CHAPTER 24
As Frank tucked a blanket around Tommy, he smiled at his grandson’s peaceful expression. He’d been talking non-stop about Isabel’s bookstore, but he’d fallen asleep a few minutes from home. Instead of waking him up to wash his teeth and get changed, Frank had carried him straight to bed.
“Goodnight, buddy,” Frank whispered, brushing a stray lock of hair from Tommy’s forehead.
“Good night, Grandpa,” Tommy mumbled. “Remember to tell William about helping Isabel.”
“I will,” Frank promised, quietly closing the bedroom door behind him.
He walked into the kitchen where William was sitting at the table, laptop open, a mug of coffee at his elbow. He looked up as Frank walked across to the coffeepot.
“Tommy was tired,” William said, closing his laptop.
Frank nodded as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “He’s had a busy day. I don’t know where he gets all his energy from.”
William’s mouth quirked in a half-smile. “My children are the same.”
Frank joined William at the table and studied the man who was temporarily living in his home. “How many children do you have?”
“Three. Two girls and a boy.” The expression on William’s face became more somber. “Dave Winters is staying at the Lakeside Inn, but he’s traveling around the lake. One of my colleagues spotted him in Polson. He was having lunch with someone who matched the description of Sterling’s head of security.”
Frank’s stomach tightened. “So they’re working together.”
“Looks that way.” William took a sip of his coffee. “My guess is they’re trying to discredit potential witnesses before the trial starts—beginning with you.”
“I’m not testifying,” Frank reminded him. “That was the deal when I provided the evidence.”
William gave him a level look. “Deals change when the stakes get high enough. The Department of Justice wants Sterling’s executives, not the company lawyers who were kept in the dark.”
Frank ran a hand through his hair. “I gave them everything I had. The emails, the meeting notes, and the contracts. They don’t need me on the stand.”
“Maybe, maybe not. But Sterling’s legal team is building a defense around the idea that evidence was falsified by a disgruntled employee seeking revenge.” William’s voice was matter-of-fact. “Having you testify would undermine that argument.”
Frank stared into his coffee, watching the steam rise. “And put Tommy at risk.”
“That’s why I’m here,” William said, his tone professional but not unkind. “After your call, the FBI fast-tracked your request for protection.”
Frank nodded. The weight of the situation sat heavily on his shoulders. “I need to talk to you about Isabel.”
William’s eyebrows rose. “What about her?”
“Dave saw us together at the diner. If they’re looking into my life here, they’ll know I’ve been spending a lot of time with her.” Frank’s voice was tight with concern. “I can’t just cut her off without explanation, and I won’t leave her exposed if Dave or his people decide to use her to get to me.”
William considered what he’d said. “You think they’d approach her?”
“I don’t know,” Frank admitted. “But I’m not willing to take that chance. Not after what happened to Sarah and Tony.”
William’s expression sharpened. “You think someone was responsible for their accident?”
Frank swallowed hard. “The timing was too convenient. Two weeks after I turned over evidence against Sterling, my daughter- and son-in-law’s brakes failed on a mountain road. I’ve never been able to prove anything, but I’ve always wondered. My friend Marcus has discovered a link between my daughter’s accident, Halo Technologies, and a company called Meridian.”
William was silent for a moment. “I was told about Meridian before I came here. I’ll ask my team if they’ve uncovered other information that might help us. In the meantime, what do you want to do about Isabel?”
“I’ve already told her what’s happening,” Frank said.
William’s expression didn’t change. “That’s putting a lot of trust in someone you haven’t known for very long.”
Frank met his gaze. “I trust her.”
