Chapter Twenty-Four
“I have to shut it down,” Edward said. “We have a major crisis here.”
Armand’s face crumbled like he was a child who had just been told there was no Santa Claus.
“It doesn’t matter how much security I throw in here,” Edward went on. “If someone is undermining me and the company to get to our dancers, then we have no choice.”
The clock was inching toward six p.m. Alex brought Scarlet back to North Pointe earlier so she could get back to practice, trying her best to act like nothing was wrong. The upside to two girls being missing was that no one seemed to care about the newspaper article.
There were bigger issues to think about. The questions were flying, but Edward insisted on keeping information on lockdown from the dancers. He didn’t want them in a panic over the possibility of Victoria and Lily being sold into the sex trade.
The building buzzed with cops. Once Kyle showed up and filled Alex in on the kidnapping, Alex called a meeting with Edward and Armand.
“I thought Alex brought back new information,” Armand said, gesturing to the man. “It’s a matter of time before they find out who is behind this. We don’t want to risk the entire season because of this nonsense.”
“This isn’t nonsense, Mr. Onesti.” Kyle shook his head. “Your prima evaded a kidnapping attempt. A soloist was attacked. Two more dancers are now missing, one of which was the daughter of a main suspect. Surely the woman isn’t going to sell her own kid.”
“You’d hope.” Alex rolled his eyes.
He wasn’t entirely sold that Lyn was in the clear. Victoria hadn’t heeded the curfew warning, and had stayed out with Lily well into the night dancing at the Library. Friends who were with the duo said they were both acting strange and went outside with a husky blond man dressed in black. Victoria called for an Uber, but they weren’t at their pickup spot, so the driver never saw them. Their phones were found in their purses near the club.
Everything was on shaky ground, and now Kyle was suggesting that the company close for at least two weeks while the San Francisco police finished their investigation.
Alex hadn’t even wanted to bring Scarlet back, but she’d been insistent. He made her keep the disposable phone in her pocket instead of in her bag. It was enough of an insurance policy for now.
Armand pointed at the office door. “I have sixty-three dancers out there rehearsing for the upcoming season. We already compete with Frisco Met, who outputs their performances year-round. If we shut down, we’ll have to push the season back. How are they safer away from this place? All the dancers were attacked off company grounds, for God’s sake!”
Kyle shrugged. “Honestly, that’s not my concern. Getting the proof I need to close Maxim out of his million-dollar illegal industry is. I don’t want to worry about this place as collateral damage.”
“You need to talk to Isobelle Laurent,” Alex spoke up. “I told you, she approached my client and pretty much confessed to being involved. She’s scared, and fully aware she’s in with the wrong people.”
Kyle held up a hand. “I have some guys on it, but realistically, what’s she going to say? She can’t admit to anything without becoming a target herself. Or, she’s involved and she took it upon herself to warn your client as a favor. I can’t make her talk without a warrant, and that will take some time.” He let out a long sigh. “I’m sorry Mr. North, I know these decisions aren’t easy.”
Alex’s sympathy went out to Edward. He looked like he hadn’t slept in a few days. If he was involved in any way, Alex couldn’t see it. It just didn’t make sense.
“We’ll lose too much money,” Armand insisted. “Sti cazza…”
Alex’s irritation surged at Armand’s persistence. He completely understood the severity of the situation, yet he was still adamant they didn’t take proper precaution. The man was a diva and put his ego before all else. He didn’t understand much past his own nose.
Alex was running out of time and options. He wished Uly would get back to him. Alex hadn’t heard from him since he sent him off to find information.
Trusting the new guy, he thought. What’s wrong with me?
“Maybe you don’t have to close.” Alex looked over at Edward.
Edward frowned. “I’m listening.”
Alex shifted his weight and glanced out the floor-length window he was standing next to. “Here’s what I don’t get,” he said. “The attacks are now public. The man who was with Lily and Victoria will be identified soon—he didn’t hide himself from anyone at the club. It’s as if they want this place to close…”
“Someone’s being sloppy,” Kyle said. “Which is good for us. They’ll slip and we’ll catch them.”
“So, there’s no need to close,” Alex said. “They’re getting desperate. Get to Isobelle, we’ll place a few bread crumbs, solidify your case against Maxim, and close it down.”
“You’re not the police, Alex,” Edward said. “I don’t want you in danger any more than the dancers.”
“And I can’t encourage you to go all vigilante on this.” Kyle raised an eyebrow. “Although, I wouldn’t specifically say I’m stopping you…”
Edward, Alex, and Armand looked over at the man.
Kyle cleared his throat and adjusted his tie. “I just wouldn’t recommend it.”
“I like the not closing idea,” Armand said. “I realize how completely arrogant I sound, but we have worked too hard to fall back now.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “As long as you’re acknowledging that you can be a shitty person, then, hey.”
Armand narrowed his eyes. “I’ve never done anything to you, Alex.”
“I think we both know that’s not true.” Alex rolled his eyes. “You just don’t think about your actions. You’re not thinking about them right now. But it’s fine, because I will, and I’ll un-fuck this situation for you.”
Armand looked like he wanted to retort, but the door suddenly burst open and Evelyn St. Claire stormed into the room with Lance trying hard to stop her. To Alex, it looked like a Miniature Pinscher trying to stop a Great Dane. Lance’s height didn’t falter him, but it didn’t make him look all that threatening at times.
Lyn brushed Lance off. She leaned forward on Edward’s desk, pointing a bony finger at him. “What’s this I hear about Maxim and Frisco Met being a human trafficking front?” she barked. “You knew, and you didn’t tell me?”
Alex stepped over to Lyn and gently tried to pull her back. “Easy, Mrs. St. Claire,” he said.
“It’s Ms. St. Claire,” she snapped. “I’m divorced.”
There’s a shocker. Alex made a face.
“Why wasn’t I informed?” the woman seethed. “You have me jumping through hoops trying to keep this goddamn bodyguard’s morals shiny in the media, and yet you’re hiding the truth from me!”
“Calm the hell down,” Alex retorted.
Edward motioned for Alex to step back. “She’s right. I should have told her. She should be here.”
“My daughter was taken by these… By these…” Lyn couldn’t even get the words out. “You better get her back! Now! She’s all I have left!”
Alex let out a breath as Lyn brought her hands up to her face and sank into the chair in front of Edward’s desk. A moment later she started sobbing.
Alex looked back at Lance.
“Sorry, boss,” Lance shrugged. “She’s stronger than she looks.”
Alex suppressed a smile as he turned back to the group.
“Evelyn.” Edward clasped his hands in front of him. “I put these men here for this very reason, and your daughter chose to ignore the threat. Now she’s missing. Understand that this isn’t completely my fault. I don’t have control over their private lives.”
“You’re saying it’s her fault?” Her sobs turned into a scowl.
Yes, Alex wanted to say. It didn’t seem productive to anger the woman further, but he really wanted to lay into Lyn and her horrible daughter. Did Victoria deserve to be kidnapped? Probably not, but as he exchanged glances with Lance, the two of them knew everyone was now an open target.
Lyn’s tears fell freely. “I know we’re difficult,” she said sadly. “Victoria is hard to get along with, and that’s my fault … but I can’t lose her like this.”
Edward sighed. “Lyn, we understand, and we aren’t working against you. The police will find your daughter alive. Please trust us.”
Alex frowned. Instilling false hope wasn’t something he did anymore. He threw a look at Edward and shook his head. Lance had shown him the statistics of women disappearing completely into the sex trade, and it was staggering.
Kyle looked around the room, and pursed his lips. “I need to get going. The longer I’m here, the less of a chance you have of that happening. The first day is crucial, and not just because Liam Neeson said it in Taken.”
Lyn managed a halfhearted wave. “Thank you, Detective.”
Alex gave Kyle a nod. “Lance and I will walk you out.”
As they made their way to the front entrance of North Pointe, Alex noted how stiffly Kyle walked. His back was straight, and he didn’t appear as comfortable as he had back in the office.
Once outside, Kyle turned to Alex. “Can I level with you?”
Lance threw a look to Alex who nodded. “Probably best that you do.”
Kyle’s eyes shifted from side to side, like he wasn’t sure he should say his next words out loud. “I’m not opposed to getting this done the unconventional way.”
“Meaning?” Lance asked.
“Meaning…” Kyle made a circular motion with his hand. “If you want to get involved, I won’t stop you.”
“Isn’t it bad PR for a police officer to encourage the attempted citizen’s arrest of a dangerous underworld criminal?” Lance asked.
“Yeah, but…” Kyle gave them a knowing look. “You two aren’t ordinary citizens, are you? I’ve looked into you both. Your records are pretty impressive dealing with enemies, both foreign and domestic.”
Alex tilted his head and smirked. “Suppose you’re right.”
Kyle raised a finger. “In fact, a little bird told me one of your guys may or may not be sneaking around Frisco Met already.”
Lance and Alex exchanged glances.
“Maybe,” Alex said. “But I haven’t heard anything back.” He wondered if he should worry about Uly’s whereabouts.
“Tell him to check around Pier 70, where your girl escaped,” Kyle said. “There’s an abandoned warehouse east of Irish Hill that’s registered to Frisco Met. I’ve been surveilling it, but there’s no suspicious activity yet. Judge won’t issue a search warrant, but I know there’s something there. Has to be.”
Lance typed it into his phone, and nodded to Kyle. “Sending it now.”
Alex wanted to ask Kyle why he’d risk his own score to tell a couple of bodyguards where to look, but the young detective looked like the kind of guy who tore some of the rules out of the police handbook for the greater good. The guy wasn’t exactly trustworthy, but Alex was limited on choices. If Alex or one of his men stumbled upon something out of place, took a photo, made a call, that would be enough to at least get a lead on Victoria and Lily’s whereabouts.
Alex clenched his jaw. “Okay. I’ll see what I can do.”
Kyle nodded, pleased. His phone beeped, and he checked the message. “Isobelle Laurent is now at the station. I’ll get down there and question her. You two stay out of trouble … but don’t.”
Kyle turned and jogged down the steps to the street to where his unmarked car was parked at the meter. He waved back at the men before getting into the vehicle and driving off.
“Weird guy,” Lance said.
“He’s not too bad.” Alex chuckled.
“Looks like Norman Bates.” Lance shuddered. “You know, that handsome but quiet type. Neighbors have no idea he’s hiding bodies in his basement.”
Alex cringed, and held the door open for his friend.
As they walked back into the lobby, Lance turned to Alex. “You gonna tell me what happened last night?”
Alex threw him a look, willing him to back off.
Lance held up his hand. “Not that it’s any of my business, as you love to say, but I can’t help but notice that news article dropped, and you went off the grid for twenty-four hours.”
Alex stopped before he got to the studio, and looked Lance in the eye. “I went out to Lafayette. I faced some demons.”
Lance’s face conveyed mild curiosity. “And how’d that go?”
“Good, I think,” Alex said. “I’m… I spent the night with her.”
Lance let out a short laugh and shook his head. “I figured. I think it’s more than that, though. Right?”
“What do you mean?” Alex asked.
“I mean … you’re falling in love with the woman.”
Alex sank down into one of the couches that aligned the halls.
“Yes,” he admitted.
It wasn’t a case of falling; Alex already had. He just hadn’t realized it until he said something to his friend.
“I didn’t plan this,” Alex said.
“I know.” Lance sat down next to him. “What gets me is you seem surprised. I don’t know if you understand how love works, but no one plans that shit.”
“I told her everything.” Alex’s voice was flat. He put his head in his hands and squeezed. “I told her, and she comforted me. She understood.”
“You told her about Istanbul, and she slept with you?” Lance whistled. “I need to rethink my approach with women.”
Alex frowned at Lance. “You don’t think I made a mistake, do you?”
“You’re asking me?” Lance asked. “The guy who’s been divorced twice? Man, I couldn’t tell ya, but I do know you’re a good guy who’s rough around the edges. You deserve a great woman to even you out.”
“Not that it’s going to matter if we can’t get to the bottom of this mess,” Alex said.
Lance glanced at his phone. “Uly says he’s got some info, but is going to run a check on that warehouse first. Want me to give him any orders?”
Alex shook his head. “Tell him to check it and get back to me. He’s got one hour.”
“Roger that.” Lance got to his feet. He started to walk away from Alex, but paused a moment and looked back down at him. “You’re different today. Happier.”
Alex looked up at his friend, who threw him a toothy grin.
“I haven’t seen this Alex in three years,” he went on. “I’m glad to have him back.” Lance disappear around the corner.
Three years. That was one hell of a long time to be living among the dead. Scarlet had revived him. It was time Alex let go. Time to move on, and time to live again.