Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Ruby had been to Bennett Security headquarters before, but never as a client. She followed her lawyer to the reception desk. “Jane Simon and Ruby Whitestone, here to see Max Bennett,” the lawyer said.
The receptionist nodded. “I’ll let Mr. Bennett know you’re here.”
They took a seat on one of the leather couches. Past the lobby, employees bustled around the vast workspace. Computer screens covered one wall, and huge windows took up another, showing a panoramic view of the ocean.
“Fancy digs,” Jane muttered. “I’ve heard plenty about Max Bennett over the years, but I never imagined he’d be the investigator on one of my cases. It’s lucky you have connections. There’s no way we could’ve afforded these guys otherwise, even with Mr. Vandermeer’s generous retainer fee.”
“No kidding. Not on my hairdresser’s salary.” Which she no longer had anyway. This company usually catered to the wealthiest of West Oaks, and while Max volunteered his resources often for the government, Ruby doubted he’d ever done so for a criminal defendant before.
The receptionist lifted her chin. “Mr. Bennett will be down in a few minutes. Could I offer you something to drink?”
“Coffee, please,” Jane said.
Ruby nodded. “Same. Thanks.”
She hadn’t slept well the night before. Chase had been snoring, and his long arms and big body had been taking up more than his share of the bed.
At one point, his fingers had brushed her thigh, and she’d practically leaped off the mattress in surprise. But the rest of her body’s reaction had made no sense at all. Her nipples had hardened, and blood had coursed through her.
She’d been almost…turned on.
Maybe it had been that kiss on their wedding day. And it had been far too long since she’d had a man in her bed. Her body was getting confused.
Chase had a penis. So what?
Oh god. I’m thinking about Chase’s penis.
“Any updates from your husband on the investigation?”
Ruby coughed. “Um, no. I asked Chase to stay away from my case. I don’t want him in trouble at work.”
“Chase is a big boy. He’s done a lot to help you already.”
“Exactly. I don’t want him doing more.”
They’d been discussing the adoption petition with the family lawyer, who’d advised that the court wouldn’t consider it yet anyway.
Not with the open case filed by CPS. But just the fact that Chase was willing to adopt Haley as his own?
It was huge. Ruby didn’t want to give up any of her parental rights, but she was blown away that Chase would offer to take on that kind of responsibility.
Devon and Aurora had also offered to adopt Haley if it really came down to it, but Ruby hoped all these hypothetical plans would never be necessary.
In the meantime, CPS had issued a safety order that required Ruby to have “supervision” when she was with Haley.
Chase was supposed to be in the house whenever he was off duty, and Aurora, Devon, or Megan were supposed to come by the apartment every day to check up on things.
Ruby chafed at the interference. But at least Haley would stay with her. That part was a relief.
The receptionist brought their coffees to a small table, along with sugar and cream. Ruby sipped hers black while Jane added multiple packets.
“I don’t want anything to happen to Chase’s career because of me,” Ruby said.
“If he was all that concerned about his career, he wouldn’t have married you in the first place.” Jane tilted her head sardonically. “I would say this is none of my business, but when it comes to my clients, I consider everything my business. Are you sure Chase is just a friend?”
“We’re close, but not like that.”
“You’re protective of him.”
She almost laughed. “As a friend. And even if I were attracted to him, which I’m not, there’s no way I could end up with a cop.
” Jane knew about how Ruby’s brother and father had died.
They’d had some long, personal conversations on the phone.
Jane had been true to her word—she really did answer any time Ruby called.
“I want Chase in my life, and in Haley’s life. But…”
She tried to think of how to explain it. With most anyone else, Ruby wouldn’t have tried. She didn’t want anyone to take it as disrespect for the vocation her dad and brother had given their lives serving.
“It’s like a mental block,” the lawyer supplied, as if she’d plucked the right words out of Ruby’s head. “Or perhaps an emotional one. You’ve been hurt so badly that your heart won’t risk it again. Loving someone that much when you know you could lose him in the same way.”
“Yes. That’s it.”
“I’m sorry you went through that.” Jane reached for her hand.
“I couldn’t end up with a cop either, but for totally different reasons.
Mostly the fact that every cop I’ve ever met can’t stand me.
I’m on one side, they’re on the other.” Then she leaned in and lowered her voice to a whisper.
“Too bad that antagonism just makes them sexier. I’m the type of person who thrives off confrontation, and the way they scowl at me?
Mmm. I’ve had some really dirty fantasies that take place in courtrooms.”
Ruby snorted a laugh. “Can we be friends after this is over? I like you.”
“We’re already friends.” Jane squeezed her hand. “I like you too. Wish I’d met you another way. But some of my best friendships have been forged under pressure.”
They both looked over as a woman in black combat boots strode across the workroom, heading straight for them. Her strawberry-blond hair was cut into a bob, and she wore a pair of chunky pink glasses.
“Ruby? I’m Sylvie Trousseau.” She was petite, with defined biceps showing beneath her T-shirt. “Devon is one of my best friends here at work. I’m so glad to finally meet you, except for the circumstances of course.”
“I’ve been getting that a lot. Glad to finally meet you, too.
” Devon had mentioned his co-worker plenty of times.
Sylvie was Bennett Security’s resident computer expert, and she was second only to Max in the company.
She’d helped Devon when Aurora had been in danger last year.
“Sylvie, this is Jane Simon. My lawyer.”
“Grab your coffees and let’s head to the conference room. Noah’s already there, and Max is on his way down.”
“Not my brother?”
Sylvie looked over her shoulder as they walked into a hallway. “I thought you might prefer Devon keep some distance from this one. Was I right?”
“Hell, yes. I’ve got plenty of other people looking out for me. I get Devon’s opinions enough as it is.”
The conference room had a view of a small park. Palm trees waved across the blue sky. Ruby and Jane greeted Noah warmly.
Max shut the door and took a seat at the head of the table. “How’s married life treating you?”
Ruby felt Noah’s curious glance. “I was wondering that, too. Can’t believe Chase didn’t send me an invite.”
How could she even answer? “It’s weird as shit. But also, not that bad.”
Everyone laughed, and Sylvie reached over to swat Max’s arm. “And what about the other big news, boss? You’re going to be an uncle.”
Max’s eyes glittered menacingly. “Let’s get focused on why we’re here, shall we? Supporting a member of the Bennett Security family.”
“That’s all Sylvie was talking about, right?” Noah said innocently. “The ever-expanding Bennett Security fam.”
“I’m thrilled to be an uncle,” Max deadpanned. “Don’t I look excited?”
Noah gave Max a lopsided grin, and a dimple sunk into his cheek. “Sylvie, you want to do the honors?”
Sylvie opened the laptop in front of her.
But Jane held up a hand. “Before we start, I just want to clarify where we stand. Nothing we say leaves this room. Any and all results of your investigation on behalf of Ruby’s case are confidential work product, and therefore protected from disclosure unless I say otherwise.
Got it?” They all nodded. “Perfect. Please continue.”
“I’ve been working on background,” Sylvie said. “Putting together all I can find on potential avenues for our investigation. Based, of course, on the info and documents Jane provided to us, as well as Ruby’s statements.”
Ruby sat and listened as Sylvie reviewed what they knew about the murder itself, most of which Jane had already told her.
No eyewitnesses had seen anyone else leaving the scene of Mickey’s murder, and no cameras had caught the person on video.
The camera in the building’s lobby had been pointing at the mailroom.
Apparently they had issues with packages getting stolen.
But they’d had no cameras on the actual doors in and out.
“I’m going to interview each of the movers and the neighbors Ruby saw at the apartment building that day,” Jane said. “Max, if you want to send someone along with me, that could be helpful.”
“Already planning on being there for any witness interviews myself. Just let me know the when and where. And I assume you have forensics experts you typically use?”
Jane smiled. “I do. Not my first rodeo. Though my first with Bennett Security riding along.”
“And we intend to pull our weight, but don’t hesitate to let me know when I’m screwing up. Lana certainly does, and I know she’s a friend of yours.” He nodded for Sylvie to continue.
“Thanks, boss. I’ve been putting together a profile of Mickey Waverley. Who he was, who might have wished him harm.” She punched a button, and a picture of Mickey appeared on the big screen on the wall. It was a posed publicity shot of him wearing a hoodie and a dark scowl.
Ruby sat forward. “That’s from when he was trying to make it as a pro MMA fighter.” Before she’d met him. He’d had a framed copy of this poster on his bedroom wall.
Sylvie was nodding. “Mickey grew up in West LA. His parents were both in the entertainment industry. Mom was an agent before she retired, and dad was a movie producer. Mickey went to the University of Southern California for a couple of years before dropping out to pursue MMA. After that point, I found no official employment. Almost no social presence.”
Ruby hadn’t known all these specifics, but this account fit. “That’s when Mickey joined the circuit.”
When she’d met him at Tag’s club, Mickey had already failed in the professional mixed martial arts world. But you never would’ve guessed from his cocky charisma, his trash talk, his loud laughter carrying across the gym floor.
Mickey had seemed like a guy who knew exactly what he wanted and was used to getting it.
From the first day they’d met, he’d made it clear that he wanted Ruby.
She hadn’t given in right away. But after seeing that first fight, the thrill of the danger and the secretiveness… It had all been insanely hot. Mickey hadn’t cared what anybody thought, or so she’d assumed.
As she’d gotten closer to him, she’d seen how jealous he could be of the other fighters.
He hadn’t been possessive of her, but several times he’d withdrawn for days over a lost fight and shown up with a fancy new car or Rolex.
She’d seen other hints about his family and his past. Nannies, private schools, trips all over the world.
It had turned out that Mickey was rebelling, just like her. But he’d been acting out of boredom and resentment instead of the pain of loss.
“The circuit?” Jane asked.
“Underground fights. They took place a couple times a month,” Ruby explained, “always at a shifting location so they’d stay off the radar of the police.
Invite only. A text would go out a day before with the next time and place.
Usually private property, but sometimes an abandoned warehouse or factory. ”
Sylvie chimed in. “I’ve spoken discreetly with some of our contacts at LAPD. They’ve known about this underground fighting circuit for a while. But they haven’t been able to shut them down.”
Jane lifted an eyebrow. “And LAPD was willing to talk to you?”
“I didn’t mention Ruby’s or Mickey’s names. Or yours.”
Jane huffed a laugh. “So that explains why they were so helpful.”
“Is organized crime involved?” Max asked.
“Not exactly,” Sylvie said. “LAPD believes it’s a man named Adrian Peele.”
She tapped the keyboard, and the big screen switched to a photo of an older man in a well-tailored business suit. Everything about Peele conveyed money, from the flashy watch on his wrist to the thick hair that was probably an expensive weave.
“Peele started out as a collateral lender to the rich and famous of LA,” Sylvie said.
“That’s a fancy way of saying pawn broker, and he had no scruples.
If you wanted to fence a stolen Van Gogh or Basquiat, he was your guy.
He’s an MMA fan, it seems, and built up a large enough fortune to start this circuit.
The fights draw high rollers who gamble millions and flock to see no-holds-barred aggression. ”
Max crossed his arms. “Perhaps Mickey gambled on fights. Got in over his head.”
Jane pointed at Max. “I like where you’re going with this. If Mickey owed this Adrian Peele money? Plenty of people have been murdered for less. His death wasn’t execution-style, though. A knife suggests anger. Passion.”
Noah rested an elbow on the table. “What about defensive wounds? I didn’t see any mention of that in the autopsy report. If he was a fighter, why didn’t Mickey fight back?”
Jane tapped her fingers against her mouth as she thought. “I’ve wondered the same thing.”
The image of Mickey crawling toward the apartment door, reaching out with a bloody hand, flashed through Ruby’s memory.
Mickey had chosen the thrill of fighting over Ruby and their child. Yet in the end, he’d wanted something different. He’d wanted to be a part of Haley’s life. Could that change of heart have led to his death?
Maybe he’d finally wanted to stop fighting, but it had been too late.