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I answer her the same way I did the first time she asked me that. “You’ll never have to find out.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?! How long has this thing been there?” I shout when Frankie hands me the tracking device he found on Kelsey’s car. When I’d called this morning to see if he had a loaner, he seemed distracted — now I know why.
“If I had to take a guess, judging by the condition of it, I’d say a week. There’s no weather damage to it, which there would be if it had rained or snowed.” Frankie shakes his head. “There’s no way to be certain, unless you call the company. They might be able to tell you when it was ordered and who bought it.”
“I already know who bought it, but as usual, I can’t fucking prove it.” Frustration takes over my body and before I know it, my fist is through the drywall of the office. “Fuck!” I pull my hand away and examine the blood dripping from my knuckles.
Frankie sighs, seemingly unsure what to say to me right now. He lays a hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me down. “Look, man. If I were you, I’d take that thing to your lawyer’s and have the P.I. look into it. Then I’d take Kelsey out of town for the weekend to distance her from this bullshit. I’ll look after the shop and your house.”
I’m thankful to have a friend like Frankie. I can always count on him to be the voice of reason when I feel like things are going haywire — which, right now, they are. The fact that he’s willing to put his own life on hold to help me out speaks volumes about his character. I reach my hand out to his for a shake and when he reciprocates, I wrap my other hand around it.
“Thank you — for everything, man. I appreciate everything you’ve done to help me out these past couple weeks. I promise, I’ll repay the favor somehow.”
He shakes his head, his expression dismissive. “Don’t worry about that right now. Keep Kelsey safe while you get this shit sorted out.” His lips turn up as he continues. “Maybe find out if she has any hot friends or relatives.”
On my drive from the shop to Max’s office, I mull over places I can take Kelsey for the weekend. I want it to be far enough away that Grant can’t easily get to us, but close enough that we could come back on short notice if we’re needed here. As I pull into the parking lot, I text Kelsey.
Me: I think we should take a little weekend trip :)
I don’t expect her to reply right away, but she does. I wonder if her students are in the middle of a test.
Kelsey: What’s the occasion?
Me: I want a weekend alone with you ;)
Kelsey: We get every night alone together ?
Me: Without the noise of our daily lives weighing on us :P
Kelsey: Hard to argue that point. Where are we headed?
Me: It’s a surprise ;)
Kelsey: You have no idea do you?
Me: None :D
Me: But I’ll figure it out by the time I come pick you up. I love you ?
Kelsey: I love you too xoxo
When I walk into Max’s office, Alexis looks confused. “Mr. Brooks, hi! Did you have an appointment today? I didn’t see you on the schedule.”
“No, I just had an update on my case that I wanted to fill Max in on. Is he available by any chance?”
“He’s not, but Mr. Tanner is. I’m sure if you give him whatever information you have, he’ll share it with Mr. D’Antonio. Honestly, he’s been handling the case more anyway. You’re probably better off talking to him directly.”
She makes a good point, and I’m willing to do anything I need to if it means ending this case as quickly as possible. “Yeah, let’s do that. Can you see if he has time to see me?”
“Sure thing — have a seat.” She smiles at me and picks up the phone to page him. “He’ll be right up for you.”
My legs bounce up and down as I nervously fiddle with the tracking device between my fingers like it’s a fidget spinner. I’m silently hoping and praying that they can uncover something about it.
“Hey, Joey. Come on back.” Ryan greets me with a handshake and guides me back to his office.
“How’s the investigation coming along?” I ask as I sit down across from him.
“Well, the tip you gave Max last night started pointing me in the right direction. I’ve been working all morning with a colleague who works in cybersecurity. I should have a fully detailed report by the end of the day.”
