"Thanks, Maddy. You be careful." Theydisconnected. Quinn had worked for them for the past six months.She was great, had incredible instincts. Maddy was trying to talkher into applying for officer training next time something openedup.
She called Andrea right away to relay themessage. As expected, Andrea was on it. Andrea promised to headstraight in and see if Quinn could identify the voice, althoughthey knew it would be Dylan's.
Maddy hung up and glanced at Chase, knowinghe'd been listening, even as he added freshly chopped rosemary andgarlic to the pan. Chase held her eyes for a moment, then silentlyreturned to the stove. He combined the remaining ingredients andset the pan to simmer. The lobster gnocchi dish smelled amazing.Her appetite was rather touch-and-go with all the stress, but she'dfind room.
Chase turned back to her and sat down at thebar with her. He sipped his own wine, as if considering his wordscarefully. Maddy knew it couldn't be good. Today had been filledwith too much bad news, all Dylan. "Maddy, I might as well add onelast Dylan update to the mix before dinner." He told her about thelawyers, the upcoming meeting.
"I understand his business plan, but it'sstupid. There are other, struggling towns on the coast that wouldjump at the opportunity to build up their community. Our harbor isrelatively calm, but not an ideal cruise stop." Maddy wasfurious.
It was clear Dylan's intentions were devious.He was much more likely to tear apart the community than add to it.Maybe she was biased, but her father had spent decades building astrong company to support the town, as other industries had comeand go. As they'd seen other fishing towns dwindle to dust.
Chase shook his head, just as exasperated."That's just it. Economically, he could do much better elsewhere.This is personal. He's got those two attorneys with him that domost of the talking. I have all of our people informed and ready tocome to the meeting as well."
“Why did you even agree to the meeting? Whydid they arrange a meeting? Dylan and this Nielsen were both namedby Lang.”
“Exactly. I already called Andrea. They don’tknow Lang named them. She’s keeping it all under wraps, waiting forthem to make a move. I agreed to the meeting in the hopes they’llslip up. Besides, I’m losing ground with some of the crew; I seehow their plan works. They must do this a lot. We have a lot ofinternal dissent right now. I plan to make a counter presentationto earn back their trust.”
"Well, Mr. Anderson, I'm sensing you have astrong business plan to counter with. And, you’re letting them knowthat you are invested in their future. You’re presenting them withall of their options, Dad would appreciate that. Even if Dylan’sridiculous plan is not really an option at all." Maddy would enjoyseeing him in action.
She knew her dad was a good judge ofcharacter. Selecting Chase as his successor had not been just forChase’s benefit. Chase would go to bat for the company, nohesitation. He had enough charisma that others would follow him.She thought for a moment, taking another sip, finger raised as shecollected her thoughts. "Hang on, I have a thought." She pulled upher phone and re-dialed her boss, knowing she would be back at thestation to talk to Quinn soon. "Andrea, have we run checks on whereDylan has been the past few years?"
"Of course. But, we haven't found much sofar," the other woman responded.
"How about the goons he has with him? Saysthey're from a firm called Briggs and Johnson. Can we investigatethe Briggs and Johnson attorneys they sent with Dylan? Maybe findout who they represent? What work they’ve done for Dylan in thepast? Are they connected with our lovely pair of out-of-townersthat Ian and I arrested? Lang only mentioned Nielson and Dylan, butwasn’t able to connect more dots for us. I’m wondering if we canput the whole picture together and make a move before the meetingThursday. If Dylan called pretending to be a detective inGeorgetown, maybe there’s a real detective in Georgetown that mightbe helpful. I’ll bet they’ve already turned some heads with theiratrocious business practices."
"Maddy, I like your thinking. Now try to getsome R&R; I’ll see you Wednesday." They disconnected.
This time, Maddy stood and walked around theisland, stepping up to Chase. She put her hands under Chase's chinand pulled him in to face her. She pressed her mouth to his,soothing away his worries, which she knew were as deep as her own.Someday, she was sure his kiss would stop stirring her so deeply,but as of yet, it seemed to pull her in more each time theytouched.
Pulling away with a laugh, she suddenly feltfamished. "Dinner smells good, let's eat.” He laughed and followedher as they dished up and took their meal to the deck. Watching thesun set, they ate and relaxed.
27
Dylan stormed into his motel room, slamming the doorbehind him. Bitch. He knew she was up to something. He'd watched asshe and Chase sat out on her porch swing that night. Snuggled upand making out half the night like a couple of horny teenagers. Ithad taken the last of his willpower to not confront her right thenand there.
Taking over her father's business, amassing afortune as he took over the small town should have been enough tomake her see reason. Things weren't going as he planned. They stillhad the upcoming meeting, which would keep Chase, and likely Aidenbusy. He'd scheduled it at a time he knew Maddy would be working,unable to make the meeting. While everyone was distracted, he wouldbe able to make his move.
Nielsen and Cochrane were on hand if heneeded their help until then. He put them in charge of the meeting.He called Nielsen, “Hey, I have a small change in plans.”
Nielsen’s steady voice responded, as usual,without hesitance, “I’m here.”
“McAllister Fisheries has made it clear theywon’t go down without a fight. Lang blew it. He’s been arrested forprostitution of all things. I need you to call in the support team,let’s step up our efforts. If the meeting doesn’t end with the dealwe want, send them out to the processing plant. Be as creative asyou’d like. Maybe sink a boat or two, just make it look like anaccident.”
Again, if Nielsen had any objections, hedidn’t voice them. Good help was so hard to find. “I’ll contacteveryone tonight so we’re ready to play hardball.”
“Not before the meeting. I’ll keepcampaigning. Stir up some distrust in Chase Anderson. Several wereeager to question him when we were there last. If we candemoralize, then bring in the support team, we’ll get that place ata steal.”
Dylan responded, his mouth salivating as hisplan was finally coming into fruition. Not as simply as he’d hoped,but he would prevail. “Another thing. Madelyn has a new securitysystem. Send in our best. I want full surveillance.”
Nielsen didn’t need it spelled out for him.“Done.”
“Perfect. I’m going to play with her a bit,bring her to her knees. She’ll be key to the plan. Whatever we doat McAllister Fisheries, it won’t be enough. Anderson andMcAllister will do anything to keep her safe. The night of themeeting, you’re on your own. I’ll take care of her and send themessage. If they won’t sell out, even if their business iscrumbling before them, they’ll sell out for her.”
Uncharacteristically, Nielsen questionedDylan, “Are you sure she’ll be the compliant mouse you’re hopingfor?”
Dylan gritted his teeth at his insubordinatesubordinate, “Not that you need to know, but she’ll be an easiertarget if she’s already down. Which I’m working on. Taking her outof circulation at work. Surveillance in her house. Drive her awayfrom Anderson.”
Nielsen back-pedaled, “Of course.”
