Flee, p.4
Flee, page 4
She gazed back at the dirt mound that hid Mr. Davis. “I miss you.”
The dirt didn’t answer, of course. But something else whispered. A tingle up her spine. Like someone was watching her.
Dawn glanced around again, once more not finding anyone. But the feeling didn’t go away.
She said her goodbyes and promised to visit Mr. Davis again, in the daylight, and made her way to her car.
Dawn locked the doors and started the engine. She pulled away from the edge of the drive and slowly worked toward the exit. She watched her rearview mirror as much as the road in front of her, not seeing anyone behind her.
She made it to the main road and shook her head at herself. She was being silly. No one was there. No one was watching her. She was letting her imagination get the best of her.
But she still watched her mirror as she drove home. She still circled the block before she pulled into her apartment complex. And she still locked the door as soon as she was inside her studio apartment.
Trevor sat outside the apartment and stared at the window. The glow behind the blinds told him the fat nurse was still up. The flickering light a TV she watched.
He wondered if she was the one his father left everything to. If she was the person who would try to stop him from taking what he earned by a lifetime of bowing down to his miserable fucking excuse for a father.
Breaking into the lawyer’s office was the only way Trevor could find out the name on the will. Instead, there was a gap in the asshole’s files.
His home didn’t help. But if Trevor had more time, he might have found something. Nosy fucking neighbors. Next time, he’d have to take care of the neighbors first. Make sure none of them would try to do the right thing and call the cops.
Trevor’s phone lit up with a call from the boss. He thought about ignoring it, but he knew that would only make things worse.
“Yeah?”
“Where the fuck are you?”
“I’m following a lead.”
“What lead? We have people for that. And if you’re going to do what you promised you would do, you need to stay the fuck out of it.”
“My fucking father screwed me.”
“What did you expect? I told you this was a risk.”
“I didn’t think he would cut me out.”
“Family is messy.”
Trevor snorted. If anyone knew that, it was definitely the boss.
“Put someone on whatever the hell you’re chasing and get over here.”
Her tone dropped, and his dick rose. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I had a good day, and I need a good fuck. Unless you’re not up to the task.”
“Always. I’m always up to the task.”
“Then get your ass over here, or I’ll find someone else who won’t let me down.”
Trevor knew she wasn’t lying. The boss was ruthless. She’d proven that time and again over the years. Which was why Trevor was smart enough to make sure he was in the position he was in. One that meant she would call him when she needed something. Anything.
And he was more than happy to deliver.
He slammed the car into gear and growled, “Don’t you fucking dare. I’m on my way.”
“Five minutes or I start without you.”
“I’ll be there in three.”
4
Gage didn’t sleep. Two fucking nights and no sleep. Every time he drifted off, something woke him, and he jumped up. Listening. Waiting. Ready.
Gage never thought of himself as a violent man, but he didn’t take well to being threatened. Trevor might not have said the words, but the implication was clear. He was going to do whatever it took to get what he felt belonged to him. Including breaking into Gage’s house and office.
Even knowing something was coming didn’t prepare Gage for how it felt to know someone was in his space uninvited. Trevor could have planted anything in Gage’s home or office when he was there. As far as the police could tell, he hadn’t, but Gage still called a security company first thing Monday morning when he got to his office. He couldn’t take the chance any of his conversations with his clients were overheard by anyone, but especially Trevor.
“Good morning, Mr. Stevens,” Betsy said cautiously when she walked in. It wasn’t usual for Gage to be there before her, but he didn’t want her there alone, at least until Trevor was put away.
“We had a break-in over the weekend,” Gage said in greeting.
Betsy gasped. Her gaze swept the waiting room, the one room in the place mostly untouched.
“He was looking for something in particular and didn’t find it, so he broke into my home as well.”
“Are you okay?” Betsy asked. Her face went pale. She clutched her purse in both hands, wringing them tight around the strap.
Gage nodded. “I wasn’t home. Which he knew.”
“You know who it was?”
“Mr. Davis’s son.”
Betsy’s fear morphed to outrage. “What did he think finding the will would do? It’s already been filed.”
“I’m guessing he doesn’t know that. I’m also unsure how he knows he’s been written out of it. I haven’t spoken to him about that.”
“Well, I certainly haven’t told anyone.”
“I know, Betsy. I would never suspect you. But it gives us very few suspects.”
“Well, who knows? Obviously, Mr. Davis didn’t tell him. The witnesses are the only other ones who knew, and whoever they told.”
Gage swiped a hand down his face. Betsy was right. But her words made him wonder. “I need to make a few calls. I’ve tried to put things back to right, but I know you have a system. I’m sure I didn’t keep to it well enough.”
Betsy smiled wryly. “I will take care of it, Mr. Stevens.” She walked closer and patted Gage on the cheek. “You look like you didn’t sleep all weekend.”
Gage shook his head. “I didn’t.”
“I’m sorry, Gage. No one should be this way.”
Gage’s brows shot up at her use of his first name.
Betsy noticed and grinned. “Don’t get all excited on me. I’m speaking to you as a person and not my boss. I worry about you more than you know. I told Albert this weekend you need a good woman to take care of you.”
“I have you,” Gage said without missing a beat.
Betsy chuckled and shook her head. “Yes, well, there are limits to my employment requirements.”
Gage laughed at her proper words. “I hope you’ll be at my funeral.”
Betsy gasped. “You better not be planning to have one anytime soon. You have a lot more people to help.”
Gage nodded, knowing she was right. “I hope I have a few more years in me.”
Betsy looked at him closely. “This Trevor Davis has you worried, doesn’t he?”
“Yeah. He does. There’s a reason Robert cut him out of his will. I don’t know all the details of what it is, but Robert was never very complimentary about his son.”
“Should I be worried?”
Gage didn’t want to lie to the woman, but he didn’t know how to answer the question. “I don’t know. I don’t know what he’s capable of or what he’s willing to do to get what he wants. What I do know is I have a security company coming in this morning to outfit this whole place with an alarm system. I don’t want you here alone, if at all possible. And when you leave, I will walk you to your vehicle.”
Betsy shivered. “I don’t like this, Mr. Stevens.”
“I don’t either, Betsy. If you would rather take a leave of absence, I will cover your full salary until you feel comfortable coming back.”
“Then you’ll be here alone.”
Gage shrugged. “I don’t have anyone, Betsy. I don’t have a spouse or kids and grandkids. I don’t have anyone counting on me and looking for me. You do. If something happens to me, other lawyers will take over my cases and life will go on.”
“Don’t speak that way about my friend. You have people who care about you, Gage.”
Gage took a moment to appreciate Betsy’s words. “Thank you. But we both know you have a lot more at stake. My offer always stands if you feel better not being here for a while.”
“Let me think about it. For now, what can I do?”
“Get your office back to how you like it. The security company should be here in thirty minutes. Then I need to set up an appointment with the new beneficiary. And I need to check in with Marcus.”
“You go make your calls. I’ll handle the security company. Who is it?”
“Rose Protection Agency. A guy named Zeke Donovan will be the one coming here.”
Betsy scribbled the information on a sticky note and shooed Gage away. “I’ll check his ID before I let him in the door.”
Gage nodded and sucked in a breath. “Thank you, Betsy. And I’m sorry you’ve been dragged into this.”
“We’ll take care of it, Mr. Stevens. Go get your day started. I’ll make the coffee.”
“Extra strong?”
“No sense in drinking it if it’s not,” Betsy said. She believed that to her soul and chastised anyone who tried to argue with her that her coffee was too strong.
Gage went to his office. He’d picked up everything on the floor, but the files were still a mess. It would take far too long to get everything back to where it was supposed to be, but he had to start with one.
After he made his first call of the day.
“Patrick,” Marcus answered.
“Did you get the report on Robert Davis’s death?” Gage asked, knowing Marcus knew he was the one calling.
“Can’t say I’ve seen one. Why?”
“How does Trevor know the will has been changed?”
“Huh.” Marcus was quiet for a few seconds. “I’m guessing you haven’t told him.”
“I have not. Part of the stipulation is Ms. Patterson has to agree. Robert didn’t even want his son to know anything, but if she agrees, it’ll be obvious when she shows up at Davis Developments and his house that she’s the beneficiary.”
“Really? She gets to choose?”
“Robert knew he was going to be asking her to do something outside her skills. He intended to speak to her, but that didn’t happen. I intended to speak to her before I notified his son of the change.”
“But if he’s breaking into your home and office, you’re assuming he’s looking for the will because he knows it’s been changed.”
“Yes. But how does he know?”
“What are you getting at?”
“I have nothing to back this up, and it’s only speculation, but what if Robert told his son he’d made the change? What if Trevor came looking for something and Robert told him he wouldn’t be getting anything when he died?”
“You think he killed his father?” Marcus was clearly surprised at the suggestion.
“Can you honestly tell me you don’t think he’s capable? If he is who you think he is.”
Marcus sucked in a breath. The creak of a chair said he leaned back. “Shit. That’s a whole different can of worms.”
“There was no autopsy because someone said he appeared to go in his sleep. He was old and not well. No one bothered to consider other options. But what if something else happened?”
“Jesus, Gage, this is a fucking mess,” Marcus breathed.
“Yeah, it is.”
“Shit. Okay, so say you’re right. Say Robert told Trevor, Trevor killed him and made it look like natural causes. Now what?”
“That’s your department. I’m just trying to figure out how Trevor knew the will was changed. I haven’t heard anything about the witnesses getting hurt, so I’m assuming Trevor doesn’t know who they are. But once he has the will, he doesn’t need them, anyway. All he needs is Dawn Patterson’s name.”
“Which he’ll have once the will is public.”
“If she agrees to take over.”
Marcus exhaled slowly. “When are you going to speak to her?”
“I was going to call her this morning. Rose Protection Agency is sending someone over soon to put in a full system. If I get a chance, I’ll call her before they arrive. If not, first thing after.”
“Call her now. Let me know when she’s coming. I’ll make sure I’m there. No matter what. I won’t come in because that’s private, but I’ll sit outside in case anyone shows up uninvited.”
“Okay. Thanks, Marcus. I appreciate the help.”
“You’re sure calling in all those favors I owe you in a hurry.”
Gage snorted. “Yeah. I was planning to save them for something really good. Instead, I’m trying to stay alive and keep others the same way.”
“We’ll take him down. He’s not going to get away with all of this.”
“I hope not.”
“You have my word.”
“Thanks, Marcus. I’ll let you know when the meeting is.”
“Sounds good.”
Gage didn’t hear voices outside his office, so he made his next call to Dawn Patterson.
She answered on the third ring with a cautious, “Hello?”
“Is this Dawn Patterson?”
“Yes, it is. Who is this?”
“My name is Gage Stevens, Ms. Patterson. I am a lawyer representing Mr. Robert Davis’s estate. I need you to come in for a meeting at your earliest convenience.”
“Mr. Davis? Why?”
“We will discuss all of that when you are able to come to the office. Is there a time today or tomorrow that will work for you?”
She inhaled softly, the confusion evident in her hesitation. “Um, yeah. I work both days, but I can make come by after my shift. I’m assuming you’re local.”
“Yes, we are. I invite you to look up my name online and get the address from our website. I will give it to you, but I understand this request is not something you expected.”
“No, not at all. I’m still heartbroken he’s gone.”
“I understand. Is four this afternoon okay with you?”
“Yes, that works. Thank you, Mr…”
“Stevens. Gage Stevens. I’ll see you at four, Ms. Patterson.”
“See you then.”
Gage hung up just as he heard a male voice outside his office. Betsy replied, and Gage breathed a little easier. He assumed it was the security company Marcus recommended and wanted to meet the man.
Gage walked out of his office and stopped short at the man the size of a small car in the waiting area. He was tall and wide with muscles for days. He wore a pair of pressed pants that looked custom made for a man of his size and a black button-down shirt with Rose Protection Agency on his left pec.
“Mr. Stevens, this is Zeke Donovan. He’s going to be installing our system.”
Gage moved forward and shook the man’s hand. It was clear Zeke was well capable of crushing anyone he came into contact with and held back when it wasn’t necessary to use such force.
“Nice to meet you, sir.”
“You as well. Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“We know when someone calls, it’s usually for a reason. Betsy was just telling me you’ve had some issues with a client’s family. Sorry to hear about that.”
“Thank you. It’s… A lot.”
“I’ll get you all set up and our team will monitor your properties around the clock. We contract with a company that provides twenty-four-seven monitoring if we are unavailable for any reason, but most of the time, someone in our local company will be watching your properties.”
“Thank you. That’s perfect. Captain Marcus Patrick recommended your company.”
Zeke smiled, and his entire face transformed. “Captain Patrick has been singing our praises lately. Friend of a friend, but a good man to know. And a good man, now that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him myself.”
“Marcus is a good man. His recommendation was enough for me.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll be sure to tell my boss.”
Gage nodded. “I’ll let you get started.”
Zeke nodded and took in the room. He moved through the space like he could see things Gage couldn’t. Which was why Gage hired him. He wouldn’t know where to start, but Zeke clearly did.
An hour later, Zeke had installed a full system. He offered to meet Gage at his home that evening so Betsy wasn’t alone. Gage agreed gratefully and thanked Zeke for his time at the office.
When Zeke left, Gage sent Marcus a text thanking him for the recommendation and letting him know when Dawn Patterson would be there for their meeting. Marcus said he’d be there.
All Gage had to do was convince the woman to accept a few billion dollars and the price it would put on her head.
Dawn stared at the man across the desk from her, sure she heard him wrong. “Mr. Davis left me his company?”
The lawyer, Mr. Stevens, nodded. “Yes. And his home, and all his money. You’re the beneficiary of all of his wealth.”
“And he’s a billionaire,” Dawn said, repeating the words Mr. Stevens told her when he read the will.
“Mr. Davis has been a client of mine for years. He was very clear when he made the changes to his will. He left you a letter, if you’d like it.”
Dawn nodded, feeling exposed and overwhelmed and maybe a tiny bit giddy. It could all be a big joke. Hire a lawyer to tell her she was rich, then leave her a letter saying just kidding. It didn’t sound like the man Dawn knew, but neither did billionaire.
She reached for the envelope Mr. Stevens held out with a shaky hand. Everything was shaky. She didn’t know what to expect.
Dawn tore open the envelope and retrieved the single sheet of paper. She flipped it open and saw the letterhead for Angel’s Grove. She smiled, thinking of the day Mr. Davis asked if she had any paper with the fancy title on it.
Dawn smiled and began to read.
Dearest Dawn,
I know leaving you in this position is a poor thing to do to you. I’m hoping the money eases some of the pain this is going to put you through. Not losing me, though. I know I was more of a pain above ground for you. No, the pain I’m talking about is my son.
Trevor has gotten involved with people he shouldn’t. He always wanted to be like his big brother, and I’d hoped when Clyde was killed, Trevor would realize that life wasn’t a good one. For a while, I thought he had.
