Gray knew he was finished when the police arrived at the restaurant. They wouldn't risk arresting such an influential person without solid evidence. But what had they found? The murder weapon and shirt were unlikely…had someone seen him leaving the building with Lacy? Had the cab driver recognized him, even with his sunglasses on? How had this happened?

All of this flashed through his mind in a split second. Alice and Roger stared at him, mouths agape. He would have regretted a beautiful woman witnessing his arrest, except Alice and Roger seemed unusually close. He'd thought he was going to be her rebound.

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

He'd known this was a possibility when he committed the crime, but he'd thought his tracks were covered. He had an explanation for everything. So what had they found that changed their minds? The trail had gone cold!

He decided to remain silent. A neutral smirk masked his inner panic. He couldn't give them anything; anything he said could be used against him. He needed a lawyer—the best in the city.

Did Aaron know any good criminal defense lawyers? He'd helped Alice find a divorce attorney, but that didn't guarantee he'd help his half-brother. Once Aaron found out he was a murderer, he'd likely want nothing to do with him. That's why Gray had been so desperate to keep it secret. But now the whole city would know. Being a public figure was so bothersome.

Still, he'd have to tell Aaron; they were on good terms, and he couldn't use anyone else for his one phone call. He didn't know any lawyers' numbers.

He'd have to gamble his only chance on his younger brother and pray he'd come through. Gray wanted to believe his only family wouldn't abandon him.

Aaron was all he had left. His fortune, his countless female companions—none of them mattered without Aaron.

It had been so nice being part of a family again, however briefly. Gray never thought he'd have that again after Uncle Louie died and foster families rejected him. Aaron, Keeley, Robert, even the babies—they'd been kind and made him feel wanted. Not even the women he'd been with had done that.

Gray allowed the police to lead him away as the waiter approached his abandoned table. The kid seemed frozen, watching a customer being arrested.

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

"I'd like to make my phone call now."

The detective returned with a cordless phone, handing it to him silently. It was fortunate Gray had Aaron's number memorized.

Aaron wouldn't dismiss this as a junk call, right? Many people in the business world had his number. Based on how often he answered Gray's calls without caller ID, he seemed to answer indiscriminately.

'Pick up, Aaron,' he thought desperately as the phone rang. It connected on the sixth ring, and he was relieved.

"Aaron Hale," a brusque voice answered.

Gray maintained his usual persona. He didn't want Aaron to realize the gravity of the situation immediately. He'd be less likely to help if he knew.

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

"What kind of favor?" Aaron asked, sounding disinterested. 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, making Gray nervous. What if Aaron figured it out from 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 help. But…what exactly is going on?"

This was tricky. He didn't want Aaron to think poorly of him. If he ended up in prison, he'd lose his mind if his brother ignored him.

"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 suspected something? No, if that were the case, he'd probably have said something. Aaron's wife was straightforward, and that had clearly rubbed off on him.

Gray took a deep breath. He didn't know what evidence the police had, 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 it was preposterous, but the detectives were listening. It was better to stick to the facts.

"I see," Aaron said after an excruciating silence. What did that mean?

"Your phone time is up, Mr. Meyer," the detective said, holding out his hand.

"I have to go. But the lawyer is coming, right?" Gray asked desperately.

"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. Aaron had hung up.

Gray breathed easier. The lawyer was coming. He wasn't sure what his brother thought, but at least he was still looking out for him.

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