Page 18

Crew

M y phone rings just as my shift ends and I’m walking to the parking garage. “Yeah?” I answer.

“How is my daughter?” Harvey’s voice makes my spine straighten, my grip on my bag tightening as I climb the stairwell.

“Things have been going well. No issues. How are things on your side?”

He sighs, the sound almost annoyed. “Fine. I just expected to hear more from you. I’ve barely seen my daughter, and after you both left the party so early…” he trails off.

Annoyance prickles my skin, and I do my best to keep my tone even. “I’ve held up my end of the bargain, Mr. Hughes. Weekly check-ins.”

He huffs. “I know. I just- I thought she would’ve given in by now. You moving in was supposed to help speed things along.”

My bike comes into view, and it’s an effort to walk the rest of the way without reminding him that this was never about changing her mind.

“She’s been fairly clear she doesn’t plan on moving back, Sir.”

“You really don’t think she’ll change her mind?”

I’m reminded of last night. Of her tears. I think of the homeless man outside her apartment, of the phone call I overheard between her and Charlotte last night.

From what little I do understand about her…

“No, Sir.”

Harvey sighs heavily. “What would you do if she were your daughter?”

I tighten my bag to the back of my bike, the strap clicking. “Sir?”

“How would you convince her that I only care about her safety?”

Maybe that’s the point. She’s an adult, and Harvey treats her like she’s a child that needs coddling. Yet he just doesn’t see it.

“I wouldn’t know. But her safety is my number one priority. I assure you.”

“Yeah…” he says. “Sorry for calling so out of the blue. I worry about her.”

“She’ll come around,” I say, even though I have my doubts. “Taylor’s with her now. If you need to contact him, you have his number.”

“Thanks, I- uh,” he shuffles in the background, sniffling loudly. “She’s a smart kid. She’ll come around.”

“Anything else, Mr. Hughes?”

He clears his throat. “I guess not. Thanks, Warden. Talk later.”

For most of the drive back to my apartment, I think about the call. I think about whether Harvey is telling the truth about his reason for hiring us. I consider the ominous threat that seems to lurk over this family like a fog. Whether anything’s happened or not, my gut is telling me there’s something more here. Maybe that’s what prompts me to pull out my laptop when I get inside.

My apartment is dark despite the myriad of windows making up the outside wall. With the curtains drawn, only a sliver of light pokes out from beneath them. I make out my bed against the far wall, my desk opposite it- the kitchenette and bathroom in the right-hand corner.

It’s a habit to do a thorough search before I flip on the lights and settle at my desk. Everything is just as I left it, and when I connect my laptop to the two desk monitors, I open a browser.

Chase Sutherland is the first person I search. I still have a few contacts from the military. Enough that I can easily do a background check. I request his information and do some browsing of my own.

From what I can tell, he’s just another attorney at Harvey’s firm. Doesn’t seem to have a strong online presence, but he’s posted several updates on his personal social media.

Omenin and Harvey’s firm recently posted about a deal they signed together. I don’t know what to make of the information, but I make a note to look into more when I have time. My phone interrupts me from further sleuthing, and when I see it’s a call from my mom, I answer immediately.

“Everything okay?”

“There it is again. You can’t answer like that. You know how I worry,” she laughs, and I smile at the sound.

“Sorry, Ma. You doing alright?”

“Just checking in. I got your last text about a banquet. Seems like the new job is a nice one.”

Have I told her about all of the new changes? Not exactly.

The less information she has about my job, the better. It only creates liabilities.

“Staying busy. Lots of galas and entertainment. How is everything with you?”

“Oh, just gettin’ older everyday. Did you know I gotta go to the doctor twice a year now? Seems a bit drastic if you ask me. I’m the pinnacle of health.”

She’s always been a bit of a health-nut, and I smirk as I imagine the hell she probably gives that doctor. She’s stubborn and prickly as hell when she doesn’t like something.

“I bet you are,” I tell her with a laugh. “Dad doing okay?”

She hums, and I hear her chopping things in the background. Checking the time, I imagine she’s probably getting started on lunch. “He also goes to the doctor twice a year, but you know how he likes his occasional cigar. Doctors are always yapping about it, but he’s down to only one a week. That’s progress, isn’t it?”

Smoking is a habit he’s been trying to break for years. I shake my head as another text pings on my phone.

Skar: You up for the gym?

“He needs to quit smoking them all together,” I tell her, and she huffs.

“I know. I tell him the same thing. I hate kissing him after. Tastes like a toad.”

I wince at the image. “Thank you for that.”

She lets out a hearty laugh and says something else as she finishes cooking. I send a quick reply to Skar telling him I’ll meet him in an hour, before balancing my phone between my ear and my shoulder as I head to the kitchen for a meal of my own.

“About your father,” she adds, and I listen more intently.

“What about him?”

“It’s just- he recently pulled something in his back at work.”

“What happened?” I say.

“Do you wanna talk to him? I can go get him. He’s alright. Just working a little less- which I don’t mind.”

“He’s probably busy, Ma. He’s not bed-ridden or anything?” I ask because there’s been a few times she’s pushed off telling me about him.

“No. He’s just icing his back every night.” The smile in her voice eases my worry. “He’s alright. You know how I fret. Well..” She sighs happily. “Just wanted to say hi. I love you. Need you to come and visit soon.”

“I love you too. I’ll see about making a trip down.”

“You always say that,” she quips, but she blows a kiss into the phone. “Talk soon, baby.”

“Bye, Ma.”

Whipping up lunch and eating quickly, I check that the cameras and locks are all working properly at Olivia’s apartment before scanning for any messages from Taylor.

I decide it’s all clear, and I pack a quick change for the gym before hopping on my bike and meeting Skar.

I could use a good spar.