Chapter 39
Lillian
If I hadn’t noted the call letters on Dante’s private jet, I’d swear I was walking onto a different one.
Last time, all the seats faced forward. Now, a group in the back is gathered around a conference table.
Following the men, I slide into a chair.
Back to the windows, I place my laptop on the polished wood, laden with sandwiches, chips, and water.
Sean takes the seat to my right. Mace, to my left, faces the rear of the cabin. Dante and Daedalus sit opposite them.
Between bites, I log into our secure group app and download my latest findings to the team. “Rehabo shows investors these books.”
Walking them through the line items, I open NanoMedico’s financials. “See anything missing?”
While I take a sip of water, no one comments, including AI Stanley.
“They’re too clean.” I set the bottle down.
“No miscellaneous expenses. No office supplies. No shipping. No coffee. No petty cash. No little purchases rolled into an ‘Other’ category.” I glance around the table.
“I spent years balancing my father’s ledgers.
I know his fingerprints. The spreadsheets have them all in spades. ”
“So, you think those companies belong to him?” Sean shifts in his seat, his thigh pressing against mine. For a man who broke up with me, he’s being awfully cozy.
Focus, Lil. Everyone is depending on you. “I do. I’m guessing Liam needed an infusion of cash. After the money guys left Parkhaven, he convinced them he could return twice their original investment.”
“By illegal means.” Mason bites off a chunk of roast beef sandwich.
“Hold on.” Glancing down at his screen, Daed wipes his fingers on a napkin. “Speaking of Boyle, he just phoned Fitzpatrick. I recorded it.”
It doesn’t take long for Liam’s voice to crackle through the overhead speakers. “Hand over my daughter.”
The wary Irishman chuckles. “Did ya do wot we asked?”
“I have something better to trade.” My father’s threatening tone sets off alarms in my head.
I’d bet money Fitz hears it too. “And what moight that be?”
“A cure. Don’t take too long deciding.” When Liam ends the call, the team glances around the table, each of us waiting for someone else to speak first.
“We were right. Boyle’s developing a virus. Along with the drones to deploy it.” As Sean frowns and catches my eye, everyone remains silent.
We knew this was a possibility, but hearing it said out loud sucks the oxygen from the cabin.
“Every time we make plans,” I rub the back of my neck, where a headache forms, “my father ups the ante.”
Our boss leans back in his chair, staring at the cabin’s ceiling. “Any ideas how to stop an epidemic?”
“Disable the drones remotely.” Unlike the rest of us, Daed seems unaffected as he grabs a chocolate chip cookie. No matter what he believes, nothing is ever easy.
I play devil’s advocate. “What if they’re pre-programmed? No outside control?”
“Doubtful he’d go that route.” With his mouth full, the genius chews before swallowing. “My guess? Your father will activate them when he feels the time is right. Control. That is his weakness.”
I nod. He nailed it. Liam Boyle would want to be the one to push the button.
Talking of my father’s heavy-handedness reminds me of my sister. “Dante, do you have a way for me to call my sister?”
At first, I think he’s going to refuse, but a few seconds later, he tosses me a cell phone. “Make it quick.”
I stare at it for a second before pressing the number.
She answers on the first ring. “This better be you, Lil.”
“It is. Listen, I’m sorry for giving away your location, but the guys insisted. Are you and Grams okay?”
“Other than being bored out of my skull, of course. But what about you? Where are you? What’s going on?”
I glance around the table of operators making plans to save the world, all wondering whether I’m trustworthy.
“I’ll tell you all about it once we get home.
Just promise to stay where you are. No escaping.
Okay? I can’t talk, so I have to sign off.
I love you. Bye. Call as soon as I can. Sean says hi, too.
Don’t worry about us. Everything’s fine. ”
I wish.
There’s a beat of silence before I end the call.