“Oh. Oh no.” Evie buried her face in her hands. “No. He wouldn’t. Right?” But even as she said it, she knew that little voice was right. He would. He absolutely would.
“Miss Stanley?” Harker’s voice was gentle, cautious, but she couldn’t look at them.
“Um… maybe my dad,” she mumbled through her fingers. “But he wouldn’t do this. Right?” She peeked up at them pleadingly, desperate for one of them to tell her she was wrong.
“Why do you think he would?” Smithback asked softly. “There must be a reason he’s the first person who came to mind.”
Evie took a shaky breath. “Dad’s been getting angrier and angrier about Tommy’s decisions for Sloane Tech,” she said, hesitating. Even now, it felt disloyal to talk about him this way. “He doesn’t think the board should’ve made Tommy CEO. Says he’s taking the company in the wrong direction from what he and Uncle Henry, Tommy’s dad, planned.”
She lifted her head, her voice gaining strength as she went on. “But it’sbetter.Sloane Tech’s stock has skyrocketed. The board’s thrilled with Tommy’s work. Dad’s kind of… become a joke.”
Her hands raked through her hair. The familiar frustration, that mix of shame, anger, and disbelief, tightened in her chest.
“Things blew up over the summer when I changed my major to computer science,” she said quietly. “Dad wanted me to go to law school. I tried, I really did, but it wasn’t for me. When I told him I was transferring, he kicked me out of the house, took my car, and refused to pay tuition unless I went back to law.”
Her throat ached as she added, “Tommy stepped in, paid for everything and got me an apartment near campus. Dad’s been livid ever since. I haven’t seen or talked to him since August.”
The two agents shared a look. “Do you believe your father is capable of doing this?”
Evie chewed her lower lip, thinking it through, then nodded slowly. “He’s the only person with a big enough problem with Tommy to try to hurt him.” The admission burned, but she knew it was true and all she cared about was getting Tommy back. “What can I do to help?”
“Do you know where your father is right now?” Smithback asked, tapping his pen against the notebook. “Or anything we can use to provoke a confession or throw him off?”
“He should be at the office.” Evie glanced at the wall clock. “He usually leaves at six.” She paused, then squared her shoulders. “We need to contact Rupert Holmes, the board president. Technically, I’m in charge of Sloane Tech while Tommy’s gone, and that will royally piss my father off.”
“Technically?” Harker raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “So, you show up in charge, and your father blows his top.” He and Smithback exchanged a look that told her they’d follow her lead.
“Exactly. Tommy didn’t want Dad in charge if he got sick or had to take time off, so he and the board made contingency plans. They put me in as temporary CEO, but I follow Tommy’s guidelines, with the board ensuring I don’t deviate. Someone has to call the shots and keep appearances steady, but I’m a figurehead.” She swallowed. “The contingency is good for a year. If Tommy doesn’t come back or is found…” Her throat closed. She shook her head unable to say it. “Then someone else takes over.”
“And if there’s a ransom demand, it would go to…?” Smithback stood, gathering his things.
“Me. Through Tommy’s office. I’m authorized to act on his behalf.” Evie reached instinctively for her phone, then remembered. “Damn it.” She exhaled. “I gave my phone to the kidnapper. I don’t have Rupert’s number anymore.”
“I’m on it.” Smithback left the room, the door closing softly behind him.
Evie felt Harker’s gaze on her and looked up. He was studying her, curious.
“Why you?” he asked. “Why does Tommy Sloane trust you so much?”
“I’m the only person he has left that he considers family,” she said quietly, her eyes stinging with tears. “He’s practically my brother.”
Harker nodded, his expression unreadable. “Let’s get you set up,” he said, gathering his things and gesturing for her to go first. “Don’t worry, Miss Stanley. We’ll find him.”
Evie nodded and stepped through the door, trying not to focus on the fact that Harker didn’t say they would find Tommy alive.
Chapter Four: Turncoat
“Make any stupid decisions, and she will pay,” the big man said in a low, rumbling voice as he walked a few steps behind.
Tommy froze mid-step. Hehadbeen considering bolting into the trees, but the warning stopped his heart cold.
“I thought she wasn’t going to be harmed,” he said, forcing his voice to stay steady. He didn’t know if the man had a gun, a knife, or just those gargantuan hands but the thought of any of them touching Evie made his blood run cold.
They broke through the trees, and Tommy spotted a black Chevy Tahoe parked behind his Porsche.Oh, God. This is actually happening.His knees went weak, and he stumbled. The man’s hand shot out, gripping the back of his jacket and hauling him upright effortlessly.
Rupert had been on him for months to consider a bodyguard, and Tommy had brushed it off. He didn’t want someone shadowing him everywhere.
“It was more of a suggestion,” the man said, and Tommy could’ve sworn there was a trace of distaste in his tone. It jolted Tommy’s brain back into motion.
