Page 12 of Defenseless
“Have you checked the HR records to see who her paycheck is made out to?” Ethan asked. Chad shook his head. He’d considered it, but then dismissed the idea. It was an invasion into her life he wasn’t sure he wanted to undertake. If he were honest with himself, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.
“If she’s hiding from something or someone, her paycheck isn’t going to be in her name,” Ethan pointed out. “But I can’t imagine the owners of HICC allowing her to operate under a different name.”
“I’m thinking she has a company set up and Hunter and Stella pay the company. She could draw her salary from there,” he said, revealing the extent to which he’d thought about this. If her paycheck didn’t go to Sabina O’Malley, it would be much easier for her to hide her income. She had more than enough skill to set up shell companies, holding companies, and other entities to bury the trail of money.
Ethan was silent for a moment then asked, “Are you going to look?”
Chad hesitated. If she was in danger, then she needed to talk to someone. If not him, then Hunter and Stella. Looking into her HR files wouldn’t get her to do that. It might confirm his theory. But having a theory wasn’t helpful if she wasn’t going to be honest about what was going on.
He shook his head. “Not yet. Where is she?” he asked, realizing it had been close to fifteen minutes since she’d left the table.
“Text her,” Ethan suggested.
Chad pulled his phone out.
Chad:Everything okay?
Little dots popped up, followed by her response.
Sabina:All good. Sorry to ghost on you and Ethan, but I needed to get home
Chad:Again, is everything okay?
It seemed odd that she’d suddenly need to get home. It wasn’t even half-past nine.
Sabina:Yes, have some work I want to finish before tomorrow, and I also want to research Hedy Experience a little more
Chad:You’re walking alone?
Sabina:A whole eight blocks. I’ll be fine. I’m almost there
He fought the urge to tell her to text him when she got home. Mystery Lake was a safe town, and she didn’t need him hovering over her. If nothing else, at least he now knew approximately where she lived.
Chad:I’ll send Olivia’s contact when I get home. Be safe
It wasn’t what he wanted to say. It was what he felt he could say, though. At least without feeling as though he was crossing boundaries he wasn’t yet ready to cross. She sent him a little blue thumbs-up emoji that reminded him of a Smurf.
“She left,” Chad said to Ethan. “Walked home.”
His cousin raised one brow then shrugged. “At least you know she lives nearby.”
* * *
Twenty minutes after leaving the Dirty Boom, Chad pulled into the garage of his new home. He’d bought this ten-acre piece of property with a view of the lake after he left the army. When Stella and Hunter had offered him the new job, the first call he’d made was to his brother. Josh was an architect as well as a builder and had been more than happy to take the project on. To Chad’s astonishment, the house was completed in six months. He wasn’t sure how his brother had managed it, what he’d needed to reschedule, or what crews he’d had to pull, but he was grateful. Gratitude Josh liked to take advantage of every time it was his turn to buy a round at the Dirty Boom. Chad doubted his little brother had charged him more than cost, so didn’t mind picking up a few rounds.
As it did every time he came home, a feeling of calm settled over him. Everything about the home—from the way it blended in with its surroundings, to its exposed beams, warm hardwood floors, and views of the lake—helped him relax. His work hadn’t been particularly stressful lately, but still, his home was his refuge.
Turning the engine off, he closed the garage door then headed inside. He was taking his keys and wallet out of his pocket when his phone dinged with a text. Unlocking the device, he glanced at the name on the screen and drew back.
Sabina:Everything is fine, just wanted to let you know I’m home
He smiled, pleased that she’d thought to let him know.
Chad:Thanks, I appreciate it. I shouldn’t say this, but I do feel better knowing
Sabina:Why shouldn’t you say that?
He continued into the house and headed toward his bedroom.
