Run, Girl (If You Can)

Chapter 351: His One Phone Call

Gray knew he was done for when the police showed up at the restaurant. They wouldn't dare risk arresting such an influential person without incriminating evidence. But what had they found?

The murder weapon and shirt weren't likely…did somebody see him leaving the building with Lacy? Did the cab driver recognize him even with the sunglasses on? How had this happened?

All of this flashed through his mind in a split second. Alice and Roger were staring at him with their jaws dropped.

He would have felt regret at such a beautiful woman witnessing his arrest if not for the fact that she and Roger seemed unusually close. And here Gray thought he was going to be her rebound.

Why was he even thinking about this? He was being arrested!

He had known this was a possibility when he had done it but he had thought his tracks were covered. He had an explanation for everything. So what had they found that made them change their minds? The trail had gone completely cold!

He decided to use his right to remain silent. A neutral smirk remained on his face despite his inner panic. He couldn't give these people anything. Anything he said could be twisted against him. He needed a lawyer; the best in the city.

Did Aaron know any good criminal defense lawyers? He had helped Alice get a divorce attorney…but that didn't necessarily mean he would help his half-brother out.

After all, once Aaron found out he was a murderer he would want nothing to do with him. It was why Gray had been so desperate to keep it a secret from him. But now the whole city was going to know. Being a public figure was so bothersome.

Still, when he found out he would have to know it was all for him…they were on good terms…and it wasn't like he could use anyone else for his single phone call. He didn't know any lawyers' numbers off the top of his head.

Unfortunately, he would have to gamble his only chance on his little brother and pray he would come through. Gray wanted to believe his only family wouldn't abandon him in a time of need.

Aaron was all he had left in this world. Gray's fortune…his countless female companions…none of them meant a thing to him if he didn't have Aaron.

It had been so nice being a part of a family again for the short time he could enjoy it. Gray never thought he would have that again after Uncle Louie died and foster family after foster family rejected him.

Aaron, Keeley, Robert, even those toothless little babies. They had been kind to him and made him feel wanted for just a little while. Not even any of the women he was with over the years had been capable of that.

Gray let the police lead him away right as the waiter walked over to the table he had vacated with his food. The kid seemed frozen solid as he watched a customer get taken away by the cops.

The police sat him down in an interrogation room and tried to get him to talk. He wasn't that stupid. He put on his best debonair smile.

"I would like to make my phone call now."

The male detective from before walked outside and came back with a cordless phone, handing it to him wordlessly. It was a very good thing Gray had Aaron's cell phone number memorized.

He wouldn't dismiss this as a junk call, right? There had to be people in the business world with his phone number. Based on how many times he picked up Gray's calls without caller ID, he seemed to answer indiscriminately.

'Pick up, Aaron,' he thought somewhat desperately as the dial tone continued to ring. It connected on the sixth ring and he nearly wilted from relief.

"Aaron Hale," a brusque voice answered.

Gray did his best to keep up his usual persona. He didn't want Aaron realizing exactly how wrong things had gone right away. He would probably be less inclined to help if he knew the situation immediately.

"Hello, little brother. I have a favor to ask you."

"What kind of favor?" he asked, sounding as disinterested as usual. So he wasn't suspicious yet. Excellent.

"I've gotten myself into a teeny bit of legal trouble and don't have a defense lawyer on speed dial. Could you find one for me and send them to the 46th precinct in the Bronx?"

The phone went silent for a moment, making Gray nervous. What if he figured it out based on the location?

"Believe it or not, I do happen to know an excellent defense lawyer. His name is Neal Ashley. He owes me a favor so I'm sure he'll drop whatever he's doing and help you out. But…what exactly is going on?"

Ah. This was the tricky part. He really didn't want Aaron thinking poorly of him. If he ended up in prison he would lose his mind if his brother completely ignored him in there.

"Promise you'll still send the lawyer no matter what I say and I'll tell you," Gray said lightly.

"I honestly don't care what you did, Gray. But the lawyer should probably be warned beforehand so he can help you better."

He had a point. And he did say he didn't care…did that mean he already suspected? No, if that was the case he probably would have said something. Aaron's wife was such a straightforward person and she had clearly rubbed off on him.

Gray took a deep breath before telling the truth. He didn't know what kind of evidence the police had against him but if this lawyer was as good as Aaron said he should be fine.

"I've been arrested for the murder of Lacy Knighton."

He wanted to say that it was preposterous and make it out to be some sort of joke but the detectives were listening in. It was better to stick to the bare facts.

"I see," was all that Aaron said in response after an excruciating silence. What on earth did that mean?

"Your phone time is up, Mr. Meyer," the detective who brought him the phone said simply and held his hand out for it.

"I have to go. But the lawyer is coming, right?" Gray asked with a tinge of desperation in his tone.

"I'm a man of my word, Gray. I promised you a lawyer so I'm sending you one. Hang tight until he arrives."

The dial tone buzzed in his ear. Aaron had hung up.

Gray breathed a little easier knowing the lawyer was coming. He wasn't quite sure what his brother truly thought about his arrest but at the very least he was still looking out for him.