Josie clicked her tongue. “It’s none of your business.”
Arnold’s gaze fell on her phone. “Did you tip off Dexter?”
His guess hit the mark, causing Josie’s spine to stiffen. However, she quickly responded, “You’re overthinking things.”
“The information isn’t accurate enough. I can tell you more. Mr. Vipera is planning to transport a batch of goods out of the state at the end of the month. The police want to seize this opportunity to apprehend him. As for the route map, I have a copy here as well.” Arnold spoke slowly and deliberately, causing Josie’s back to break out in a cold sweat. She had no idea why he was telling her this.
“You telling me all this means it isn’t part of the original plan.”
“It is the original plan.” Arnold curled his lips, his large hand resting on the back of her head, forcing her closer to him. “Go tell Dexter. He can surely come up with a solution. But if you do this, I won’t provide your father’s medicine anymore.”
Josie trembled slightly. “You’re testing me.”
“It’s just an entrance examination. Jo, you’ve never shown loyalty to me.”
The two exchanged glances. Josie’s brows furrowed. “Lapdog.”
Arnold wasn’t angry.
“Do you really intend to be Mr. Dalton’s lapdog for the rest of your life? It’s not too late to turn back now. I can fight for a chance to reduce your sentence,” Josie added.
This statement was so naive that Arnold couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing it. He lightly tapped his fingers and said, “The day you can take ten years off my sentence is the day I’ll turn over a new leaf.”
It was almost like a fairy tale.
Josie’s mind raced. “If you don’t give me the medicine, your father’s illness will also worsen, and you won’t see him again in this lifetime.”
“So what if I can’t see him? At least he’s still alive. But if I don’t give you the medicine, your father won’t be able to survive.”
Each word, each sentence, was like a knife plunging into Josie’s heart. She shook her head. Facing this nearly unsolvable problem, she was unsure of how to choose. “If Dexter doesn’t take action, there’s still the police. They clearly have a plan. How will you respond when the time comes?”
“It’s up to you, then.” Arnold took a deep breath and smiled. “You’re quite close with the police, aren’t you? Think of a way to buy some time. You can do that, right?”
Josie couldn’t help but tremble. “You think of me too highly.”
Arnold withdrew his hands, shoved them into his pockets, and was about to say something when Josie’s phone lit up. It was a call from Justin.
There must be something going on with Grape.
Josie shot Arnold a glare, collected herself, and answered the phone. “What’s wrong?”
“You’re not at home, and neither is Dexter. Grape didn’t see you guys all day. She’s crying non-stop.” Justin was quite helpless. Taking care of a child was not as easy as he had imagined.
“Hand her the phone.”
After a moment, Grape picked up the phone. “Mommy, I miss you so much.”
Josie’s expression instantly softened, filled with an indescribable tenderness. “I’m working outside. I’ll be back soon. Can you play with Uncle Justin for a while?”
“I’ve been playing with Uncle Justin for quite a while now. Mommy, can I come find you?”
Although the child was crying, her voice was clear and resonant. Arnold’s expression turned somewhat solemn.
Josie glanced at the person beside her. “Be good. Wait at home for me to come back.”
After she finished speaking and hung up, she walked past Arnold without seeking his opinion. She had barely taken a few steps when he pulled her into a corner and said in a low voice, “Don’t move!”
Josie’s eyes widened, and without realizing it, she lowered her voice as well as she asked, “What are you doing?”
