Page 73 of Wicked Fortune

“Call me Ryan. What’s wrong?”

“I think—I’m not really sure how to say this, but I think someone may be using Matthew Holt’s company as a front for human trafficking. I think my friend Jenny found out. And I think someone killed her.”

He’s quiet for at least thirty seconds. “All right,” he says. “Go on.”

“There’s a guy who heads up one of the departments at Hardline. I think he’s involved. And he has a new guy working under him. I got a hold of the new guy’s resume. I—I took a picture of it. On the surface, it looks impressive, but …”

“But what?”

“This is going to sound stupid, but I read a lot of thrillers and watch way too many movies. Some of the stuff on his resume … well, it just sounds dicey. I took a picture. I was hoping I could text it to you and you could tell me if I’m being paranoid. Or if I really have stumbled into something bad.”

“I see. And have you spoken to Matthew?”

“I—no. Not yet.”

The line is silent for a good thirty seconds. “I assume you’d rather not bring him in on this yet? Just in case it turns out to be nothing?”

My entire body sags with relief. “That’s it exactly. I feel a little silly worrying as it is, and⁠—”

“What’s the employee’s name?”

“Joel Carradine.”

There’s another pause, and I wonder if he’s heard the name before. Then he says, “Text me his resume.”

He gives me his cell number and I send the image. He’s gone for several minutes before returning to the line. “I don’t see anything on his resume to be concerned about, but I did have my assistant call two of his references and they checked out. I also did a search with Homeland Security and Europe. Nothing popped there.”

“Oh, good. I—I’m glad I didn’t bother Matthew. Please don’t mention it to him. I feel kind of ridiculous now. Too many movies, I guess.”

“Don’t give it a second thought. Everything looks fine. Your first time working at an international company?”

“It is.”

“It’s a much bigger canvas. Sometimes things aren’t what they seem.”

“I get that,” I say, then thank him again before we end the call. I feel better about the human trafficking paranoia, but I’m still troubled about Jenny. And confused by her cryptic note. Because unless I’m misinterpreting it, Jenny did think there was trafficking going on at Hardline.

But I suppose that between Jenny the flighty actress and Ryan the hard-boiled security expert, it’s Ryan on whom I should bet.

So I do.

But even having made that decision, I can’t shake the feeling that something just isn’t right.

TWENTY-FIVE

I’m snuggled into the leather seat as Clive’s convertible purrs to a stop in front of the temporary valet stand that Hardline has set up. Tonight’s venue is Tacos & Tequila, a Valley favorite known for its variety of tequilas and beers, not to mention its incredible soft shell tacos.

It’s a complete dive with a huge patio for outdoor dining, bare lightbulbs strung across the open space for lighting, and mismatched metal chairs and tables, most of which wobble on the uneven stone floor.

I come here all the time for lunch, and I kind of love that this is the place where Hardline is hosting meet-and-greet. I’d assumed all the venues were as fancy as Masque, just with more clothes. The fact that this is so far in the opposite direction completely charms me.

A valet opens the car door for me, and I meet Clive on the sidewalk. He’d warned me the dress code was casual, so I’m in black jeans paired with a black tank under a sheer white blouse. My shoes are boots with two-inch heels that show off my ass. If someone assumes I’m talent, then I look like I’ve dressed for attention, even while keeping it casual. And if someone recognizes me as Matthew’s PA, well, I also look professional. Albeit a little sexy. My plan is to mingle, after all. And the best way to do that is to be seen.

Easy enough to do if I stay on Clive’s arm. Seriously, the man is a god. He’s also the one who actually picked out my outfit—so I’m in his debt tonight.

“Find me a cute hunk and get me laid,” he’d said, “and I’ll be Robin to your Batman until we figure out what happened to Jenny.”

“Deal,” I’d said, even though I knew he’d be my loyal sidekick whether I found him a guy or not. That’s just who Clive is.