Page 62 of Playing With Secrets
“Yeah. During that time, they were in an on-and-off relationship. It took a turn in college. I’m not sure why, but from what my guy found, there were rumors of a pregnancy. Ava and Hunter had a horrible falling out.”
“Interesting. So Ava got pregnant. What happened to the baby?” I type out some of the highlights of the information.
“That’s where I’m running into a huge hole.”
I rest back in my chair. “What kind of hole? It seems if she was pregnant, the information would be relatively easy to find.”
“You’d think. The problem is not long after the rumors started, Ava went on a summerlong European trip. She traveled all over but stayed in France most of the time.”
“Is their kid there?”
He shakes his head. “That’s the issue. Nothing indicates a pregnancy. She didn’t see a doctor while she was there and shewas taking modeling classes during that time. If she was pregnant, she would’ve been showing.”
“You don’t think a doctor could go to her and perform an abortion or hide a pregnancy?”
He sighs heavily. “Not that I can find. We’re still digging, but something doesn’t add up about the entire thing. However, there’s an interesting curveball.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Ava spent quite a bit of time with Hunter’s mother while she was in Europe.”
My eyebrows rise in curiosity. “I’ve always wondered what happened to her. What did you find out?”
“Just that she’s married to a powerful billionaire. He has ties to an underground crime organization. I’m still looking into it, but if you can ask around the office, see what you can pick up.”
“You think his mom is involved with whatever Hunter’s hiding?” My mind swirls with a few random ideas.
“She’s part of something. I just can’t figure it out. If my gut is right, she’s a bigger part of it than we can imagine.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, but it feels big enough to have a random tip come into the department, so they start an investigation. My hands are tied at this point unless I go against the rules.” He pauses and I get the hint.
“I understand. Tell me what I need to do to get this tip to the department?” I pick up a pen and get ready to write down his suggestion.
“Start with Ava and go from there. When she came back from Europe, Hunter was at her beck and call. There’s something there, so that’s where I’d start.”
“How am I supposed to reach Ava without sounding the alarms?”
“I have her contact information. If I were you, I’d set up a meeting and see what you can get. She’s holding somethingover Hunter’s head. If we can figure that out, we’ll know how to keep Dori from marrying him.” Aiden releases an exasperated sigh.
“Give me Ava’s information and I’ll take it from here. I don’t know if I’ll find anything that can lead to the business being investigated, but I’ll look.”
I sit back and know I won’t do it. I’m not going to put a company that Dori’s involved in at risk. The only person I care about getting even with is Hunter. Everyone else is off-limits.
Just in case I need it, I scribble Ava’s contact information on a sticky note. Aiden and I spend a few moments catching up on his health. A knock on my door causes me to hang up with him.
I open the door and Dori comes into view with her back to me. “Dori, can I help you?”
She spins around. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure. Come on in.” I open the door wider and step away.
She enters and closes the door behind her. My stomach churns with anxiety. Prickles erupt over my skin.
Being with her in a small, closed-off room messes with me on so many levels. She notices I’m hesitating with the idea of being alone with her.
“You can relax. I’m not here to fight with you. I just want to talk.” She tips her head to the chairs as if she’s asking if she can sit.
