Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Travis
On Monday morning, just four days after Kylie’s funeral, I woke up with a new determination.
I'd spent the weekend with Gage and the kids, a dark cloud hanging over us all as we went through the motions just to get through the day.
My mother and father had stopped by on Saturday morning, then later, Sawyer and Kennedy brought Matthew and Brody by.
The kids had enjoyed the visits because they gave them the distraction they needed, but I found myself growing irritable with the attention.
Because my mood hadn’t improved by Sunday, I'd skipped the weekly dinner at my folks’ place. Gage had insisted on going, and I saw no reason for them not to. It was while they were gone that an idea had come to me.
“Hey, Trav. Didn’t think we’d see you here for a while,” Kaleb said, his eyebrows dipped down in concern.
I gave my brother a single shoulder shrug.
Kaleb and Sawyer had informed me they would gladly handle the management of Alluring Indulgence Resort until the time I felt I could return.
Although I had graciously accepted their offer, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay away.
Not because I preferred to be taking care of the resort rather than my family, but because I needed something to do.
I was here because I wanted to be here. As far as I was concerned, there was no reason to ignore my responsibilities.
It wasn’t like it would change the outcome of anything if I did.
I got similar comments from others on my trek to my office, and I offered the same response: nothing. I had more important things to deal with than making others feel better because they weren’t sure how to deal with me.
Once in my office, I closed the door. Figured there was no reason to invite more sympathetic looks from those who meant well.
No sooner did my ass meet my chair than I picked up my phone and dialed.
“Mornin’,” came a gruff, uncertain response.
“I want to offer a reward for any information leadin’ to the capture of Juliet Prince,” I said, rocking back in my executive chair and staring at the door.
“Well…”
“Brantley, I’m not askin’ for permission. I want it done. I figured I’d give you an opportunity to head it up since you claim you’re handlin’ the investigation. But if it’s too much for you…”
My cousin sighed. “Where are you?”
“At the resort.”
“Okay. Give me half an hour. Reese and I’ll stop by to chat. And before you get all up in arms, I think a reward’s a good idea. I just want to talk it out. Is Gage there with you?”
“No.”
“Should he be?” Brantley asked.
I wasn’t sure it was my place to decide that. And since Gage seemed to be content keeping his distance, I figured I could return the favor. “No.”
Another sigh. “All right. Half an hour.”
“See you then.”
After disconnecting, I found myself typing up a text to Gage. I kept it short and sweet:
Meeting with Brantley and Reese. Offering reward. If you want to be part of the convo, meet in my office, half an hour.
I never did get a response.
As promised, Brantley arrived thirty minutes later with Reese in tow. They took their sweet time getting up to my office, probably stopping to chat with my brothers along the way. I half expected to see a line of people behind them when they finally knocked on my door, but there were no stragglers.
And there was no Gage.
“Come in.” I leaned back, trying to appear relaxed and not letting on that my stomach was twisted in knots. I'd thought coming to work would allow me to stop thinking about Kylie for a little while. That didn’t seem to be the case.
Both men walked in, their eyes scanning the room as though they were expecting someone else.
“Have a seat,” I said politely, although I didn’t expect them to be there long.
They sat, neither of them saying anything.
I wasn’t sure why they’d gone mute, but I didn’t really need their input, and I certainly didn’t need small talk.
“Like I told you on the phone, I want to offer a reward for any information that leads to the capture and arrest of Juliet Prince in relation to my wife’s murder.”
I probably shouldn’t have tacked on the last part so harshly, but it was all I could do to spit the words out.
“I know I mentioned to you that the governor discussed disbandin’ the task force,” Brantley said. “I just want to make sure you understand that happened. We no longer have jurisdiction over anything. In fact, we’ve gone private. The task force is under the umbrella of Sniper 1 Security.”
I wasn’t sure what that had to do with anything, but I nodded.
“We’ve got a large team of their agents down here assistin’ with the search. Includin’ RT and Hunter.”
For some damn reason, that loosened the knot in my chest.
Yes, I had been holed up in my house, and my warped and twisted thoughts had led me to think that no one was out there doing anything to find the bitch. Despite the fact I'd blamed them more than once—at least in my head—I should’ve known Brantley and Reese wouldn’t stop looking.
“We are pursuin’ several leads. I just want you to understand, we’re actively workin’ this. In fact, it’s the only thing we’re workin’ on.”
I swallowed a hot ball of emotion and nodded.
Brantley glanced at Reese, then back at me. Silence hung between us as though Brantley thought I might have something to say. If I thought I could get words out, perhaps I would, but it was taking everything in me to sit there.
Brantley nodded. “You mentioned a reward. How much are you thinkin’?”
I reached for my water, took a drink. “Whatever’s appropriate. Money’s no object.”
Brantley and Reese shared a look, and then Reese spoke up.
“We need to make you aware of what’ll happen once that reward is posted.
Once it’s made public, we’ll be inundated with leads.
Unfortunately, the majority of them will be bogus.
And while it only takes one actual lead to get the result we’re lookin’ for, it’ll require additional resources to handle the influx.
That means those who’re currently in the field will be called back in to answer the phones. ”
“I’ll have the calls come here,” I offered.
Brantley shook his head. “Not a good idea. Then we’re dealin’ with secondhand information.
If you want to do this, I’d rather we take the calls directly.
” He sat up, leaned forward, his eyes hard.
“I just need you to know that we will stop at nothin’ to find her, so whatever you think’ll help make that happen, we’ll gladly adjust our strategy. ”
I considered it, then said, “Five hundred thousand dollars.”
Brantley exhaled heavily. “I know you said money’s no object, and there’s no amount you won’t pay.
We get that. Really. But I suggest we start with fifty or a hundred.
Something reasonable. Like I said, we’ll be inundated with bullshit that we have to sift through.
The more you offer, the more crazy you invite. ”
“One hundred, then.”
Brantley nodded. “Okay. Now, the next issue we need to deal with is the press is gonna want a statement. I talked to RT before we came over here, and he suggested we have Sniper 1 represent you and your family. They’ll take the lead.
They’ll make the public announcement regardin’ the reward, and they’ll field any questions. ”
I immediately shook my head. “I should be the one. That way, Juliet sees that I’m not takin’ this sittin’ down.”
“Actually, we were hopin’ to do the opposite.
” Reese’s stare was intense. “We believe Juliet has remained in the area because she’s not finished with you yet.
Based on the profile that was done, it’s believed she has developed an obsession with you.
By givin’ her access to you on live television, it’ll play into what she needs. ”
“I don’t see a problem with that,” I told Reese.
“If we can keep you out of reach, unavailable to her, we’re hopin’ it’ll draw her out. At this point, that’s our best option.”
“Before you ask,” Brantley added quickly, “we’ve got agents placed throughout Coyote Ridge.
They’re keepin’ a close eye on your parents, your brothers, their SOs, kids.
We’ve even got a pair stayin’ across the street from you.
Like I said, RT pulled out all the stops for this.
” His voice lowered, and I heard the pain in it when he added, “She won’t get another opportunity to hurt anyone else. ”
I could tell they expected me to say that she never should’ve had the chance in the first place.
Yes, it was the first thing I thought about every fucking day.
And while I had laid the blame right at their feet during the first couple of days, I knew it was not their fault.
Brantley and Reese had saved my daughter; they’d done something no one else was able to do at the time.
I would not allow my anger and my hatred to get the best of me.
They didn’t deserve to be accused of something they had no control over.
And ultimately, placing blame wouldn’t make me feel better.
“We’ll do things your way,” I conceded. “Under one condition.”
Based on Brantley’s expression, he’d been expecting a stipulation.
“When you get the lead that zeroes in on her … I’ll be right there with you when you go after her.”
Neither of them said anything.
“Otherwise, I’ll do this on my own.”
And I didn’t have to tell them what that meant because, as far as I was concerned, Juliet Prince was as good as dead already.