“I’d like to honor what we had in the beginning.”
“I completely understand,” Francie said with a meaningful glance at Rafe, who was frowning.
“But if there’s any chance you could be in danger, you shouldn’t go,” Kayn said.
“What if there’s another way?” Francie asked in her quiet voice.
“What do you have in mind, Mrs. Diederik?” Bill asked.
“Well, what if it onlylookslike she’s there?”
“What?” Kayn asked. “How?”
“Wait.” Rafe raised a hand. “I think I know where my mother’sgoing with this. What if we hire an actress to pretend to be Ahri? Bill could put together a team to film the funeral and keep an eye out on who attends. That way she could still watch it without being there.” He glanced at Ahri. “Didn’t you say they haven’t seen you in a couple of years?”
She nodded, the idea intriguing.
“Your stand-in could wear a black veil,” Alex suggested.
“Isn’t that kind of old school?” Kayn asked.
“Women sometimes still wear veils,” Francie said, “especially to honor a husband.”
“I like the idea, but I won’t put the actress in danger instead of me.” Ahri put as much force in her voice as she could.
“Bill would arrange security,” Rafe said. “I’ve had to do this before, for myself. It was right after we sold the first game and were all over the news. Being the CEO, I was the front man.”
“He ended up with a stalker,” Bill added.
“Oh, yeah.” Kayn nodded. “I’d almost forgotten about that.”
“Lucky you,” Rafe said, his tone flat.
“You never told me that.” Francie sent her son a disapproving look.
“That’s because he hadmeto take care of it.” Bill shifted his gaze to Ahri. “We’ll make sure the actress is safe. But, I have another suggestion that would go along with the funeral ruse.”
The others who’d started talking, quieted.
“I’d like to set up a decoy in a luxury apartment in New York where Kayn owns property,” Bill said
“My condo?” her brother asked.
“You mean your penthouse,” Rafe said.
“You bought apenthouse?” Ahri asked, shocked. Maybe because she’d never accepted financial help from him, the magnitude of his wealth hadn’t sunk in.
“Hey, it’s an investment.” Kayn shrugged. “The REKD North American finals are held at Madison Square Garden.”
“The four of us stayed there last year,” Rafe added, “and hosteda party with Esports bigwigs who could rub shoulders with city officials and our sponsors. It’s not being used this time of year.”
“Wouldn’t this decoy woman be in danger?” Ahri asked.
“I don’t think they want to hurt you so much as search your possessions,” Bill said.” I know of a young woman who’s a criminology student in Maryland. She’s been working part-time in a private investigator’s office, so she has some practical experience. I’ve spoken with her, and she’d be happy to do this as a paid internship. Now, do bear in mind that this might all be for nothing. Whoever stole the truck might have found what they were looking for.
“She’ll travel to the funeral under your name—your maiden name. The apartment’s already in your brother’s name. Anyone who might be following her after the funeral will find her at the apartment. She wouldn’t go out much, but when she did, she’d have a bodyguard. My goal is to keep their attention focused on that penthouse and away from Boone.” Bill glanced at Kayn. “I assume you’re not worried about expenses.”
“No. I’ve got this. I like the idea,” her brother said.
