“Yeah, well, I don’t like being spied on.”
“Have you been compromised?” he asked.
“No, we’re fine. Your social media blitz just went live.”
He laughed. “So I noticed. Reese is very talented. I might hire her as my personal assistant.”
I tossed the duffle onto the bed. “We’ll argue about that later. Marvin Devonshire is dead, supposedly a suicide. The FBI is still involved with the kidnapping case so they’re buying that garbage.”
“Let me guess. You want me to use my influence with the FBI to open an investigation regarding his death.”
“Yep. My instinct tells me they’re getting rid of loose ends.” Where did I know the behavior from? The mafia. They were the masters of initiating sex slavery rings and utilizing blackmail and intimidation. And making anyone disappear who didn’t agree with them.
“I’ll see what I can do. Not promising anything. I’ve been out of the game for a long time.”
“Maybe, but you’ve got that bookish charm.”
He laughed. “Good one.”
Another call made. Another piece of the puzzle ready to fit. With the duffle in my hand, I trotted down the stairs, immediately placing the phone in front of her. “Call your father.”
Reese lifted her head. “What’s happened?”
“One of the girl’s fathers supposedly killed himself last night. A girl we helped identify.”
“But you don’t believe how he died.”
“No. While I don’t believe his death has anything to do with last night, I have a feeling once there’s been a takeover in a company, the girls sold, then the armed security of the Privileged are required to remove the target.”
“He believed or was told he could get his daughter back if he stepped down.”
“Likely. A typical tactic used by kidnappers who never intend on following through.”
“But what happened with Franklin was years ago,” she reminded me. “Why now, because I walked into the situation?”
“Maybe. You said you suspect Franklin lured Briana to Miami.”
“I’m certain of it.”
“Then he wants something from your father.”
Reese stared down at the phone. “What do I tell him?”
“Everything. And that he needs protection, which I can arrange.”
“What if my father doesn’t budge?”
“Convince him, Reese. I have a terrible feeling the next twenty-four hours could prove dangerous. With that blast on social media, it’s only a matter of time before the shit hits the fan.”
With her hand shaking, she snagged my phone. “Understood.”
I backed away, waiting as she dialed the number.
“Hey, Daddy. It’s Reese.”
Seeing her immediate tears all but tore me apart.
Franklin and I would have a full conversation in a cold, dark alley.
