“See you next week. Sweet dreams, my sexy Vixen.”
His words work their way through skin and bone, burrowing deep, and if I’m not careful, I might catch feelings for this man.
ChapterSixteen
Athena
Note to self: never conduct surveillance here in mid-November without a rainproof heavy jacket and gloves. At least I have my balaclava and a hat to bear some of the brunt of the bad weather. Torrential rain blows in every direction as strong winds whip through the air at this elevation. As biting rain slaps me from all angles, I’m seriously questioning my sanity.
Why the hell did I decide to do this tonight?
Because Manning is at a charity event in the city, and I knew he wouldn’t be coming to his secret hideout, so it was the perfect opportunity to do some snooping. Except it wasn’t as fruitful as I’d hoped.
My teeth are chattering, and my hands are stiff with cold as I climb into my car, turn the engine on, and crank the heat to the max. Removing my backpack, I place it on the floor in the back before climbing into the back seat to get changed. I pull my wet clothes off and toss them in a sodden heap on the floor. After toweling off, I change into yoga pants, sneakers, and an oversized hoodie and crawl back behind the wheel, feeling a little more human.
Reaching for my flask, I pour a large amount of coffee into my travel mug and wrap my hands around it, siphoning heat into my chilled bones. I’m sure most would say I’m exaggerating, especially since it isn’t even winter yet, but my Cali bones aren’t equipped for the cooler temps in Massachusetts and more frequent propensity for rain.
I slurp my coffee and chew on some trail mix as I lean back in my seat and stare at the old hotel down below, wondering what the hell Drew Manning is using the place for. My best guess is it’s where he brings people for interrogation, but I’d like to verify it with my own eyes.
After Manning and Barron returned from L.A. three weeks ago, I trailed them from the airport back to here. Since then, I’ve been following Drew as often as possible, and he has come here several times. He nearly made me one night, so I’ve been alternating cars and motorbikes and mixing things up so it’s not obvious someone is shadowing him.
I place a call to Andreas, and he picks up on the second ring. “Did you get the photos I sent?” I ask as I dump the rest of the coffee from the flask into my mug.
“I’m running them through my system now.”
“He has the place locked up tight, and I can’t see any way in without being detected.” I’m itching to break in and explore, but it’s too risky. I had to duck and dive to avoid his cameras picking me up as I scouted the property from this vantage point on top of a hill that faces the rear of Manning’s property. Assuming it is his. “Did you get confirmation of the hotel owner yet?” I ask my techie friend.
“I’m still working on it. Whoever did this knows what they’re doing. If it’s Manning, he’s covered his tracks well.”
“Okay, keep digging and keep me posted.”
“Will do. Do you still want to me hold off on that Genesis Marketing guy?”
“Yes, for now. They’re fucking up without our interference. If that changes, I’ll let you know.”
Belinda is keeping me updated on the project at Manning Motors and it’s a shit show. I had found an in—a guy in their employ with a nasty secret he’ll want to keep. I was planning on blackmailing him into sabotaging the project, but the idiots are doing that without my involvement. Belinda is pushing to have them fired, and I’m expecting Manning to eat humble pie any day now.
In case he’s too stubborn to make the call, I have other ideas on how to force his hand.
“Stay safe, Thena,” Andreas says, and I’m smirking to myself as I end the call.
Setting my mug in the cupholder, I put the car in gear and drive away. I’m careful as I drive down from the hill and out onto the road, checking there is no traffic to prove witness to my presence and no one watching as I push out onto the asphalt and peel it out of there.
* * *
“You need to back down and let me do what I do best,” I hiss into the phone as I inspect my reflection in the mirror one final time.
“It’s been over a month, Athena, and you’re making no progress.”
“It takes time. Like I said from the outset, Dad, a guy like Drew Manning requires careful handling. I won’t be much use to you if I’m dead, and that’s what’ll happen if he makes me.”
“We don’t have time.” He sounds really rattled, and I’m starting to smell a rat.
My gut is telling me there is something else at play here, and I don’t ignore my instincts. They have always served me well in the past.
“Your brother’s life depends on it.”
But does it? I really don’t see how or why Drew Manning would come after Arlo. This whole thing reeks, and I’m determined to get to the truth. Which means I need to play ball for now and not let Dad know I’ve become suspicious of his motives. Or maybe it’s the board whose motives I should be wary of.
