“Because of your shady supplement sales?” Keira’s tone was cold. “Or the coaching scam?”
“It’s not ascam.” But Phelan couldn’t meet her eyes. “Okay, look. The whole Real Man Formula thing, the podcast, the coaching… It’s just marketing. A way to sell product. Nobody else out there believes what they’re selling either. It’s all just noise to move merchandise.”
“You’re a piece of work,” Keira said.
Phelan bristled. “I didn’t come here for a lecture.”
“Then get to the point,” I said. If he started saying shit to Keira or called herlittle girl, the rest of this conversation wouldn’t be nearly so friendly.
“After the threats started, I called Woodson. He said Crosshairs could find the people making threats and take care of the problem without any authorities getting involved. He and his friends would shut it down.”
“You weren’t concerned about the methods they were using?” Keira asked.
Phelan’s jaw tightened. “Crosshairs seemed legit, based on my research.”
“Did you meet with Harris Medina?” I asked. “The head of Crosshairs Security?”
He shook his head. “No, I’ve never spoken to the guy. Woodson said he had clearance to do whatever was necessary to keep my business safe. I didn’t really care how they did it.”
“Meaning you didn’t care if they did anything illegal,” I said flatly.
“I just wanted the threats to stop. I wanted to protect what I’d built. Looking back, I think Woodson was behind the threats in the first place. He set me up. Played me to get access to my business, all so Crosshairs could take it over.”
I could just imagine a guy like Woodson, former drug dealer and ex-con, meeting Donny Phelan. The podcaster was probably throwing cash around the strip club, bragging about his media empire. Woodson saw an opportunity for his company.
But forwhat, exactly? And how far up the chain at Crosshairs did this go?
I crossed my arms. “What do you mean, take it over?”
Phelan pushed his hair back. “I don’t know. Deliveries come in. Shipments go out, but it’s not just my supplements and coaching materials anymore. Crosshairs took over my finances too. I can’t access half my own accounts.”
“Money laundering,” I said, thinking it through. “Or they’re using your shipments as cover for drug distribution.”
Phelan flinched. “I didn’t sign up for any of that.”
“What about Natasha?” Keira asked. “Is she in trouble too?”
“Natasha was smarter than me. She saw how bad things were getting and took off a couple weeks ago. Quit on me, no notice. I haven’t got anyone in that house on my side anymore. I’ve been switching out my Porsche for friends’ cars just in case Crosshairs is tracking me. They talk to me like a fucking dog, order me around inside my own house, and I won’t take it anymore.”
I took a step toward him. “Then you saw Keira in Hartley today and—what? What did you think she could do?”
“Keira has law enforcement connections. She can help me and keep this discreet. Since she’s on leave, nobody would assume I’m narcing if I’m seen talking to her. I know we’ve had our disagreements before, but…”
Keira scoffed. “Disagreements. That’s an interesting way to put it. You’ve been a complete asshat every time we spoke.”
“But I didn’t report it when your boyfriendattackedme. I could have pressed charges!”
“Thanks,” I said sarcastically. “Let’s get back to the point. You said you know who shot Keira. Were you involved?”
Phelan hesitated, nervousness flickering across his face. “I had nothing to do with your shooting, Keira. I swear. I don’t know who did it for sure.”
“But?” she pressed.
“But I have suspicions.” Phelan’s voice dropped. “Nox Woodson is vicious. Sadistic. But there’s another guy from Crosshairs who’s even worse. Ryan Garrett.” He shuddered as he said the name.
At the same time, Keira went rigid beside me, as if she’d stopped breathing.
I looked at her sharply. She shook her head, a clear signal not to say anything in front of Phelan.
