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I’m currently looking at all random company meeting correspondences dating back almost two decades ago. I don’t know what I’m looking at, but I don’t want to leave any stone unturned. I have to make sure I’ve covered every base.
Two hours later and I open another pile, my eyes heavy with sleep.
A paper suddenly catches my eye.
It’s a print-out of Dad’s welcome address speech at the opening of an associate’s club decades ago. He went as the CEO of Bridges to represent the company.
A paragraph stands out on the paper.
“I remember when Walter brought this business idea to Gallagher and me. We never rated him as the entrepreneurial type, but our disbelief in his abilities spurred him onto building something remarkably incredible…”
Gallagher?
Could it be Clayton Gallagher, the same man Roscoe says is Garfield Hayes’s supposed father?
Flipping through that particular file, my hands are shaking as I look at all the photos I can find. They are decades old but there are always descriptive captions down below. I have to find something. Anything. Just one clue.
Jackpot!
A photo from eighteen years ago shows Dad, wearing a winter jacket, flanked on both sides by men who are just as tall as he is. He was slimmer then, his eyes kind. How the man has changed.
At the bottom of the picture, the caption reads: “Center: Bryce Bridges–CEO Bridges, Inc. Left: Cooper Fowler–Managing Director, Stonewall, Ltd. Right: Clayton Gallagher–Founder, Gallagher Enterprises, Ltd.”
Unbelievable.
My father was actually friends with Clayton Gallagher.
This revelation doesn’t sit right with me. I don’t know how to feel. I don’t know if I’m going to like the things that may unfold in due time. How can my father be friends with the father of the man who is trying to ruin his two sons?
I need to talk to Roscoe. He’ll probably have a better way to process this. Dialing his number, it rings forever and he doesn’t pick up. I don’t have time for shenanigans right now. It’s almost eight PM and he’ll definitely be at home.
In twenty minutes, I’m at Roscoe and Tess’s house. Their steward buzzes me in and I flop down on the couch, mildly enjoying the soft music wafting from the speakers.
“Hi Harrison,” Tess says as she approaches from the staircase. “We weren’t expecting you tonight.” She hugs me briefly but the usual excitement is gone from her face.
“Yeah, I was calling Roscoe but he wasn’t picking up. I hope I’m not being a bother,” I reply, settling back down on the couch. Tess sits across from me and picks up a gold-embroidered throw pillow.
“Not really. Roscoe is in the garage. He’s working on that vintage car he loves so much. I’ve let him know you’re here. He’ll be out in a bit.”
She offers me a drink and I decline. Tess would normally ask questions about work and try to catch up on the case but she simply gets up and makes to walk away.
What’s the attitude about?
Right. Charlee.
I call out to her. “Tess, what’s up? Why are you acting so coldly toward me?”
Turning around, she folds her arms across her chest in a move that instantly reminds of Charlee. “Like you don’t know what you’ve done.” Her voice is chilly and she’s clearly pissed.
“Tess, what’s going on with Charlee? I know I messed up. I messed up badly. But I’m trying to reach out to her. I’m trying to make it right. She won’t give me a chance.” My head is cradled in my hand as I’m speaking.
Tess huffs. “How much longer will you allow yourself to be so easily manipulated, Harrison? When will you put your foot down and break free from Bryce’s claws? This is getting out of hand. How could you fall for his lies so easily?” She is now shaking her head. “I don’t know what to tell you but you really hurt Charlee. If you want a chance with her or with your unborn kid, you better fix this as soon as possible. She might not come back from that leave, and I think she’s considering a relocation. She’s had enough of this toxicity.”
The blood starts ringing in my ears.
Charlee is moving? Oh, God no! This can’t be happening. Charlee leaving the city will make things harder than ever for us. I can’t let this happen.
I don’t realize when Roscoe walks into the room, and I don’t know how much he’s heard. Tess sighs and simply walks upstairs.
