Chapter 20
Julia sank into her office chair, exhaustion hitting her again. Another intense morning after a sleepless night had her running on fumes. She let her head fall into her hands.
The phone call with Kyle Carter had left her stunned, and her admission about the conversation to Grant led to another tense confrontation. She worried about the ramifications of the dire warning Grant had issued to the man.
She massaged her temples, trying to ease the tension. The conversations over the past three days with Kyle raced through her mind. From the subtle animosity at the hospital to the open hostility of the fistfight, something seemed oddly staged about the entire thing. But why? Could there be a layer of Kyle’s personality she hadn’t seen that hinted at his motivation?
Her mind stretched to find the answers but came up short.
There are things you don’t know about him. Kyle’s words echoed in her mind. What did that mean?
She couldn’t believe anything he said anyway. Though maybe they could be prepared for the lies he planned to spread.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. She twisted to face the door, finding a still-penitent Worthington in the door. He clutched a folder in his hands as he studied her. “Mrs. Harrington, is there anything I can bring you?”
“No, Worthington, nothing.”
He offered her a dejected nod before he stepped away.
“Worthington,” she called, “just a moment.”
The man returned to hover in the door.
“Come in, sit down.”
He swallowed hard as he stepped forward and eased into the seat Grant had occupied earlier, allowing the folder to fall onto his lap.
Julia sucked in a breath. “Are you still bothered by what happened earlier?”
“A terrible slip in security, Mrs. Harrington, and I am most embarrassed.”
Julia let her head loll as she offered him a consoling glance and reached for his hand again. “There is absolutely nothing to be upset about. There is no way you could have known it wasn’t Ethan. And unless we’re going to set up a system of challenge questions, anyone could claim to be anyone.”
The man firmed his lower lip as he straightened.
“Really, Worthington, I’m not upset with you. There is nothing you could have done.”
“You are most kind, Mrs. Harrington.”
“I’m not kind, Worthington. Anyone who would expect you to have reacted differently in that situation is crazy.”
A chuckle escaped Worthington’s lips. “I may have known a few of them.”
Julia’s mind wandered to Grant’s other wives. Was it them he referred to? Had they treated him differently?
“Well, I am not one of them. Now, let’s put this in the past. Okay?”
“Yes, Mrs. Harrington. And thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to reassure me both earlier and now.”
She patted his hand with a smile. “Of course. You are an important part of this household.”
“I appreciate that sentiment,” he said as he rose, gripping the folder.
Julia’s eyes fell on it, her eyebrows knitting as she stared at the bold red letters announcing CONFIDENTIAL across the front. A name, marked in black pen on the tab, announced the file’s contents. Carter, Kyle.
Heat washed over her as she stared at it. “Is that the background information on Kyle Carter that Mitchell was putting together?”
Worthington glanced down at it. “Yes, I was about to message Mr. Harrington that it had arrived.”
“May I?” she asked.
“Of course.” He handed the folder over to her. “And if there is anything else I can get you, please call.”
“Thank you, but I’ll be leaving soon to meet Sierra.”
Worthington offered her a smile and nod. “Enjoy the trip, Mrs. Harrington. And thank you.”
He left the room, leaving her alone with the folder. She ran a hand over the smooth manila top before she flicked it open. A picture from the hospital’s website stared back at her. She flipped past it to the write-up.
“Dr. Kyle Cooper, emergency physician at St. Mary’s Memorial,” she read aloud. All information she already knew. “Previous Employment at Dallas Memorial where he was a surgeon.”
She scanned through the other information, finding nothing surprising. In fact, the larger question became what would make this stable, seemingly upstanding surgeon risk everything to falsely accuse Grant of abuse?
She sank her head into her hands after studying the information from his childhood. He appeared bright and well-adjusted.
A printed news article announced the unfortunate death of Kyle’s father several years ago, followed by his mother to cancer only a few months earlier.
Julia frowned at the article. Did his grief over his parents’ deaths trigger something? She shifted to the next article, this one from Mississippi. She scrunched her eyebrows. It detailed the death of another woman listed as Kyle’s mother.
She flipped back, comparing the names. They weren’t the same. Had Kyle been adopted?
Julia flicked the folder shut. She had no more answers than she had before, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more. What else did Kyle Carter have up his sleeve? What hidden things did Kyle plan to expose?
Her fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her palm as she saw one sensational headline after another. And with Grant’s reactive behavior, this may spiral beyond their control quickly. It could cost him more than a few hours behind bars.
She had to learn more. Her pulse quickened as she grabbed her purse and dug through it to find the card from Kyle. She entered the phone number and typed a message.
Her thumb quivered above the send button, each heartbeat echoing in her ears. Dread and anticipation swirled within her as she pressed send, sealing her decision into reality. It’s Julia. I’m ready to talk.
A chat bubble appeared almost immediately, indicating his typing. I’m so pleased to hear that. You name the time and place.
Julia’s heart leapt into her throat at the response. Had she made a mistake? She bit her lower lip as she stared at the message waiting on the screen. Before she could second-guess any further, she typed a response and sent it. Riverside Park entrance. 30 minutes.
With her phone clutched in her hand, she grabbed her purse and headed for the door. Her phone chimed before she made it. She checked the lock-screen display. See you there. And, Julia, you won’t regret this.
She pressed her lips together as she sighed. “I’ll bet.”
With the phone shoved into her purse, she hurried through the house and outside, half-running to James’s condo. She banged on the door, memories of the last hasty trip here flashing through her mind. They’d gone to the warehouse, not knowing they’d find a missing woman who had been presumed dead…or that she’d be violently attacked. She hoped this meeting would turn out better.
James tugged the door open. “Mrs. Harrington, ready to go shopping?”
She shook her head as she darted through his door. “Not yet. There’s another stop I need to make.”
“Sure, where is it?” he asked as he led her through the house to the connected garage.
“Riverside Park,” she said, her heart thudding as she stepped through the door and eyed the rows of cars.
James slid her a sideways glance as he grabbed the keys. “Any particular reason?”
Julia licked her lips as she tightened her grip on her purse. “I need to meet with Kyle Carter.”
James let his head fall between his shoulders. “Please tell me I didn’t just hear that.”
Julia creased her forehead as she tried to appeal to him. “I’m sorry, but…he called earlier. He said he knew things that would change my mind. I have to know what he’s planning. We need to stay a step ahead of this.”
“Mrs. Harrington, this is a terrible idea. Let me call Max and his team can go question him.”
“He is never going to tell them anything. You know that.”
James chewed his lower lip as he considered it. With a shake of his head, he sighed. “And I suppose if I don’t take you, you’ll tell Mr. Harrington about Sierra and me?”
Julia stiffened, her features pinching. What sort of world did these people live in where blackmail was the first assumption? “No, of course not. I would never betray that confidence.”
“So, I can say no?”
“Yes.” Julia lowered her eyes and lifted a shoulder. “I’ll just go alone then.”
James’s brow furrowed deeply, his concern etched in every line of his face. “Mrs. Harrington, this could be dangerous. Mr. Harrington was extremely concerned about you.”
“And I am about him, too. I have to try to sort this out. He has enough problems to deal with.”
James clicked his tongue as he motioned toward the car. “You’re going to get me fired.”
“I promise you won’t get fired,” she said as he opened her door for her.
He slid in behind the wheel. “I’m not leaving you alone with him.”
“I hope not. His behavior is concerning.”
As the engine roared to life, the car glided down the driveway, weaving toward the bustling streets of the city. The world passed by in a blur. Every sight was tinged with an unsettling air of suspense. Her mind raced as every turn of the car brought her closer to the uncertain confrontation.
Her fight-or-flight instincts reached fever pitch by the time the pillars framing the park entrance came into view. Kyle sat on the same bench she’d met Grant on just days earlier. That fated meeting had led to a series of misunderstandings that pushed her toward Kyle, to begin with.
She swallowed hard as James pulled the car to a stop. He opened her door, and she stepped out, the cool autumn air sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine.
After a few steps forward, he twisted to spot her, a smile forming until he spotted James. The grin faded quickly, and he offered her a concerned glance as she closed the gap between them.
“Julia, you can’t be serious?”
“Hey,” James barked at him, shifting his jacket to reveal a handgun tucked in his waistband. “I’m watching you.”
Kyle seemed visibly disturbed by the threat of violence. Julia slicked a lock of hair behind her ear.
“Now, I’m even more concerned.”
“Please, let’s not start with that again,” she said.
“Start with–” He dropped his gaze to the grass as he shook his head. “Julia, I have been concerned about you since I saw you at that press conference. And now…you’re here but with one of your husband’s goons–”
“James is hardly a goon.”
Kyle pressed closer to her. “He has a gun, Julia. Do you think he’d hesitate for even a second to use it?”
“I’m not going to discuss with you my choice to bring James or the reason he is carrying a weapon. Why are you doing this?”
“I told you, I’m concerned about you.”
Julia shook her head, dismissing the idea. “No. This behavior goes way beyond professional concern.”
Kyle set his hands on his hips as he sucked in a breath. “I’ve just seen abuse too many times to–”
Julia shifted her weight, her eyes going to the sky before she held up her hands. “Okay, this conversation is over.”
“Julia, wait,” he said, reaching for her.
“Hands off, Carter,” James shouted at him.
Julia bit the inside of her lower lip as she sucked in a breath. “If you want me to stay, you need to give me some answers.”
“Fine. Can we just…sit down?”
With a sigh, Julia perched on the edge of the bench with Kyle.
“Maybe a little privacy?” He wagged his head toward James.
“James stays. Why are you doing this?”
Kyle swallowed hard, his eyes falling to the ground.
“Well?” Julia prompted.
“I’m sorry. This is not easy, particularly with an audience.”
Julia’s frustration grew with the circular conversation. “You don’t have any real reason, do you?”
She shifted her weight to stand.
“Yes, I do. I do. Uh, look…” Kyle slid his eyes closed. “First of all, did you know he threatened me? Twice?”
“If you’re referring to his phone call earlier, yes. I was with him when he made it.”
Kyle offered her a concerned glance. “Oh, Julia, I hope my call didn’t cause any trouble between you.”
She fluttered her eyelashes. “No, it didn’t cause any trouble between us. But it did cause a lot of trouble. Just like the incident yesterday.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to escalate like that.”
“Then drop the charges.”
“I can’t,” he hissed. “That is the only thing I can do to get him away from you unless you take that step yourself.”
“I’m not leaving Grant. There is no reason for me to leave him.”
“Julia, a normal man doesn’t threaten people on a regular basis.”
“I don’t blame him for calling you today. What you did crossed a line.”
“Fine, and yesterday?”
“He says you threatened him.”
Kyle’s shoulders slumped. “Did he? That’s not true.”
Julie flicked her eyebrows up. “Then what is the truth?”
Kyle heaved a sigh, glancing up at her as he tilted his chin downward. “I went to talk to him to see if maybe I’d misread things. Maybe I was wrong. He made it clear that I wasn’t. He threatened me. Even lunged at me in the interrogation room. Said you were his and you’d always be his. And the day you even considered leaving him, he’d find a way to stop you.”
Julia listened to the words, a mix of disbelief and shock coursing through her. None of that could be true.
“Now, do you see why I’m so concerned?”
“No,” she answered with a shake of her head, “because none of that rings true to me. None of it sounds like Grant.”
“Well, it is. Whether you want to face it or not.”
Julia’s eyebrows knitted as she considered how to continue the conversation when her phone rang.
“Is that him?” Kyle asked.
“No,” she said with a shake of her head as she answered. “Sierra, I’m running a little late. I’ll be right there…yes, I know…I’m sorry…yes, I know where the Dolce shop is. I will be there soon. Okay, bye.”
Julia ended the call and leveled her gaze at him. “You said you had information about him, things that he’d done that would change my mind. Was that it?”
Kyle pressed his lips together, clasping his hands together until his knuckles went white. He was becoming agitated, and Julia suddenly felt nervous and very glad she’d brought James.
“I can’t…there are things, Julia, that he’s done–”
“What?” she interrupted.
“I can’t tell you if you’re just going to go back to him. But it’ll all come out. I just…want you away from him when it does.”
Julia flicked her gaze to the cloudy sky again. “That’s not going to happen. And if you don’t have any other details, then this conversation–”
“Please don’t leave. I’m…I just…I care about you. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. I don’t want to see you hurt. I can help you. I can protect you.”
Julia rose, her purse clutched in her hands. “I don’t need protection from Grant. Stop this ridiculous campaign to smear my husband’s name.”
“Julia, wait…” Kyle raced after her as she strode toward the car.
“Whoa, whoa, I don’t think so,” James said, blocking him from coming near her.
“Julia! Julia, you’re going to regret this,” he shouted as she ducked into the backseat of the car. James slammed the door shut, drowning out his pleas before he slid in behind the wheel. Julia chewed her lower lip, trying to dismiss his ranting as idle threats.
She offered James a glance through the rearview mirror as he fired the engine. “Please don’t say I told you so.”
“No judgment. I actually think it’s pretty fantastic you just did that for Mr. Harrington.”
She offered him a smile as they pulled away from the curb, leaving a disgruntled-looking Kyle behind.
“All ready to shop?”
Julia sucked in a breath. “Not really. That solved nothing. We’re no further ahead than we were before.”
“Maybe the shopping is just the thing you need, then.”
“Maybe,” she answered doubtfully as they navigated to the shopping district.
James eased the car to a stop outside the handbag shop and helped Julia from the car. “Straight inside and stay there while I park the car, got it?”
“Yes,” she said with a nod before she strode into the store.
“There you are,” Sierra’s sharp voice said.
Julia found her comparing two large bags, one hanging around each arm. “Sorry, I’m late. It’s been a long day already.”
Sierra arched her eyebrow. “Whatever. We’re supposed to be shopping and bonding.”
“Right. Which bag do you like?” Julia asked, trying to shove away the tension of her last meeting.
“Both.” She dumped them both with the salesgirl and looped her arm through Julia’s. “Now, it’s your turn.”
“I really don’t need a new purse.”
“Yes, you do. This one is hideous. You’re Mrs. Grant Harrington. You need at least two of these, maybe three. Someone may start to think Daddy is neglecting you.”
Julia chuckled at the joke as Sierra offered her the choice between a bright pink bag and a red one. She tried to shake off the heaviness of the encounter with Kyle.
“The red,” Julia answered as James slipped into the store.
“I see you have a bodyguard,” Sierra said as she eyed James. “You haven’t said anything to Daddy about what you saw before…about us?”
“No, and I’m not going to. But, Sierra, why keep it a secret?”
“You don’t understand, Julia. It’s complicated.”
Julia weighed pursuing it, but the tension at her temples stopped her. Sierra ripped the red purse from her hands and tossed it back on the shelf. “You know what, this is all wrong. None of these are good. Let’s go somewhere else.”
“O-okay,” Julia stuttered, confusion setting in as Sierra pulled her past the checkout counter.
“Have those two put on my account and sent to Harrington House,” she said as they strode toward the door.
James followed them outside. As the cool breeze hit Julia, she froze. Something seemed off. A nondescript, battered white van screeched to a halt, its tires leaving black streaks on the pavement. Three assailants, faces obscured by ski masks, leapt from inside with chilling efficiency.
The sharp crack of a gunshot and the spray of blood from James’s shoulder left Julia disoriented, her ears ringing as hands clamped onto her arm and dragged her toward the van.
Time slowed. She flicked her gaze back to James who slumped against the shop’s doors, pain etched on his face. Fear and guilt surged in her.
“James!”
Julia’s heart pounded, each beat echoing her shock. Her breath came in short, sharp gasps as she struggled to free herself. The world spun around her, and she found herself shoved into the van.
“Help!” Julia screamed. She tried to climb out, but the door slammed in her face as the van sped away from the shop. Julia swallowed hard as she realized they’d just been kidnapped.