Chapter 38

chapter

thirty-eight

Nia took a shower and dressed in some clothes Gage had purchased in the gift shop downstairs. Then, using her new untraceable phone, she called into the office and told Melissa she’d be late if she came in at all today.

Melissa said that people were starting to talk. That they were wondering what was going on, and Graham seemed especially agitated about her absence.

That didn’t surprise Nia because Graham thought he owned the place.

“Remind him that it’s my company, and I’m the boss,” Nia said. “I’ll come in when I can.”

There were times when she simply liked doing business but not being the boss and managing people. It was why she’d hired Graham—so he could do that for her as the VP of Operations.

But sometimes he was the one who required the most managing of all.

After her phone call, she found Gage in the living room. Nia forced herself to ignore the way her heart sped at the sight of him.

“Are you ready?” He checked his phone before sliding it into his pocket.

She nodded and pushed a curl behind her ear. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

He nodded toward the door, and they stepped up to it. As per usual, Gage checked the hallway before indicating for her to follow him.

No one else was out and about right now, and that made Nia feel a little better—though she did wonder how long it would be before their hideout was discovered.

Whoever those men chasing her were, they were smart and resourceful. She knew it was probably just a matter of time.

Nia didn’t like the thought of that. At least the room was reserved under a different name and on someone else’s credit card.

Hector’s office was only a couple of blocks away, so it made more sense to walk than it did to drive.

With every step, Nia prayed Hector could provide some answers for them.

Gage watched as Nia talked to the receptionist at the law office.

Nia had a very convincing way about her, which he was certain helped her in the business world. She seemed like a natural when it came to making deals and convincing people to see things her way.

Again, she impressed him, something Gage hadn’t been expecting.

No, what he’d been expecting was that she was a murderer.

But he didn’t think that. Not anymore.

Even their conversation last night hadn’t swayed him otherwise.

He just didn’t think Nia had it in her to take someone else’s life.

Still, he reminded himself to be cautious and keep his distance. He couldn’t let himself get close to people. It would only be a liability.

Several minutes after they arrived, they were ushered into a large, spacious corner office. A thin man with a shock of white hair, a narrow nose with wire-framed glasses, and a stuffy but expensive business suit sat behind the massive desk there.

“Hector . . . good to see you again,” Nia started.

The man rose and offered a stiff nod. “You too, Nia. Although I wish it wasn’t under these circumstances.”

“You and me both.” She turned to Gage. “This is Gage, a friend of mine.”

Hector offered a nod, a cautious look remaining in his eyes.

They all took seats, and Hector asked, “What brings you this way?”

“I know this is a bit unconventional,” Nia started. “But I need to know what happened to Rob. ”

“Is this about the contract? Because, despite Rob’s death, it’s already a done deal—although I’m not sure if Rob sent you everything you need for the app. But I’m not sure I’ll be able to help you with that.”

“No, it’s not about that. I’m trying to piece together what happened to Rob between the time we met in my office on Tuesday and the time the two of us had dinner together.”

Hector’s forehead wrinkled. “So he did have dinner with you?”

Nia’s eyebrows rose. “You knew about that?”

“I encouraged him to meet with you. So I’m glad that he did. Although now . . . I suppose it doesn’t really mean anything . . .”

“It sounds like you met with him after he was at Nia’s office,” Gage said. “Is there anything you can tell me about that meeting?”

Hector let out a long breath. “There are things I can’t say because of confidentiality. But I can tell you that Rob did contact me around three yesterday.”

“Do you mind if I ask what he said?” Nia asked.

“He sounded nervous, but he didn’t tell me much. Only that something had come up and he’d changed his mind. He wanted to know if the contract was iron-clad.”

“And you told him?” Gage asked.

“I told him that it was, unfortunately.” Hector nodded slowly. “That The Anderson Group could sue him if he tried to back out and that they’d probably win. He said it might be worth it.”

“He asked me at dinner that night if I might change my mind.” Nia frowned. “But he didn’t say what had set this in motion.”

Hector shrugged. “Unfortunately, he didn’t tell me either. But it seemed like a new development. He was gung-ho earlier in the day.”

Nia shifted in her seat. “I’m trying to put together a timeline. He left my office around two-thirty on Tuesday. He called me at four asking if we could meet. That’s not much time for something to change.”

“From what he told me, he went back home to work on his product. That’s where he called me from.” Hector paused. “His assistant was with him. Maybe you should talk to him.”

“Cormac?” Nia murmured, a touch of surprise in her voice.

“Yes, he’s the one.” Hector nodded in affirmation.

Nia exchanged a look with Gage, and he knew exactly what she was thinking.

Cormac was the missing puzzle piece they were looking for.

They had to figure out a way to find him.