“I have the perfect solution, sir.”
A slapping sound caught my attention. I peered at the manila folder on my desk, then glanced at my security advisor and right-hand man.
“What is it?”
“Something that might edge us ahead of Preston Personal Security.”
I crossed my office in two long strides and snatched up the folder. I flipped it open and scanned the documents. I smiled.
“Desi… I’m starting to think you’re the brains behind the operation.”
“No, sir. I am only doing my job.”
“And a very nice job you’re doing. Expect a bonus on your next check.”
He nodded.
“Thank you for your generosity, sir.”
I held Graham Preston’s medical records documenting his extensive battle with PTSD and crippling anxiety. A police report from 2023 detailed a frantic call from Mr. Preston’s mother, who claimed Graham reported he had choked and thrown his girlfriend off his condo’s balcony. He swore a winged demon caught his girlfriend and flew off. His girlfriend showed up unharmed an hour later, claiming she had gone for an early morning jog. It was determined that Graham suffered a manic sleepwalking episode due to medication, and he was placed on a mandatory 72-hour psych hold.
“Make sure Stone uses this as leverage, but warn him to be subtle. Also, offer Grant 25% off on the security system package,” I said, tossing the file back on my desk.
I reached for the decanter of scotch on my desk, pouring two fingers of the smoky spirit into a crystal tumbler. I drained my drink, plunked the glass onto the desk, and retrieved a burner phone from a drawer. I tossed it to Desi, who caught it with ease. His brow slid questioningly. “Make sure that phone gets planted at Grant’s home.”
“What’s on it?” he asked curiously.
Usually, I’d tell him to quit asking so many damn questions and do his fucking job, but I wasn’t heartless. The man had just lost his brother. Desi thought he could protect his brother from me and sent him to handle Daisy and Nori; however, it was Daisy who handled Sutton.
“Forged text messages between Kiyah and me. She may or may not express relationship doubts that might shed some light on future events.” Doubt flickered across Desi’s face. “Do you have something to say?”
He guiltily shifted his eyes to the floor before answering.
“No, sir.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way. Get the hell out of my office.”
He left swiftly, and a minute later, I stood outside Kiyah’s bedroom door. My index finger traced the multiple locks on the door. There were four in total—impossible to pick—and would only open with a key and digital password.
I entered the soundproof bedroom and made a beeline for the window. My fingers curled around the bars blocking the window, and I gave them a good shake.
They didn’t budge.
I smiled triumphantly.
I moved to the nightstand and snatched the picture frame from its perch.
“It could’ve been so simple,” I murmured, staring at the photo of Kiyah smiling with Pete in her arms. “But you had to fuck it up and leave.” I kissed the photo and returned it to the stand. “No worries; we have the rest of our lives for you to make it up to me.”
Chapter Forty
Grant
I held Kiyah as we swayed on the lounge swing in the backyard. It had rained earlier, dropping the temperature ten degrees to a balmy 85. The breeze was sporadic, coming and going as it pleased, lingering long enough each time to convince us to stay out a little longer.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked suddenly.
“How nice a glass of wine would be right now,” I admitted easily.
