Chance frowned. “Wait a minute. I didn’t leave my laptop out. It was in the safe.”
York chuckled and glanced over at Quade with a grin. “Palmer didn’t know that. Thanks to Quade, we planted an FBI laptop in your cottage, along with security cameras. Once Palmer entered that code, the Bureau knew every device the information was sent to, as well as who owned it. What Palmer and his father did was corporate espionage and theft, whichis punishable under federal law, with sentences up to fifteen years.”
“Damn,” Morgan said.
“We watched every move he made while he was in your cottage. He did what he had to do and left. We’ve got it all on video. A copy was sent to the FBI. Of course, we removed the fake laptop and cameras before you and Kylie returned,” York added.
“I didn’t notice anything out of place,” Chance said, shaking his head.
York grinned. “You weren’t supposed to.”
“Starting tomorrow, arrests will start to be made around the country. I understand that, including Palmer, his father, and Jenkins, there are four other individuals involved.” Quade then added, “I will be working closely with the bureau. They want to time the takedowns so that none of those being arrested can tip off the others.”
“That means,” York said, meeting Chance’s gaze, “Gary Palmer will be arrested tomorrow. And so, it won’t be obvious to everyone what’s happening, I will come up with a way to get Palmer to this cabin. The agents will take him in from here. It will be heartbreaking enough for Tiffany. She doesn’t need everyone to see her fiancé hauled off in handcuffs by federal agents at the main lodge.”
“Kylie and Tiffany need to know before that happens,” Chance said in a despondent voice. “My daughter needs to be prepared. I’m not looking forward to breaking the news to her. She loves the guy, and he betrayed her in the worst possible way. You’re right, she’s going to be heartbroken.”
“I want to go to his room and beat the hell out of him,” Sebastian said.
“Stand in line,” Morgan said.
“And I’ll be right there with you guys,” Donovan tacked on.
“That’s the reason we called this meeting so late,” York said. “There was no way Quade and I could have told you guys sooner. We couldn’t expect you to sit across from Palmer at dinner and pretend not to know anything.”
“You’re right,” Morgan said. “Glad you waited until now. How soon will the agents be here to pick him up?”
“They’ll arrive at this cabin at ten in the morning. We’re hoping he will show up by eleven.”
“I’ll tell Kylie tonight,” Chance said. “Tiffany is probably sleeping now, but we’ll call and ask her to come to the cottage first thing in the morning.”
“What about Palmer? I understand he walks Tiffany to breakfast every morning. He might think something is up if she’s not in her room,” Morgan said.
“That’s true,” Donovan agreed.
“I don’t want him near Tiffany,” Chance said in a firm voice. “He’s done enough damage. He would have done more if you guys hadn’t been on it. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank us,” York said. “We’re family and that’s what families do. They look out for each other.”
“I agree,” Quade said. “Now we have to think of a way to get Palmer from the main lodge to this cabin tomorrow. Preferably, before he usually meets Tiffany for breakfast.”
**
When Chance returned to his cottage, he found Kylie still up and in the kitchen. “How would you like to cuddle and watch a movie tonight?” she asked him over her shoulder.
When he didn’t respond, she turned around and saw him leaning against the counter. The anger she saw etched in his features let her know something was wrong. She immediately went to him. “Chance, what happened?”
Before he could answer, there was a knock at the door. “That’s Morgan and Lena,” he said.
Kylie raised a brow. “Morgan and Lena? It’s after midnight. Why would they be visiting so late?”
“There is something you and Lena should know, and Morgan thought it was best to tell both of you at the same time.”
“What is it?”
“Let me open the door for them, Kylie.”
Kylie followed him to the door. When Lena walked in ahead of Morgan, she gave Kylie a questioning look, and said, “I have no idea what this is about, Kylie. Do you?”
