

I nodded and walked over to a near by bench. Loyd and I sat down. I glanced over to the ground and saw them look over. I cleared my throat and looked at the documents. "I suppose going over them isn't worth it?" I snickered and started signing them.

"It just states what all comes with the property is all."

"Gotcha." I signed them and handed them back to Loyd, taking my suits back. "Want to actual meet them?"

"I suppose. Won't they be curious? You said you didn't want them to know who you are."

"Bend the truth. Say it's about my family without telling them what it is. Camille is the most curious, but she is easy to ignore." We stood and walked over. They turned to us. "This is Detective Loyd. Detective, this is Erika, Camille, Alexa, and Jeremy."

"Nice to meet you all. I apologize for taking Michael away for the few mere minutes." Loyd smiled politely.

"So, what does a detective want with Michael?" Camille asked as she looked at me. "You didn't murder anybody, right?"