Chapter 52 #2
“You’re right, Kat,” she says, her gaze never wavering from mine.
“I could have gone against orders and told you all. And don’t think for one moment I wasn’t tempted.
” She inclines her head. “You’re my family.
Robert was the father I never had.” Her voice cracks, but she coughs, allowing herself to continue.
“What would you have done? The agency I work for couldn’t pin it on them.
They had covered their tracks, even set up a patsy to take the fall.
All you would have done is spent the past seven years living half a life, knowing they were out there, but that there was nothing you could do to stop them. ”
Her voice catches, and it hits me. That’s exactly what she’s gone through.
I step forward, pushing Elijah out of the way and pulling my best friend into my arms.
“I’m sorry, Pen. Oh God, I’m so sorry,” I whisper against her shoulder. “I’m sorry you had to carry that burden alone.”
Pen lets out a sob, and I tighten my arms around her, my floodgates opening.
How long we stand there rocking each other, sharing our grief, I don’t know. But we grieve together, for the man we both loved, and who was stolen from us.
It’s Elijah who finally breaks through.
“We need to call the files in, Kat,” he says. “The case is struggling. They’re missing pieces. These might be them.”
Pen steps back, her bloodshot eyes locking on mine. Questioning.
“Do what you have to do,” I say, my limbs suddenly incredibly heavy.
I leave them standing in my spare bedroom, making my way back into the main area, sinking down onto the sofa and picking up a now cold coffee.
Elijah follows me, dropping into the chair opposite, his large frame filling it.
“I wanted to tell you,” he says.
“I know.”
“But it wouldn’t have done any good.”
As I stare around me, a hollow feeling settling in my chest.
“It’s over.”
“What’s over?” Elijah asks, his brows knitting together as he stares at me.
“All this,” I say, with a sad smile. “The photos, the tape recordings.” He hasn’t realised they were all recorded on hotel property. I recognise the photos. I’m sure the video footage is no different.
Elijah shrugs, clearly not understanding the enormity of what I uncovered.
I shake my head.
“Dad used the hotel to spy on our guests, Eli. When it comes out, the FHG is finished. No one of any importance will want to stay here, hold meetings or conferences at our hotels. I’m sure I was working here at the time, so deniability won’t work. Everyone will think I was complicit.”
There’s a knock at the door.
Elijah reaches for me, his eyebrows folding inwards as his nose crinkles.
Pulling away, I shake my head.
He pauses.
I’m holding on by a thread. No more comfort. It is what it is. I only hope the information I’m about to hand over is enough to nail the bastards once and for all. Dad must have felt it was worth it, so I’m trusting him.
“That was fast,” I say, knowing Pen must have called ahead after I contacted them.
Elijah averts his gaze.
I get up and open the door. I am faced with a middle-aged woman in a dark pantsuit, her hair tied up in a severe chignon, her makeup flawless.
“Kathryn Frazer,” she says. “Pleased to finally meet you.”
“And you are?”
She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “An old friend of your father’s.”
Pen appears next to me, moving me aside, and it’s then I realise I’m blocking the doorway. The woman and her two goons enter.
Pen points to the spare room.
“Through there,” she says.
The woman nods, her eyes softening as she takes in Pen’s dishevelled appearance.
They disappear. Jax has made more coffee, which is now steaming on the table.
I take a seat next to him and wait.
The stranger reappears, her gaze moving to Pen’s. She nods, a silent message passing between them.
Pen moves next to me, taking my hand in hers.
“They’re the missing files?” I ask, earning myself a surprised look.
The woman walks towards us. I motion for her to take a seat. I can’t stand it when people stand when I’m sitting, and right now I’m not sure my legs will hold me up.
“Did you really have no idea what your father was doing?”
I shake my head, meeting her gaze.
“You were working with him closely.”
I let out a little huff of air. “I was learning the ropes. I was everywhere. I attended board meetings, had regular check-ins with him, but I was working my way through various departments, learning the business from the ground up. It’s the way my grandfather and father started.”
She opens her mouth, but I beat her to it. “No, I had no idea my father was spying on guests for you. Not that anyone is going to believe that.”
She nods. “Your father wanted to keep you out of it. You have just confirmed he did. Thank you, Ms Frazer.”
My hackles rise, but I clamp down on my frustration, masking the way I do best.
“What happens next?”
“I’d like for my team to investigate the contents on-site. Moving this number of boxes will raise questions.”
“I’ll close off this floor,” I tell her. Luckily, being suites, there are only a few up here, and Jax is booked into one. “I’ll have the remaining guests moved. That way, your team can come and go unhindered.”
“Thank you, that’s very much appreciated.”
“If you’re going to destroy everything he worked for, just make sure you get this right.”
She nods. No false promises, that everything will be okay.
My respect for her rises.
“I’ll leave you to it,” I say.
Pen squeezes my hand again, but I pull it back into my lap.
I need time to breathe, take stock. Work out my next move.