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Fyre.
She did her best not to create any more work. He had spoken to Abbie, asking her if she needed anything more for Miss Parker, but all the maid had done was shake her head and tell her that other than a bath, she did not ask for anything.
He sank behind his desk with a groan.
“Party woes?”
Without looking, he sent a gesture to Kolby that was not remotely polite. The man chuckled.
“You have news?”
“I do. But I have to say first, a heads-up about your woman leaving last night would have been nice. We are going to be a man down here because we are covering her once more. I took that upon myself because you said she was safe while here, but as she left…”
It took a moment for the news to sink in. Hands spread on his desk, he shook his head and took several deep breaths. “She left? When the fuck did this happen?”
Kolby eyed him like one did a dangerous animal—with extreme caution. “Last night. Davie and Abbie took her in a wagon. Archer followed and watched over her last night. Zander took the position early this morning.”
She never said a word.
Phillip wanted to roar for his horse and ride to her side, demanding an explanation. He stayed right there and forced his jaw to unlock.
“What about the books?”
“In regards to those, we found the woman responsible for trying to get in.”
He blinked. “Woman?”
“We let her get the information because we were not sure if you wanted to have her followed to see who she is meeting to give this to.”
“Who the fuck is stealing my information?”
“Mrs. Parker.”
“Fyre’s sister-in-law?”
Kolby nodded. “I do not know if she is working alone here, but she picked the lock like a professional and knew exactly where to go for your books. There was no changing of the lines this time, but she did seem interested in that latest entry.”
His gut churned. That was the line he’d had Fyre add about selling people.
“She take a copy?”
The man nodded, tunneling his fingers through his dark, unbound hair. “Yes. She was in and out in moments.” He shifted his weight on his feet. “I do not know where she went after that, I could not see her once she left the room. Damon was on her and he will be here shortly. With Archer sleeping after keeping an eye on Fyre at her place we did not want to leave the room unguarded.”
“Thank you,” Phillip said, getting to his feet. “Tell Damon to meet me here when he can. Get the sleep you need. I know you have been watching this room all the time.”
Kolby canted his head to the side. “Not all the time, my lord.”
“When were you not?”
“When you and Miss Gwen were in here the other day, utilizing the desk for something other than writing.”
Shit. He’d forgotten about them the second she had touched his cock. His skin heated at the thought of her bent over his large desk as he fucked her from behind.
“Do not mention that to her.”
The man grinned and held up his hands. “I did not see a thing.”
“Keep it that way.”
Kolby left, and about twenty minutes later Damon arrived. After talking with him about Cara and where she had gone after being in his office, he knew one thing for certain. Cara was not working alone. But it didn’t sound like her husband was in on it.
He hoped he wouldn’t have to take both parents from the kids, but if that was what had to happen, so be it.
So right now his question was, who had Cara met after breaking into his office? If Damon hadn’t seen anyone leaving, chances were it was a staff member who knew the passageways to move through to get unseen from place to place.
While he hoped none of his people were involved, he was not looking past that. He pushed those thoughts away while he made his way down to share breakfast with his guests.
As they talked, laughed, and tried to one-up one another in tales, he thought about Fyre. He couldn’t help but look over to Elonne and Cara throughout the meal. She didn’t seem to give a damn one way or the other, but Elonne was watching him with a suspicious look. As was Caulfield.
* * * *
Later in the early afternoon, Phillip had some boats set up for them to take a spin around the lake on his property, while there would be snacks along the shore.
“Where is my sister, my lord?”
He took his focus from Cara, who sat with another wife, and settled it on Elonne. “Afternoon, Mr. Parker.”
“My sister?”
“I was informed this morning that your sister had decided to return home. My guess is that is where she is.”
“What did you do to her?”
“Watch your tone, Mr. Parker. I do not like people assuming I did anything. I have not seen your sister since I checked on her after she fainted in the entryway.” He glared at Elonne. “Why did you not check on her?”
