Hard to Handle (17 page)

“Have you seen my dad lately, Evan?” she demanded. “When was the last time? Last year? You wouldn't even recognize him now. He drinks all the time, and it's killing him. So what was I supposed to do? Plan social events, golf tournaments? Go to dinners with these people and politely take their dirty money as donations? I couldn't do it.”

There was heavy silence after that. The passion and determination of her statements echoed around them. Finally, Sam went up to Kaylee and touched her shoulder.

“What do you have on Fleming?” he asked.

Her shoulders relaxed a little, and she seemed grateful to move on.

“His people just blew up a car in Midtown so I'd say I finally have enough to stop him.”

“No, you don't, Mikayla,” Junior countered. “Fleming is two hundred miles away, so you can't connect him to this. Don't you understand that? People like him are pretty much untouchable—that's why they do it. So, as far as I can see, you put us, and a lot of other people, in danger for no reason.”

“Jesus, Junior, weren't you listening? I started Antonoli Properties specifically to compete against Fleming and force him to come out in the open. I've traced at least seven of his phony companies. I knew how he operated, so I outplayed him. He bid low in Paterson, and I just bid lower. Then the threats started. So there is no doubt who's responsible.”

“Ross Construction is a front for Groveland,” Sam said, and Kaylee looked at him with surprise.

“How did you know about Ross?” she asked.

“My team is pretty good at finding information, Kaylee. It wasn't difficult,” he replied.

“They're obviously a shell company, but Renee's still trying to find out who really owns Ross,” Evan reminded them. “What makes you think it's Fleming?”

“I'll show you,” she said, before walking away.

Kaylee went quickly to the office between her room and Terry's. It was neat and looked unused, except for the storage space under the desk. She opened it up and took out a thick folder, which she carried back to the living room. Sam, Evan, and Junior watched silently as she laid out several documents on the coffee table.

“This is the statement of work from a project Groveland did with the city of Baltimore five years ago,” she explained, tapping the first document. “Look at the last page, with the invoicing information. It's operating under Groveland Development, but the registered owner is PTL Inc.”

“That's the same company that Ross has listed on their bid in Paterson,” Sam remembered. “But that company doesn't exist.”

“Not anymore,” Kaylee agreed. “Somewhere between three to five years ago, Anthony changed the registered name of his company from PTL Inc. to Groveland Inc.”

She pointed to two other city contracts dated more recently, and the new name was listed under each for invoicing.

“But he kept operating the shell companies under the original name,” Evan concluded.

Evan looked down at the documents, rubbing a finger over his lips in thought.

“This definitely suggests that Fleming owns Ross. But it doesn't prove that he's responsible for the threats against you and Antonoli, instead of someone lower in the company.”

“Maybe not, but it's enough to create a scandal.” Kaylee insisted. “If I publish a story on Groveland winning state projects while it maintains shell companies that threaten its competitors, the business and political fallout would destroy him.”

“No,” Sam stated bluntly. “It's too risky, and you're not putting yourself in the line of fire anymore.”

“It's not your call, Sam,” she insisted, turning to face him with squared shoulders.

“I'm making it my call,” Sam snapped back. “You're not putting this story out there. You're not in this alone anymore, Kaylee. You hired me to protect you, and that's what I'm going to do, whether you like it or not. And we'll take down Fleming in the process.”

CHAPTER 17

At first, Kaylee looked as though she was going to argue with him. But then she glanced over at her brother and Sam was relieved to see her shoulders sag a little. She turned and walked a few steps away from the three men, remaining quiet and in thought for a few minutes. Sam looked over at Evan, who was frowning as he looked between Kaylee and his partner.

“Okay, you're right,” Kaylee finally agreed, turning back to face them. “How do we get him?”

“We're not doing anything more tonight other than surveillance and reconnaissance,” Sam said. “Once we know more about the car bomb, who planted it, and when, we can create a plan of action.”

Kaylee nodded, looking tired and deflated.

“It's almost nine-thirty and I'm sure everyone's hungry,” Evan said. “We'll order some food, get everyone settled in, then regroup in the morning.”

“I have to get going,” Junior said, brushing at his head wound again.

“Why don't you stay for something to eat?” Kaylee suggested.

“No, that's okay. I'll pick something up near my hotel,” he told her, then turned to Evan. “I still don't understand how DaCosta fits into all this, Evan. But thanks for coming here to help Mikayla.”

“I'm no longer the head of DaCosta Solutions,” Evan explained. “Now I own Fortis with Sam and another partner. And this is what we do. We provide security solutions and asset protection for our clients.”

Junior looked around at the operation that was being set up at Kaylee's apartment and then back at Evan. “Looks like I need to get caught up on a few more things.”

Evan smiled and slapped him on the shoulder. “How long are you in the city?”

“I planned to stay for the weekend, but now I don't know,” admitted Junior, looking very confused and a little disoriented.

“I'll walk you to the door,” Kaylee offered, and the siblings walked away.

“So, what do you think?” Evan asked when they were out of earshot.

Sam stroked his chin, still coming to grips with everything Kaylee had told him and all that she had been through over the last few years.

“It was a crazy and reckless plan, but I can see why she did it,” he replied.

“I've always admired her strong will and determination. But this is a whole other level of balls,” Evan added.

“We need to solve this thing right away, before someone realizes who Kaylee really is,” Sam added. “They weren't trying to kill her today, just send a really strong message to Antonoli. But we both know that they are completely capable of murder.”

“I know. And, if Mikayla is right, they've already killed one witness: Holt,” concluded Evan.

“I'll order some food. Why don't you start updating the others, then we'll do a status review to see what else we know?” Sam suggested, taking out his phone to find a local restaurant that delivered.

“Wait, Sam,” Evan inserted. “Is everything okay between you and Mikayla?”

“What do you mean?” Sam asked impassively.

“I don't know. There just seems to be a bit of tension between you. Beyond the obvious situation. And why do you call her Kaylee?”

Sam shrugged, feeling like a fraud.

“I just got used to it, I guess. That's how she introduced herself when we met four years ago, and the name she used when I took this assignment.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” Evan mused. “Anyway, thank you for taking this one while I was out of town. Particularly since you're supposed to be on vacation.”

“Don't worry about it. I didn't have anything planned. But just so you know, she still thinks that I'm working for her. So maybe don't mention that this is all off the books.”

“Yeah, Lucas mentioned that too. And now we know why she didn't want me to know what was going on.”

Kaylee approached at that point, looking too exhausted to stand. “I'm going to get cleaned up.”

“Okay. I'll let you know when the food arrives,” Sam replied. Their eyes met for a few seconds.

Finally, she nodded with a ghost of a smile and went toward her room.

Sam ordered pizza, which the team devoured while it was still hot. Kaylee joined them about an hour later, wearing yoga pants and a cotton T-shirt, and looking a little less weary.

“Renee and I have reviewed all the surveillance footage from today, both from the apartment and the office,” Raymond said as they all stood around the table in the kitchen. “No sign of any threats or unusual activity.”

“Good. There was nothing after the explosion to suggest there was anything else in play,” Sam told them. “So let's attack the problem in the morning.”

“I booked rooms for the team at the Ritz-Carlton,” Evan noted. “Or did you need anyone to stay here for extra support?”

“No, I'm good. We're wired up pretty tight here. I'll know the second something breathes too close,” Sam confirmed. “You guys get some sleep.”

The Fortis team left the apartment at around eleven o'clock that night. Renee, Raymond, and David Ferguson, the DaCosta consultant, said polite good-byes. Then Sam watched Evan and Kaylee hug, noting the obvious caring and friendship that they had for each other. But that was all it was, since Evan was crazy in love with his girlfriend, Nia. Yet that knowledge didn't stop Sam from clenching his jaw with unjustified annoyance.

Then he and Kaylee were alone in the apartment. She was still in the kitchen, cleaning up the pizza boxes and empty cans of soda.

“Why don't I take care of all that?” he offered, piling up the dirty plates and used napkins. “You should get some rest.”

“Is that it then? You have nothing else to say?” she asked, still cleaning up.

Sam put everything down on the counter and turned to face her. He really did not want to have this conversation right now. Too much had happened in a short period of time for him to focus on anything more than the mission. His personal feelings for Kaylee needed more time. Right now, all he felt was a slow, burning anger and stomach-turning fear for the risk she was in. And he didn't want to discuss any of that with her.

“I think you've said plenty this evening, Kaylee. Or are there more lies you need to confess?”

“No,” she said softly, casually tossing things into the garbage can. “But I would like the chance to explain.”

“I think you gave a pretty good explanation earlier,” he replied, leaning against the counter with his arms and ankles crossed. “Despite what you think, I'm not an idiot. I knew you were lying to me from the beginning.”

“I know you're not. I also knew you would know I wasn't being completely honest with you, but that would be true to form, wouldn't it?” she explained. “You would expect me to be deceitful and immoral. So why bother to question my situation? My motives.”

“You forgot manipulative,” he snarled, and she flinched. “Is that why you slept with me? Then led me to believe that you slept with another man the very next night right under my nose? True to form?”

She sighed and looked away.

“Damn, you're cold.”

“I'm sorry, Sam,” she finally whispered, still avoiding his eyes. “I was desperate, and I did what I thought had to be done. So yes, I lied about Terry and I. But being with you at the safe house had nothing to do with this. I didn't plan it. How could I?”

Sam looked at her profile, trying to make sense of his tangled thoughts and emotions. He didn't know what to believe, and he didn't trust himself to objectively assess the facts. Kaylee had this unnatural ability to break down his barriers and stir uncontrollable desires. After four years, being around her still made him feel alive and charged, but also raw and unrestrained. It was too much too soon, just like before. And it was not a good sign for how it would all end.

“Antonoli. He's not your lover,” he found himself stating.

She finally looked back at him.

“No. We've been friends for years, and he just wanted to help me out. And he really does love his wife.”

He nodded, feeling marginally better, then annoyed that it mattered so much.

“Sam,” she whispered with a soft, pleading look in her eyes.

He stepped back, using his anger and willpower to resist the allure of where this could go.

“Go to bed, Kaylee. We have a lot to figure out tomorrow.”

Then Sam took his laptop and went to the den. He paused inside the room, immediately regretting the impulsive brush-off. Now he was the one being dishonest. It was a lie to let her think he didn't desire her when he did. That it wouldn't be so easy and so good to take her in his arms, be with her again. But walking away was the right thing to do.

And there was Evan. Sam needed to tell him what had happened four years ago. It was time, and it was necessary for their friendship and partnership. And for his integrity.

Now that he'd seen her and Evan together, as friends after their engagement, Sam felt less concerned about how the truth would impact Kaylee. Considering what she had dealt with virtually alone to go after some very bad people, Sam had no doubt about her ability to deal with Evan's reaction. So it was time and it needed to happen soon.

Purposefully putting Kaylee and his desires out of his mind, Sam reviewed the digital feed of the apartment surveillance, secured his gun near his pillow, and went to sleep on the small pull-out couch.

Thursday morning, the Fortis team met again in the dining room over breakfast. They had several high-powered computers set up on the long table to create a base of operation for the rest of the mission. Sam would continue to lead the operation and was ready to set their immediate objectives and assign tasks.

“The first thing we need to do is to have Antonoli Properties withdraw their bid for the Paterson contract. That will take the heat off Kaylee and allow us to go on the offense and catch them unaware,” he began. “Kaylee, can we talk to Antonoli this morning and make that happen?”

“There's no need. I have signing authority,” she explained, readily. “But I'll give him an update.”

“Then let's clarify our primary objective. Kaylee, would you agree that the target is whoever was or still is exerting influence over your father? Then we have to confirm who that is and why,” he said, and she nodded with agreement. “We need to go back to our original assignment for Clement Media four years ago. Raymond, you should access the original security review from the
Baltimore Journal
, and the annual audits we do now, and review all of the data and information Kaylee has uncovered since.”

“You're still doing work for my father?” Kaylee asked.

“Yes, since he retired. After Holt, he wanted Fortis to look for any signs of corruption on a regular basis,” Evan explained.

“Evan, can you work with Kaylee to pull together a comprehensive review of all the known facts and the evidence associated with Holt?” Sam instructed. “For example, we know he was bribed over whatever Kaylee was investigating, based on the conversation she overheard and the payment we intercepted. And we know he received an email from Nate Battleford within a close timeframe. But we don't actually know if the two are related. We also don't have proof that anyone coerced George into quitting. And so on. Then we can do a gap analysis, factoring in what is essential to prove in order to meet our objective.”

“Got it,” Evan replied.

“Renee, you're with me. I want to look over the physical evidence from all of the threats Kaylee's received. The visit to the office, the break-in, the voicemail message and attack in Virginia. Then the car bomb. Something has to tie back to Fleming or whoever is running the show.” Renee nodded. “Let's meet back here at about four o'clock this afternoon to regroup. But let's connect immediately if anything urgent is uncovered.”

The team broke up to get focused on their individual tasks. Kaylee reached for her cell phone, presumably to call Antonoli in Paris. Sam approached Evan.

“Do you have a minute?” he asked his friend.

“Yeah, what's up?”

“We need to talk in private.”

Evan raised his eyebrows, but followed Sam into the small den.

“What's going on?”

Sam closed the door and took a position in the middle of the room, arms straight along his side. “You were correct yesterday, when you said there's tension between Kaylee and I,” he started.

“Yeah, I figured that. As you can see, she's pretty stubborn when she sets her mind on something, so—”

“No, Evan. That's not it,” Sam interrupted, determined to spit out the words needed. “You know that I had met her, four years ago. I helped her home after she had hurt her ankle. We got to know each other a bit, just for a couple days.”

Evan straightened up and crossed his arms firmly across his chest. “Okay.”

“I didn't know Clement's daughter worked at the paper, so I didn't make the connection between the name she gave me and your . . . fiancée,” continued Sam, eyes fixed firmly on his friend's face. “We got close.”

Evan leaned forward, his expression more chilly. “How close exactly?”

“Intimate close.”

Sam waited for the reaction that was sure to come. Evan's eyes narrowed, and his face looked carved from ice.

“You and Mikayla. While she was engaged to me.”

“I didn't know that, but yes. She didn't know who I was either, not until I confronted her,” Sam explained, keeping his tone calm and factual.

“And when was that exactly?”

“The day you arrived back from overseas, after you had spoken to Clement about his retirement,” he explained. “That's when I knew. I stopped it immediately.”