Page 35 of Blake

“Benny Castillo’s family were originally from Sacramento.” She paused to take a sip of water. “They moved to Loma Linda which is about an hour’s drive from Palm Springs. His mom Sally was transferred with her job to the area when he was thirteen.”

Reid sat back in his chair. “What did she do for a living?”

Pax glanced at him and Blake followed the interaction. “She was an account manager for an advertising company. I forget the name, but I can find out.” Pax sat forward and pushed her plate away to lean on the table. “Anyway, from what Benny told me his father was a deadbeat lowlife. He was serving fifteen years in prison for armed robbery and assault. Benny had nothing to do with him.”

Blake took a sip of the beer in front of him. “What about siblings?”

“Two younger brothers. His mom remarried Frank Nixon just after they moved here. That was another reason for the move. Her husband worked for the company too. The youngest was only two when Benny died.” The sorrow in her voice made it catch on the last word and she cleared her throat. Everything in him wanted to reach for her but he knew she wouldn’t want to appear weak in front of the others.

Waggs, ever the medic, chimed in then. “Tell us about his illness.”

“He started getting bad headaches when we were in eleventh grade. He kept blowing it off as too much studying. Benny was an A grade student, but he worked his ass off to keep his grades up. He wanted to be a marine biologist,” she said wistfully.

“When did he go to the doctor?”

“When he collapsed at school. They diagnosed him with a brain tumour, and he began chemo right away. The tumour was inoperable.”

Waggs nodded in understanding. “It didn’t help?”

“No. That’s when Sana got involved.”

Blake stood and walked to the writing desk in the lounge area of the suite and grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. He handed it to Pax. “Can you write as much of the details down as you can including the major players? Also his biological father’s details. We can’t discount anything at this point.”

Pax nodded and took the paper. “Yes, of course.”

He began to pace his leg aching from being seated for so long. “We need a plan. I think Pax and I should visit Sally Nixon and find out exactly how Sana became involved.” He turned to Pax and gave her an assessing look. “I have to say, Pax, after today I’m not convinced your father is as involved as we thought. He looked ready to stroke out when he saw you.”

Pax was nodding slowly. “I agree. When we were in his study, he kept saying he had no clue why I was angry at him or what he had done. He also said he’d been voted out as managing director by the board.”

Decker who had been relatively quiet up to this point spoke up. “What for?”

“He has angina, and get this, the person to instigate his removal was my grandfather.”

“His father?”

“No, my mom’s father. He put up the money for the business initially, so he was a managing partner. My mother is too, but her role has always been silent.”

Blake let this information sink in. Was her mother a silent partner though, or was his dislike of the woman clouding his judgement? “So if he didn’t order the hit, who did, and is he behind the original drug trial or was someone else?”

“I honestly don’t know.”

“Okay, we need to investigate all the known players including your mom, grandfather, and the members of the board. Also any trial nurses or doctors that were working back then.”

“Yes, but how?” Pax angled her head and rubbed her the back of her neck. He could see the toll this was taking on her.

Blake smiled at her and moved closer, sliding his hands under the sleeveless top and massaging her shoulders. Her head fell forward giving him greater her access. “I suggest Decker poses as a journalist writing a book on the fast-rising business of this century.” Blake looked at Decker. “You already have a cover in place for that, don’t you?”

Decker nodded. “Yes, I do. Hopefully that will get me access to the board members.”

Blake looked at Waggs. “Feel out the staff, find out where they hang out and use some of that hidden charm. Pax and I will start with Sally first thing tomorrow. Reid, can you trace the father, find out where he is and what he’s up to now? I don’t think he’s involved but let’s rule him out.”

Reid nodded slowly as if he was thinking but remained silent. The others nodded and began to walk to the door. Decker and Reid walked out with a wave, but Waggs stopped and looked at him. “Ice that knee.”

Blake saluted him and nodded as he closed the door. His hands left Pax and he moved to her front and pulled her from the chair and motioned to the veranda. “Come on, let’s go out and enjoy this spectacular view with a drink.”

Pax followed as he picked up their drinks, keeping her hand in his.

Their room looked out over the pool bar with the twinkling lights of a few surrounding buildings off in the distance. He sat on the rattan sofa and looked up at Pax as he set their drinks on the low glass table in front of him. He heard a sigh from her as she settled beside him, lifting her long sexy legs to the glass edge of the table. Pink painted toenails made her look delicate and hot as fuck.