“The truck was towed to a garage to be fixed. We got a call a few days later saying that it had been sabotaged. Water in the gas tank. The mechanic implied it wasn’t an accident, although we can’t be sure.”
“Water in the gas tank would cause the engine to behave erratically. Lots of sputtering and hesitation, unexpected changes in speed, rough idling and smoking.” Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest. “It wouldn’t take long to ruin the engine.”
“Which is what happened,” Remi said. “Dad thinks that one of the goat handlers we fired earlier in the week could be behind it.”
“What did the guy do to get fired?” Sebastian asked.
“He was stealing goat carcasses before processing and selling them at farmers markets on other islands,” Remi explained. “His name is Tony Brooks and he’s an ex-con. Dad was trying to give him a fresh start, but we can’t let that kind of behavior go unpunished. Tony was very pissed off when Dad let him go. Pleaded for another chance and when Dad wouldn’t give it to him, Tony went ballistic. He was cursing and trying to destroy equipment before we got a few of the guys to toss him out.”
“Did you call the cops?”
“Of course not,” Remi said as if the thought was ludicrous. “My dad is a former PC-5 gang member. He’s always trying to help people get a second chance. The amount of goat meat that Tony stole wasn’t enough to hurt us. Calling the cops could’ve landed Tony back in prison. Dad didn’t want that.”
“Maybe if we find Tony, we can get him to tell us if Quattro used him to sabotage the truck and steal the goat hearts,” Gabrielle said. “If he was in Tiverton, he could be a Quattro gang member.”
“Why do you think Quattro is involved in this?” Remi asked. “What the hell is going on?”
Sebastian said, “We think the threat was orchestrated by Damian Hester before he died. He was known to do favors for Quattro in prison and may have asked them to send Gabrielle a few messages in return.”
“And Quattro would follow through on anything they agreed to with Damian. His death wouldn’t change anything.” Remi shook her head. “Can’t believe that bastard could still be terrorizing you from the grave.”
“It could’ve only been one message, but I need to find someone inside Quattro who can tell us for sure,” Sebastian said.
“Do you know how we can find this Tony Brooks person?” Gabrielle asked, feeling hopeful that they could get to the truth. Once the threats were gone, she could move on with her life. Move on with Sebastian.
Sebastian stared at Remi. “I don’t have that skillset, but we both know someone who does.”
“No, I don’t want Bobby involved in this,” Remi said, an exasperated look on her face.
“He’s one of the best hackers on the island and he has former gang ties.”
“Which is why I want to keep my husband far away from that world. We have enough problems as it is without tempting him to go back to that life,” Remi said.
“You and Bobby are having problems?” Sebastian asked.
Tears sprung to Remi’s eyes and she blinked quickly, forcing them away. “I didn’t say that. What I am saying is that I don’t want Bobby reconnecting with his old buddies in the PC-5 to get you answers. I’m sorry, Gabrielle, but let the cops handle this. Force them to find Tony Brooks.”
“I understand,” Gabrielle said, surprised to hear Bobby had been seduced into the most powerful cartel in the Palmchat Islands. It seemed he was free of that life now and she didn’t blame Remi for trying to protect her husband. “We’ll get the cops to follow up on this lead.”
Chapter26
“We told Remi that we wouldn’t get Bobby involved in this,” Gabrielle said, pressing her hands on her full hips. She was blocking the oversized wooden doors carved with island motifs that served as the entrance to Pourciau Market. The building housed dozens of small and mid-sized businesses, including Bobby Zaniewski’s IT security firm.
“Wedidn’t tell Remi anything. You did.” Sebastian pulled Gabrielle toward him and kissed her deeply on the mouth. This was the last stop before he could get her back home and fuck her brains out. “I never agreed to it. I’m here to pay my old friend Bobby a visit, since I don’t get over to St. Basil often.”
The cutest frown wrinkled Gabrielle’s forehead as she stared up at him. “Liar. She’s going to be pissed when she finds out.”
Sebastian grew serious. “I’m not going to let whatever shit is happening between Remi and Bobby stop me from doing whatever it takes to protect you. This is not a game, Gabrielle. It’s your fucking life. Bobby is a grown ass man. If he wants to get back in the PC-5, hacking to find out if Tony Brooks is part of Quattro won’t be the reason.”
He knew because Bobby had in fact never left the PC-5, despite what he’d led his wife to believe. Information Sebastian was sure Everett would want to know, but telling Remi’s former lover that her new husband was lying to her would detonate a nuclear bomb over their lives. Sebastian was going to keep his mouth shut and stay out of it.
Gabrielle caved. “Let’s go inside and talk to Bobby.” Turning on her heels, she strutted toward the doors and swung them open, giving Sebastian a much appreciated view of her tight ass in those short shorts. He rearranged his hardening cock, then followed her inside.
Stepping inside the cool air-conditioned building, Sebastian surveyed the layout of the three-story structure—an open indoor courtyard with palm trees and wooden benches dominated the middle. Around the perimeter were a series of doors in a U-shape, each representing a different business with a number and name on the glass doors. A hum of activity radiated through the space although only a handful of people could be seen milling about.
Bobby’s office was on the third floor, which could be reached by an elevator near the entrance or a series of stairs ascending from the middle of the courtyard. Sebastian opted for the elevator and they stepped inside. When the doors opened, they walked to the left and passed several glass doors until stopping at one that read, A-to-Z IT Security Solutions. Sebastian knocked, then paused as the glass door pushed in. He glanced down at the door handle, noting the biometric sensor lock in addition to two deadbolts.
Considering Bobby’s ongoing connection with the PC-5, the open door was more than unusual.
