Takedown Read Online Free PDF Page B

by a guard to step aside to give way to his approaching sports car. He narrowed his eyes and peered through his windshield to get a better look.
    Indeed, it was Megan Riley. Unlike when she came to his office two days ago with her hair tied and clad in a pair of faded jeans, this time, she had put on a pretty black dress and let her wavy copper hair loose.
    To be fair, Bryan knew how to choose. On a scale of ten, he’d give her seven. His main turn off from her was her chest. It looked like a B size to him. Maybe it was not that bad, but he always enjoyed the sight of a big-breasted woman, and he loved the feel of them squeezed in his hands.
    He pulled the car over in front of Megan and rolled the window down. The crowd yelled when they recognized him. He waved his hand at them and looked at Megan who was stunned to see him there. “Come on in, Miss Riley.”
    Megan did not move. She remained staring at him in disbelief.
    “You have five seconds.”
    As if she’d been splashed with cold water, she quickly ran to the other side of the car and got into the passenger’s seat.
    She pulled her dress to her knees and sat up straight. “Thank you,” she said.
    He shrugged and rolled his window up. “What the hell are you doing there?” he asked as he continued driving forward. “Shouldn’t you be inside?”
    She shook her head. “I’m not on the list.”
    “Really?” he pretended to be surprised. He had known all along that Bryan never had the opportunity to introduce her to his parents, not even to his friends. “Why is that?”
    She shook her head. “I’m just a fan.”
    He snickered. “A fan, huh?”
    She did not reply. For a few seconds, she kept her silence.
    Finally, they made it through the gate.
    “By the way,” she said. “Thank you for releasing my brother.”
    “The police did. They had nothing to charge him with.”
    She nodded and was again silent.
    “So what are you going to tell Bryan’s relatives if they asked who you are?” he asked.
    Her lips fell open. It seemed the realization just hit her. “I don’t know.”
    He sighed. He couldn’t understand why she had to deny her relationship with Bryan from him. Did she actually think he was too dumb not to realize what she meant by her last words before she left his office two days ago? But alright, he’d play along.
    “Here we are,” he said and pulled the car over. A crowd had already gathered on the lawn nearby. Bryan’s casket was already there, near the newly-dug hole. “Let’s go.”
    He jumped out of the car and slammed the door closed. As he was about to turn away, he noticed that Megan was trying to hide behind the car.
    “What’s wrong?” he asked.
    She stood up straight, her face marred with anxiety. “Maybe I should just wait here.”
    “Come on. Just tell them, you’re with me.”
    Reluctantly, she dragged her feet towards him.
    “Relax. Nobody’s going to bite you.”
    Keeping her eyes to the ground, she walked with him. He brought her to the coffin where she could see her late boyfriend one last time. The lid had already been closed, so he asked permission if he could open it.
    He heard Megan sob as he lifted the lid. He glanced around to see if someone else was looking. There were a few, but they did not seem to mind his companion’s reaction.
    Her non-stop crying stirred some unwanted emotions inside him. He’d miss his friend, and he was glad he’d managed to bring his girlfriend for the occasion. He knew that he just made Bryan happy for this. And he also knew that after this, he’d have to deal with Vivian Miller’s anger.
    Patiently, he stood by her side for a few more minutes, until he saw Miranda, Bryan’s aunt, approaching.
     
     
     
    “That’s enough. Let’s go,” he whispered to her and pulled her away. She did not complain and just went along. He couldn’t help but notice how small her hand felt underneath his, and her fingers were cold.
    He took her to an isolated area underneath a tree,