Read ppp cove 06 - criminals on vacation for Free Online

was the tone of his voice like when you spoke to him?” Poppy was surprised Carmella hadn’t seen it earlier.
    Her eyes darted to the left. “Not my son, he wouldn’t do that to me. He knows Anastasia is the most important thing in the world to me…oh.” Her shoulders fell.
    Poppy spoke gently. “Maybe we should talk to him about what happened and see if he knows something?”
    “I can’t believe he would hurt me like that. We’ll talk to him to appease you, but my son is not a criminal.” She was adamant.
    Poppy wasn’t sure if he was behind this or not, but it couldn’t hurt to see what he had to say. It would either remove any suspicions, or maybe cast more upon him.
    Carmella sighed. “Fine, I’ll call him now. I’m not sure what his schedule is, but I can at least leave a message.”
    “The sooner we can remove him from the suspect list, the better,” Poppy added. She hated to point the finger at Carmella’s son, but it did make sense after hearing more details.
    She dialed his number and put her phone on speaker so Poppy could hear as well. His phone rang twice, but on the third ring he picked it up, right before it went to voicemail.
    “Hey, Mom,” he said, obviously noting the caller ID. “Before you say anything, it was Dad’s idea.”
    Carmella was confused and shook her head. “What was your father’s idea?”
    “I didn’t mean any harm, I just…” He stopped talking.
    “You just, what?” Carmella’s face drooped, realizing what he was saying.
    “I really didn’t want to have this conversation over the phone.”
    “For goodness sake, just say it. What’s going on? Did you have something to do with-”
    Silence on the other end. “Yeah, I did.”
    Her bottom lip was trembling. “You did?”
    “Dad said that he’d pay for it if I handled the details. I was going to tell you, honest. I wasn’t sure how to break the news to you. I mean, I love you both, I don’t want to pick sides.” He was rambling, afraid to continue.
    “How could you? You know what she means to me,” Carmella spat out.
    “She? What are you talking about?” He was confused.
    “What are you talking about?” Carmella asked him the same thing.
    “Mom, I’m sorry. I’m going to live with Dad this summer before I move away. It was his idea. He said he’d pay for everything, and thought my transition would be easier.” He waited for her to freak out.
    “You didn’t steal Anastasia? You’re moving in with Dad?” She regurgitated the words, trying to figure things out.
    He sounded surprised. “Somebody stole the dog?”
    “Yes, they did. I was broken hearted, but thankfully, she’s back now.” She held in the tears that were forming. “You’re not going to live with me?”
    “Mom,” he said quietly. “Dad will let my girlfriend stay over.”
    It was cut and dry. There was no way Carmella would allow that. “I see.”
    “I’m sorry, Mom. I’ve got to go, but I’ll talk to you later.” Before she could answer, he was gone.
    Carmella looked to Poppy. “He’s going to live with his father this summer.” Her face was pale.
    “Are you okay?” Poppy asked before handing her a box of tissues.
    “He’s all grown up, and now he won’t even be living with me any longer. Am I a bad mom?” Tears had turned to sobs.
    “He wants his independence. It’s natural; this has nothing to do with you.” Poppy tried to reassure her friend.
    “I have to call him. I can’t hold off anymore,” she said, her heart crumbling inside of her.
    “Call who?”
    It was too late, she was already dialing. “Peter, you conniving fool, you talked him into this,” she spit out before he could say a word. “And by the way, he told me what you’d done. How could you?”
    “That stupid dog was all you ever cared about,” he shot out. “It was his idea. I told him I’d pay for it if he set up the details.”
    “Wait, what?”
    “I told him he could stay here if he helped me first. I sweetened the deal for