I nodded. “All temps who work for us do via the temp agency but Brutus’ check is much more in depth.”
“And you still think this is connected to the other shit?”
“I told you over the phone this morning it is,” I retorted sharply. “I know it is. It’s the only reasoning that fits.”
“How so?” he questioned, leaning back against his desk, crossing his legs at the ankles.
“It’s definitely connected to the other break-in. Both Kay and Darla stated the men demanded some type of combination code for a safe. These guys were looking for money. Someone either told them money was there or they’re just that fucking stupid to think an empty model home and condo unit would have money in them. And the guy they have at the police station, the one Kayla fucked up? I fired him from one of my crews just a few months ago.”
Aaron sat up, scowling. “You get to speak with him?”
“Working on some back channels to make that happen.” I ground my teeth, impatient for the opportunity to speak with James Cunningham face-to-face. The police captain might’ve wanted to play by the rules but sometimes it was necessary to make my own rules.
“Someone led these fuckers on,” I mused out loud. “Set up Townsend Real Estate, likely for some bad press. The same person who’s been behind Townsend Real Estate’s troubles over the last few months.”
“You’ll handle this.”
“Of course I wi—”
“I mean it, Joshua. I’ve got too much other shit to worry about. I don’t need any of this coming back to bite my family in—”
“I said I fucking got it handled,” I answered sharply. “You’re not the only one with a family on the line.” A muscle in my jaw ticked upon remembering that Kay had been in danger due to all of this.
Aaron’s hazel eyes narrowed on me but I was done talking.
I started to head out of the office.
“Mother and Father will be back in a few weeks. Mother is insisting that we all get together for one of her Sunday dinners the same day she returns,” Aaron called behind me.
I rolled my eyes. “I got the email. It’s on my schedule,” I confirmed as I twisted the doorknob to pull his office door open.
“See that it is.”
I didn’t respond to my brother’s comment. I exited his office and made my way down to my own, calling Brutus.
“I’m working on getting you a meeting with James.”
“The sooner the better. Look, I also need you to do a background on Kay.” I hadn’t forgotten what happened the night before. My hands were tied with what was happening with Townsend Real Estate but I wasn’t going to let the ball drop where Kayla’s past was concerned, either.
“You think she’s in on this?”
I pushed down the anger that filled me at such a preposterous thought. “Don’t even fucking suggest that ever again.” I paused and inhaled, trying to get my thoughts back on track so I wouldn’t hang up the phone and head down to Brutus’ office to beat the shit out of him at even stating those words out loud. “I need to know what happened to her before she moved back to Williamsport when she was living in Portland.”
“What type of information are you looking for?”
“Was she hurt or injured in some way. I want to know who the fuck did it and fast. I know you’ve got a lot of shit on your plate, but—”
“It’s not a problem.”
I nodded although he couldn’t see me. “And start with the police in Portland. Instances of police misconduct,” I instructed. I had a gut feeling.
“Will do.”
I hung up with Brutus and packed up my desk to take work home with me. I was fucking toasted after the long night and early morning. And there was only one person I had intentions on seeing.
Chapter Fourteen
Kayla
