The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 138 Leak Joy 54% Cristos and | were on our way to go see Lisa. He needed to hack into her phone to get Pete's number and all other information which could prove vital to our plans.

Earlier, Liam called to inviteto dinner and to tellhe was opening the Cohen Mansion to the townsfolk, giving us the opportunity to bug his place up the wazoo.

While | waited for Cristos to finish his work, | changed into a maroon pleated flared skirt, a black short sleeved mock neck fitted top and black stiletto boots, opened the store and restocked the shelves. Dina, who cin right after | opened the store wearing oversized black sunglasses, took the initiative to interview the long line of applicants, who were eagerly gathered in front, acting like she was nursing a hangover.

When | was done restocking, | went next door to Dom's to inform Stanley that Sebastian was sick and that he was in charge until Sebastian was better. Before he could ask to visit his boss, | told him Sebastian was in isolation, confined to his room, as a precaution. Stanley quietly nodded his head then scurried off to inform the rest of the employees of Sebastian's absence.

Xavier, De Luca and Lou went out to place CCTV cameras as near to the OI’ Barn as they possibly could since most of that land was owned by Liam. Xavier, who planned to be in the vicinity later at midnight just in case he needed to intervene, was also scouting for possible hiding spots while he waited for news on Pete and the Martins.

My phone suddenly pinged alertingto the social media page of a tabloid media outlet town. Most of their posts were gossip, speculations, and myths, yet, they were also the firs to post when something truly atrocious happened in New Salem, especially if a Cohen was involved. With all the campaign ads of Sarah Hughes in between their posts, it wasn’t much of a surprise seeing all the black propaganda they had against Liam.

| took a look at their post and was taken aback at what | read. Apparently, Lindsay Hartman did have motive to kill Theodore Cohen.

Aside from Lindsay Hartman's suicide note, the post included a backstory on Theodore Cohen as a suspect for the death of her fiancé approximately three decades ago. The story certainly portrayed Lindsay Hartman in a different light... specifically as an unforgiving. victim of gruescircumstances.

1/58 CHAPTER 138 Leak | decided to grab scoffee at Bo’s before | went back to my shop. At Bo’s Cafe, | noticed.

Noah standing in line. He was wearing a black track suit of a well known sports brand which wasn’t his usual style, “I didn’t know you jogged in the morning,” | said behind him. He turned around with a startled look on his face.

“I didn’t know you cto Bo’s so early in the morning,” he replied. | rolled my eyes at him.

“It’s past nine in the morning, Noah. Besides | work next door, remember?” | pointed out. He chuckled as he nodded his head. “Anyway, it’s good that | bumped into you. I'm still waiting for your office to sendthe remainder of my bill.” “I apologize, Virtue. It’s been a really chaotic week,” he said, after he quickly ordered two lattes. “Someone's moved into the old McDowell Residence and | still have the funeral hto deal with. Plus, I have a list of renovations | need to oversee. Why don’t you cby my office later this afternoon and pick up your bill? “I can’t this afternoon. | have to pick up a friend at the airport,” | said after | finished ordering three cappuccinos.

“Ill just drop by tomorrow... in the afternoon.” “Three cappuccinos?” He asked, his eyebrows raised. He was so nosy...

“One's for Chip and the other for my clerk. What about you? You ordered two lattes.” “One’s for a friend,” he answered vaguely. “So who's this friend you're going to pick up?” “Just a girlfriend of mine. She’s going to helpwith the wedding,” | answered. His face suddenly becdark.

It was obvious he was against the wedding. “Speaking a girlfriend, have you heard Ni-" “| still believe you're rushing into things with Liam, but that’s just it... it seems I'm the one who thinks that way,” he said, sounding frustrated as he grabbed his disposable cup. coffee. “You still have tto think things through, Virtue. Honestly, | think you're making huge mistake marrying Liam. | just... | just want you to be happy and | know you won't be happy with him. See you, Virtue.” Before | could speak to defend myself, Noah quickly turned around and walked away. Well, his opinion didn’t matter anyway.

After receiving my order, | rushed towards Bo’s storefront windows and saw Noah enter the passenger's side of a silver BMW 5-Series. | couldn't see who the driver was because the 2/5 12:17 Wed, Apr3 M CHAPTER 138 Leak windshield was tinted, but | had a strong feeling it was Sarah Hughes. Nicole out, Sarah in.

It was possible that Sarah, being the jealous girlfriend, could have hired the truck driver to hit Nicole's car. Yet, Xavier had said the driver was from Houston pointing to the Angels of Darkness. Was it really Pete behind Nicole's accident? | sighed. The question of who was behind Nicole's car accident was still left unanswered.

| headed back to my office hoping Cristos was done.

He was seated at my desk, looking at the screen of his phone and chuckling to himself.

“What's so funny?” | asked Cristos, placing the cup of coffee in front of him. | took a peek at the screen of his phone and saw an image of Lindsay Hartman's note. “Are you the one who leaked Hartman's suicide note?” He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, but his lips were curved into a little wicked smile.

“Maybe,” he answered slyly. “I might've pressed the sent button on my laptop accidentally. You can’t blme...

| haven't had any sleep.” “Link must be happy then,” | said, sitting down on my couch. “The charges against Ford will be dropped and he and Tomas Martin can be bestfriends.” “Leading us to Pete's mysterious capo,” Cristos said, placing his laptop back in his bag. “I was listening to Dan's conversation from earlier this morning and | heard someone called Lisa informing her about the contract Joy Taylor made with Ortiz. | heard Dan say, “That lun atic is here watching us.” | suspect he was referring to Pete. | need to get that number, so | can triangulate Pete's location. Before we head to Bismarck, let's go pay Lisa a visit.” “No problem. We can act like you're going house hunting,” | suggested, astonished listening device in Dan's house. “How were you able to bug Dan?” “Hello... | went to his house so we could go to the airport together, remember? | saw opportunity and | grabbed it,” he replied, zipping his bag up and standing up from my chair. “You know what? I think | should buy a house in Hillcrest. | can watch without eve having to leave the comfort of my home. And if | play my cards right, Dan will leadstraight to their laboratory. It’s there somewhere, | just need to push Dan a little further fo him to show me.” “By the way, | just got off the phone with Liam, | quickly mentioned before | could forget. “He’s holding his father’s wake at the mansion later and opening it to the townsfolk. He wantsand K iki to have dinner with him before heading there.” 3/5 12:17 Wed, Apr 3 Mu CHAPTER 138 Leak 54%[] “I'll have everyone cand place bugginn all four corners of that house. Ever since the Chimes’ fire, the bug in their study ha ssh seen much action. Now we have a chance to really bug the place,” he said, winking at mee.

Suddenly, both our phones pinged. | swipedddelheck what it was and saw the notification of the social media page of the tabloid media cutitec once again. | ignored it and decided to check it later.

“I thought the same,” | replied. “I'll have Kili rosana around like a fascinated little girl. I'll even have her go upstairs.” Cristos eyes widened as he swiped “I'll make sure she has all the bugs she needs the through his phone. “There are two groups of townsfold assembling in front of the Sheriff's station. One group thinks Ford is innocent while the other group thinks he’s guilty. | better alert Link. He must be in the middle of negotiations. Lisan wants that pharmacy, but without much leverage, | doubt if Tomas Martin will cave. Well, ititsin this to give anyway.” Well, Liam actually doesn’t need the pharmacy. He can open up one of his own.” That'll take time, Virtue, and more capital. The easiest way isita@gab control of the pharmacy in existence,” Cristos argued. “You have to think ke alam. Why go through all that trouble when you can just take it?” You're right,” | said, agreeing with him. “If the Angels of Darkness think they can 1100 nopolize the business, they should think again. Knowing Liam, helpmobably take the bhannacy by brute force.” I'm counting on that and | think Bo is too,” Cristos replied, “so when Liandities willlththink it was Ortiz. Then, they will find themselves at the mercy of one Viite Cubennligst todet you know, | heard Dan talking to Liam. Liam wants the wedding to next week. He'll be applying for your marriage license later this afternoon. Itly o smile.

Seems like everything is going on schedule. Bo will be happy to hear this. If you're clon let's go to Lissa office now. You know K iki doesn’t like to wait.” | stood up from the couch but Cristos raised his hand to stopfrom leaving.

“Hold on, | need tozall Bo, Cristos said as he placed his phone to his ear. “Bo, the Sherifflisis planning to have chhot deputy named Randy killed by Bismarck Police and Liam is having a nn open house later tonight. He paused and listened to Xavier. “Okay. That sounds simple. I'll!! make that anonymous caillithen. He paused again. “Sure, we'll call you once K iki is in the car.” 4/5 305 12:17 Wed, Apr 3 Mo CHAPTER 138 Leak “Anonymous call?” | asked after he hung up.

“Bo wantsto alert Bismarck Police about an assassination,” he replied. “If all goes well, Riley keeps breathing while Randy ends up in police custody. Either way, someone will talk.” As Cristos parked his car in front of Lisa's office, | felt a bit nervous... guilty in a way.

Here | am going to talk to her as if nothing was wrong when | just killed her husband last night.

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