Page 63 of Collateral Damage
Twenty-Eight
Sybil
Present - Age 27
Cooper makes it to them first. “Dad, Amelia, what are you doing here?” Even though his voice is calm and collected, I can tell by his ridged posture he’s pissed.
Conrad gives a condescending smile. “Glad to see you two on set today. This is an important day for you both.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” Cooper says, crossing his arms.
“We’re here to make sure our money is being well invested,” Conrad says coolly.
Mom steps forward, her eyes narrowed. I didn’t even know she was in Manhattan. She’s normally at the family residence in Greenwich. Hayes is finishing his senior year, and then she and the boys will be in Nantucket for the summer.
“I’mhere to make sure thatnobodysabotages this project.” She shoots Conrad a pointed glare. I know exactly what she’s thinking; I’ve worried about their intentions as well. Despiteeverything Conrad and Cooper have said, this show’s failure would still give the Kings a win.
Cooper’s spine straightens. “I assure you, Amelia, you have nothing to worry about. This isourproject, and my father has already agreed to be hands off.”
Mom raises a perfectly groomed brow at Conrad. “Then tell me why I walked into the lobby to find this one already waiting for the elevator?”
Cooper and his father stare at each other for a long moment, something unspoken passing between them that makes me uneasy.
“Fine,” Conrad says, his eyes bouncing between me and his son. “You two have got it handled, and Perry knows what he’s doing. I’ll be off, but I trust if things start to fail, you will let me know immediately.”
“Of course,” Cooper and I say in unison.
Mom pats me on the shoulder. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
I shake my head. “No, go home. I’ll see you at Hayes’s graduation in a few weeks, and then you should go to Nantucket like you planned.”
Her face pales, but she agrees.
Nobody says what we’re all thinking—none of us have been on that island since the accident. I can’t say for sure about Cooper and Conrad, but I’d bet my life on it.
“I’m off,” Conrad says, quickly turning on his heel and striding out of the apartment.
“I’d better get going, too.” Mom gives me a quick hug. “You’re right, I need to get home, but can I stick in town for a few days?”
I know she wants to spend time with her daughter, so I can’t say no. As busy as I am, I love spending time with her as well, and I know that makes me a lucky daughter.
I turn on Cooper. “Do you think your dad actually went upstairs?”
Cooper winces, and I quickly pull out the walkie-talkie Ricki gave me earlier.
“Ricki,” I say into the comm, the whole thing feeling a little surreal. “Do you copy?”
“What’s wrong?” Her voice comes through quickly.
“Nothing, but watch out for Conrad King. He’s an older version of Cooper. He said he was leaving, but you may have to intercept him.”
“Got it,” she says with an annoyed clip, signing off immediately.
Okay, that was way faster than using a phone, so I get why they use walkies on set now.
“Have you seen the screening room?” Mom says, giving me a bright smile. “It’s amazing what technology can do.”
I follow her into one of the two guest bedrooms that’s now been transformed into our screening room. There’s a sense of excitement in the air, and the person in charge enthusiastically introduces himself by the name of Roland. We shuffle to the back of the room to let the professionals do their work, and everyone gives us a wide birth.
