Now, Jason understood why Tayla gave away Spencer Carmicheal’s billions. It probably felt cathartic to give away his fortune.
Jason was sure she didn’t realize her hand was still in his. But it was. And he wasn’t ready to let go yet. As much as everyone wanted this conversation to end, they still hadn’t discussed what triggered this truth-session. He looked into her moist eyes and brushed his thumb across her knuckles. “Tayla, Enzo didn’t grab you tonight because he rented you jet skis that day. Why was he afraid of you? What does he think you know?”
That’s when she looked down and seemed to fully process that they were still holding hands. She slipped herhand from his, wiped her eyes, and sat up straighter. He missed the warmth of her touch, but he was relieved to see familiar determination returning to her expression.
“I think Enzo was helping Spencer with his plan that day.”
That’s what he was afraid of. “What makes you say that?”
“While the tide was rising, I kept watching out the mouth of the cave. Hoping. But all I saw was Enzo’s yacht. Spencer sidled up to the yacht and Enzo helped him off his jet ski onto the deck. Instead of securing the jet ski on the back of the yacht, Enzo pushed it away from the boat. Let it float with the tide. Then he turned the yacht around and they left.”
“I blocked out some of those memories for so long. I knew what Spencer did. Or tried to do. But I never wanted to relive all the details from that day. I didn’t think about how Enzo must have helped Spencer until tonight, when I was in his car. It all clicked.”
She pushed some of her long, dark hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. “It was hours before I was rescued. By that time, Spencer was dead. I don’t know exactly how that happened, but I’m sure Enzo does.”
Leland stared at her. “Enzo killed Spencer. And he was afraid you knew something about it.”
Tayla nodded. “I know. But I can’t prove a thing. I told you everything I know. I’m really not a threat to him.” She looked at Jason. “He believes that, right? That I’m not a threat?”
“Yes, I think so. But you’re probably why he’s been living in a non-extradition country. You weren’t supposed to survive that day. When he learned you were alive, he probably feared how much you knew.”
A knock on the door made her jump.
“It’s okay,” Jason said. “That’s Knox and Rowan.” He walked to the door and let them in.
Knox’s expression proved he read the tension in the room.
Rowan did not.
The youngest agent, still sporting his Batman t-shirt, sat behind one of the laptops on the dining table and kicked off his flip-flops. “Aren’t we meeting tonight? About our plan tomorrow?”
Knox raised a questioning eyebrow at Jason.
“No,” Jason said. “Get some sleep. We’ll go over things in the morning.” He noticed Rowan ogling the charcuterie board. “That’s Tayla’s.”
Tayla smiled for the first time since the party. “I’m finished with it. You guys can have it. Unless Jason or Leland—”
“Not hungry,” Leland said.
Jason picked up the tray and handed it to Knox. “Enjoy. See you in the morning. Eight o’clock.” He could tell Knox wanted to know what was going on. But it could wait until the morning. He tried to give him an everything-is-fine look.
Knox nodded. “No problem. See you in the morning.” He looked at Rowan. “Come on, kid. Let’s go.” He pointed to the charcuterie board. “And let’s get something straight. All the things that look like meat are mine. You can have the grapes.”
Rowan rolled his eyes. Which was probably the reaction Knox was aiming for.
They finally left, and Jason locked the door behind them. When he looked back into the living room, Tayla was standing. Leland walked over to her. And hugged her. For several seconds.
Jason was sure Leland was whispering to her as he held her. He needed to give them some privacy. The best he could do was step into the kitchen and pretend to look for something in the cabinets.
He stared at coffee mugs and cereal bowls until he noticed Tayla returning to her room.
Leland entered the kitchen. Jason closed the cabinet door and faced the senior agent’s glare.
“We’re going to find Gus’s killer,” Leland groused.
“Of course we are. That was never in question.”
“And if we can find a way to do something about Enzo—”
