Page 26 of Bold Encounter
The main office space was larger than he'd expected, with three desks arranged so each had privacy.Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city, while the interior was efficiently organized for serious work.
But it was Weston's setup that impressed him most.The far corner of the office resembled a high-tech command center, with multiple large monitors displaying various data streams.
Computer towers hummed quietly beneath the desk, their LED indicators blinking in complex patterns.Cables were neatly organized, and Abe could see specialized equipment he didn't recognize but that clearly represented significant investigative capabilities.
Gabriel Durand looked up from his desk as Abe entered.He appeared relaxed and happy, the stress lines around his eyes softened by a week in paradise with his new wife.
"I got your messages and the report you sent."Gabriel's focus was on the task at hand."It sounds like Genevieve's in serious trouble."
"Jason Thornton isn't going away, and he's more troublesome by the day," Abe said without preamble."Last night he sabotaged a meeting between Genevieve and a key executive.He's not just stalking her anymore.He's actively trying to destroy her career."
Gabriel frowned."That must be part of his methodical approach.It appears that his actions are planned out and he intends to get what he wants."
"Unfortunately," Abe said, "my appearance on the scene was a trigger.I know that personality type, and my role as protector is a direct threat to him.Plus, I've had a couple of direct confrontations with him.I have no doubt that's hard on his ego."
"The gradual progression had probably already been abandoned when Genevieve rebuffed Jason and dated her last husband instead."Gabriel paused."I'm sure it was a crushing blow when she married him."
"Jason pulled out all the stops," Abe said."Yet he hasn't managed to restore his damaged self-image."
Weston Lang looked up from his bank of monitors.The computer expert was in his late thirties, with dark hair styled in a trendy cut."Tell me about this guy's digital footprint."
"That's what I was hoping you could help us figure out," Abe said."He's got his own music company and must have strong resources to get to that point so fast."
Gabriel gestured toward the conference table in the center of the office."Let's sit and compare notes."
Abe methodically shared the finer details of Jason's actions.Gabriel asked pertinent questions, his investigative mind already working through the implications.
"He's staying just within legal boundaries while maximizing emotional damage," he said.
"Exactly," Abe said."Following us and taking piles of photos is no less than psychological intimidation.Yet he hired a professional to document Genevieve's activities, instead of risking getting caught."
"Sure, then it's more difficult to nail Jason with it," Gabriel said."Let's find out who his business associates are, and whether there are others in the industry he's targeted besides Genevieve."
Abe nodded."The more evidence the better."
Weston was listening."I can pull together a comprehensive digital profile to include business filings, social media presence, and financial records."
"Thornton Music Group is of great interest," Abe said."But I suspect there might be other business names or partnerships we don't know about yet."
The office door opened, and Amalie Durand entered with a cup of coffee and a laptop bag slung over her shoulder.Gabriel's younger daughter had her father's penchant for investigation.At nineteen, she was already a licensed private investigator and brought a generational perspective to their work that often proved invaluable.
"Sorry I'm late," she said, tossing her backpack on her desk."I got caught up working on a background check for another case."She looked between the three men."What's going on?"
Gabriel quickly brought his daughter up to speed.When Amalie learned about the threats against Genevieve, she reacted."So, this Jason guy thinks he can intimidate a beloved blues singer and mess with my dad's new family?"Her tone reminded Abe why Gabriel was so proud of her."Let me see what I can find," she said, then sat at her desk.
While Weston began his systematic digital investigation, Amalie opened her laptop and started what appeared to be a more intuitive search process.Her fingers flew over the keyboard.Abe watched as social media platforms, industry websites, and news sources flew by.
"Jason Thornton," she murmured, scanning search results."Thornton Music Group launched two years ago.That's pretty recent for the kind of success he's apparently achieved."
Gabriel looked over her shoulder."Genevieve dealt two crushing blows to his ego when she rejected him for another and then quit his band.Yet he waited to pursue her."
"It makes sense that Jason would rise to a power position," Abe said, "then develop his planned attack to get Genevieve back and make herpayfor her rejection."
Amalie didn't appear to be searching randomly.She followed connections and cross-referenced information with investigative skill.
"Interesting," she said."I'm finding some articles about his rapid rise in the industry."She clicked through several links."This is definitely worth looking at."She turned her laptop screen toward the others."Check this out.There are at least three different music industry publications that have mentioned Thornton Music Group in the past year.The tone is…curious."
Gabriel leaned forward."Curious how?"
