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“One of their kids, the eldest, major shareholder, moved out to Connecticut a decade or two ago. Built a small compound in Kent, married a local girl.”
I felt my body go numb. “Darlene Liston,” I whispered.
“Yeah, that’s right,” Raul said. “How did you know?”
I pushed away from the railing and made my way across the porch, looking into the house and watching Jenni move about the kitchen as she prepared dinner.
“Anyway, this guy writes off all his shares to his new wife and her son, and they inherit the whole business when he died a few years back. A year later, his wife dies, and everything goes to the kid. Hold on, I have his name here somewhere.”
“Garth.”
The phone went silent for a second before Raul asked, “Yeah, you know the guy?”
“We crossed paths.”
“Well, he runs the company now out of Connecticut, and there are enough connections between him and Hope Enterprises to make your head spin. I mean, it’s almost as if Alexis Hope is funding them personally.”
“You think he’s their drug player in Kent?”
“Looks pretty much like it,” Raul replied. “What’s going on over there? You need me to book a flight in?”
“No, that’s fine,” I said. “I got this handled. Thanks, Raul.”
“No problem,” Raul replied. “Just enjoy your vacation, alright. We need you back here. Office is kind of lonely without you.”
I thanked him and hung up, then walked back into the house. Jenni had some explaining to do.
Chapter 19: Jenni
I knew something was wrong the minute Alex stepped into the kitchen. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were cold as he glared at me.
“I’m going to ask you a few questions, Jenni,” he said, “and I want the truth.”
I frowned, my heartbeat suddenly accelerating, hammering in my chest. “Okay,” I said.
“Garth Liston,” Alex started, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. “How long has he been distributing drugs in Kent?”
I hesitated. “Distributing drugs?”
“That guy we met outside the coffee shop, Jack something or the other. He’s one of Garth’s employees. He doesn’t exactly work Garth’s books, does he?”
I shook my head, trying my best to hide the sudden fluttering in my stomach. “I don’t know.”
“Bullshit!” Alex suddenly yelled, and I cringed at his outburst. “I said I want the truth, Jenni.”
I looked at him, feeling the tears well in my eyes, and I tried my best to contain myself. I bit my lip, looked away and felt my body shake like a leaf.
“He’s supplying the drugs, isn’t he?” Alex asked. “Garth? The whole real estate thing is just a front, isn’t it?”
“Alex, I –”
“Do you know how involved he is with Hope Enterprises? When you told me about Heath, did you know Garth was pulling the strings?”
I didn’t answer him, a tear rolling down my cheek.
“You let me go all the way to the Sheriff thinking that Heath was behind all this, behind my father’s near-death experience, when Garth was the one pulling the strings? You actually covered for him?”
“I wasn’t covering for him,” I said, choking on my words. “He’s crazy, Alex, and dangerous. I didn’t want you getting involved, but you wouldn’t listen.”
