Page 148 of Noel Secrets

He slid into chair at a corner table, pulled out his phone, and checked the photo Cooper had sent him, just to be certain thiswas the right guy. He definitely was. In his fifties, short, well dressed.

Clay had eyes on Grant Rushton.

He wasn’t sure how to approach him or even if approaching him was the right course of action. He couldn’t be wrong on this. If he botched this first contact, he could lose his chance to discover whether Rushton was behind the threats against Darby. Doubt had crept in. He didn’t want to do anything to risk harming her.

God, please guide me in this. I don’t want to mess up. If I do, Darby’s life could be at risk.

He gathered his courage and stood, only to take cover behind a menu when he spotted the familiar red Dodge Charger roar into the parking lot. Brent Foster got out, hurried into the hotel, took a left into the bar, then took a seat beside Rushton.

That couldn’t be a coincidence.

Even less of a coincidence when Clay spotted Rushton pushing a thick envelope into Brent’s hands after a brief conversation.

Clay grabbed his phone and snapped several photos.

He clenched his hands to keep from reacting. He’d just witnessed Darby’s ex-husband selling her out. What other explanation could there be for Rushton giving Brent money? Darby’s ex and her uncle were plotting against her to get their hands on her inheritance money.

Grant Rushton was the man paying for the hit on Darby’s life.

He rubbed his face as Brent Foster hurried away, tucking the envelope full of cash into his jacket as he left. The man was slimy, but that would work to Grant’s advantage. He could promise him all the money he needed, and he would have it once he got his hands on the inheritance. It was rightfully his, and he would do whatever was necessary to get it back.

His ma had been sneaky. She’d managed to hide this money from him, and his accountant hadn’t found it. Why should Darby get that money when he’d spent his life taking care of his ma, while she’d hardly ever seen her? His brother’s daughter had never been a part of his mother’s life until a few years ago. He’d preferred she stay away.

Accepting that inheritance money when she’d barely been involved in her grandma’s life hadn’t been smart.

He downed his drink, hoping his plan to work with Brent Foster would come be fruitful. The man didn’t have the nerve to do what needed to be done, but he could still be useful as the only remaining custodial parent of the child. Allowing Foster to get his hands on all that money would be a tragedy in itself. The man would blow it on gambling in no time.

He hated that it had come to working with someone like Brent Foster, but he would do whatever it took to get back what was due him.

Chapter Eleven

Clay waited until they parted, then followed Brent out of the hotel, catching up with him before he reached his car. He grabbed him by the shirt and pushed Brent against his car. “What are you doing?”

His eyes widened then glowered with anger. “You? What are you doing here? Are you following me?”

“No. I was following Rushton. Imagine my surprise when I found you two meeting up.” Clay dug into Brent’s jacket and pulled out the envelope full of cash. “Why did he give you this money? Huh? Are you two scheming to hurt Darby so you can get her money?”

“No, no. I mean, he wanted to. He offered me a deal. Said he’d take care of everything and, when I inherited the money, I’d give him half.”

Disgust flowed through Clay at the actions he’d taken.

Brent was quick to defend himself. “I never had any intention of following through. I just needed the money, and he offered me ten thousand to agree to it. I—I have bills.”

Clay doubted this money was going to cover his bills. If Clay hadn’t intervened, Brent probably would have headed right to the casino or a poker game. He’d seen men lose themselvesto gambling addictions, and the look in Brent’s face told him everything. He’d placed Darby’s life in danger for his next fix.

The last thing he wanted was to involve the Sheraton PD. But Brent had just admitted to conspiracy to commit murder. Clay couldn’t let that slide. Only, when he turned around, he spotted Rushton exiting the hotel.

Rushton spotted him and Brent together and bolted. Clay ran after him, running the length of the hotel and down an alley but, when he turned the corner, Rushton was hopping into his car. He sped off before Clay could reach him.

He mentally berated himself. Rushton now knew he was onto his and Brent’s plan. What would that mean for Darby?

He hurried back, only to see that Brent’s car was gone too. He’d seen his chance and left while Clay ran to apprehend Rushton.

It didn’t matter. He’d witnessed the exchange of money, and Brent had all but confirmed Rushton’s plan when he’d promised to take care of everything.

He pulled out his phone to call Cooper and let him know about this new development. Then, he would go to Chief Dean and ask him to issue a BOLO for both men. He would testify to what he’d seen and, if that wasn’t enough, the hotel probably had cameras that had captured the exchange.

He phoned Darby and updated her.