“Of course,” Ria says.
“Oh, good.” She grins, placing her hands on her hips. “Deacon is here to see you both.”
“Deacon?” Ria shoots up from her chair just as Deacon walks into her office.
“Grace, you really shouldn’t walk into your boss’s office without knocking.”
“I’m a free spirit, Deeks. I’ll flow wherever the wind takes me.”
“You’re truly something, G.”
“Definitely. So I’ll leave you guys to do the important things because that folder you’re holding, Mr. Lowe, is giving me policedrama vibes. And I’m not well-equipped to deal with that. I am, however, equipped to be my truly something self out here with your sexy-as-sin security detail.”
She bounces out of the room and Deacon calls out to her, “Don’t corrupt Seb.”
“Please, Seb was corrupted well before he knew me.” She winks, closing the door with a soft click.
“This obviously isn’t a friendly catch-up, Deacon. What have you got for me?” Ria waves her hand for Deacon to sit in the chair opposite her, and I fall into the chair beside him.
“I’m afraid not.” He opens the folder on the desk and passes us a few sheets of paper with various highlights. “I mentioned I would be doing some more digging on Ezra and Dale.”
“Yes, the information you last gave us was informative, but there really wasn’t anything in it that I could use to prove they were dirty,” Ria says, taking the papers from him.
“I’ve still not found exactly what they are playing at, but I’ve managed to get my hands on some of their financial records, and a few members of the Peak team have very loose lips.”
“Meaning?” I question.
“Meaning, they also know something isn’t right and are more than happy to talk. Seb has had some of these employees”—he points to the papers where there are what looks like transcripts of interviews—“give him some of their thoughts and suspicions, and each one circles back round to potential money laundering.”
“Seriously?” Ria gasps.
“Yes, but we can’t prove it, and I haven’t got the time to trail through every tiny detail right now.” He sighs. “Hopefully you can join the dots.”
“Thank you. You really didn’t have to do this. I know you have a lot to be dealing with right now.” Ria stacks the papers together and leans over to grasp his hand, and he smiles warmly at her.
“I did. That brother of yours has been there for me when I was at my lowest. I will always make time for him and his family.” Ria releases his hand after giving it another quick squeeze, and Deacon clears his throat and stands. “Right, I have to be going. I’ve got to make sure Seb hasn’t run for the hills after being subjected to Grace for longer than ten seconds.”
“I think that man can handle himself around Grace.” Ria lets out a soft laugh as she stands to walk him to the door.
“I’m not taking that chance.” He huffs out a laugh as he opens the door and shakes his head. “G, what are you doing?”
“My feet hurt. Have you tried walking in five-inch Louboutins for eight hours?” She groans and both Ria and I peer around Deacon’s shoulder and I bark out a laugh, because Grace Kelly has done what Grace Kelly does best. She gets people to do what she wants. She has managed to get Deacon’s six-foot-four muscle mountain of a security detail to crouch down in front of her and massage her feet while she sits and sips on her white-chocolate mocha.
“Never change, G.” Deacon laughs. “But you,”—he playfully smacks his security on the back of the head—“get up.”
“Cole has gone silent on me.” Ria paces her office Friday afternoon.
“He said he had problems with one of his hotels. It will be fine,” I soothe.
“How do you know?”
“Because the alternative isn’t happening.” Rising from her couch, I stalk toward her.
“Plus I’ve not had a chance to look through this.” She waves the folder Deacon gave us on Ezra and Dale before throwing it back down on her desk.
“He only gave it to you yesterday; give yourself a break.”
“I just know I’m missing something, and if I don’t find it soon, it’s going to bite me in the ass.”
