"It's not common knowledge, but my full name is Montgomery Jackson Winchester Townsend."
"Townsend? As in the Townsend Group?"
"Yes."
"Wow. Never made that connection and I've known you a couple of years. Okay, this is going to change a few things. I'm assuming, if possible, we're to keep this information under wraps?" Malone asked.
"For now. If you can. If not, let Roark know. I don't want a barrage of reporters landing on my doorstep when I'm not there to deal with them."
"Understood. Does Alyssa—"
"Yes. Both Lys and Penny know who I am."
"Okay, I'm sure we can keep things from getting out between now and when you return tomorrow."
"I'd appreciate it."
"Not a problem, Jack. Now, if I could do a walk-through of that other property today that would be good, but it can wait if you'd rather be there."
"I'm happy for Roark to take you through." He glanced at Keaton. "And depending on what happens here in the next few minutes I might be back tonight." He'd blow off the ball and the rest of the board meeting if he could.
"You've got my number. Give me a call whenever and we'll deal with the property. For now, I need to talk to Alyssa and Penny and the other men who were here when Alyssa was assaulted."
"Right. And thanks, Grant."
"Just doing my job. See you when you get back to town."
Jack watched Grant hand the phone back to Roark then Roark's voice boomed through the room. "I've got things to sort. I'll call you back."
"Roark. I want a video call with Lys and Penny after they've been seen by the paramedics."
"Will do." Roark cut the call.
Jack put the phone on his desk and turned to face the three people standing beside him. "I want to head back to Sunnyville as soon as possible. Maryn, you'll have to make my apologies at the ball, take my place. Dash, maybe you could write something up for her to say to explain my absence, something that doesn't involve my wife. Keaton, what didn't we cover in the board meeting we can't put off?"
"Nothing. After you left, everyone agreed we'd covered the important things. The rest can wait until next month," Maryn said. "But, Jack, you can't leave. I get why you want to, and I don't blame you but you know as well as I do that the barracuda is going to use this against you. Plus, the press will be there. We'll need to make a statement that won't cause a media sensation so we can't say you're sick or anything like that."
He turned to Dash and raised an eyebrow.
"She's right. I can't craft a release that won't bring some speculation, especially with the barracuda doing her usual badmouthing whenever she can. And you know she's going to be all over the reporters tonight. This event is her one claim to fame; she'll use it to her advantage."
Fuck. He'd hoped for a different answer. "Okay, so I need to stay and make an appearance. I'll give it an hour then leave for Sunnyville."
"You have to at least stay through dinner and if you stay that long you may as well stay for the auction," Keaton added.
"Jack. Roark is with Alyssa and Penny," Maryn reminded him. "They're in good hands and they're coming here later today. You'll be able to see for yourself that they're both okay."
"I don't want to wait until later and I don't want Lys to fly with a head injury."
"Fletcher said it wasn't a direct blow. Gina threw a glass bowl and the shards ricocheted. He's pretty sure that's how Lys got cut. Head injuries bleed more than others," Maryn explained.
"Pretty sure?Pretty sure?Really? We're going with the opinion of someone who isn't a medical professional?" Jack couldn't keep his voice from rising or his ass in his seat. He remembered talking to Penny about yelling when emotions became overwhelming. Well, he was there. He wanted to yell until his throat was raw, until he couldn’t make another sound, until he had both his girls in his arms.
"Ah…" Maryn looked away.
"Fletch was a medic in the army," Dash said.
Jack closed his eyes and dropped his head back on his shoulders. His whole body vibrated with frustration. He wanted to run. Straight to the airport and his Cessna.
