Chapter 16
Sixteen
That Sunday, Michael went to church for the first time in a long time. He spent the rest of the day with Dani, Josh and Lily, and their kids. He had his first full night’s sleep in forever. And he couldn’t stop smiling.
For once, he’d woken up happy this morning, and it didn’t matter that it was a Monday. The workday flew by, and he couldn’t wait to share the news he’d just received with Dani.
He left the office and drove to pick her up for their afternoon meeting with Victor Bellmont. She hopped into the passenger side of his car when he pulled up to SL Trucking.
“Ready for this?” he asked.
“Almost. We have time for a drive-through coffee, don’t we?” She batted her eyelashes.
“I will make time for afternoon coffee.”
Her grin and kiss on the cheek made the day that much better.
He waited until they left the parking lot. “Hey, we finally got a hit on the BOLO out for Colter McCord.”
“Really? I’ve been wondering about him. I messaged his old buddies, and no one got back to me.”
“Colter’s mom is worried. She called, and she hasn’t heard from him since that day either. She gave us his friend’s name though. Booker Wilson.”
“Who’s that?”
“He also works at RWM, but we know him from somewhere else.”
“Where?”
“The bouncer at that bar in Southwold. He had a matching leopard tattoo. There’s a whole gang of them that hang out there and work for the garbage company. Think your new friends would have any info for us if we stop at O’Malley’s after this?”
She grabbed his arm and squeezed. “Yes!” She dropped her hands. “Wait. I can’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“My boss. If she finds out I’m investigating more than the numbers, I’m sunk. I’m supposed to, quote, ‘stay in my lane.’”
“What did you tell her about this interview?”
“I said I was assigned to write the Christmas newsletter and needed to do the interview to keep my cover. I kinda left out the part that it was self-assigned. But Shirley thought it was a great idea, and Silas was all for it.”
Michael hated going against an authority figure, but Dani was more capable than her boss realized. She shouldn’t be stuck with desk work when she was so good with people.
Still, he didn’t want Dani to get in trouble. “What can your boss do if you go out with your boyfriend and he happens to chat with Ron, Steve, and Denny at a bar? You’re not investigating so much as supporting me while I investigate my case.”
“True. Finding McCord is your case, not ours.”
“And Finn will meet us there. Once he heard there was an Irish pub in the city, I couldn’t keep him away if I wanted to.”
“So it’s set. After we interview Victor Bellmont, we’ll go to O’Malley’s.”
“Are you ready for Bellmont? We need to remember that you’re interviewing him like a reporter or journalist. Ask what sparked his interest in these particular charities.
We won’t get too far, but I want to see his personality, how he handles these situations, so I might poke or prod a little to get a reaction. ”
“Oooh, a little good cop, bad cop?”
“Something like that. I’ll go as your animal-loving boyfriend. I’ll gush a little, push a little, and we’ll see what makes this guy tick.”
“Sounds good.”
They parked in a large downtown garage, where Michael switched out his work shirt for a T-shirt and flannel.
He mussed his hair like Dani had when they’d sneaked into RWM, then switched to hiking boots before they walked a block to one of the taller skyscrapers.
Continental Transport’s office was on the seventeenth floor.
A male receptionist showed them to a suite of offices with Victor Bellmont’s name on the door. They waited on the high-end leather sofa. Dani looked right at home. If she was nervous, she didn’t show it. She flipped through a magazine on the side table.
“Why are you staring at me, weirdo?” Dani didn’t look up from the article about the art scene in Renegade.
“Just admiring the view.”
She laughed. “You’re so cheesy.”
But when he reached out his hand, she didn’t hesitate to take it.
Finally, the door behind the desk opened, and a woman in a crisp pant suit and flawless blonde bob walked out.
She looked flustered but gave them a weak smile.
“I’m so sorry to keep you waiting. I’m Martha Lintz.
How can I help you today?” She sounded almost breathless, like she’d just run up a flight of stairs and jogged a mile uphill.
Dani stood and shook Martha’s hand. “I’m Dani Kim, and this is my boyfriend, Michael. We had an appointment to talk with Victor Bellmont.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Mr. Bellmont is out of the office. But I’d be happy to answer any questions you have. He always says I practically run the company anyway.”
Dani looked at Michael and then turned back to Martha. “When we made the appointment, it was our understanding we’d be talking directly with Mr. Bellmont. Can you tell us when he’ll be back?”
Martha shrugged and lifted empty hands. “I’m not sure who you talked with when the appointment was made, but I do apologize.
Mr. Bellmont is a very busy man, and to be honest, he’s rarely here.
In fact, right now he’s on his way to Europe to work out some trade agreements.
And knowing him, he’ll make new connections and plan more meetings, and I’ll be here trying to pick up the pieces again.
” She gestured to the desk and the two cushy chairs facing it.
“But please. Come, sit. I’ll happily answer any questions you have.
The note said you work for one of the Continental companies? ”
Dani and Michael took the chairs while Martha moved behind the desk and sat. She straightened up the lone pen that lay haphazardly in the middle of the shiny surface.
Dani perched on the edge of the seat rather than settling deep into it.
She opened her phone and typed into it like she was taking notes.
“I work at SL Trucking. I wanted to do an article for our company holiday newsletter, highlighting all the nonprofit endeavors Continental companies are involved in. My understanding is that Mr. Bellmont is the one behind this philanthropic move.”
“Oh yes. He has one of the biggest hearts of anyone you’ll ever meet.” Martha’s smile didn’t match her eyes. Probably came from running the show while her boss gallivanted around the globe.
“He must have deep pockets too.” Michael crossed his leg and rested his ankle on his opposite knee. If he couldn’t prod the giant himself, he’d have to poke at the gatekeeper and see what shook loose.
Martha’s fake smile faltered. Guess she didn’t hide her irritation very well.
“Yes, you could say that. But he lives a simple life himself. He hates the spotlight, but he’s tireless in his efforts to help those with the biggest needs.
In fact, this weekend, one of our fundraising events will be held right here in the building.
They’re already working to transform the conference center downstairs into a jungle for our Save the Javan Rhino gala.
I’d love to share more about that for your newsletter, if you like. ”
“Will Mr. Bellmont be at the event?” Dani asked
“I do hope so. But like I said, he’s a very busy man.” However, Martha’s look said Don’t hold your breath.
She must be used to covering for him.
Dani typed into her phone again and looked up. “Does he have any family?”
“Sadly, no.” Martha folded her hands on the desktop. “His legacy will be all the ways he has made this world a better place. Keeping the rhinos alive, the hospitals and research he funds, the foundations for small businesses he sponsors in developing countries. These are his children.”
Michael refrained from rolling his eyes. Sounded like a marketing line.
Or a eulogy.
“Wow, I really wish we could’ve met him.” Dani reached for the notepad on the desk. “Would it be possible to leave my number, and if he pops in at all, would you call me?”
“I’ll do my best, but like I said, he’s very busy and very hard to nail down, even for me. And I’m the one running his life.” Martha gave a little chuckle.
Dani passed Martha her number and they left.
“That was a flop.” Dani sighed. “I really thought we were getting somewhere.”
Michael held her hand as they walked back to the parking garage. “I think our best bet will be to try to meet him at that rhino event. Can you get tickets?”
“I can ask Silas. He and his wife are gone this weekend and will be missing the event. Maybe they still have the tickets.”
“Good. I want to look this man in the eye. Because no matter what Martha says, no businessman is that wealthy without breaking some deals or causing waves. And if he’s involved in this shadow syndicate and money laundering, he’s probably flying to Europe in a private jet and sipping million-dollar champagne, not traipsing through the slums to save an endangered species. ”
“You think she knows what he’s involved in?”
“We’ll have to find out. But for now, fancy a pint at O’Malley’s?”
Dani walked into O’Malley’s on Michael’s arm almost like it was a real date. It had been a while since she’d been on one. The excitement bubbling up inside might be from his hand on her back as he guided her to the bar or the fact that she was investigating again.
No—scratch that. She was only supporting Michael’s investigation.
And fine. She could agree that Michael himself was the main draw for her.
She craned her neck to see over the group of men in mechanic coveralls in front of her. “I don’t see the Renegade Waste guys. Do you?”
“Not yet, but they might be in the back. No sign of Finn either.” Michael checked his phone while Dani looked around.