by Nicola Marsh
He blows out a breath. “Then they emailed video footage of me at home, with you and Shelley in the background, so I knew they had the high-end computer skills to hack my laptop.”
A chill sweeps over me. “They filmed us?”
He nods, anger creasing his brow. “Seeing that video scared the shit out of me and I knew they meant business insisting I back off so that’s when I left.”
He stares at the laptop screen, his frown deepening. “I still don’t understand what I stumbled on years ago but it must’ve been big for them to force me out of Chicago and away from you.”
There’s so much pain in his voice I instinctively reach across and place my hand over his. He looks down and blinks several times, as if willing away tears.
“I would never have left you willingly,” he says, his low tone fraught with anguish.
I want to say “I know” but I don’t because deep down I still believe he should’ve stayed and we could’ve solved the big mystery together.
“I hate that I still don’t know who’s behind all of it and I’m hoping that coming back here hasn’t put you and Shelley in jeopardy.” He slips his hand out from under mine and drags it through his hair. “But when you reached out I had to come back.”
“You don’t think whoever you pissed off back then sent those emails to me now to draw you out? I mean, if you’ve stayed off the grid for five years, maybe they got to you through me?”
“But how would they know you’d reach out to me?”
“Because they know you’re good at what you do?”
The corners of his mouth curl in amusement. “Glad you’ve finally admitted it.”
“Shut up.” I join in his soft chuckles.
“You know, maybe you’re right. I did everything I could to stay off the grid after I left Chicago.”
Sadness downturns his mouth. “I moved around a lot, not willing to take the risk of being tracked.”
I glance at the screen. “And while you’ve been on the move you’ve been dabbling on the dark web trying to find these guys?”
“Yeah. I’ve had a good look at those emails and have tracked down this email account, but whoever’s behind this, his identity is well protected.”
“You’ve got a lot further tracking him than I have through my IT contact.”
“When you called earlier and said you were followed…” He jabs a finger at the laptop screen. “Someone has upped the ante.”
“Do you know who?”
“I’m getting close.” His quick glance away tells me he knows more than he’s letting on but I want to keep him talking and badgering him now will only result in him clamming up.
“How close?”
Two spots of color appear on his cheeks. “You’ll have to trust me.”
“Trust the guy who shut me out five years ago rather than tell me the truth?” I tap my bottom lip, pretending to think. “That’s a toughie.”
He ignores my snark. “I need some time to dig deeper.”
“You better hurry because it’s no coincidence May, Ashlin, Shamira, Christine and me have all had scares.”
His eyes widen slightly. “What happened to Christine?”
I hate breaking a confidence but considering how serious this is we’re way past the secretive stage. “She was attacked and bashed.”
He shakes his head and runs a hand through his tousled hair like I used to. My palm tingles at the memory. “I don’t believe in coincidences. Which is why I need to figure this out sooner rather than later. Another day should do it.”
His gaze flickers to the screen and the scrolling code that makes my eyes hurt if I stare at it too long. “Once I crack the identity of this person we’ll hand the whole thing over to the police.”
I ask the obvious. “Why didn’t you do that five years ago?”
He doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pins me with a cool, assessing stare. “Why didn’t you do it after you got those emails rather than reaching out to me?”
It’s a good question and one I haven’t pondered amid all the mishaps befalling the family. Now that I do I hate the obvious answer: I’ve become like the rest of the Parker family, desperately insular, overly-confident, overwhelmed with a desire to keep us all safe.
Sure, I’d initially justified it by telling myself I didn’t want to drag the Parkers through any potential scandal because those emails had been so revealing. And I hadn’t expected it to be so difficult to track down who’s behind them. But the moment accidents started to happen I should’ve considered going to the police.
“Maybe I should’ve but I was trying to protect this family… and I thought I could solve it myself,” I say, my voice trembling before I clear my throat. “You know me, I can never let a good story go untold and have to investigate.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m glad you reached out to me.”
He slides an arm around my shoulders and squeezes. I lean into him, momentarily comforted, before giving myself a mental shake. Relying on this man for anything other than his cyber expertise won’t end well.
I point at his screen. “Please get back to finding who’s doing this.”
“Okay.” He releases me and refocuses; his fingers type at a speed I can never hope to emulate, despite my skill on a keyboard, before he shuts down the web. Only then does he turn to face me again.
“Is that the only reason you wanted to talk to me tonight, to find out who’s behind this?”
“Of course. What other reason is there?”
He flashes his killer smile, the one that drew me to him in the first place that memorable day we met in a computer store twelve years ago. “You’re still drawn to me after all this time and you can’t stay away?”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that.” I stand, needing to escape because there’s a glimmer of truth behind his question.
Even though it’s been five long years since he gutted me, I feel that same pull when I’m with him. Especially now I know he didn’t want to leave. He’s easy to be with, always was. Our marriage had been like that too, only occasionally punctuated with arguments that all couples face but for the most part, stress free. I miss him. Miss this. This way he has of making me feel comfortable in my own skin, like he really gets me. Which is why I have to leave ASAP.
“Keep me posted, okay?”
I feel helpless, relying on him for answers, like I’m waiting for something to happen that I have no control over. I don’t like it. I need to be proactive, not reactive. But what do I do now other than wait?
He stands too and steps toward me. “Stay safe.”
Our gazes lock and a shimmer of excitement arcs between us.
I definitely have to leave. Grayson didn’t trust me enough to tell me the truth when we were together yet I have to trust him now. It makes me increasingly nervous. What will he discover?
And what will be the repercussions, for all of us?
40
May
When I gather my family regularly, I do it for them. I want them to know the value of commitment and those they can depend on. I won’t live forever and being a Parker comes with responsibilities.
That’s what today is about.
I’ve called a family meeting. They need to be prepared for change, especially now we can’t trust Ashlin. Justin telling her he wants a divorce may set off a chain reaction that could have devastating consequences. She’ll be hell-bent on vengeance, meaning she’s a major threat to the family and I don’t want her anywhere near us.
Christine hasn’t come to the meeting either, considering she’ll be ensconced in the private rehab center by now. She’s spent several nights there now and I’m still annoyed she didn’t say goodbye, preferring to sneak out of the house on the pretext of getting ice cream. I assume she didn’t want to face any last-minute advice from me; not that I would’ve interfered, but I wanted to reiterate how proud I am of her for taking this monumental step to regaining control of her life. I’ve been tempted to call the
facility several times to check on her but I have more important things to worry about. Losing doesn’t sit well with me and managing the business in these troubling times within the family is taking all my attention.
I sit at the head of my dining table and note the curious glances cast my way. Justin, Trent, Shamira, Ria and Grayson. I hadn’t invited my youngest son either but when he’d strolled into the dining room like he owned the place, I felt too uncomfortable to ask him to leave. Besides, he’ll have no input in any of this so whether he stays to listen or goes is of no consequence. It’s odd, seeing my youngest son at a family gathering when he’s been absent for so long. I haven’t figured out why he’s returned after all this time but he and Ria seem on friendly terms, even though Ria appeared rattled when she’d arrived home last night after their discussion.
I hadn’t bothered to ask my daughter-in-law if everything was all right. I saw it wasn’t and besides, Ria wouldn’t tell me if it weren’t. So I’d planned on grilling Grayson when I got home but he’d already gone to bed.
“I need to be back at the office shortly so can we speed this up please?” Justin glances at his watch while the fingers on his other hand drum against his pant leg.
I like working with my go-getting son and admire his business nous but his impatience annoys me. I’ve tried to teach him the art of patience; that careful planning and a steady resolve ultimately win out. He impresses me most of the time and I wonder if his desire to escape has more to do with Ria being seated next to Grayson than any hunger to be back at work.
I’d seen the looks passing between my youngest son and his ex-wife, and they hadn’t gone unnoticed by Justin either. He’s grown considerably glummer in the few minutes they’ve been seated and served with coffees by the housekeeper.
Time to start.
I clear my throat, a habit I’ve tried to kick when I realized I begin all meetings like this. “I’d like to thank you all for coming here today on such short notice.”
All eyes are fixed on me and I continue. “I mentioned at my party about access to the family fortune changing along with developments afoot in the company and I want to reinforce that today.”
Grayson’s eyebrows rise. “Wow, Mom’s actually consulting the family on company business these days?”
I glower at Grayson and annoyingly, he smirks like he used to whenever he baited me.
“None of us are involved in the company, apart from Justin.” Ria studiously avoids looking at the man she mentioned. Which tells me more than if I’d asked.
Something has happened between the two of them, something beyond the mild attraction they’ve always had. I’m not sure what to think about my oldest son turning to Ria for comfort so soon after his split from Ashlin. And by Justin’s glower he feels Grayson’s arrival threatens that. After this meeting concludes I’ll make sure to speak to my youngest son and discover his intentions: why he’s really here and for how much longer.
Trent has barely said a word since he arrived: in a different car than his wife. They’re having a rocky time, I can sense it, but I won’t interfere. Shamira has a gentle soul that matches my son’s and they’ll resolve their differences. She seems uncomfortable, like she’d rather be anywhere else than here.
“You’re welcome to leave, Grayson, considering you gate-crashed this meeting. But you’re a Parker too, maybe it wouldn’t kill you to finally start acting like it.”
Grayson relaxes back into his chair, smug. Justin’s glower intensifies.
“I’m selling the company, and that means increased scrutiny for Parker Partnership and those associated with it.” I eyeball each of them, determined to get my point across. “That means each and every one of you so I need exemplary behavior. No scandals. No photos in the press. Nobody talks about the situation with Ashlin. I’m not sure how many of you here know what’s going on with Christine, but no one is to mention it outside of these four walls. And only Justin and I deal with whatever media attention comes our way. Is that clear?”
No one seems surprised by my announcement. Then again, they probably deduced the truth when I told them I’m closing the family account at my birthday. When it comes to money matters, the Parkers are very astute.
Everyone nods except Justin, who fiddles with his cell, tapping at the screen. He thinks he’s above my lectures but I hadn’t forewarned him about this little speech and rather than appear interested he seems bored. It doesn’t sit well with me.
“Do you have any questions?”
Grayson raises his hand like a cheeky schoolboy in a classroom. “Do you always treat your family like ignorant subordinates or is this charade for my benefit?”
I had learned a long time ago to control my temper. Percival had tested my resolve daily and I soon become adept out of necessity at hiding my true feelings. He’d deliberately taunt me with the many failings he perceived. But our family fortunes had become intertwined the day I said “I do” and I knew that family always comes first, regardless of troubles behind the scenes.
Now, I muster my famed self-control to keep from thumping the table with a clenched fist as I glare at Grayson. “Family may mean nothing to you, as demonstrated by your ability to run away, but the rest of those here appreciate being kept in the loop.”
My cutting chastisement has little effect on Grayson. If anything, his taunting smile reminds me so much of Percival my palm itches to slap the smirk off his face.
“Is that true, Mother? Have you asked them?” He gestures at the other occupants of the table. “Or are they too polite to say what they really think?”
I expect Justin to leap to my defense but the child I’m closest to remains obstinately silent. Trent and Shamira stare resolutely at the table and Ria glares at her ex-husband in wide-eyed shock.
“Grayson, you obviously have a problem with me that would be better addressed in private—”
“Do we all trust each other, considering what’s going on?” Grayson glances around the table and I silently fume when my family members meet his eye when they hadn’t met mine a moment ago. “Are you going to pretend we don’t have our own motivations for toeing the line with Mom?”
Ria reaches across and pinches Grayson beneath the table and I bite back a smile. I like Ria’s fearlessness and her ability to forgive and forget.
“I haven’t got time for this.” Justin stands so abruptly his chair bangs against the mahogany sideboard behind him. “I’ll see you back at the office.”
He storms out of the dining room and I don’t call him back. He saw Ria reining in Grayson too and by his reaction he’s jealous.
“We have to go too.” Trent stands and Shamira does the same. “Don’t worry, Mom, we’ll be on our best behavior as always.”
Shamira manages a nod before following her husband out, leaving me alone with Ria and Grayson. My son hasn’t moved from his slouched position in the chair but Ria is standing, ready to follow the others out.
I want to ask her to stay. I never need a buffer but Ria has always had a calming effect on my son and I have no idea where his mood is coming from.
“Ria, can you stay a while—”
“Ria has to leave,” Grayson interjects, shooting to his feet and laying a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll see you out.”
I don’t like the desperation in his tone. I can’t fathom his bizarre behavior but I’m assuming I’ll soon find out without Ria acting as peacemaker.
“Thanks for coming, Ria,” I say.
Ria appears as perplexed as me as she raises her hand in farewell and allows Grayson to propel her toward the hallway. As they reach the doorway Grayson glances over his shoulder and the venom in his eyes makes me reach for the table in support.
My youngest son has something to tell me and I have a feeling I won’t like it. I don’t like feeling out of control. I need to regain it.
41
Ria
“What was that back there?” I cast Grayson a sideways look and jerk my thumb toward the house.
<
br /> He glances over his shoulder, as if checking we’re not being followed, and places his hand under my elbow to lead me further away from the house. “I wanted to rattle a few cages.”
“Why?”
The moment the question tumbles from my lips I know the answer. Shock renders me speechless for a moment before I wrestle my disbelief under control. “You think one of them is involved?”
He shrugs, his somber stare filling me with dread. “I don’t trust anyone in that room.”
“You can’t be serious.” I glare at him. “You honestly think one of your own family is behind all this?”
He reaches out to me and I shake off his hand, his touch not in the least comforting. I’m scared, terrified in fact, that we’re players in some kind of dangerous, twisted game that’s bigger than the both of us. “Considering May, Shamira, Christine and I were targeted, that only leaves Justin and Trent.”
Grayson eyeballs me. “We both know Trent wouldn’t harm an amoeba.”
I let the implication sink in that Justin is behind this.
Justin, the brother-in-law who has never been anything other than supportive to me, the man who has bestowed love and attention on my daughter as if she were his, the man who makes me feels things I shouldn’t. It’s unfathomable but…
The first email had incriminating photos of my three sisters-in-law but that second email targeted Ashlin only. And she was the first one to have an ‘accident’. Being run off the road could’ve resulted in a fatality.
Having his wife removed would be a hell of a lot easier on Justin than going through a lengthy, acrimonious divorce or dealing with the repercussions of Ashlin’s connections to the Parker Partnership’s rivals and the threats she could make. He would be free. But am I seriously contemplating a guy like Justin could have his wife killed? It takes a dark, deranged mind to come up with a plot like that and Justin doesn’t fit the image.
