“I’ll handle that. You focus on Calvin.”
“Got it. I’ll be in touch.”
Talon ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket. He could feel the tension in his shoulders. Six years ago,he had everything under control until Calvin slipped away. How he managed that still baffled him. The man barely knew who he was. He was so fucked up in the head. Now this whole fucking situation was spiraling.
Hell, he didn’t even know how long Calvin had been back in the area.
Maybe a visit to this foundation was in order just to get a read on the employees, especially the woman in charge. Another one to keep a close eye on was Dr. Marwood. That man had been so filled with guilt that he could be a loose cannon. Maybe he’d have Mortis pay a visit to him as well. It would just ensure another mouth was permanently shut. Plus, with Marwood out of the way, it could pave the way for him to step into the spotlight.
With those evil thoughts, Talon slipped on his sunglasses and rejoined his colleagues, every inch the charming professional instead of the man who had just set death in motion.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“So, what exactly are you wearing?” Alyvia asked, amusement clear in her voice.
Charley balanced her phone between her ear and shoulder as she double-checked herself in the full-length mirror. “Dark skinny jeans. A brown off-the-shoulder top and flats.”
“Flats?” Alyvia groaned. “You’re giving him bare collarbone and not even a hint of heel on a date?”
“It’s dinner, not a red carpet,” Charley argued, smoothing a wrinkle along her sleeve. “Besides, the last time I was at Ray and Jessica’s place, I almost face planted in the driveway, and I was wearing flip flops. I think I’m safer in flats.”
“You’re not denying it’s a date, though,” Alyvia teased.
Charley rolled her eyes, even as a smile tugged at her lips. “It’s not a date. It’s dinner. At Ray and Jessica’s.”
“Right. You keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile, you’ve changed your earrings twice.”
Charley glanced at the little dish on her dresser and mumbled, “That’s not the point.”
Alyvia laughed. “You’re nervous.”
“I’m not. Okay, maybe a little. I’m just trying not to overthink it.”
“You’re doing a terrible job,” Alyvia said. “Listen, I have to run, but call me tomorrow. I want to hear all the details.”
Charley laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Yup. And you’re smitten. Have fun.”
They hung up, and Charley took one last glance at herself. The outfit was casual. The soft brown top slipped gently off oneshoulder. She’d left her hair down, letting it fall in soft waves, and kept her makeup light. She kept reminding herself that it was just dinner, but the anticipation buzzing in her chest said otherwise.
She looked at the clock on her nightstand. Pierce would be there in fifteen minutes.
Her eyes flicked to the stack of files on her desk, where ribbon-cutting prep had taken over the last few days. Everything was ready for the doors to open. The building passed inspection, and the media had been invited. Volunteers were all scheduled.
But the sense of accomplishment hadn’t come without unease.
Earlier that week, another envelope appeared. This one had been dropped inside the building’s mailbox, just like the first one. No markings. No return address. Just a single piece of paper inside, with three words in the same handwriting:Operation Storm Current.
Charley had stared at it for a long time. The name wasn’t unfamiliar. She remembered hearing about it on the news. It was part of a year-long brutal conflict overseas. The kind of operation that came with loss and legacy. And now it was connected somehow to a growing mystery she couldn’t ignore.
She’d tried to cross-reference it with the three names from the first envelope. She had scoured the web searching for any clue, but she got nothing.
But something lingered. It was a feeling like the truth was right there, hiding just beneath the surface. She had a feeling that the person who dropped the last note was the stranger she had encountered a few weeks ago. She had hoped that he would make himself visible.
With this last note, she made up her mind that it was time to say something. She had planned to give Alex a call over the weekend and fill her in on the situation and get her opinion onwhat to do. She thought about asking her uncle, but since these things were happening at the foundation, she would rather talk to Alex first.
A knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts.
