Page 72 of Any Kind of Life
“Whatever happened, he deserved it. Whoever did it, it’s nothing to do with us.”
It wasn’t directly to do with them, no, but was it likely because of Juliet’s injuries? Without a doubt. Even if Juliet tried to lie to herself, to Paige and their friends, she knew deep down what she felt. This was a direct result of Cara’s actions. It had to be.
“Without it all seeming weird, I want you to go home soon. I’ll make sure Henry meets you there, and he can explain what he knows. If he tells you he knows nothing, he’s lying. He ended our call abruptly, and I want to know the part he played in this. Just…so I can get my story straight about who he is if the police come asking. I won’t let him go down for something he did to protect me. Not in this lifetime.”
Paige smiled as she stroked her fingertips across the back of Juliet’s hand. “Babe, you can’t lie to the police.”
“I won’t lie to them. I’ll tell them the exact same thing I told them when I woke up. Henry and I know one another from school. He works security at the bar. They’ll see I’m…telling the truth if they’ve checked my employee records.” Juliet sat up a little better. “I’m not stupid enough to leave anything looking suspicious. As far as the records at the bar show, everything is above board.” Juliet cleared her throat and lowered her voice further. “Anything extra I give him, it’s always cash.”
“Look,” Paige said as she exhaled a frustrated sigh. “You have done nothing wrong. No matter what, I need you to remember that. I love Henry as much as you do, but we cannot get tangled up in whatever has gone on outside of this room. I don’t want to be a part of that life, babe. I really don’t.”
“No, I know. I don’t particularly want to be a part of it, either.” Juliet curled her finger and beckoned Paige closer. “Give me a kiss before you leave. I need you to find out what happened.”
Paige dipped her head as she leaned in, smiling into a kiss. “I love you, and no matter what, you’re going to be out of here soon and doing what you do best.”
Juliet drew back with a frown. “Oh. And what is that?”
“Living.”
Chapter 26
There is no way she’s taking any blame for this.
Paige slammed the apartment door shut, seething at the possibility of Henry being involved in Ronnie’s death. A huge part of her understood his loyalty to Juliet, but if this was something obvious, it would only come back to bite them all. If the police believed for one second that Juliet’s assault at the bar was linked to Ronnie’s death, Paige and Juliet would surely be held accountable. Regardless of whether they knew anything about it or not, life wasn’t that simple.
She eyed the clock in the kitchen. Henry was due here any moment now. Paige wanted answers; she needed to know exactly what was going on, and then she could breathe a sigh of relief…knowing Juliet was going to be safe now. Cara was just a sheep in all of this. Without being told to do what she did, she likely wouldn’t have done it. This was all on Ronnie—Paige was almost certain of that.
As her phone pinged in her pocket, there was a knock at the door. She would tackle the text message waiting for her. It would be Juliet.
Any sign of H yet?
Paige smiled. Juliet had never been this impatient before.
I think he’s at the door right now. Call you when I know more.
She crossed the room, yanking the door open before she had time to consider what questions to ask. Henry smiled back at her, his jacket already folded over his arm. “Hi, Paige.”
“Don’t ‘Hi, Paige’ me. Get inside before I throttle you!” Paige dragged Henry over the threshold and closed the door quickly. “What’s going on?”
He turned to Paige from the middle of the room. “You know, I thought you would be happy knowing that bastard is gone.”
“I am. Of course I am. But I need you to tell me you had nothing to do with it. Juliet needs to know that.” Paige ran a hand through her hair, resting back against the nearest wall. Maybe she should have eaten something substantial before this conversation. She was beginning to feel a bit woozy. “Please tell me you didn’t make this happen.”
“Not technically.” Henry shrugged as he lowered himself to the couch. “I think you and Juliet forget the sorts of people I know. A lot of them are capable of doing the most hideous things.”
Paige held up a hand. “Yeah, I don’t need to know what kind of friends you have. I really don’t.”
“Just…sit down for a minute, okay?” Henry eyed the couch facing him, a pleading look in his eyes. “I can explain. Or I’ll try to, at least.”
Okay, Paige could do that. Henry had been amazing when it came to being there for both Paige and Juliet; she could afford him the time he needed to explain things. Juliet would be fine for a few hours alone. It meant she could rest before Hannah and Caz turned up to visit. Paige took a seat, not quite relaxed just yet. “Go on…”
“I know you’re probably worried about any comeback, but there won’t be any, Paige. I’d never do anything if I thought you or Juliet could get tied up in it.” Henry spoke sincerely. “Now, we know the police are working towards the motive being Cara’s connection to Ron, but he’s burned so many people that anyone could have ended his life last night.”
“So, it wasn’t you?”
“I have no access to prison, so it couldn’t have been me.” Henry almost smirked at that, but Paige gave him a look that warned him against it. “There’s a guy inside. Pete Bennett. I’ve known Pete for a long time. He used to date my sister, Keira, when we were all much younger. Juliet probably knows of him, but that’s about all.”
Paige nodded, waiting for more information.