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“It was one of the reasons… obviously not one I wanted to talk about,” she says, and I nod my head. I can understand that, and I don’t blame her for not mentioning it. “I guess because this is a company phone…” She nods toward it again, although she doesn’t finish her sentence.
“That’s got nothing to do with it. I’d help you regardless of whose phone it was.”
“You would?”
“Yes.”
I get the feeling she wants to ask why. I wonder, if she did, whether I’d tell her it’s because it’s the right thing to do, or whether I’d be completely honest and say it’s because it’s the right thing to do, and because I love her… because protecting her is wired into my DNA, so I know no other way of being.
It doesn’t matter in the end, because she doesn’t ask the question. Instead, she says, “I’m not sure what you can do.”
Anything. I can do anything it takes, if it keeps you safe.
“To start with, we need to find out who’s behind this.”
“I know. But how?”
“I have a friend… well, a kind of friend. It’s someone I used to know, anyway. They’re a detective.”
“The police?” She sounds doubtful.
“No. A private detective, but they might be able to find out who’s doing this. Do you want me to call and see if they can help?”
She hesitates for just a few seconds and then lets out a breath. “Would you?”
I smile. “Of course.” I stand up, regretting the distance I have to put between us, as I wander to my desk, picking up my phone. Keira’s number should still be on here. I hope. Because I can’t remember her surname… not after all this time. Scrolling seems to take forever, but I find it eventually, connecting a call and switching it to speaker, so Livia can hear us. It feels important that she knows everything that’s being said about her.
After four rings, Keira finally answers.
“Hunter Bennett… after all this time.”
“Are you talking to me these days?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? It wasn’t your fault things ended up the way they did.”
“No, it wasn’t.” I take a breath. “I have a favor to ask, although I’ll pay you the going rate for your time.”
“You want to use my services?”
“Yes. But it’s a personal matter. Do you think you could come see me?”
“Where? At your apartment?”
“No. At my offices?”
“Sure. I’ll happily take your money. I’ve got an opening at noon today, if that works for you?”
“That works perfectly. I’ll see you then.”
I end the call and glance over at Livia. She’s frowning now, although I don’t know why.
“Is everything okay?”
“Y—Yes.” She stands before I can get back to her, picking up her phone from the table at the same time. “I—I should get back to work.”
“You don’t have to, Livia. You can stay in here, if you’d prefer.”
“No. It’s okay. I’ve got a lot to do today, and I’d rather keep busy.”
