The Billionaire's Betrayed Love.

82: Whose Phone?

CARL

Maybe I didn't see right. Or maybe my brain denied it.

I ran to the tub in the nook of time and reached into it to grab the phone. Linda took that opportunity to slip past me, and she ran out the door while I picked up the drowning phone and rubbed it against my chest to lessen its wetness. It didn't seem like that was happening anytime soon, it was dripping at both ends.

How dare she? I looked up ahead, though there was nothing in sight. "Linda! I'm going to get you!" I yelled, staring up ahead. "I'm going to get you!"

I didn't know why I said that, like it made the problem less of a problem. I was screwed, and that was it. Immediately, I started looking for a means to dry it off, knowing fully well that Alma needed this to get out of this problem. I didn't know what to do. It had been a while since I had faced this level of anxiety.

Linda, as expected, was nowhere in sight. It was better that way, or I might have her crucified. That urge wasn't one that I could control.

Jeez. I despised her!

It was crazy.

The phone wouldn't move. It just showed a blank white screen and I ran outside immediately, desperate for a solution to this. Like the universe was on my side, an emergency contact popped into my mind.

It was an acquaintance who was a phone technician. For sure, Robert should be able to work on this, right? Something had to work, somehow! I fished for my phone on the board and dialed his number.

"Carl? It's been what? Three years? Why are you calling so late!"

"Robert. I need your help."

I arrived at Robert's home after driving for what seemed to be three hours. The sacrifice was worth it, especially since I was sure that he could get it done. My head ached like a band of drums rang inside of it, but I kept driving, though at some point, I could barely see. I rang the doorbell, and he walked out, clad in a robe with a fastened belt.

"Come on in," Robert ushered. I'd already explained the situation of things to him. I offered him the phone in a transparent plastic coat, and we both went in, venturing to his basement where his lab was.

I didn't know he was retired. Another reason for me to be extra grateful is that he was willing to help at all. Robert examined the phone under an amplifier, and the look on his face didn't particularly tell me anything positive. I was squirming on the inside, eager for a response.

"So? What's going on!"

He picked the phone up. "This is an old model, surprisingly, and was open to faults even before this. The water was just cherry on top, Carl."

I wasn't sure why Alma would ever want to use an old model, but I did know she wasn't particularly to tech usage, as long as it was efficient.

"Is it fixable?" That was what I needed to know. "Can we fix it, Robert? I need that phone to function or things will go bad!"

Robert tsked, examining the phone more. After torturous seconds, he nudged his glasses up his nose bridge and turned to me. "I suppose it will be. But I need time? Can it wait...until tomorrow?"

"When, tomorrow?" I desperately asked.

"Evening." He responded. "Tomorrow evening."

This was a big gamble, but it didn't seem like I had any other options. I leaned in a bit closer, trying to grasp the situation fully. "Tell me something, Robert? Do you think we can make it work? What's the probability?"

"A seventy."

"What?"

"A seventy percent probability."

I could bet on a seventy. It was better than nothing. I nodded. "Okay. I trust you buddy." I needed to head back and be on standby by morning when Alma woke up.

I really needed a shut-eye, too.

*

Rattling on my window caused me to jolt awake and jump up. Jeez. Who the hell!? It was Beverly. It looked like I'd fallen asleep inside the car. I couldn't even remember how I got to the police station, my eyes were bandaged by sleep.

I barely got three hours of sleep. I opened the door immediately, and she ushered for me to come with her. "We can see her now," she said.

The detention room was small and scrawny, and I was surprised I could go in, too. No, I acted surprised. I didn't tip those officers for nothing.

Alma should be released after twenty-four hours of detention if they found no conclusive evidence. I looked forward to that too. We exchanged pleasantries. I could easily tell how hard she tried to be strong, and I had to reveal what Linda had done too.

I killed all her expectations with my explanation and that heavy weight sank into my chest, again. They both gasped, especially Beverly. I guess Alma was getting used to Linda's madness and fast.

"But I'll be going to Robert's soon. There should be a breakthrough."

Alma nodded. She looked pale and somewhat leaner, or maybe I was the one who saw it that way because I knew she was hurting. "I'll be out of here in a few hours. Certainly, I should be able to help, too. This is sickening!"

There was a tense and unkind silence that lingered. For no reason at all did I turn to Beverly, and I caught that expression on her face. Uncertainty. The hair at the back of my neck pulled up. Before I could ask if something was wrong, She cut in.

"About that, Alma..." her voice trailed, hinting that she was bearing bad news. "From what I know, you might have to stay here a bit longer."

Alma tensed up and I shared her shock. "How do you mean?"

"Linda is giving a statement today." Beverly paused, taking a deep breath. "Apparently, she saw you push her mother."

"That's bullshit!" I yelled out loud. "And they're going to listen to that?"

"She's an eyewitness, Carl. And the daughter of the deceased. The law isn't only listening to logic anymore. Human interest matters, too."

Alma said nothing, and it only made me even more terrified. Why was this happening? "What do we do?"

"We better get the phone working as soon as possible, or this... Will be a hell of a ride."

I paced the room, sighing and ranting when Alma called out to me. "Carl?"

My head shot in her direction. "Can I ask you for a favor?"

*

"Carl! You're here!" Velma yelled as she threw her arms around me and I hugged her, too. She seemed like my only place of comfort in this rotten situation. What do I do? I watched her eyes as she looked past me, and I braced myself for her next question.

"Where's Mama?" She asked after she stepped back. Her nanny was just a few steps away from us. This was the favor Alma had asked for- to help me distract Velma with an excuse.

"That's exactly why I'm here!" I tried to fake a happy voice. Tried. "Mama is swarmed with work now and she wants me to let you know that she'll be home soon!"

This kid was too smart to be fooled like this. She squinted, throwing me a skeptical glance. "But she didn't call Agatha to tell her about it."

Oh. "That's because she misplaced her phone. She'll be back soon."

"I-is Mama okay?"

I didn't like this, at all. My stomach curled and my smile was faltering by the edges. "Of course, Kiddo! She's great. She's just fine!"

Velma nodded slowly. "I trust you, Carl."

"Say...why don't we get some ice cream? I owe you, don't I?"

"Sure! Love it!"

"Get into the car. I'll be there in a few." I had to speak with the nanny. Velma did as told as I stepped in before Agatha who looked just as worried as Velma was. "There's a bit of a situation but she'll be just fine. And she'll be home soon. Velma is your only priority and I'll pay you overtime if that's what it comes to."

"Y-yes, sir." She stuttered. For no reason at all did I feel somewhat irked by her. It must be my mood. "Good."

I turned around and entered the car. Velma had been very busy ransacking my car. How cute. "So, it's time to go!" I buckled her seatbelt.

"Carl?" I turned to her and watched her hand me two devices. "Why do you use two phones?"

"Oh, I don't."

Wait a damn minute. I took it from her. Whose phone?