Chapter 3 #2
“What incredible pieces of shit,” rumbled Bryn, her dark eyes like ice.
Trill’s fingers were flying over her laptop keyboard. “What are their names, little sis?”
“Thom Geralt—and that’s Thom with an ‘h’—Clayton Tucker, Jack Webb, and Robert Hoyt.
” Brooke spelled their names for the management team.
“The name of their investment firm is Reflex Rebranding Group. I couldn’t dig out anything on them when I looked online.
They have this stupid little marketing website that says absolutely nothing, plus a contact email address and phone number that belongs to Hoyt. Other than that, bupkes.”
Teagan was busy texting back and forth with someone.
“The first thing you need to know, little sis, is that they are definitely not using their real names,” she said, reading the return message she had just received.
“We see it all the time in the protection and security industry. People who run scams for any reason always want to conceal their identities because they think they won’t get caught that way.
Fortunately, most of these dumb shits aren’t very good at hiding who they really are. ”
“However, in cases like these, where there is likely a long history of subterfuge,” said Drew, sending her own text, “scammers and embezzlers like these dudes know how to cover their tracks like a pro. Dara and I will take a look around Purgatory and see what we can dig up from that end.” Dara Cochran was Drew’s second; Purgatory was a shadowy place on the dark web where Drew and her team played.
“I appreciate this.” Brooke’s voice was quiet as she folded her arms over her chest. “But you know I’m still going to worry I’m taking too much time away from APS and its charter. There are women out there who need you way more than I do.”
Blake reached out and captured one of Brooke’s hands, tugging it down until it was lying on the table between them.
“Tigress, you are in no way preventing this organization from executing its charter. All our associates are amazing at what they do, our seconds—as well as the members of our teams—can reach us at a moment’s notice if they need us, so us taking the time to help you out is not going to take away from anything we’re doing.
” Brooke nodded, a look of relief on her face.
“Now, can you think of anything else you need to tell us right now?”
“I can’t think of anything. Except I’m grateful.
” Brooke fidgeted, then looked around the conference room at the caring faces looking back at her.
“Just with the little bit I tried to accomplish myself, I learned how incredibly hard it is to do what it is you do. Finding yourself at the end of your rope, with no idea where to go next, is not a nice place to be.”
Squeezing her hand, Blake said in a soft, gentle tone rarely heard from her, “And there is no reason you ever need to be in that place again, Brooke. We are your friends, and we are not about to let you handle something like this alone.” She glanced around the table. “Next steps?”
“Give me a day or two to run these fuckers down.” Trill was still on her laptop.
“These clowns may know how to bury their tracks, but I guarantee you nothing they’ve done or are trying to hide is so deep we can’t get to it.
In the meantime, Drew and Dara can sniff around in Purgatory to see what bubbles up, and Teag can get her telecommunications team working on her end.
I’ll let you know when I’m ready to report back. ”
“Since someone is apparently still a bit shaken from The Candyman’s goons busting down her front door, but didn’t bother to tell anyone,” the entire room stared at Brooke with raised brows as Blake continued, “a certain graphic artist is coming home with me, where she can feel safe. Jaim, I’d like you to take Lys to Brooke’s apartment with a few of our associates to get what she thinks Brooke will need. ” Jaime nodded.
Quietly, Brooke said, “I still have to work, Blake. Cask & Canvas is not my only client, not by a long shot. I can’t see how you would have room for my artist drawing table and all my supplies since they take up a lot of room. To be sure, you can’t drag my entire lighting system over there.”
Blake’s mouth curled up into a smile. “That’s going to be less of a problem than you think it is, tigress. As you know, all of my personal gaming stuff is in the main living area.
“But, while I occasionally do some work for Utopia at home in my second bedroom, which I use as another office, I prefer to do the bulk of it in the lab here in the APS complex itself. However, I still have full-spectrum lighting in my home office for those times I need to work on something there. We can switch out the bulbs to adjust the lighting however you need it to be, and there will be plenty of room for your artist drawing table and supplies. No worries.”
Standing up, Blake held her hand to Brooke, who took it as she stood up along with everyone else.
“Jaime and I will get the tigress settled at my place while we wait to hear back from everyone. At that point, based on what Trill, Drew, and Teagan learn, we’ll have a better idea of what we’re up against.” She smiled again, a not-very-nice smile this time.
“I don’t know why yet, but something is telling me this goes way deeper than simple embezzlement with these tools. Fuck if I know why since, like Brooke said, we don’t have a shred of proof, but there it is.”
Drew snorted as everyone moved to the door. “Because, for as much as you are an aggravating fucker and always have been, your instincts are better than any one of ours when it comes to shit like this. That’s why Utopia is the killer training facility it is.”
“Awwww, thank you, honey. I love you, too.” After Blake pursed her lips and made exaggerated kissing noises, Drew smacked her in the back of the head and rolled her eyes while the Utopia team lead grinned.
With her own snort, Brooke told Blake, “I see you’re still the same pain in the ass you’ve been since grade school.”
“And don’t forget it, tigress. Don’t ever forget it.”