Page 187 of Chandelier Sin
“A.J. was in touch with a journalist named Dean Hersey,” said Stella. “I’m not sure what he had on Lance, but Lance found out that A.J. was talking to him. I think my brother saw something on the yacht he wasn’t supposed to see, and he became a liability.”
Hopefully, he was still alive.
Jake moved towards the door. “Stella, I’m taking you back to the penthouse. Wait there, and I’ll come get you tomorrow night.”
She clung to him. “You know where A.J. is?”
If her brother was still on that yacht, his extraction was going to be tricky. He would be heavily guarded since he was an important asset.
Made me wonder what A.J. knew about Lance and what had happened on his yacht. Maybe he saw the trafficking. That was the most likely explanation.
From the glances of the others, I knew they were thinking that, too.
There was no other explanation for keeping him prisoner. He had seen or heard something that made him a liability to Lance.
Cameron reached for his phone. “The less you know the better it is for everyone concerned.” He began to text.
Stella was close to breaking down.
Jake led her toward the door, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. “Your work is done.”
They exited Jake’s office together.
We gave it a few seconds, letting all we’d heard settle in the silence.
“So, what about Dean Hersey?” asked Greyson.
Cameron pulled off his mask. “Stella’s brother was talking with him. Dean was investigating Lance, apparently. We’re wondering if A.J. told Dean aboutThe Hadesbeing used to transport women.”
“If anything comes out in the press, it could complicate us getting the subs out,” I reasoned.
Because their next port of call was Pendulum. Where they stayed.
“He works for theL.A. Times,” added Cameron.
“Any more secrets?” said Greyson, and then his smile faded. He could see the chill in my eyes.
I just came out and said it. “Lance had me driven off the road.”
“When the fuck were you going to tell me?” he snapped.
“Cole has a security team watching over you.” I shrugged to convey that was why I wanted Greyson to stay out of Pendulum.
His shoulders slumped. “It would have been good to know.”
“You also deserve peace of mind,” I said quietly.
“Lance deserves prison time,” he said.
“He’s made a bid to own Pendulum.” I watched their reactions. “Only Aemon Roper, the true owner, is not selling.”
“Lance wants in,” said Cameron.
I faced him. “What’s the plan to rescue Stella’s brother?”
“It’s on. We’re aiming for tomorrow.”
I guessed Shay Gardner, Cole’s close friend and ex-head of security, would be involved. Maybe that’s who Cameron had been texting.
