“Like I said, Spencer. I am out. You are on your own.”
“Max. Wait. Let’s meet later and talk this through.” Gerber had no idea what the solution could be, but maybe Max could figure something out. He was good at solving problems, especially mathematical ones. “The Filibuster? Four o’clock?”
“Yeah. Alright.” Max hung up. He stared at the wall for a very long time, trying to decide what he should do next. He thought doing nothing might be the best path. Maybe he could talk Spencer into stepping back. Sell both properties and pay off their debts. It was worth the conversation.
Sasha watched Hawthorne pull out of the garage. She checked Gerber’s tracker. It appeared they were heading in the same direction. Several minutes later, Hawthorne pulled in front of The Filibuster Bar & Grill. Gerber’s car was a block away and moving toward her direction. Sasha sent Charles a text with their new location. He told her to go inside and try to record what they were saying. She went in and found a seat at the bar within range of her listening device and transmitted their conversation.
“What if we get investors?” Gerber asked.
“It can be risky involving other people.”
“They can be silent partners.”
“Do you know anyone with a couple of million dollars to spare?”
“This is Washington, D.C., pal. Look around. Everyone in this place has their hand in somebody’s pocket.”
Max thought one last-ditch effort might work. “Okay, where do we start?”
That was all Charles needed to hear. Time for another ruse. This time it would be Nikki, looking to invest some of the family’s fortune.
That evening, the Sisters had their next call. And they now had much more information.
Charles began, “Maxwell Hawthorne is Spencer Gerber’s partner. They are bleeding money, especially since Gerber drew the remaining funds from the company. They are desperate to find investors. Nikki, phone the main office of Sunnydale in Arizona. Tell them you would like to speak to someone in management. You’ll probably get Nurse Ratched.”
“We don’t even know if she’s really a nurse,” Kathryn said.
“They are chomping at the bit to get funds. Once you make contact, let them know you’ll meet them Wednesday evening to discuss this endeavor.”
“Got it.” She jotted down a few notes. “As for Sykes, they dropped the charges against him. He’s due to leave the hospital the day after tomorrow.”
“Maggie, you need to get to him and let him know he is being relocated. Tell him not to panic, but it was part of the agreement for dropping the charges,” Myra said as she stroked her pearls. “We know that’s not the truth, but it will work in his case.”
“Roger.”
“And if he asks how you came across this information, you’ll tell him you are not at liberty to say. He’s simply going to have to trust you,” Annie instructed.
“Got it.”
“Yoko, how soon can you get your hands on the pesticide?” Annie asked. “And can you ship some to Kathryn?”
“Two days. I should be able to manage it,” Yoko responded.
“One more day of pretending,” Charles said.
Chapter Nineteen
Scamming the Scammers
Washington, D.C.
There was only one phone number listed for Sunnydale on all of the documents, website, and brochures. It was the one in Arizona. Nikki dialed.
“Good morning. My name is Nikki Quinn. I represent the estate of the Rutledge family. Is there someone I can speak to about investment opportunities?”
“One moment, please.” The general operator put the call through to Janet Turner.
A gruff voice answered. “This is Janet Turner. How can I help you?”
