Chapter 17 #2
He twisted in his seat, lowering his voice as best he could to keep the conversation private. “I said we’ll handle it.”
“I know, Ace. And I know you’re doing your best there, but this is getting…out of control here.”
“Yes, I know that.”
“Okay, sorry. I’m just…we’ll talk later, okay?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“I’ll call you after a few rounds of Doctor Mario.”
“Talk to you then.”
With a deep exhale, he tossed the phone on his desk with a shake of his head. He was being torn in two, and the pressure was taking its toll on him.
As he raised his eyes, he found both Grant and Julia focused on him. He forced a smile. “Wives, am I right, Big G?”
Grant cleared his throat. “I hope everything’s okay.”
“Ava’s got it under control,” he assured them.
Julia’s voice softened, her concern manifesting. “Grant’s right…if there’s trouble brewing that needs your attention–”
Ava’s words echoed in his mind. We need them. “Careful, Sunshine, my ego is getting bruised.”
She chuckled at the joke before she answered. “We really appreciate your help, but not at Ava’s expense.”
“Ava’s a big girl, she’s just frustrated. Let’s finish what we’re doing here.” The best thing he could do was finish with the Harringtons’ problems once and for all, then get them on his side to help in the Hamptons.
Julia returned her eyes to the screen, shaking her head a few moments later. “There’s nothing here.”
Alex wrinkled his nose at the detail. “It was a long shot. I’ll keep digging at the security company to see if I can find any clues the hacker left behind.”
Julia closed the top of the laptop and set it on the table in front of her. “What kind of clues would a hacker leave?”
“Sometimes there are breadcrumbs. Sometimes they’re stupid enough to leave a calling card.”
“A calling card?” Grant asked as he rose and tugged the chair back into place.
Alex continued to pound on his keys. “Yes. Some of these jokers will actually leave a digital trail behind taking credit for the act.”
“Why would they do that?” Grant asked.
“Because they believe that only someone as smart as them will find it.” Alex centered his gaze on Grant. “And they believe no one is as smart as them.”
“Okay, uh, well, good luck. Let’s hope they did that,” Grant said. “I guess we’ll leave you to it unless there’s anything else we can do.”
Alex continued to tap at his keyboard. “No. Get some sleep. I’ll keep at it for a few more hours. Do not knock on my door before eleven.”
“Right. I’ll let Worthington know,” Grant said as he slipped his hand around Julia’s and tugged her toward the door.
“Thanks, Alex. See you tomorrow,” Julia said before they stepped into the hall.
As the door clicked shut, Alex heaved a sigh, sinking his head into his hands. The situation in New Orleans needed to be finished and fast so he could get home and deal with the many concerning situations in the Hamptons.
He grabbed his phone, ready to call Ava back and get more details on the tricky situation with Chris and Raven when he spotted the image he’d snapped of the key.
Maybe that could open up an avenue to explore, but he didn’t want to sleuth that clue. He was far better suited behind his computer. If only Ava was here.
“But maybe another blonde…” He searched for Julia’s sister, Alicia’s number, finding it and explaining the information to her in a lengthy text, tasking her with following up on the key.
After a few more hours of the digital search, he’d found little that would point the police in another direction, however, a text from Alicia gave him hope for a swift solution.
Julia found something in the old Victorian.
Looks like it’ll be enough evidence to prove that Lydia’s current husband was the guilty party.
Alex smiled down at the news, wondering what the evidence was, though it didn’t matter. As long as the issue was solved and the Harringtons were in the clear, he could finally begin to focus on The Board and the tricky situation with Ava.
Alex blew out a sigh of relief as he considered calling her, but he shook his head as he crawled between the sheets. He wasn’t going to contact her until he knew he had the Harringtons’ help.
After a few hours of sleep, he arose to pack, receiving word that the police had officially shifted their investigation to the substandard supposed tech guru who had married Lydia Harrington recently.
As he stowed his stuff in his suitcase, a knock sounded at the door. He tugged it open, a grin crossing his features as he recognized Julia. “Sunshine, come in.”
Julia wandered inside, her eyes falling to his duffel bag. “Worthington said you were getting ready to leave.”
He crossed to the desk and grabbed his power cord, wrapping it up. “That I am. There are a few fires burning at home that I need to get to.”
Julia winced before offering him an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t intend for this to be so…involved, but I cannot thank you enough. Sierra’s pictures, Kyle, the company, the murder. Alex, without you…we never would have been able to resolve any of this.”
“Ah, I don’t believe that, kid,” he said as he shoved a few other items into his bag. “Of course, you wouldn’t have done it as fast and with as much tech savvy, but I’m relatively certain you saved the old man from a murder charge and managed to escape a kidnapping before you called me for help.”
Julia offered a soft chuckle. “I did, yes. It’s been…a whirlwind two years.”
“Sounds like it.” He tossed his laptop into the bag and zipped it shut. “But it should be smooth sailing from here on out?”
Julia raised her eyes to the ceiling as she sucked in a breath. “Gosh, I hope so. This family needs to heal.”
They chatted a few more moments about Julia’s future plans before she wrapped him in a friendly embrace and said, “I really do have to thank you again, though. You went above and beyond. We’ll never be able to repay you for this.
Oh,” she added as she pulled back, “Grant did say to tell you he’ll be looking to buy back the company soon. ”
“Good. I look forward to handing HG back to him. I don’t like to dirty my portfolio with energy companies,” he said with a wrinkled nose.
She chuckled at the tongue-in-cheek statement. “We’ll be in touch. And please tell Ava we are so sorry to take you away from her and whatever is going on at home.”
“Oh, I will.” He narrowed his eyes at her again. “About that…”
“Yeah?” she prompted as his voice trailed off.
His pulse quickened as he prepared to finally secure their support. “You keep talking about repaying me…and it’s not necessary, but if you’re interested, I may have a way.”
Her eyebrows shot up as she studied his face. “I’d love to hear it. You were instrumental in solving our problems, it’s the least we can do.”
“Ava and I are…having a little issue on the homefront. We’d love to have your help sorting through it. And what with all your experience with investigations, your insight is likely invaluable.”
“I don’t know about that, but I would be more than happy to help you in any way that I can.”
He grinned at her, pleased to have done what Ava asked. “Then consider the debt repaid. I’ll text you when I’m home. We’ll talk dates. You’re going to love the Hamptons.”
She smiled at him. “I’ll let Grant know.”
Alex pushed through the door into the hall. “I look forward to it, kid. I’ll see myself out.”
Julia offered him another parting hug before he slung his bag over his shoulder and headed for the door. Despite being pleased he’d finally confirmed the Harringtons’ help, he swallowed hard. This firestorm had been quashed, but what was waiting for him on his own doorstep?