23 The Investigation
Dash
Stone’s fingers were a blur while moving over the keyboard. His gaze stayed glued to one of the three monitors on his desk, displaying a page of line by line blacked out text. He turned the monitor my way. “They released the complaint, but most of it’s redacted. Why release it then?”
“My father’s trying to play the victim,” I explained, barely glancing up as I thumbed through the physical mail left for me on Stone’s desk. “It’s the reason for every extra moment we took to get this right. Why’s the sound system off?”
“It’s not off in your office,” Stone replied, still typing. “Upstairs complained the music you were selecting was too distracting.”
Distracting? A soft instrumental?
Heat crept over me. I began to feel my own sense of harassment from my team. Every last one of them needed to be placed on disciplinary action for having no refinement or taste for a better life. Music equaled the path to great things.
“Maybe you should,” Stone said, his eyes finally lifting to give me a knowing look.
“Did I say that out loud?” I asked, though I knew the answer.
“No.” His gaze moved back to the screen. “I know you too well. You want to begin the process of firing everyone who works for you.” Yeah. He proved he’d read my thoughts accurately. “I say we should move them to a new building where they can’t mess with this vibe. It’s a great office.”
Luckily, before I inked that decision in place, my cell phone vibrated in my front pants pocket. I was surprised to see Lon’s name on a text. We rarely texted or emailed for that matter, strictly staying professional. All other communication was done privately, through untraceable measures.
“Richmond Holdings has responded.”
“Stone’s reading it now. They’re ridiculous. We’re gonna have a madhouse on our hands. I’ll call you back.”
Before the words were fully out of my mouth, the telephone’s control panel lit up like a Christmas tree in the darkness of night. Instantly, every line flashed with an incoming call. Even though we’d kept a very low profile, and the last few days since filing the complaint had been quiet, I’d sent a directive for my staff to consider working from home. Those few here were the diehards. The ones who didn’t like life outside of work, or music, or happiness, for that matter.
I had also approved private protection for Brianne, Stone, Beau, Amelia, and the children. I’d expanded it to include the women listed in the complaint. The expenses in this case were through the roof and we’d barely begun.
I left Stone at his desk and headed for my office to see what was being said online.
“Beau’s barreling up in his old fishing pickup, tires screeching and so on,” Stone said through the intercom system he used even though I was feet away. “Seems dramatic.”
“Hmm.” I stood behind my desk. When my husband was riled up, he rarely kept quiet. His voice carried, loud and unapologetic. I waited, knowing he’d storm through the door, straight for my office. Once here, Stone generally shut the door behind Beau, and stopped actively listening to give Beau privacy, certainly not me.
I heard the bells clang against the door as it was slammed open.
“Where is he?” Beau announced angrily. “Stone, you need to pack this up and go home. If you need help, I’ll take you,” he said with authority, as if he had the right to dismiss my staff.
The clomp of his booted feet came through my office door, and he scanned the room. His cell phone was at his ear.
“The sorry bastards made all this public like it hadn’t been hangin’ over their heads for a few days. They’re attackin’ you and said the allegations are a malicious attempt to ruin their family’s bullshit values. They’re talkin’ about you like you’re a piece of shit they were forced to do away with. They’re givin’ a further public statement at four o’clock. Come on, you gotta go home. I need to get the kids. Everyone needs to stay home and be safe.”
His frustration ended with his hands flying through the air then dropping to his sides. Whoever was on the phone was forgotten.
“They’re stirrin’ people up against the way we live. Scott says it has to be bots, but it hit social media hard, everywhere instantly. You’re immediately trendin’. It had to be a planned attack. It’s not gonna be safe for you or Stone. Not in today’s world. We gotta get you home.” His thumb tossed over his shoulder. “I was buyin’ bait and Scott called. That’s why I was here so fast.”
Stone came to the middle of the doorway, arms crossing worriedly over his chest, concentrating on Beau. I understood where Beau’s anxiety came from, but as I stared at my guy in his best fishing attire, his smell wafted toward me. It wasn’t great. There was zero chance I was getting into the cab of his truck. I felt sure Stone agreed.
My phone began a rapid-fire succession of texts from my colleagues and friends.
“ Game time. ”
“ Keep your head up. ”
“ The mudslinging has started. It appears you’re the target. ”
“ I’ll respond with a public statement. Stay low. ” That one came from Lon and was a rare statement of concern, which validated Beau’s unease.
“I forwarded the phones to Lon’s office,” Stone said, his fingers hovering over his nose as if to fend off Beau’s odors. “And told the people in the office to go home.”
“Lon’s handling the communication,” I explained to Beau. “I miscalculated the depth of finger pointing. I didn’t expect what you’re saying to happen so swiftly. They must have hired a marketing firm to bombard social media. Let’s get everyone home and reconvene from there.” Stone didn’t need to be told twice. He was gone, closing down his station. My inner chaos was working overtime which made my outward calm close to comatose. I reached for my suit coat, shrugging it on.
“Babe, I love how you’re here to put yourself between me and harm’s way, but everyone just needs to take a calming breath, which is hard to do with the way you smell,” I explained.
“I’ve been cleanin’ fish. Why’s that even a concern?” Beau asked, aggravated, coming at me as I started out of my office.
“Is Beau taking me home?” Stone asked. “I have Febreze.”
“Of course, he’s not taking you home. I’m paying an exorbitant amount of money for your safety. You’re fine,” I said, locking my office door behind Beau. “Are you following me?”
“Yeah,” Beau said, shaking his head at the obvious absurd question as he started out of the building. Once outside, the sun was shining brightly, the birds chirping. If the chaos was in fact true, it wasn’t reaching us yet, which had to be a good sign.
“I love you,” I added, splitting from him to head to my parking spot.
“What does that matter right now?” he asked, following me. “The kids don’t even know about the security people. That school’s front office can be dense. Have you told them…”
Beau was apparently the other thing I didn’t plan for properly. He loved me by pushing my head down and inside the vehicle as I lifted into the Tahoe.
I locked him out as soon as I could and started the engine.
Hours later, Beau and I sat on the edge of the mattress in our bedroom with the door shut and locked, the television on. The media frenzy outside Richmond Holdings’ Dallas headquarters had reached a fever pitch, blocking traffic for miles. Every local and national media outlet was present, based on the sheer volume of cameras waiting for my father’s arrival. Their calculated response included both old- and new-school tactics, mainstream media, as well as all social sites covering this breaking news story.
My leg bounced, the tension was unbearable.
Beau’s steely palm landed on my thigh. “It doesn’t matter what they say. You’ve proved your case. You’re in the right. We’ll get through it.”
I wished I believed him. If Richmond Holdings effectively turned the court of public opinion into believing this was a personal vendetta, the claimants would be branded liars and receive hell. It was coming for them anyway, but I hoped it would come after a substantial plea offer. They were behaving as if we were headed to court the next day.
“Maybe I should have just handed this off to another firm,” I said, allowing my other leg to bounce since Beau stopped the first.
“Shh, it’s startin’,” Beau said, his focus only on the screen.
I watched the show my father and brothers put on, their wives standing dutifully by their side. They were dressed in their finest. Their council led the charge. I hadn’t seen them this united since maybe when we were here in Sea Springs, opening the resort, when I was sixteen years old. My father had gained weight and appeared older than I remembered him.
He’d also won against this town, burying the livelihood of everyone here without a backward glance. He was ruthless to his core.
My thoughts shifted, realizing how I didn’t fit with them any longer, not in appearance or values. My hair was darker, my frame was taller, leaner, and overall in better shape. I was happy… At least until the last few months. Their stern features were set in place. The combative attitude was natural, not a performance, making it easier to play the lying victims.
“Stupid motherfucker,” Beau growled quietly. “I hate your old man. Try to come for us.”
Beau caused me to tune into the words being spoken. I’d have to double back to listen more closely when I had time. All I managed to hear was Collin, the brother closest to my age, coming to the microphone, introducing himself.
“We’re certain these false claims are nothing more than a shakedown. To prove to the world that Richmond Holdings has nothing to hide, I’m personally authorizing Stuart Intelligence, an independent investigation company, to conduct a thorough internal review of every allegation alleged against us. We will prevail.”
Stuart? Until right that moment, I believed Stuart Intelligence was an integrity-driven international investigation company. I didn’t believe they could be bought. Perhaps, I was wrong.
“Fuck, these people. Thank God, I never had to know them,” Beau barked at the screen. At the same time, the doorbell rang. We both glanced in that direction. Seconds later, Amelia was banging on our bedroom door.
“Dasham, the authorities are at our front door. They can see me right now through the windows. Do I answer?” she called, fearfully.
“You know, they’ve been fuckin’ waitin’ to show up,” Beau barked, pushing off the mattress and heading toward the door. “I assume they’ve been called by the man who still owns the biggest hotel in the area to question the safety of my children, due to my sexuality, and our livin’ conditions. Not any real harm happenin’ to them.”
Thanks to Beau’s insistence, all our ducks were in a row. We were a legal family, but my father was connected in Texas, boundaries could easily be blurred.
“I sent the children to your mom’s house,” Amelia said when Beau popped open the door. “They’re through the fence line.” Her voice was shaky, her face paling. I followed Beau out, seeing a police cruiser and sedan parked in front of the house.
“This is only for show, Amelia,” I said. “They’re trying to make me out to be the bad guy, so I’ll drop the case.”
“I want to drop your father,” Beau murmured, harshly.
“Go to Linda’s house,” I said to Amelia. “Take the dogs with you. Beau, let me handle it. Stay quiet. They don’t need to see your anger.”
Two armed police officers stood behind a lady in a suit. I recognized her from court, a child protection service agent.
“What could you possibly want?” Beau asked angrily, swinging the door open wide.
“Beau, let me handle it,” I said sternly, stepping in front of him, speaking to the woman. “I expected you. Perhaps not this soon, but I knew I’d be hearing from you. Would you like to come inside to talk?”
“Come in?” Beau hissed behind me. “Of course, they’re not comin’ in.”
“Beau,” I said, my chin tilting over my shoulder, talking firmly to him. “This is nothing more than a formality. I did make them aware of the class suit, and a possible retaliation call. Go calm down. No one is questioning our parenting. When you’re yourself, come back. Until then, I’ll handle this.”
I used my body to cut him off from the others, swinging an arm out to invite the three inside.
“Since we were first together, his father has done everything to destroy Dash…”
Omigod, he had to stop. I swung around, my palms landing on his chest, and pushed. My gaze pleaded with him. “Seriously, go to Scott’s. I’ll handle this. Keep your phone on.”
Beau glanced down at me, then past me to the agent before rolling his eyes and heading toward the back door. “I’ll be on the porch if you need me.”
“Perfect,” I murmured, exhaling slowly. As much as I hated to admit it, I could already see a full CPS investigation looming on the horizon. We had nothing to hide, but even the process could be damaging if spun the wrong way.
Turning back to the trio, I forced a polite smile. Inside, I was fighting an internal battle, every nerve ending in my body screaming to stay sharp.
This wasn’t about me or my family. We were in a battle of right versus wrong, good versus evil.
I led the three into the living room, my mind already mapping the conversation. Calm, measured, and cooperative. Every word, every gesture, had to serve the bigger picture. We couldn’t let my father’s theatrics derail the truth. Yes, I misjudged how fast things would deteriorate, but I was caught up now.
I squared my shoulders, ready for the fight of my life.
“Can I get you something to drink?”