Chapter 26

“I hope you’re feeling better,” Christopher whispered into Jael’s ear as he led her into the ballroom. “Because you are looking ravishing. I could eat you up. I hope you’re ready to celebrate tonight.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder so she wouldn’t have to look at him. “I’m much better, but a little shaky on my feet, I’m afraid. It wouldn’t be pleasant for either of us.”

“How about I slip something into your drink?” He laughed, but she wasn’t sure if he was kidding.

“You’d prefer me passed out?” she teased back, but her tone was sharp.

“You’ve been keeping me at bay for so long, I’d take anything at this point—Vivek,” he said when a board member from Heber Industries stepped up to them. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Vivek said. “Jael, you look lovely tonight. I’m so glad you have something to celebrate after your grief.”

“Thank you,” Jael said.

“Christopher would have told you we’ve approved another round of payments for Vita Nova?”

“Yes. Very generous.”

“I know it’s less than we have given in the past, but with Gregory’s passing, the shares took a hit.”

“Heber Industries has always been more than charitable.” Her cheeks twitched as she continued to force a smile. “I appreciate any and all support.”

“I was sorry to hear what happened with your latest client. Christopher said she’s disappeared.”

“She was very upset after the incident at the house. I expect she left the state,” Jael lied.

Vivek nodded. “I’m going to grab a drink. Can I bring either of you anything?”

Jael declined, and Christopher lifted the glass that was still half full in his hand.

“It’s unfortunate that things had to turn out the way they did,” Christopher said after Vivek left them. “I know it’s not the outcome either of us hoped for. Martin’s devastated.”

“I bet.”

“But if she doesn’t attend the hearing that’s coming up, the courts will be after her.”

Jael nodded. “I’m sure she’ll come to her senses.”

“He really loves her, you know. Whatever you think about him, he cares for her.”

“I’m sure he believes he does. But just because someone says they’re in love doesn’t mean they do what’s best.”

“Well, no one’s perfect— What’s he doing here?”

“Who?” Jael looked across the room. But she already knew who it was. “Danny? I invited him.”

“Why?”

“He’s a longstanding friend of the family.”

“I wish you wouldn’t have.”

She pressed a comforting hand against his chest. “I know you don’t like him, but he and my father were close, and I’m sure if Dad was here, he would want Danny to come. It would have been rude to leave him off the guest list.”

“Who cares about being rude to a guy like that?”

“I do. Please don’t make a scene.”

“I’m not going to do anything, but I can’t promise the same if I find him in the parking lot. He’s not planning on staying in town, is he?”

“I have no idea what his plans are. I haven’t really talked to him about it.”

“What do you two talk about?”

“Nothing,” Jael said. “I’ve barely spoken to him.”

“And yet you saw fit to invite him?”

“I told you?—”

“I know. I know. We all have to make concessions.”

“Thank you for understanding.” She noticed Hannah arrive. “Oh, look. Hannah’s here.”

“Hannah?”

“Yeah, you’ve met her. She works for the foundation.”

“More concessions.”

“She’s a good friend of mine.”

“But she’ll be a fish out of water in this company. It will be the highlight of her year, I imagine. Being around all of this opulence.”

“I doubt it. But if you’ll excuse me for a moment, I’ll go say hi.”

“Drop her on Danny. He can look after her, and it will keep him preoccupied. I don’t want him mingling too much.”

“Why not?”

“Because he doesn’t belong here.”

“And neither does Hannah, according to you.”

“Exactly.”

She didn’t want to rise to the bait but couldn’t help it. “Then maybe neither do I.”

“Jael, my dear.” He ran his hand down her back and pulled her close. “You’re one of us, whether you like it or not. You always have been.”

All she could see was the black in his eyes. She swallowed. “I better find Hannah.”

When she pulled away, he kissed her, then slapped her butt before she could get out of reach.

“It’s almost over,” she muttered to herself.

Danny checked the time, then scratched his cheek so he could speak into his earpiece. “Give me the heads up when you’re ready to make your move.”

“You get him to say what we need, and we’ll move,” Barak replied.

Danny made his way around the room until he spotted Artus.

“Nice party,” he said, and Artus turned, looking only slightly annoyed.

“Danny, are you still here? I thought you would be long gone now that Gregory’s dead.”

“Unfinished business.”

“Anything I can help with?” Artus said with a wolfish grin.

If Danny went for broke here, it could get him kicked out, or it could get the result he needed. He could see Jael talking to Hannah, but he didn’t know where Christopher had disappeared to.

“Maybe. I’m still looking for a decent job.”

Artus looked him up and down. “You’ve got some nerve. After the way you behaved, I can’t believe you think you’re welcome here.”

“Jael invited me.”

“Enjoy the last of her warmth. Because your friendship will come to an end once she’s married. Christopher will make sure of it.”

“Honestly, Artus, I don’t know what you have against me. Your boy isn’t the shining light you think he is.”

Artus leaned a fraction closer. “What did you just say to me?”

“I’m sure I don’t need to spell it out for you. Christopher makes messes. I bet you’ve cleaned up a few by now. I was attempting to keep things clean and sharp. I thought that was the type of business you ran. We get the job done and get out. But maybe I was wrong.”

“You’re lucky Christopher didn’t shoot you.”

“For what?”

“Does it matter? He’s a grown man. I let him decide what’s best in the moment.”

“Heads up, ladies and gentlemen,” Barak said into the earpiece. “We’ve picked up Bo Feng, the clerk who sold the drug to kill Gregory. He’s already agreed to confess about both Artus and Christopher’s involvement. We’ll leak the information to Artus and see if we can’t get him to confess before we move.”

Danny smiled at the news while nodding at what Artus was saying.

“…When the ends justify the means, you know you’ve got the right combination. I hope we can at least agree on that.”

“Absolutely,” Danny said. “But I don’t believe that was the case with Burger or with Martin.”

“If you like, we can see what Christopher has to say for himself.”

Artus nodded to Danny’s left, where Christopher was on the phone. He’d seen his dad’s summons but held up a finger for him to wait.

Danny would only be in the way if Christopher was getting the expected news. Father and son would talk more freely without him there.

“If you’ll excuse me for a moment,” Danny said. “While he’s on the phone, I’ll go grab a drink.”

“Sounds to me like you’re running away.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back.”

He threaded through the crowd and walked past Jael and Hannah.

“You ladies are both looking stunning tonight,” he said when he reached them.

“Thanks,” Hannah said with an innocent smile.

Jael’s smile was tight. “How are you this evening?” she said.

“Fantastic. I’m headed to the bar to grab a drink. You want to join me?”

“Yeah, sure. Hannah, I’ll be right back.”

Danny wanted to take her hand but couldn’t risk drawing unnecessary attention. “We’ve got him,” he whispered.

“Artus?”

“The man who gave him the poison agreed to confess. Christopher is on the phone right now with one of his contacts, who’s filling him in.”

She pulled Danny to a halt. “Christopher knows? Why aren’t the FBI storming the place?”

“They leaked it early on purpose. If Artus and Christopher talk, we’ll have their own words to use against them.”

“I wish they’d arrest them and get it over with. Is it worth waiting?”

“The more the FBI gets, the better.” Danny looked over his shoulder. “And it looks like it’s working. Why don’t you feign a headache and go home? You don’t need to be here when it all goes down.”

“Are you sure?”

“It would make me feel better knowing you were out of here.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“I’ll call you when it’s over.”

“Promise you won’t disappear?”

It would be easier if he did. His life wasn’t here, and it couldn’t be with her. But he wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye this time. “I won’t. But you know where to find me if I do.”

“That’s true.” She pressed her fingers to her temple. “My head suddenly hurts.”

“You don’t look too well. You should go home and get some rest.”

“I think I’m still sick. I’ll tell Hannah she’s off the hook for the night too.”

He smiled as she walked away, then faced the Siseras, who were still talking with their heads close together.

Artus looked up and waved him over.

Danny squeezed the back of his neck to move his mouth closer to the mic. “You guys get anything juicy?”

“We’ve got a lot,” Barak said. “But I can give you more time if you think you can get more.”

“Give me a minute, and I’ll see what I can do.”

“Sorry, I got sidetracked,” he said to Artus.

“Sidetracked with my fiancée,” Christopher said.

“She had a dizzy spell. I don’t think she’s feeling well.”

“She’s been sick.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Now, where were we?”

Christopher grinned. “Maybe we should have a word in private.”

“Sounds serious.”

“It is,” Artus said, touching Danny’s elbow to lead him toward an exit.

“Look, if you have a problem with me talking to Jael, I can assure you, my intentions were all good. I wanted to tell her I got a lead on Becca.”

“That’s nice,” Christopher said. And Danny knew he was in trouble. He’d have to warn Barak they’d run out of time.

“Have I done something wrong?” Danny said.

“I don’t know. Have you?” Christopher gave him a shove when they were out the door. “You don’t know how happy you’ve made me. I’ve been hoping for an opportunity like this.”

“Like what?” Danny said as Artus opened a door off the lobby to find a room that was unoccupied.

“This should do the trick,” Artus said, giving Christopher room to force Danny through before closing and locking the door behind them.

“Lotus room,” Danny said. “Nice name, but if you want to kill me, it would be tidier to take me outside. These carpets really soak up the blood— Oof.”

He collapsed in half when Christopher punched him, but had no time to recover before Artus locked his arms and jerked him upright. Danny fought back, but Christopher took another swing at him, knocking out all his breath.

“I got a call,” Christopher said. “Sounds to me like you’ve been snooping. I wonder why you’d go and do something like that— What have we got here?” He’d spotted Danny’s gun and retrieved it. “You planning on shooting someone tonight?”

“I always have that on me,” Danny coughed, still working on taking full breaths. “I don’t know what anyone’s been saying about me, but I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“No offense,” Artus said. “But we don’t believe you. Tell me who you’re working for. Is it Gregory? Did he hire you after we had our disagreement at the office? Because I hate to tell you this, but the old man is dead. Heart gave out on him, like yours will if we don’t like your answers.”

“What can I say,” Danny said. “I always had a soft spot for him.”

“For him?” Christopher said. “Or his little girl?” He punched Danny again.

Danny hung limp for a second from Artus’s grip before he had the strength to stand. “You gonna let me answer before you take a cheap shot?”

“I know you’ve been following her,” Christopher said.

“That was before. It’s what Gregory hired me to do.”

“I’ve got that covered now, which means you’re of no real use to us or to anyone.”

“Probably not, but I’d like to say that I don’t think Gregory appreciates the fact that you two conspired to murder him.”

Christopher took another swing, this time punching Danny in the jaw, almost knocking him out.

“That’s unfair.” Danny spit blood. “Why don’t you tell your dad to release me, and we’ll see what you’re really made of?”

“You know I don’t play fair.”

“True.” He licked at his stinging lip. “But I still don’t understand what your problem is. We haven’t always seen eye to eye, but it would be a waste to kill me.”

“You think so? Then explain to me why I got a call from Bo about you wanting to order a certain product.”

“I need it to take care of a problem.”

“Uh-huh. Then why, after the allotted time set for receiving said product was this same employee arrested? I can’t help but feel like you’re involved.”

“That’s got nothing to do with me. I will confess I’ve been snooping around.”

“For who?”

“No one. Gregory was a friend of mine, and I had my suspicions. I wanted to know for sure.”

“That’s a stupid thing to die for.”

“You don’t have to kill me.”

“I’m afraid we do.”

“Then at least tell me why you did it. Gregory was old. How could he interfere?”

“He was a bigger problem than you’d think,” Artus said. “Gregory took our friendship for granted and felt it was his place to step in where he wasn’t invited. We needed Heber Industries to carry some of the load that Jabin Enterprises has been carrying. My business profile has expanded, and there’s been too much money to filter through one company. Gregory told me in no uncertain terms that he wouldn’t allow us to use his business for that. He had the gall to threaten me. Me of all people.” Artus shook his head as though he were hurt. “He deserved what he got. No one threatens me.”

“What would you do if I did?” Danny said.

“You?” He shoved Danny to the floor and took a gun from Christopher. “You want to see what I would do?”

There was a loud bang and a crack. Artus turned his weapon on the door as Christopher pulled another gun.

As the door splintered, Danny jumped on Christopher, who was closest, wrestling him to the floor. Christopher elbowed him in the face, then got free and jumped to his feet as agents shouted for him to drop his weapon, but he fired instead.

Danny crawled for cover as the agents returned fire and Christopher dropped to the ground, riddled with bullet holes.

His eyes drifted to meet Danny’s, and a sneer lifted his lip as the life drained from his face.

Danny stared for another second before drawing himself up.

“Where is he?” Danny said, searching the room. When no one responded, he grabbed the nearest agent. “Where’s Artus?”

“Went through that door.” The agent pointed across the room. “We’re on him.”

Danny didn’t wait to hear more. He sprinted toward Artus’s escape route. He wouldn’t let him get away.