Page 129 of Guarding Grace

“You know better than to ask that a second time. I’d be interested to hear what that guy on the street has to say.”

“We both would, but he’s lawyered up. His fingerprints ID him as Jerold Needling, formerly employed by Blackwater. Like I said, the FBI field office in Houston suspects he’s part of a contract kill squad of ex-mercenaries, but they haven’t been able to nail down enough evidence yet.”

“Maybe now you have it.”

After needling me a few more times for more information I couldn’t tell him, he gave up.

I stayed in the office, watching him through the glass as he left. Peyton wandered back to her desk.

Wellbourne was right about one thing. Involving out-of-town hitters moved this up several notches on the danger scale. Elliot had gotten himself into a pretty deep pile of shit.

Before rejoining Grace, I called Lucas to relay Wellbourne’s information.

Grace

I hitthe power button on the VR system after we all took off our headsets. “What do you think?”

Mr. Lim nodded at his wife.

“We love it,” she said. “I can’t wait to get started on the remodel.” They had chosen the design that only needed one wall moved in their house instead of two.

“This is quite the setup you have,” Mr. Lim said, pointing at my demo equipment. “Very innovative.”

“Thank you.”

“I’d like to have lunch next week to discuss investing in your company.”

Like a deer in headlights, I was frozen by his suggestion.

“She’s busy,” Terry spoke up. “She can’t make it.”

I nodded in agreement, not knowing how to handle this development. More money in the account would be great, but taking on an investor might mean giving up some control of my baby.

“The week after next, then,” Mr. Lim suggested.

“She’s busy then, too,” Terry said firmly.

“He’s right,” I said as calmly as I could. “I’m very busy right now. I do appreciate the offer, Mr. Lim, and I want to think it over. I’ll be in touch when I have some time available to give it my full attention.”

Lim stood, an unreadable expression on his face. His wife followed suit.

My belly churned, afraid that Terry’s outburst had derailed the rapport we’d built. They were cordial as they departed, but less than enthusiastic. When I shook hands with them, I could no longer tell where we stood. I handed the Lims off to Peyton to see them out.

Serena and Duke stood quietly by my office door, no doubt here because of the shooting outside, but that would come second.

Stifling my feelings, I waved to my best friend and her man before shoving Terry back into the demo room and closing the door.

“What?” he asked, as if we had been in different meetings.

“I only let you in there,” I yelled, “because you agreed to be quiet, sit in the corner, and not be disruptive. How dare you interrupt and speak for me? I run this business, and I can make my own decisions about investors.” I flailed my arms in frustration. “You doing that gorilla imitation may have cost me that investment.”

Terry was unfazed, standing in front of me with his brawny arms crossed and a hint of a smirk.

Damn him. “You think this is funny? SpaceMasters is my baby. I built it up from nothing.”

“No. I don’t think any of this is funny. I admire your passion for the business.”

That was actually nice.