Chapter 2

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The car ride to the station was painful. I could hear the two officers in the front talking absolute nonsense whilst I took in everything. I got lost in my thoughts and I felt my phone vibrate. I looked at it. It was Alexa. I smiled, I missed her already.

'Hey Honey, is everything okay with you?xx'

'Yeah, sort of...I'll explain later when I actually know what's going on. Something to do with my Mother I'll text you later x'

I knew we had about 10 minutes of the car ride left but I still needed to wrap my head around the whole situation; My mother stole 7.3 million dollars and now she's in custody. What person who has money like that goes to the police? Why wouldn't you hire some muscled guys to go after her? The more I thought of it the more grateful I was to the person she'd stolen the money off.
***
The officers led me into a small interrogation room where my mother and another woman were sitting down waiting for me to go inside. I took a deep breath in and I sat opposite my mother. I crossed my arms and I stared at her.

"Mother." I deadpanned.

"Riley, I'm sorry they got you into this but your Nanna's in France at the moment. I did call her, and she said she'd be in town tomorrow night." I stared at her. I honestly had so many questions to ask her but there was a woman staring at me intently, my skin ran cold. Something was off about the woman, regardless I turned my attention to her.

"I'm so sorry. How rude of me. I'm Riley Wood, you are?" I smiled.

Her eyes pierced through me causing me to flinch slightly. "Leanna, Leanna Layton." She smiled.

Her hair was brown, she had dark brown eyes and her face was wide. She looked like she was in her late 20's. Her teeth were perfect, but I couldn't help that they were too big for her mouth. She was attractive. I felt my stomach tighten slightly in guilt for subtly checking her out whilst I had Alexa. She adjusted in her seat and she positioned herself more into a professional stance. I groaned internally because of how uncomfortable she was making me. I really did not want to be here in the first place and her presence made me want to run out of this precinct.

"It's nice to meet you. Call I call you Leanna or would you prefer Miss.Layton?"

"Leanna is fine by me."

She gave me some vibes that I couldn't quite grasp. Flirtatious, seducing maybe?

"Okay then. Leanne, can you explain to me what's going on. I'd like the details because those officers gave me barely anything." I shrugged in a little annoyance. Leanne's gaze never left me.

She cleared her throat and she ruffled through a small stack of paperwork infront of her. "Okay, well, Miss Drummer has been accused of stealing 50 million dollars by Arthur Crip. A very wealthy man. He's agreed to make a deal with Miss Drummer that if she returns every penny of the money he will drop the charge against your mother."

Okay, My mother stole 7.3 million dollars, they guy is offering to drop all charges if she gives the money back. Why wont she take it? I turned to my mother.

"Why don't you give him the money back?" I shrugged, a little laugh escaped me.

"Riley, baby, I didn't steal the money. I can't give the man what I don't have." She deadpanned. I knew she was lying there's way more to this story than she's letting on. I know there is.

"Riley, can we talk about you and Yas. What have I missed?" she smiled. She bulged her eyes trying to tell me something. I turned to Leanne.

"Sorry, do you mind if we have a minute to have a quick catch up?" I smiled, trying to give her a puppy dog look, which worked a treat.

"Of course. I need to read over the paperwork for this case anyway." She smiled. Looking at me and then her eyes made their way down to my lips. Yes, flirtatious. I smiled apologetically. I waited until she had gone before I turned to my mother.

"Mother, spill, now." I commanded sternly.

She nodded her head. "Okay, girly. I got close to Arthur and I realised he had big pockets. I owed him some debt from a poker game we had the first night we met. So, we went to poker games together and he had quite a lucky streak, but he puts his games before me. He commanded that I did his washing and tidying after him. He was never violent. Never. Just an asshole. So, he won big last night, he told me to put the money in the safe, but I didn't, and I made a run for it back home, next thing I know I'm being hand cuffed and then arrested on theft charges." She chuckled.

I couldn't help but chuckle with her. My mother was never there for me and Yas, but she did have a life that I envied, and I was grateful for. She was only 36, so her teenager years were gone When she got pregnant with me. I know I shouldn't, but I still feel a little bad that she didn't have her teenage years but then again, she should have used a rubber.

"Mum, where did you hide the money?" I asked quickly looking over my shoulder.

Her eyes flickered behind me, She glanced around and grabbed my hand. "It's under the big rose bush in the garden. Riley, I have a couple of requests." She stared at me waiting for my answer.

"Oh, when did you-Of course, mum. What are the requests?" We didnt have much time, I had so many questions but there wasn't enough time for them to be answered.

"Riley, I don't want you to hire a lawyer for me. If I do time in this place I do it. I don't care. Under no circumstances are you to put that money into a bank account." I chuckled. Of course, I wouldn't put the money into an account. I'm going to walk into the bank and then deposit 7.3 million into my account without anyone suspecting. That only happens in the movies. I cleared my throat and I smiled at at the woman opposite me.

I swallowed the last of my laughs, seeing my mothers cold gaze. "Sorry. Yes, of course."

"Riley, I want you to oversee the money. I know you're amazing with finances. Get yourself into college, hell, get yourself into uni. Hire an agent. You've wanted to be a screen writer since you were 10. Use the money to make your dream come true." She smiled.

I sat on the edge of my chair in shock. My mother was giving me 7.3 million dollars, stolen dollars to help with my future.

I looked up. "Who are you and what have you done with my mother?" I asked with raised eyebrows, I was deadly serious with that question.

She smiled and let out a small laugh. "Shut up, kiddo. I mean it. You've taken care of Yas since we found out she was epileptic. You've been there for her when she had every fit because I couldn't cope with it. You were there for me when your father and I divorced. You're taking care of Yas now. You've enrolled yourself and you baby sister into school. Without me prompting you. You've taken care of you and Yas, even when you have your...Illness. You're my guardian angel. Thank you, honey."

I studied my mother's face, she was genuine. Her eyes were glassy with a hint of sadness in her face. I got up off my chair and I took the one next to her and I put my head on her shoulder. Those words were all I needed to hear. I thought she didn't know how much I went through, but I misjudged her. I let a couple of tears escape my glassy eyes.

"Thank you, Mum." I whispered.

She pulled back. "What for?"
I looked up at her glassy and now tear stained face. "For acknowledging me and the things I do."
She pulled me back in and we hugged for a while. I hadn't received a hug of mum in about 4 years. We never argued or bickered, but we never were close. I enjoyed the bond we were sharing right now. I realised that I missed being the child, sometimes.

I pulled back. "Are you sure about this?"
A smile appeared on her tired face and she cleared her throat. "Of course, I am, honey. I don't need the money. You and Yas do. I'll serve my time and I'll be out before you know it." She kissed my head and kept me at arms lengh.

"Okay, if you need anything, money or whatever then just call me. I'll come and visit you as often as I can. I've got to tell Yas about this. She deserves to know."

Mother nodded her head as a disappointed look grazed her face. "I've got to go mum, I love you."

She gave me a full-hearted smile. "I love you too, honey."
***

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