Page 91 of Jameson’s Salvation

“Is that right? So, kinda like when Mrs. Nickels couldn’t find anyone to rent her land so she was forced to sell it to your weasel ass? Like that, Reggie?”

“Exactly like that. And I’d watch your attitude, before I take another fifty K off the table,” Reggie seethed.

Jameson nodded his encouragement. Kennedy was doing great getting him angrier by the second.

“Unfortunately for you, I’m not an old woman with no options. I knew you’d make it so I couldn’t sell to anyone in Kent County so I contacted a few agents in Baltimore. And guess what? They found someone who wants to buy it immediately.”

“I’m warning you—”

“Warning me? You’re hardly in the position to warn me, you idiot. I hold all the cards. And now I’m thinking, if you want to purchase my land, not only will you pay me market value, you’ll tack on an extra fifty K for my troubles. After all, I now have that much in medical expenses, thanks to you.”

“Watch who you’re calling an idiot, bitch, or next time you’ll have more than a bump on your head.”

“Whatever, Reggie, your threats don’t bother me anymore. I’m used to them. And really, you’re like a little boy who cries wolf, always telling me I’ll be sorry but never following through.”

“I should’ve had him kill you,” Reggie growled.

Christ, she’d done it. They had enough to get their warrant.

“Well, you didn’t, dumbass, and now here I am telling you, you’ll come up with two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars more on your offer or I sell to someone else.”

“Tell me, Kennedy.” Reggie’s tone had taken an edge that sent chills up Jameson’s back. “Is the extra money worth your crippled mother’s life? You know how unsecure her house is. Think how easy it would be for me to slip back into her yard and take out more than her air conditioning.”

Kennedy started shaking and Jameson shook his head and motioned for her to keep going. Then he mouthed, “Holden,” hoping she’d understand her mother was safe.

“About that,” Kennedy’s voice started to wobble and Jameson tightened his grip on her hands. “You owe me the thousand dollars it cost me to repair that as well. You have thirty minutes to call me back or the offer’s off the table.”

“Don’t you—”

Kennedy disconnected the call, cutting off Reggie’s threat. Not that they needed it, he’d thoroughly fucked himself.

“You did great.” Jameson stood and pulled Kennedy up into his arms. “So proud of you, babe. So damn proud.”

“My mom,” she whispered.

“Holden’s there now. Your mom and Janice are both safe.”

Kennedy nodded against his chest and held on to him like he was her lifeline. Finally some of the tension started to ebb away.

They stood in silence, holding onto each other for a long time, Jameson content to give her all the time she needed to compose herself. On a heavy exhale she pulled away and looked up at him.

“Thank you. I wouldn’t’ve been able to do that without you.”

Jameson didn’t believe that, Kennedy was so much stronger than she gave herself credit for. But he’d take her appreciation and store it, right next to all the other times she’d made him feel like he was ten feet tall and could take on the world, so he could recall it when he needed.

The couple made their way downstairs and back to the conference room. Nixon was on the phone with a smile and he waved them in.

“Right. Thanks, Jonny. ‘Preciate your help on this.” Nixon disconnected the call and unnecessarily said, “That was Jonny.” He tossed his phone on the table and continued. “He’s personally walking the recording into the courthouse now and thinks he’ll have a search warrant within the hour. Once he has it in hand, he’s going to arrest Reggie, and McKenna can find.” Nixon used air quotes. “The cloud account and we’ll turn everything over to Jonny.”

“What about Gary?” Kennedy asked, her voice small and unsure. “He’s still after Jameson.”

Jameson pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. “Nothing to worry about.”

“Legally we can’t do anything about Gary,” McKenna told Kennedy with a frown. “Unless there’s something on that cloud server. But I’ve been through all of Reggie’s emails and there’s nothing in there. And we’ve yet to have access to his house and office. Hopefully, Reggie will have something that will compel Jonny to call in the Delaware authorities.”

“Getting Reggie behind bars is the most important thing. As soon as he’s there, McKenna can yank those pictures off the internet,” Chasin added.

Nixon’s phone rang and he quickly answered.