And then another bomb. “The detectives are combing through the video and pictures from the Oklahoma Historical Society’s gala last month. There is a possibility he was a photographer.”
Patrick went cold. He remembered something then that made him sick. “He took our pictures.” Bran and Dad both sat forward, the revelation shocking. “I’m sick. I didn’t realize it then, but he knew our names.” Looking at Bran, he asked, “Do you remember? I thought it was off the man knew our first names.Allof our first names.”
“Christ almighty,” Dad whispered.
“I get the O’Faolains are well-known in Oklahoma, in the papers once in a while. Whatever. But he called the sisters by their first names too.”
“I know,” MacGregor’s jaw clenched in anger. “Your guard that night stayed with the vehicle to ensure it wasn’t tampered with. At the time, I didn’t believe you would be unsafe as a group and surrounded by other people. Now we know his behavior has escalated. It changes everything and how we react.
“There is a real chance he will follow you to Dublin. It would be an easy thing to track your families for someone like him. Which reminds me, I have one of my top digital forensic specialists flying in. He’ll be here in a few hours. I need everyone to give me their laptops. I took Ms. O’Connor’s this morning. I need everyone at this meeting to turn theirs in today. Joel will call a colleague in the Tulsa area to look at yours, Mr. O’Connor’s, and James and Jane’s.”
Bran said, “I’ll get Raven and her sisters and mine as well, but what are you looking for?”
“He seems to know your schedules. He may have planted software on your computers months ago. If you got new computers but transferred all your data and apps, he’d be able to get in with no problem. My people will clear your laptops. If anything is found, your desktops will then be cleaned. Until they’ve gone through your electronics, you can still work but do not make any personal communications. Doctors and the like need to take you off all emailing lists.
“There’s one more thing that I just was made aware of this morning. I warn you, it isn’t good, and it’s the reason the FBI is asking permission to bring a few agents to Dublin. Everyone is aware that they’ve been after Delton because of his dark web crimes long before James got the pictures of Jane. They’d just zeroed in on Delton’s real identity when the Tulsa detectives’ search popped up and they realized they were looking for the same man. Of course, the son of a bitch had already fled his home.”
Here, MacGregor paused, his normally steely facade showing definite cracks. “Though his face is always covered, and his voice is always modulated, Delton, performing as@SammySoGood, has been promoting a ‘Coming Soon’ video featuring a long-legged blonde and a dark-haired Native American with an affinity for long walks in forests.”
It just kept getting worse, Patrick thought.
Dad exploded out of his chair, slamming his fist on the table. “Over my dead fucking body.”
They were all shaken. They knew Delton was unstable, but this was next-level frightening. And Patrick was to leave his family? Now?
MacGregor didn’t even flinch. Patrick had a feeling the man was thinking of ways to kill Delton himself and hide the body.
James asked, “My God, is the blonde woman Jo?”
MacGregor’s jaw flexed. “We believe so. There are more than one promotional videos referencing both women. He’s trying to stimulate his audience. Ramp their interest to a frenzy. And, fuck, I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but he has a photo album, faces blurred, but definitely Rowan, Jo—Ms. O’Connor, and,” MacGregor glanced briefly in Patrick’s direction, “River. They were taken around the time Raven’s were. Some from Ms. Stade’s gym.”
Oh God, he meant from the locker room. The violation. Patrick felt his stomach clench with nausea at the thought of the ‘album.’
Pandemonium reigned. Disbelief. Anger. Dean and Dad asking for more manpower.
When the men took a breath, Bran, hands visibly shaking, asked, “Should I move Raven out of Dublin? Fuck! We’re weeks away from our son’s arrival, and there’s possibly a psycho stalking us even here in Ireland!”
Dad walked to the room’s only window, leaning on the sill that overlooked a small, manicured courtyard. Speaking toward the window, he said, “MacGregor, tell me what you suggest, and I’ll do it.” He sighed deeply, heavy shoulders rounding in despair. “My actions caused this. Tell me what I can do to fix it.”
Patrick and Bran were out of their chairs and by their father’s side immediately. “You weren’t the one to embezzle. You couldn’t have foreseen Delton’s son becoming a psychopath. Don’t blame this situation on yourself. You gave the man’s father leniency when he should have gone to jail.”
“Pat’s right, Dad. No one can predict a lunatic’s actions. I’m worried. I’m scared for my wife and child if I’m honest, but there is no blame to be laid on you. Only at the feet of that animal, Delton.”
Dad took a deep, shuddering breath before turning back to the room. “Dean, what are you willing to do to keep the women safe?”
“Anything.”
“MacGregor. Do you have people, or know people for hire that we can bring in to find this motherfucker?”
“Yes.”
He meant mercenaries. Guns for hire. Patrick was all for it.
“Do you think Jane and I are still targets?” James asked.
“The Tulsa detectives, the FBI, and I all believe that you and Jane, and Bran and Raven are no longer targets. The women are firmly attached, and none of you will be falling for his tricks. Add to that, you are almost always together. Patrick and River are still unknown. He has an interest. We just don’t know how much.
“The biggest threat is to Rowan and Jo. They are unattached women but still very much loved by the O’Faolains and the O’Connors. His MO suggests he enjoys chasing women with no permanent male protection.” MacGregor dragged his hand down his face, his frustration evident. “And... and he really enjoys hurting your families.”
