Oh. My. God.
Peter hit on me first, and Braden showed up and took me away from him.
Peter seemed almost afraid of Braden when we saw him at the Opera Guild Gala.
At the time, I figured it was because of the contract his father’s firm wanted with Black, Inc.
And Braden seemed adamant that I stay away from Peter.
Was it jealousy?
Partially, yes. But what if it was also something else?
I break through the buzzing voice. “Braden.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re serious, aren’t you? You think Garrett gave Tessa the ketamine.”
“I have no proof of that.”
“Then why did you bring it up?”
“Let’s just say I think he may have access to it.”
The doctor’s voice is still buzzing to the Logans.
Finally, I break through. “Can we see Tessa?”
“Just her parents for now,” Dr. Hedstrom says.
I nod. So many questions. Tessa promised me she wouldn’t do drugs. Yet somehow ketamine got into her system. Would Tessa lie to me?
No, I don’t believe she would. She never has before.
Which means Garrett gave it to her or someone else did.
And whoever did, they did it without her knowledge.
She was drugged…and Garrett is the prime suspect.
“Doctor,” I say, “could ketamine and alcohol have such a dire effect? Obviously it was a small dose of ketamine, right?”
“It’s hard to say. We’ll know more after we’re able to speak with Tessa. If she doesn’t have any retroactive amnesia, we’ll know the dose was small.”
“Retroactive amnesia?” Carlotta asks.
“Amnesia that causes you to lose time from before you took the drug. For example, if Tessa took the drug at—”
Dan clears his throat. “My daughter did not take that drug.”
Did he hear me say she took ecstasy? Though I agree with him now. Tessa didn’t take the ketamine.
Still, it got into her system somehow.
“I need to ask you both,” Dr. Hedstrom says. “Does Tessa take anything else? Like I said, I couldn’t find any prescriptions in our system, but does she take anything else?”
“You mean like over-the-counter stuff?” Dan asks.
“Yes, over-the-counter meds. Herbal supplements. Everything.”
“I honestly don’t know,” Carlotta says. “She hasn’t lived with us since she was eighteen.”
“Her allergies were bothering her tonight,” I offer. “She takes that stuff. I think it’s echinacea.”
Dr. Hedstrom raises her eyebrows. “Do you know how much echinacea she takes?”
“No, just that she takes it. She has terrible hay fever.”
“That may be the issue. Echinacea can interact with ketamine and make the effects more profound. Then the alcohol on top of everything…” Dr. Hedstrom shakes her head. “But the good news is that Tessa is out of danger. She probably would’ve come to on her own, but I’m glad you brought her in, especially since she was vomiting.”
“Mr. Black…” Dan begins.
“Braden, please.”
Dan nods. “Braden, you seem to know this Garrett. I need to get in touch with him.”
“Not a problem,” Braden says. “If Garrett Ramirez gave Tessa ketamine, I will find out.”
“Thank you,” Carlotta says. “But what can we do now? The deed is done. I’m just thankful Tessa is all right.”
“We’re all thankful for that,” Braden agrees, “but I will look into this. I’ve looked the other way far too long.”
Chapter Forty-Three
“What did you mean back there,” I finally get up the nerve to ask, when Braden and I are back at his place, “when you said you’ve looked the other way far too long?”
He sighs. “Remember when I showed up at the MADD gala, and Peter Reardon stayed away from you after that?”
“How could I forget?”
“I didn’t want you with him because I wanted you, but that wasn’t the only reason.”
“Oh?”
“I’d already decided his father’s firm wasn’t going to get my contract, even though their bid came in the lowest.”
“Are they not good architects?”
“They’re excellent architects, actually. I just don’t like the way they do business.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“They’re not the most ethical people, and it begins at the top with Peter’s father, Beau Reardon.”
“Braden, Betsy is dating Peter now. And they got cuddly awfully quickly. You don’t think…?”
“It’s possible. I hear things in my circles that don’t become common knowledge. Beau Reardon sometimes uses unconventional methods to get what he wants.” Braden’s eyes are dark with anger. “I’ll take care of it,” he says succinctly.
“How?”
“Does it matter?”
“Well…yeah. I don’t want you getting into trouble.”
“I won’t get into any trouble. Don’t worry. But the Reardons and Garrett will wish they’d never crossed a friend of mine when I’m done with them. Now, let’s get you that warm bath I promised you.”
…
I lean back against Braden’s hard chest and let the warm and fragrant water soothe every part of me. Yeah, my sore ass needs it, but the rest of my body needs it no less. This night has given stress a new meaning. I close my eyes.
At least Tessa’s okay.
I have more questions. So many more. Like how did Addison end up at the convenience store across the street from Tessa’s after midnight? For that matter, how does Addie always know everything about Braden and me?