Interlude #2
The slightest smile twitched on his lips.
“Are you asking me, or are you telling me?”
She stashed her phone in her bag and threw up her hands.
“I don’t know. I’m tired and want to go home.” Not that it would be home for much longer if she didn’t enroll in college.
The man sat on the far side of the couch, giving her space. He turned, adjusting his tie so that it loosened. He looked non-threatening, casual. She appreciated that, though there was always the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing.
“I’m Miles, by the way. I heard your name is Alexandria?” He cocked his head, waiting for her to confirm.
“Yes.” She nodded. “But I never go by that. I hate that name. I go by Alex.”
Her mother always hissed out her full name every time she was in trouble. She couldn’t say her full name without thinking about her failures. She had been too nervous to correct the group therapist, so she just dealt with it twice a week for an hour each.
“I like it,” Miles said, nodding. There was a pause before he added, “You never share in group.”
Alex stiffened. He was paying attention to her.
She didn’t like that, but then again, she knew the same thing about him.
Her eyes automatically flicked to his left hand to see if he was trying to flirt with her and noted a wedding band.
She knew that didn’t matter to some men, but it did give her comfort.
“You don’t share in group either,” she noted. “The therapist doesn’t even call on you.” She narrowed her eyes. “What’s your deal?”
She hadn’t meant to be that direct. It surprised her.
Miles stared at her and then started chuckling.
“Okay, you’re funny. I like you.”
Alex crossed her arms over her chest and frowned.
“I wasn’t trying to be funny,” she muttered.
“Of course. Sorry. This is a terrible introduction. I used to be much better with the younger crowd until…” He trailed off, his face going blank. His eyes stared off, looking nowhere in particular. Alex knew that stare.
“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked softly.
Miles shrugged.
“I came here to check on you—not to talk about my problems. I’ve been coming to this meeting, and I still haven’t been able to say a word.”
“I’m sorry,” Alex said. “How long ago did it happen?”
“A few years ago.”
“And you still can’t talk about it?”
“I can. I just don’t want to.”
Alex sat, confused.
“Then why do you keep coming here?”
“I forgot to tell you a key piece of information is that I’m an investor in this facility.”
She blinked, trying to process this.
“Are you a donate money investor or partial ownership type of investor?”
“Thirty percent ownership.”
The place was a private mental health facility that had psychiatrist and therapist offices. She saw a doctor here as well as her therapist, though this group session was completely open to the public as part of a community outreach program.
“Oh. So, you come to group because you…want to see how your investment is going? But you said you have past trauma?”
“All of the above,” Miles said, nodding. He blew out a sigh. “Might as well tell you since you’ve asked. My daughter died a few years ago.”
Alex’s heart sank.
“I’m sorry.”
He held up his hand.
“She was murdered. Because of me.”
Alex stared at him in horror. That couldn’t be. The guy must be blaming himself for something that was beyond his control.
“How could it possibly be your fault? Unless…” Her eyes narrowed. “…you’re the murderer.”
Miles’ expression went from dark to amused.
“No, I’m not the murderer, but she died because of me.
I was the one who was supposed to be killed.
We were in Europe. I was working, but I took my daughter and wife.
I was supposed to leave to attend business back in the States while my family continued to have fun.
However, my daughter ended up getting the flu and wanted to go home, while I ended up having to finish up a few meetings there.
She took my place on the plane. There was a bomb meant for me.
It detonated halfway through the flight.
They only found pieces of the wreckage. I’ll never forgive myself. ”
Alex’s heart sank as she watched the anguish in the man’s face. How were you supposed to comfort someone with a story like that?
“Why was there a bomb on the plane?” she asked quietly. “Who wanted to kill you?”
“I make many enemies in the industry I work in, and though I don’t know the details as to why they wanted me dead or who they are, I do know it was me they were after.”
“Are you still in danger?”
“No. They backed off. I didn’t stop investigating; I started a company to ensure this never happens to anyone else again.”
Alex raised an eyebrow.
“A company?”
“A private military company.”
“Oh.”
She glanced around nervously, wondering if she should be talking to this man. He sounded dangerous. A private military company? This didn’t sound good.
“You look uneasy. I didn’t mean to scare you. My company, Gray Tower Incorporated, isn’t made up of assassins, though we do take on a lot of under-the-table government contract work. We do everything from private security for large companies to personal bodyguard services.”
Alex felt herself breathing a little easier when she heard Miles’ reassurance. He seemed like an honest guy. He was refreshing, considering her parents liked to play mind games with her.
“So, your people go out and take down bad guys?” she asked.
He smiled wryly and said, “We’re trying. We’ve only been in business for a few years. I brought in a new guy, and he’s been excellent with our operations.”
“That’s great.”
“Yeah,” he nodded, letting the conversation trail off. “So…are you ready to talk about your problems?”
Alex bit her lip, feeling a tightening in her chest. Could she do this?
“I don’t know. You’ve shared so much. I feel like I should share too, but it’s so…” She heaved a sigh. “…shameful.”
Miles nodded and then shifted in his seat uneasily.
“Look, I need to stop beating around the bush here. There’s another reason I’ve been coming to this meeting I haven’t told you about.”
Worried, she asked, “And that is?”
“I’ve been coming here to check on you.”