Page 105 of Havoc

I sat in my father’s soft leather office chair and leaned into his desk as I quickly thought of something to say. “I just saw it on someone else recently and thought it was strange they would both have it, so I wondered if it had meaning somehow. Anyway,” I changed topics, “you’re home, you’re getting help, so when do I get to see you next?”

“Not until you come here.” Her tone softened. “I think I’ve had my fill of Vegas for a while.”

“Then the moment I can get away, I’ll come visit.”

“I’d like that.” She started talking about her new job when I swiveled in the chair and knocked my knee on the inside of the desk.Ouch!A strange clink sound caught my attention. I hit the side again, a bit softer, and I heard it again, but this time the bottom drawer popped open from the impact. I leaned down close to see it.What the hell?

“Hanna, hold on a sec.” I pulled the phone away from my head. A faint smell found my nose, and I reached down and snagged a twist of hair that stuck out from an envelope and held it up in the light to study it.Ew.Something strange passed through me, and I looked down at the drawer again. I eyed the padded envelope that lay there, then I looked around the office with a guilty feeling. I pushed past it. My nerves on edge, I carefully lifted it out and peeked inside. Two shiny cufflinks lay in the bottom. I carefully turned it over and saw it was addressed to my father but there was no return address. What was really strange was the stamp and postmark read New Orleans.

“Hanna?” I put my phone back to my ear. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

“Oh, okay. Hope to see you soon.”

I clicked off without another word and quickly shut the drawer, tucked the envelope in my purse, and moved around the desk.

I screwed up my face as I studied the treat I’d brought for my father. The happiness I’d felt so briefly was now replaced with confusion and uncertainty. I picked up the bag and the coffee and spun on my heel to toss both treats into the trash by his door. As I hurried down the hallway, I met Laurel coming out of the conference room.

“Mrs. Gates,” I smiled, “have you seen Jesse?”

“Good morning, dear,” she greeted me warmly, but I noticed her eyes were puffy, and her reactions were slow. She touched her head like it hurt as she thought. “I believe he’s in a meeting downstairs.”

“Downstairs?” I drew out the word trying to think where that would be. She pointed toward the elevator, and we walked together. “Mrs. Gates, when was the last time you got any sleep? You look exhausted.”

“I’m not really sure. Let’s see, when did you all leave for New Orleans?” She brushed a tear away, and my heart broke. “The world works in strange ways, doesn’t it?” She sniffed.

“It certainly can work in the worst ways.” I put a hand on her back and gave her a little pat. I’m so sorry, Mrs. Gates, about Leo.” Then my father’s face pushed through my thoughts, and it suddenly felt like I held a secret in my purse. I needed it out of my possession. God, I hoped there was an explanation for it. As the elevator doors parted, she stepped inside and pulled out her black and gold keycard. I carefully stepped in beside her and watched as she moved like a robot to tap the card to the keypad. Then she pressed the lobby and floor fifteen at the same time. My memory went back to when I’d seen Jesse do that after that terrible night when Grim’s car was all shot up on the way back from the desert.Interesting.

Laurel stepped out then held the doors from closing. “Leo thought very highly of you, you know.” Her eyes glossed over. “You’re a brightness in an otherwise very bleak time.”

“That’s a really nice thing to hear.” I felt a lump form in my throat. “Thank you, Mrs. Gates. He was a lovely man.”

“Laurel,” she said tenderly. “You need to start calling me Laurel. We’re closer than that.” I wanted to sob for so many reasons, but her kindness toward me at such a difficult time squeezed my heart until it hurt.

“I will,” I paused and tested out her name, “Laurel.”

“Better.” She stepped back and dropped her hand. “I have some calls to make.” She turned as the doors slid shut, and I felt some tears spill over. As I descended toward the unknown, I shifted my head back to what I needed to do.

I watched as the numbers on the screen went from the lobby to the parking lot, to the basement, then continued to drop. My heart pounded as it slowed to a stop, then I waited for a beat and peeked out, looking both ways before I stepped out onto a shiny marble floor. I expected to hear my heels echo off the walls, but everything seemed strangely muted.The hallway was long, but with a wall at one end there was only one way to go, and it was toward two massive steel doors that stood partially open.

“And what about you, Ridder?” Grim’s voice slowed my pace as I grew close.

“Sonny’s been hanging tight with Trident Melvern, Jr. at the Mac since he’s been back. Other than that, he’s been keeping a low profile. I’m still waiting on confirmation about exactly where he went that night in New Orleans.”

“Alibi or not, Sonny knows something!” Grim boomed as I stepped up to the door and peeked through.

“I agree.” A man who I assumed was Ridder nodded.

Grim sat in a black velvet chair that looked like something from his penthouse. He wore all black and sat rigid as he barked orders to the others. Suddenly, Zhar, who lay at Grim’s feet, looked right at me. Jesse seemed to catch this motion and looked down at him.

“Trigger, Talya wanted me to give you this.” He slid something across the table. “Locations and dates to pass along to your Blackstone friends.”

Trigger nodded and tucked it away. “And the retaliation on her parents?”

“I’ve got people there ready to make a move, but we’re waiting to see?—”

I jumped when Jesse’s face suddenly appeared in front of me. He slowly opened the door just enough to slip himself out into the hallway with me.

His face was white as he looked around. “How – how did you get down here? You can’t be here.”

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