* * *
The can of Coke and the Unisom became her lifeline. A few sips stayed down. The drug stemmed some of her nausea, but it made her sleepy.
Cassie climbed into a cab and gave the driver a hundred dollars. “You will get a hundred more if you do what I ask.” The driver nodded. Her first stop was the post office, where Cassie placed the map and ledger in an overnight envelope addressed to Paul Yates. She mailed the red ledger and the recordings to Andy Blake.
Her next stop was the cemetery. Cassie surveyed the area, making the driver circle twice.
“Damn it,” Cassie said under her breath, ducking down after spotting Ian’s security team.Sorry, boys.“Head to Nordstrom Rack on L Street please.”
* * *
Brett checked ATMs, traffic cameras, and guest registrations from every motel and hotel in concentric circles from the warehouse. Police found the stripped Jeep a few blocks away with Cassie’s fingerprints on the inside of the driver’s window. Police issued an additional warrant for auto theft. They knew Cassie couldn’t go far.
Brett scanned a list, and an odd name jumped out at him. “Boss, I think I have something. I found a guest named Frida Kahlo. Wasn’t she an artist?”
Ian looked a little hopeful. “That has to be her. Where?”
Brett called the phone number. “Six blocks from the warehouse. They said a woman fitting Cassie’s description checked out an hour ago. She caught a cab—I’ll start calling companies.” He scooted toward the dining room command center. “I’m sorry. She’s one step ahead of us.”
Ian slammed his mug down. “Everyone needs to stop apologizing and find her.”
* * *
Garett left three separate handwritten notes. Mia scanned the suicide letters and forwarded them to Kieran and Ian.
My Dearest Cheyenne,
Iam so sorry to leave you and my babies; they'll always be my babies. I am a coward. You and the kids will be better off without me. In time, you will understand.
My baby girl, I need you to call your momma and daddy. Have them fly up as soon as they can to bring you and the girls back home. There, you can have our son in peace. No matter what, never trust my parents. Please, Chey, do not speak to them again. They are cruel and dangerous people.
Open the safe in the den to find a safe-deposit key for box #501 at our bank. Your name is on the account, so you won’t have any problems. Take all the cash, the house title, and the ledger. Inside is a small black envelope for an account in your name, in the Caymans. There's enough cash to take good care of you, your parents, and our children for lifetimes. Before you or your daddy worry, this money is legal. The ledger documents every investment made. This is for your protection from the government and my family.
Chey, you are a wonderful person. I know this makes no sense to you. I am the son of two monsters. I cannot let my girls, or you be tainted by their evil. I will not tell you all the horrid details, but evil is not even close to who they are.
Please understand I never wanted to deceive you. For our babies’ health, you need to understand. I am sterile. The sperm we used wasn't mine. My father believed we were using his, but I assure you it wasn’t. I wouldn’t let a cell from him anywhere near you. The file with the anonymous donor's medical history is attached to the underside of my center desk drawer in our home office. He was just a donor. I am and always will be their daddy.
Time to reveal all the secrets. I was never unfaithful to you. When Cassie started college, my parents, the Marshalls and the Bynums demanded I cultivate a relationship with her. I was gutless and followed their rules.
Cassie inherited a large company that imports fine art. They needed access to those routes. My job was to get her to marry me. After spending some time with her, it was no longer a task; I fell in love. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. I was supposed to con her. To my parents and their friends, she was a means to an end. To me, she was the love of my life. I made the horrible mistake of sharing with Cassie that I couldn’t bear children. That wasn’t in my parents’ plan.
Iplanned to sneak away with her and elope, but my parents had other ideas. Cassie was asked to lecture at the National Gallery. I didn't go, a prisoner of my weakness. When she came to the house to deliver a painting my parents purchased, my mother drugged her.
For reasons I still don’t understand, they needed her to become pregnant. A doctor was waiting at the house. The drugs didn’t work, and she saw them, so their plan B was to sell her. At that point, my mother and her friends told Robby to do what he wanted with her. When he was done, he was supposed to kill her. She survived.
After Sebastian stabbed her at the dinner, they worried he told her what they did. Along with the Bynums and the Marshalls, they hired people to kill her and anyone else who got in the way. It was my fault—then and now. I never protected her. I won’t make that mistake again and let anything happen to you.
Baby girl, if you require more help than your parents can manage, go to Ian Chase. He loved Cassie the way she deserved. Unlike me, he is a decent, honorable man. I’m sure he will help you.
Take care of my babies. I loved them very much. I do love you. Have a wonderful new life.
G
The three men said nothing and scrolled to the next letter.
Dear Mr. And Mrs. Whitman,
Yes, I know that is not what you like to be called, but you are no more than an egg and a sperm donor to me. Your sick, pathetic attempts to control my life failed. This is the only way I could ever be free.
