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Stock holdings turning into pictures? Was that a line of thought Robin just wasn’t following?
“I can ask Dad. He might remember something if I ask,” she offered.
“No.” He shook his head. “I don’t think your father wants either of us poking around.”
“You’re probably right.” Robin sighed.
Just what did Uncle Daar want with an old laptop? Pictures kind of made sense, but all of mother’s accounts, property, stocks, right down to itemized pieces of furniture had been accounted for in her will. Tracking down information on holdings, whatever that meant, shouldn’t be difficult. Nor should it need an old laptop.
So, what was he really up to? Had he just dropped the lead she’d been begging for into her lap?
Chapter Six
Thursday.NewOrleans,LA.
Daar stared out the window as the car moved through the city. With any luck, Cassim was well and truly in bed. So long as that was the case, it didn’t matter what Saaina or Robin saw or heard.
Daar had created a spoiled monster in his brother when all he’d tried to do was ensure Cassim was taken care of. That was their parent’s dying wish that Daar would look after Cassim. It had been quite the burden for many years. Perhaps Daar had done his job too well? It was hard to say. He’d managed to shield Cassim from the work Daar had been backed into doing. Even now Cassim had very little idea what it was Daar did.
He preferred it that way.
Damn Charlotte.
She and Daar had never seen eye to eye. She was too intelligent for the likes of Cassim and there was no brushing off her inquiries about what he was doing or where he went. A woman like that saw too much and said dangerous things.
It might have all worked out in the end if it weren’t for that damned laptop.
Even to this day, Daar didn’t know for sure what was on it, only that Cassim held it over his head. He had it, but where?
Asking Robin about the device might have been a risk. She, like her mother, was a woman of intelligence. He appreciated that she was keeping an eye on things, and at the same time, he wished she weren’t so perceptive. From the way she’d reacted he didn’t think she’d known about the laptop until today. Which meant Cassim wasn’t keeping it anywhere obvious or in the safety deposit boxes. Robin had already inventoried those. Daar had seen the pictures. No laptop.
Where was it?
Why couldn’t Robin have been born a boy?
It would be easier if she were male. Cassim was a fool. His daughter was not. There were so many things they could accomplish if they worked together, but Cassim would never approve. And without his approval, Daar could do nothing. Besides, the men whom Daar did business with would never acknowledge a woman.
Daar’s mind had changed over the years.
He’d learned the hard way that women were just as capable as men. Some more so.
He pressed a hand to his left side, just over the last rib. The scar was testament to just how dangerous a woman could be.
For ten years Daar hadn’t seen the need to press the issue of the laptop. But with Skilton gone and the chancellor making changes, it could very well be every man for himself in the near future. And Daar worried about it. He would prefer to remain loyal to the chancellor and all that they’d built, but the facts were that not everyone felt the same.
If their arrangement crumbled, Daar would be on his own again. If Cassim decided to come after him then, he wasn’t so certain he could deal with the situation. Which meant there was coming a day when Daar might have to deal with Cassim.
What then?
Was there any chance at all that Daar could lead Robin onto the path of his choosing? She would have to remain a shadow partner, unless…
If she married the right man things could be different. Daar wasn’t opposed to dealing with Cassim himself. Yes, they were family, but that bond only went so far once one party began throwing threats around. Cassim had thrown the first stone. If Daar had to end it, that was on Cassim’s head.
Harper Gonzalez.
What would become of him and Robin?
The report on him had come through that morning. It was an interesting read, if brief. There wasn’t much to tell that they didn’t already know, which was disappointing, save for a few facts. He wasn’t entirely squeaky clean.
