I squint to read the message. I do not wish to speak to my father, so take the easy route.
Me to Halston Moore, Jr:
Yes. Per your instructions.
Unknown number
Tell me where.
I pause, weighing options that offer a discreet location without eavesdroppers.
My desk phone rings. I press the speaker button.“Yes, Jay?”
“Lewis Weston is on the line.”
The name is familiar, but I can’t place it.
“He’s stationed at the guardhouse today. He’d like to talk to you. I told him you cleared your day, but he said this is important.”
Fuck.
“Put him through.”
What the hell is my father up to now?
“Mr. Moore?” a male voice asks.
“This is he.” I close my eyes and exhale. “Everything okay?”
Clearly, it’s not. He’s calling.
“Hi, ah, sorry to bother you at work, sir, but you have a visitor. She says she’s not leaving until she sees you. It’s a Ms. Caroline Scott.”
Her name strikes directly to my solar plexus. I rub the pain point and stretch, then crack my jaw.
She’s here.
No call.
And you know why she’s here.
“Tell her I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
A slight tremor affects my fingers. I stretch them, spreading them wide to gain control.
With a deep breath, the tremor subsides.
I delete the incomplete text and shoot off a different one.
Me to Jay:
Prep my helicopter. Need to get home ASAP.
“Lewis?” I ask the speakerphone.
“Yes, sir?”
“Don’t let her leave. Understand? Under no circumstances are you to let her leave.”