“Hey, back off. I’m a big girl.”
“Yes, who seems to court danger like a fucking red flag to a bull,” Landon shouts. The noise causes Willow to stand and set about fixing the drink he’s forgotten about.
“Good god. You really are as bad as Father sometimes. Where is he, by the way?”
“He'll be here later. And perhaps if you tried thinking about your own safety every now and then, I wouldn't have to act like Father.”
I slide behind Ivy and put my hand on her shoulder to try easing this atmosphere. “Look, Landon, we’ve been through a hell of a few days. How about we dial it back and get to laying out some facts.”
His eyes swing to mine, as if I’m responsible for some atrocity. I’m only playing along out of courtesy, but right now, he’s just pissing everyone off.
“Do you want a drink?” Willow asks me.
“A coke or other soft drink, thanks.” She nods and offers a small smile.
“Ivy?” Landon says, as if prompting her.
“Fine.” She moves and slumps down into one of the small settees. I drop my bag and hand her the one with all the documents and laptop in. Willow gives me a tall glass before going back to take her seat by Landon.
“So, there are several incidents that may or may not be connected,” Ivy starts. I take a seat next to her, waiting to listen to all the facts. “The author, who we all thought was doing Father’s bidding with the story, was paid by someone, we don’t know who, and gained access to us and some pretty personal information. She is now dead. But before she died, she sent me all of her research. And I tell you, she was doing more than looking at the business. She’s gone way deep. According to Locke, the death will be recorded as a burglary gone wrong. But he’s not convinced.”
“Locke? He’s working for you?” I cut in, surprised. I can’t help the scowl that sweeps my face, especially as I thought he had a thing for Ivy.
“Locke works for me,” Landon corrects.
I look at her expectantly.
“Remember, I was pissed off at the time, Blake. I wasn’t going to just spill my guts to make you feel better. Besides,” she whispers conspiratorially, “I liked your reaction.”
“Can we get back to the facts, Ivy?” Landon snipes.
“Fine. So, I’ve gone over most of this, but I’m still pulling it together. The author had access to us. There’s been an unusual amount of bad publicity surrounding The Broderick Media group of late—more than just Landon taking over. There’s a bunch of documents that don’t seem to fit in. Birth and death certificates, but they’re from years ago, and now…”
Ivy tails off and pauses as she reaches for her bag.
“Yes?” Landon prompts.
“What?” she questions, looking up with a vacant look on her face. “Oh, yes, sorry… and now Blake and I have been kidnapped.” She gives me a wide-eyed look, and I don’t quite believe that's the end of her story. Is she lying to Landon?
I jump back in with the story, though. “And there were more than the two guys involved. Neither of them seemed to be more than a couple of thugs, and before the police showed up, I took a look around the farm. There was no sign of a van or vehicle we were transported in. I might have missed it, but my gut tells me it wasn’t there. So, who drove us in and then left?”
“There was somebody else involved,” Ivy says, finishing my thought.
On the surface, this looks like a puzzle I'm not entirely sure fits together. “Are we sure all the events are even connected?” I ask. “Or are we looking to fit this together into some big conspiracy when it’s just a series of coincidences?” Ivy's holding back, and I want to know what it is that she's not giving up yet. No more secrets. Not between us, at least. I may need to convince her on that part, but that's my mission now.
“No. There are too many related issues here. And I don’t believe in coincidences,” Landon states, swirling the drink in his hand.
“Look. It’s been a busy day. Night. Whatever. We’ve been up for hours. Now you’re up to speed, we’re going to head upstairs,” Ivy says, as she stands and pulls me up with her.
“Hmm. You have the police interviews at ten in the morning,” Landon reminds us, keeping his gaze fixed on his drink.
Jenkins wasn’t happy about the arrangement his boss had made with Landon. He blew up at the hospital, but it meant I wasn’t confined to cuffs or in custody while they investigated, so I have to thank Landon for that. I just have to hope that his influential ways keep working because leaving Ivy—facing prison after I’ve finally found someone I want to love—is a fucking kick in the gut and dealing with that possibility isn’t an option right now.
“Fine. Can you get Sophie to send up some food please?” Ivy asks. Her mention of food reminds me that we only had that quick sandwich before we were out the door.
“Alright, but try to get hold of Neve. She’s not called me back. Again. I’ve spoken to Persephone. She said she would only come back if she could stay at Tallington rather than here. I've agreed. It seems she, or rather Foxton, holds a grudge over our father. At least in this country, she's close by.”
“Anything else while I try to get some sleep after my kidnapping?” Ivy snips. “Willow’s your assistant. Maybe she could help with the calls?” She plasters a sweet smile on her lips for Landon, but I don’t miss the quick wink she gives Willow. Clearly, I’m missing something. I thought Willow was Landon’s girlfriend.
