46. Payback
46
PAYBACK
Mitch picked up his phone and glanced at David Wong’s name lighting up the screen. He hit Accept . “David. What’s up?”
“Do you have time for a debrief this morning?”
He checked his watch. “Sure. I can be there in half an hour.”
“Great. We’ve been over the CTV footage while you were away and finally found the needle in a haystack. It appears Ella Stone paid you a visit recently, but when she found no one home, she let herself in anyway. Also, that lead on the grapefruit checked out, and the reviews definitely came from an IP address linked to Mrs. Stone’s mother. The avocados are proving more difficult, but it’s just a matter of time before someone talks. Anyway, it’s not looking good for the Stones, that’s for sure.”
Mitch grabbed his keys from the sideboard then bounded down the stairs and out the packing shed door. “What about the OCA?”
“It’s not a crime to make a complaint to the OCA, but if it came from Chris Stone, he might get a slap on the wrist for harassment. Theft is a different story, as is home invasion. Anyway, I’ll see you soon.”
“Yep, I’m on my way. And, David, thanks.”
“My pleasure.”
The Stone and Pip Group owned a suite of offices on the southern side of Clifton Falls CBD, in an area known as the Exchange. After parking his Hilux next to King’s Gardens, Mitch crossed the street and walked the couple of blocks to their office, the envelope tucked under his arm and a USB flash drive in his pocket.
It had been two days since David Wong’s call. Time to make the Stones squirm.
Frigid air-conditioning hit him as he walked through the entrance. He’d expected the usual commercial space, with gray walls and austere furniture, so the fruit-tree murals and lush potted plants surprised him. He stopped at the front desk. “Is Ella free?”
The receptionist raised a brow as if he were her bodyguard. “Mrs. Stone is busy right now. If you give me a second, I’ll check her diary. May I ask your name and the nature of your business?”
“Mitch Harrington, and it’s personal.”
The young man had no sooner looked at his computer screen when Chris’s voice boomed across reception. “Mitchel.” He stepped forward, his hands in his pockets and no warmth in his expression. “What can I do for you?”
“Nothing. I’m here to see Ella.”
Chris nodded as if he’d been expecting him. He held open the boardroom door. “Come in. I’ll see when she’s free.” Mitch hesitated before following him into the small windowless space, and as Chris walked away, he questioned why he’d come. Was he trying to prove a point before the police got involved?
“Ella’s on a conference call,” Chris said when he returned to the room. He stood at the head of the table. “She’ll be here in a minute. Sit, please. How’s that business with the OCA going? Are they still digging around in your chemical-free shed?”
“You tell me.” Mitch remained standing. “You seem to know everyone else’s business. ”
Chris smirked. “I told you weeks ago that I had nothing to do with it.”
Annoyed by Chris’s expression, Mitch slapped the envelope down on the table. “Did you send these to Tayla?”
Chris picked it up and sat, leaning back in his chair as he removed the prints. With his baby-faced features, loud floral shirt and bow tie, he seemed out of place in the head chair. Mitch watched his poker face with interest. “Well, well, well. The philandering husband caught in print. I’d love to take the credit, but?—”
“Come on, who else would’ve sent them?”
Chris held Mitch’s gaze with his piercing blue eyes. “Damned if I know. But I’ll tell you one thing I do know. My wife never strays far. And do you know why?” Chris didn’t wait for his answer. “Because Ella doesn’t back losers; she just fucks them and screams their name as she comes. Why the hell she wanted to jump on the organics bandwagon and follow you in your oversized footsteps as she worshipped the ground you pissed on, I have no idea.”
“You spineless bastard. Ever since you missed out on Cherry Grove, you’ve stepped up your personal vendetta against me. First the grapefruit and avocados, then the OCA, and now a shitload of fake online reviews.” The heat rising in his blood, Mitch resisted the urge to bang his fist on the table. Justice couldn’t come soon enough.
Chris moved to the drinks trolley and poured himself a drink. He took a sip. “I have no clue what you’re talking about. But, hey, a man can only take so much when he finds out an archrival is screwing his wife. Maybe some other guy’s out to prove his point. And as far as I’m concerned, you deserve everything you get. Why the hell Tayla married a loser like you, I have no idea. She seemed such a nice girl when we had dinner together, but then, there’s no accounting for taste.”
Mitch clenched his jaw, determined not to let the ‘dinner’ comment outwardly rile him. He had no idea Tayla had met with Chris. Why would she keep that from him ?
Both men stilled as Ella stormed into the boardroom. She planted her hands on her hips. “Would you guys keep it down. I can hear you from my office.”
Noticing the photos strewn across the desk, she frowned at Mitch. “You told him? About us? How could you?” Her back to Chris, she stepped toward Mitch and murmured, “I said I’d take care of it.”
Mitch backed away, his mouth dry. She’d always played her parts well, and today was no exception. “There is no us , Ella. What the hell are you playing at?”
Ella turned to Chris. “I know how this looks, but he won’t leave me alone.” She lowered her tone, and when she spoke, she sounded like a whiny teenager. “I was gonna tell you, baby, but I didn’t want to make things worse between the two of you. He means nothing to me.”
“Bullshit.” Mitch raised his voice. “You come to my door at two in the morning, crying your frigid heart out, and now you’re saying we slept together? Unbelievable.”
“You’ve been after me ever since you broke up with Prue,” Ella hissed. “Then when I rejected you, you turned around and eloped with the girl next door. Chris is right—you really don’t have much going on between the ears, do you?”
Mitch shook his head. Luka had warned him about Ella, but he’d always given her the benefit of the doubt. “This trouble at Lime Tree Hill, it’s all about revenge, isn’t it? I turned you down, so you’re out for blood. You always did have a nasty streak.”
Her nose in the air, Ella remained silent. It was the first time he’d ever seen her lost for words. He looked at Chris. “Who should I send the account to for the grapefruit and avocados?”
“Email it to the office. I’ll make sure to dump it in the trash where it belongs.” Chris smirked. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, some of us have work to do.” He stood and held open the door.
When Mitch turned to Ella, her expression was cold. “I want those fake reviews removed within twenty-four hours. ”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” As usual, her tone was measured. Controlled. “You come in here throwing around accusations with no proof. What’s wrong with you? I thought we were friends.”
Mitch held her gaze until she broke eye contact. “Fine. If that’s the way you want to play it.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out the USB flash drive, and slid it across the table. “You want proof, knock yourself out.”
He looked Chris straight in the eye then checked his watch. “As of half an hour ago, the police have all the details, including CTV footage of Ella letting herself into my loft when my wife and I were out of the country recently. Plus a statement from one of your ex-workers who helped strip the avocado trees. Oh, and, that guy you offloaded my grapefruit onto, he’s come clean as well.”
Chris scoffed. “You’re bluffing.”
“I wish I was. I’m sick and tired of your underhanded attempts to destroy me.” He glanced back at Ella, whose face was ashen, then walked to the door. “I’ll see you both in court.”