Page 54 of Rules of Engagement

We were halfway to Fort Charles when my phone rang just as I took a sip from a bottle of water. I rammed the cap on, grabbed my purse, rifling through it. I found it and my heart thumped as Anastasia's name flashed on the screen. "Is everything okay?" I asked, my breath quickening.

"Everything's fine," said Anastasia. "Damien and I are sitting with John. I forgot to ask you when you're coming back. Where are you?"

"I'm on my way to visit a friend of Solomon's. I mean, John's," I said, correcting myself quickly. Anastasia rarely called her brother by their family name, and I rarely heard someone address him by his given name. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Don't worry," she said. "I was just worried about you and wanted to make sure you're okay. Does John's friend know something that might be of help?"

"I don't know yet but I hope so."

"I asked the police officer guarding the room and he doesn't seem to know anything at all. I'd like to speak with someone about my brother's case. Can you mention anybody whom I should speak to?" she asked.

"Garrett can help you with anything you need to know."

"Shouldn't someone know something more by now?" she asked, her voice small and sad. I wished there was something I could say to comfort her, but I had nothing to say to comfort anyone. Not even myself.

"This is Damien," said the male voice that came on the line. "We can stay as long as you need us so don't worry about John being alone. Are you okay?"

"Hi, Damien. I'm okay. How are you both holding up?"

"It's strange seeing my brother like this," he said. There was a sound of the door sliding and footsteps. "I just stepped out of the room," he explained. "Anastasia is pretending she's okay but I can see she's not. Truthfully, seeing John like this makes me sick to my stomach. I want to help and just do something."

"You are helping by staying with him," I said.

"You know what I mean. I have a law enforcement background. I could be of some use to you. I really want to help."

"I'm sure the agency would appreciate it," I replied, then added, "I'd appreciate it too."

"Tell me what to do."

"Sit tight until I get back and then we can go to the agency for an update. You might be able pick up something from John's past that we don't know about."

"You think that’s what this is about? Something from John's past? His professional life?"

"Don't you?" I asked, not sure if I still did.

"I guess," said Damien. "It makes sense. He's been involved in a lot of stuff that he doesn't like talking about. If it were really bad, it would make sense if someone wanted revenge."

"We're looking at a revenge angle but so far, it's not paying off," I told him. "My colleagues made a long list of anyone who might have harbored a grudge against him and they've ruled a lot of those names out."

"Professional or personal?"

I blinked. Why didn't I consider a personal relationship? "We only looked at grudges in a professional capacity. People he might have helped put away in jail. Is there someone who might have a personal grudge against him?" I asked, a new sense of worry filling me as I contemplated what personal might mean. A former colleague? A romantic relationship gone wrong? It seemed an extreme way to pay him back if he were simply guilty of stealing the office stationery or dumping a girlfriend years ago.

"Hey, I was just throwing out a question," Damien said quickly. "I can't think of anyone right now but I'll talk to Anastasia."

"Do you know if there are any ex-girlfriends around?" I asked.

"In Montgomery? No," said Damien.

"What about your hometown?"

"I guess, but I don't think he ever introduced me to a single woman in the last decade."

"Really? He didn't have a girlfriend at all?"

"I didn't say that. I mean, I don't know. I don't recall him mentioning anyone. The first time he mentioned anyone’s name was yours and that was when he set up the agency. I think I teased him about you."

"Really?" I couldn't help the smile that curled my lips.

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