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"Wait, there's more." Fiona scrolled further down the page, where she discovered a tidbit about Sid's family history. "His parents died in a car crash when he was younger. He got a settlement from it, but they weren't exactly millionaires."
"Money must be running out by now then," Jake said, furrowing his brow.
"Exactly what I was thinking," Fiona agreed, a hint of frustration coloring her voice. "He's in his thirties now and his so-called career doesn't seem to be taking off. The lawsuit seems to be going nowhere fast—extremely long wait times to get in court, and obviously a low priority. He could be getting desperate.”
"Desperate enough to kill?" Jake asked, shooting Fiona a quick glance before returning his gaze to the road.
"Maybe," Fiona replied, biting her lower lip in thought. "We won't know until we talk to him. But people have killed for less, that's for sure."
"Yep," Jake muttered, frustration cracking his voice. "So, we've got a guy who's running out of money and seems to be trying to cash in through lawsuits. It's not a stretch to think he might be willing to kill to get what he wants."
"Exactly," Fiona agreed, feeling a sick sense of satisfaction at uncovering this new information. "We need to confront him about this, but we should tread carefully. He lives in a penthouse suite, so he's probably used to getting his way."
"Right," Jake said, nodding grimly. "Let's pay Mr. Sid Jackson a visit and see if we can get some answers."
As they approached Sid's luxurious apartment building, Fiona couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and dread at the thought of meeting the potential killer face-to-face.
***
Jake parked the car and took a deep breath, feeling a mix of nervousness and guilt wash over him like a cold wave. His mind raced with thoughts of how and when to tell Fiona about Lauren's pregnancy. He knew he couldn't keep it a secret forever, but the timing had to be right. Right now, their focus needed to be on the case at hand—and Sid Jackson was at the top of his list.
"Let's go," he said, his voice betraying a slight tremble. They got out of the car and headed toward the entrance of the upscale apartment building.
The sleek glass doors of the apartment building loomed before them, reflecting the fading sunlight. Jake took a deep breath and pushed the entrance open, Fiona following closely behind him. The lobby was spacious and elegant; marble floors gleamed under the warm lighting, while tasteful art pieces adorned the walls.
Jake spotted the elevator tucked away in a corner, a set of pristine steel doors that matched the modern aesthetic of the building. They made their way over, the click of their heels echoing through the hushed lobby.
As they waited for the elevator, Jake's mind raced, thoughts of Lauren and the baby threatening to overwhelm him. He needed to stay focused, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. He clenched his fists at his sides, forcing himself to concentrate on the mission.
"Jake, are you okay?" Fiona asked, concern etching her features as she glanced at him. "I know I’ve asked a lot, it’s just, you seem a bit... tense. More than usual.”
"Just anxious to talk to Sid," he lied, offering her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure we'll get the answers we need."
The elevator dinged softly, announcing its arrival. The doors slid open, revealing a plush interior bathed in golden light. They stepped inside, and Fiona pressed the button for the top floor.
"Here goes nothing," she murmured, leaning against the wall as the elevator began its ascent.
"Stay sharp," Jake said, trying to project an air of confidence despite the turmoil brewing within him. "We don't know what to expect from this guy."
Fiona nodded, her eyes narrowing in determination. She was a rock, a constant source of strength that Jake desperately needed right now. He just hoped he could be the same for her when the truth finally came out.
As the elevator glided smoothly upward, Jake took one last deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation ahead. Whatever secrets Sid Jackson held, they were about to uncover them – and with any luck, bring justice to Nadine and Harry.
CHAPTER TEN
Jake approached the door of Sid's penthouse suite, an imposing slab of dark wood with ornate carvings etched into its surface, with Fiona right behind him.
"Ready?" Jake asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Fiona nodded, her face set in a determined expression. He raised his hand and knocked firmly on the door, the sound echoing through the eerily quiet corridor.
The door swung open, revealing Sid Jackson – a tall, slender man with slicked-back hair and a smug grin plastered across his face. He wore a loose silk robe that hung open, exposing his pale, wiry chest, and clutched a half-empty bottle of expensive-looking liquor in one hand.
"Can I help you?" he drawled, looking them up and down with obvious disdain.
"Agent Jake Tucker," Jake said tersely, flashing his FBI badge. "This is my partner, Fiona Red. We need to talk to you about a couple of legal matters."
Sid's eyebrows shot up, but his smirk never wavered. "Well, well, if it isn't, the feds come to pay me a visit." He took a swig from the bottle, the amber liquid sloshing around as he gestured for them to enter. "Please, do come in."
They followed him warily into the apartment, which was every bit as ostentatious as they had anticipated. The open-concept living area boasted floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of Portland's skyline, and the interior was decorated with lavish furniture, exotic animal skins, and more pieces of provocative art.
