Chapter 17
Ridge
I’m zipping up my laptop bag when my phone buzzes against the desk. It’s Cole, my deputy. I tap the screen and lift it to my ear.
“Talk to me.”
“Dr. Keller’s residence is secured.” Cole gets straight to it.
“There are new locks on the front and balcony doors. The bar is in. The glass-break sensors have been tested and are functional. We put motion sensors in the hallway, and both panic buttons are working. We’ve got a guard on the parking level and another at the front desk, twenty-four-seven from tonight. ”
“And the cameras?”
“The extra cameras and the biometric upgrade will only be finished tomorrow. We’re still at the hospital, finishing up there. We couldn’t do both at once with what we have on the ground and with the security guards in place, I felt that the hospital was more important at this stage.”
“What does the hospital look like right now?”
“There are extra security males at every entrance and exit. Two on the staff parking level, and another two roving the lower floors. We’ll need a day or two to get everything actioned, but we’re on it. Should be wrapped up by Friday.”
“Good work.” I check my watch. “Keep me posted.”
“You got it.”
I end the call and drop the phone into the inside pocket of my jacket. At least I can sleep tonight knowing Robyn is safe. Whoever was on her balcony last night isn’t getting near her again.
I look up.
She’s hard at work, all her attention on her computer. There’s a small frown between her brows, and she’s chewing on her lower lip. Her hair is up, but pieces have fallen loose around her face.
I’m still not sure how I managed to turn her down last night.
It was the right call.
I clear my throat, and she looks up.
“That was my 2IC, Cole,” I tell her. “Everything is in order at your apartment. The new locks are in. The sensors and panic buttons are all live. There’s a guard at the front desk and another on the parking level. You’re safe for the night.”
She blows out a breath.
“Thank you.”
“The rest of the upgrades will be completed tomorrow. They’re finishing up here at the hospital first. Until then, we’ll have eyes on the building.”
“That’s—”
There’s a knock on the door.
Carla pokes her head in, then steps inside. She’s carrying a dress bag over her arm and has a box in her hand.
“Sorry to interrupt.” She looks between us. “Have you tried the dress on yet, Dr. Keller?”
Robyn winces. “No. I haven’t had a chance. I’ll do it shortly. I promise. Just give me—”
“I’m not leaving for the day until you try it on.” Carla puts a box on the small table in the corner with a flourish. “The function is tomorrow night. If this dress doesn’t fit, we need time to fix it or replace it. Please, Doctor.”
Robyn pushes back from her desk and stands. “Fine. I’ll try it on.”
“Thank you.”
“What function?” I ask.
They both look at me.
“There is a fundraiser tomorrow,” Carla says.
“The hospital has several every year; this is the most important event of the year for the hospital. It’s at one of the function venues out in the Old Quarter.
There will be lots of important people in attendance.
They raise an obscene amount of money for the hospital every year.
It’s one of the main reasons we have the equipment we do. ”
I look at Robyn. “I’ll be attending with you, unless you already have a date?”
She licks her lips.
“I can’t let you go alone, Dr. Keller.”
She looks up and then back at me, looking guilty as fuck. She’s about to lie to me again. I can see it on her face, the small tell at the corner of her jaw.
I lift my brows at her, holding her gaze.
Don’t do it!
I narrow my eyes at her.
“If you have a date,” I tell her, “I’ll be forced to attend as a bodyguard. One way or the other, I will be there.”
She sighs.
“You’re overreacting.”
“Just like I was overreacting last night?”
Her cheeks pink up.
“With respect, he’s not overreacting, Dr. Keller.” Carla folds her arms and looks between us. “The island isn’t safe right now. Someone tried to break into your apartment last night.”
“I know, I know.” Robyn rubs the back of her neck. “I just… I don’t even know if I can add a plus one the day before the function. The guest list was finalized weeks ago.”
“Leave it to me.” Carla waves a hand. “I’ll handle it. They’re not going to say no. You’re the guest of honor. They’ll allow you to bring a date.”
Carla turns to me. “It’s black tie, Ridge. Are you going to be okay with that? Do you need me to rent you something?”
“It won’t be a problem.”
“Excellent.” She pulls out her phone. “I’ll send the details across to you tonight. If there is anything else you need, let me know.”
“Great.”
Robyn is staring at me in a way that suggests she would very much like to throw something at my head. I keep my face neutral.
I finish packing up my laptop, slide the lead into the side pocket, and zip the bag.
“Ladies, I’ll wish you both a good evening.” I sling the bag over my shoulder and look at Robyn. “You have my number. Call if you are concerned about anything.”
She nods. “I will. Thank you, Commander.”
“Goodnight, Ridge.” Carla is bright and smiley. “Drive safely.”
“Goodnight.”
“Let’s get you into this dress,” I hear Carla say as I head down the hallway and through the staff door, out into the visitors’ lot where I parked.
I hit the unlock on my key. The car blinks at me.
I’m halfway through the drive home when I notice a line of SUVs behind me.
They’re all black with tinted windows and matching my speed.
My dragon goes still under my skin.
My phone lights up on the passenger seat with a message from Councilor Reed.
Pull over.
Here we go.
I pull off at the next side road. A quiet stretch lined with low warehouses, mostly closed for the day. I park half on the verge and kill the engine.
The lead SUV slides past me and stops about thirty feet ahead. The two behind close in and stop. I’m boxed in front and back.
The back door of the rear SUV opens.
A male in a dark suit gets out. He’s a big shifter. More than likely Council security. He walks up to my window, and I push the button to lower it.
“Evening, Commander. Come with me, please.”
I get out, lock my car, and follow him to the rear SUV. He opens the door, and I duck inside.
As expected, Reed is in the back seat.
She’s in a dark coat with the collar turned up, her silver-streaked hair pulled back. She doesn’t look happy at all. She looks tired, like she would rather be anywhere else.
“Councilor.”
“Ridge.” She turns toward me. “I don’t have long, and I’m sure you have somewhere you need to be.”
I nod.
“I wanted you to hear this directly from me. There has been some evidence found on three of the individuals on the list. One of them is being pulled in tonight, as we speak. The other two need further investigating, but it isn’t looking good for them, either.”
I take a slow breath in. “Right.”
“Which means there is a very good chance your mark is guilty. Everything we’re finding is pointing in that direction.”
Damn!
“I’m working on Dr. Keller.” My voice is even. “So far, I have found nothing to suggest she’s involved. I don’t have a smoking gun for her or against her. I’ve searched her home, her office, and all of her electronic devices and have found nothing, but I’ll keep digging.”
“Good. She might have a safety deposit box or somewhere in the hospital where she’s hiding a burner. There has to be something.”
I hope not.
“I will stick to it. I’m nothing if not thorough.”
“Indeed.” Reed looks at me for a long beat. Her expression shifts. It goes softer, and I don’t like it at all.
My gut tightens.
“Tell me,” I finally say. It isn’t like her to hold back like this.
“There is no easy way to say this; one of the three who are looking guilty,” she says, “is Magma.”
Crap!
NO!
It can’t be.
“No.” I shake my head once. “Not Magma. Whatever they’ve got on him, it’s wrong, or it’s been planted, or—”
“I know what you’re going to say.” Reed lifts a hand.
“I know what he is to you. I would not be telling you this if I weren’t sure.
The evidence is there, Ridge. It’s circumstantial right now, but it’s consistent.
We’re still building the case. We don’t have enough to move on him yet, which is why I’m telling you what I’m about to tell you. ”
I wait.
“Stay away from him. Don’t go to him. Don’t warn him. Don’t interfere in any way. I’m trusting you with this information because I know what kind of male you are. I’m trusting you to remain professional. To not give anything away, and to keep digging on Dr. Keller.”
Fuck!
What the hell am I going to do?
I nod once.
“I mean it, Ridge. Your career will be over if you breathe so much as a word.”
“He isn’t guilty. There is no way. I don’t believe it.”
“If that’s the case, we’ll find evidence to support that theory. For what it’s worth, I don’t believe it either, but we need to keep working the case.”
“I won’t say anything.” I have to clear my throat before I get the next part out.
“You can trust me. I’ll do what it takes.
He doesn’t hear a thing from me. He doesn’t see anything off in my behavior.
I’ll keep on Dr. Keller. But you have to promise me that you will make sure that whoever is investigating him does a proper job.
That they uncover everything. That they look for signs that evidence was planted.
This is all too convenient, if you ask me.
There is no way the Mainland has this many of our key players in their pocket. I don’t believe it.”
“Neither do I.”
She studies my face. Whatever she finds there must be enough, because she gives me a small, tight nod.
“Thank you.” She rests a hand briefly on my forearm and then takes it away. “I’ll get information to you as soon as anything new comes in. For now, sit tight. Carry on as if this conversation didn’t happen.”
“Understood.”
“I’m sorry, Ridge.”
“Please don’t apologize, Councilor. I am certain that he will be found innocent in due course.”
“I hope you are right. It’s imperative that we remain impartial, if possible. Otherwise, we can’t be effective in our roles.”
I know that this is a warning where Robyn is concerned. Magma, too, I guess.
“For sure.”
“Good luck. Keep me updated.”
“I will.”
The male outside opens the door. I step out, and the SUV pulls away within seconds, the other two falling in behind it. They’re gone before I’ve made it back to my own vehicle.
I stand there in the dark for a moment, my hand on the door handle.
Magma has been more of a mentor than my own father, who died when I was very young. He was there for me the night my mother died. My jaw tightens when I think about how he showed up at my place with a six-pack of beer and just sat with me until the sun came up.
There has to be something else. Some other explanation.
I get into my car. Pull the door shut. Start the engine.
My gut is churning the whole way home.
I smell a whole bunch of rats. I don’t buy it. Not for a second.