Page 11

Mackenzie

Just a few hours later, the constant buzzing of the phone is a harsh reminder that the world now knows about Justin. Our grief is no longer private. I take a deep breath and answer, my voice steady even though it doesn’t feel natural. “EnergiFusion, Mackenzie speaking.”

“Hi. It’s Paul Berry from General Motors. I just heard about Justin. I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you, Mr. Berry,” I manage, the words catching in my throat. Justin’s name is like a shard of glass. “Your condolences are appreciated.”

“Justin was one of a kind. He’ll be missed.”

“Indeed, he will,” I whisper, pressing my hand against my mouth. I blink, willing the tears not to fall.

Promising to share his sympathy with each of the founders, I hang up. Justin hasn’t been here for months, but suddenly, the office feels smaller, now that it’s filled with sadness.

People walk slowly through the halls, quiet. We’re all feeling the loss—or confirmation of the loss, I suppose. Poor Justin . I can’t imagine what terrible thing happened to him. How did he end up in that freezer?

Theo’s office door opens, and he steps out. “Everyone,” he says, his voice calm but strong, “please go home. Be with your families. We’ll start again tomorrow.”

There’s a murmur of response, and then over the next half hour I watch a steady stream of people leave, until finally the office is empty, except for me, Theo, and Austin.

I call the temp agency, trying to sound calm. “We need three people,” I tell them, “to answer phones and take messages.”

“Right away,” the account manager confirms.

At least something is going smoothly.

It doesn’t take long before the temp workers show up and get to work, fitting in with the quiet mood of the office. Once they’re settled, I slip away to the bathroom. The cold water from the sink shocks my warm skin and helps me feel a little better. I press a tissue to my eyes, trying to hold it together.

Back at my desk, the screen is blurry. Every email of sympathy feels like another small reminder that Justin is gone. Theo must notice, because I hear his voice gently calling me into his office. As I step inside, his concern wraps around me like a heavy coat, one I don’t know if I’m ready to wear.

“Mackenzie,” he says, “you don’t have to come tonight. No pressure.”

I nod, picturing Levi’s face, thinking about what’s best for him. “I was…considering just staying in with Levi.”

Theo leans back in his chair, hands steepled in front of him. “He’s certainly welcome, and you were close to Justin, so it might be nice to process our grief together. But I know you have a lot on your plate right now. Do what you need to do, okay? Don’t worry about anything else.”

I hear his words, but I also hear a plea for solidarity in this collective bereavement. I may be struggling, but aren’t we all? Mason would expect me, and Justin… Justin deserved that much. Levi is resilient, and perhaps he’ll enjoy himself.

“Thanks,” I tell him, my resolve hardening. “I’ll be there. For Justin.”

He nods. “Also, I’m assigning a driver for you,” he tells me, his gaze steady. “Just until things settle down.”

I frown, trying to brush off his concern. “Theo, I live at the marina. It’s a circus there every day. Strange isn’t out of the ordinary.”

He leans forward, hands clasped on the desk. “Clear Security thinks the press might get overwhelming and push things too far. For your safety, and Levi’s, it’s better to be cautious.”

I hadn’t considered the media. With a sigh, I nod. “All right.”

“I’d also like you to consider moving into my condo—”

“Absolutely not.” The words are sharp, instant. “I won’t do that.” That doesn’t even make sense.

“It’s more secure than your place in the Marina. You and Levi could stay with me and each have your own room.”

“We have our own rooms.”

“No…” I take a deep breath because I’m saying this all wrong. “The person from Clear Security will need your guest room. I have room for everyone to have their own space.”

“Levi is eight years old. He can sleep in my bed, and we’ll be fine.”

“Okay,” he relents.

As I return to my desk, my phone pings with a message from Georgia, Levi’s sitter. Despite everything, a smile forms as I read it.

Georgia: Levi had a good first day, made a new friend even.

Me: That’s great. I’m so glad to hear it. No need for you to make dinner tonight. I’ll come home and pick him up at 6. A group of friends is getting together.

Georgia: Sounds good.

Me: Thanks, Georgia.

I call my dad, the screen blurry through my tears. I’m expecting to leave a message again, but amazingly, he picks up, though his voice sounds cold and far away.

“Oh, Dad! I, uh—hi. I don’t know if you’ve been getting my messages, but I was calling to let you know Levi’s first day of school has gone well,” I tell him, trying to sound normal.

“Good, good,” Dad says brusquely. “Now, about his school—private schools, Mackenzie. Send me a list, and I’ll pay for it.”

This is just another deal to him, and it seems it’s mostly done, as far as he’s concerned. But this isn’t up to Dad. “He has friends at the public school near my place, and it seems to be a good fit. He doesn’t need more changes right now.”

“Friends can be made anywhere,” Dad counters, already building walls around his point of view.

“Stop,” I cut him off. “You lost the right to make decisions for Levi when you decided your trip to Hawaii was more important than him.”

Silence echoes between us before he concedes. “Fine. Do what you think is best. And since Ellie’s no longer in the picture, I’ll send the support to you.”

“Great,” I mutter. “But someone needs to find her and tell her I have her child.”

“I’m already on it. I’ll keep you posted.”

I hear his wife’s whiny voice in the background, and Dad disconnects the call without saying goodbye or even bothering to ask about me, so I don’t get the chance to tell him about Justin.

Rather than call him back, I decide to just text him. Then he can’t say I didn’t tell him when it eventually hits the news.

“Scott Lovelock, your new driver, is downstairs waiting for you in the security office.” Theo interrupts my spiraling thoughts as he approaches my desk.

“Right now?” I glance at the incessant blinking of the phone lines, reluctant to leave my post. “What about my car?”

“Leave it here for now. Scott can park in your garage. Jim has reported that you have a few photographers on your street already.”

I roll my eyes.

“I sent everyone home, and that includes you,” Theo pushes.

I sigh, looking over at the temps, who’ve been fielding calls nonstop. “Thank you,” I tell them as I gather the stacks of messages.

As I flip through the memos, my stomach twists. Some messages are from friends and coworkers, and some are not. Some are hurtful words from people trying to be cruel. I set those aside, my hands trembling as I scan them and send copies to Jim.

The rest I scan and forward to Crystal and Rhys, hoping the words from others bring them comfort, and I deliver the hard copies to Theo.

“See you at Mason’s,” he says.

I take one last look at the office and head toward an uncertain evening.

Downstairs, I step out of the elevator and into the buzzing security office. Scott Lovelock stands as I enter. He works for Jim at Clear Security and is a fortress of muscle and discipline, eyes sharp and assessing. Fortunately, I’ve dealt with him several times, and he’s easy to work with.

“Hey, Scott,” I greet him.

“Mackenzie.” He nods. “I’ll be your shadow for as long as necessary.”

“Isn’t this a bit much? I’m just an executive admin.”

“Your role doesn’t make you any less of a target for the curious or the crazed. Plus, you were Justin’s right hand,” he says, pointing at the monitor showing the front entrance. A bunch of flowers now fill the area. Just beyond that, news vans are lined up, their antennas pointing at the sky.

“Media circus,” I mutter, feeling a twinge of panic.

“Which is why we’re using the garage exit. Your car stays put for now,” Scott informs me.

“Understood.” There’s no arguing with his logic, nor do I have the energy to try.

We take the elevator down to the parking garage, and Scott walks ahead, constantly scanning. He unlocks a black Escalade and opens the back door for me. I nod but stop first at my Volkswagen Jetta, where I grab my garage door opener. I hand my car key and the opener to Scott, who pockets them.

“Once we’re out there,” he says, gesturing toward the world beyond the garage, “keep your head down. Those cameras are relentless.”

“Let’s go,” I say, slipping into the backseat and bracing for the gauntlet we’re about to run. The tinted windows make it hard to see inside, a small way to stay hidden.

Still, outside, it’s a rush of flashing lights and people pushing to get closer as Scott drives the Escalade into traffic. My heart pounds, and my throat feels tight. Word of Justin’s death has to be spreading through the City now. Even behind the dark glass, I feel like people are watching. Cameras point our way, each one trying to catch a piece of our pain.

“Three cars tailing us,” Scott says, his eyes flicking to the rearview mirror.

Though I know I shouldn’t, I pull out my phone, thumbing through the news. The headlines scream in bold, capital letters—TECHNOLOGY BILLIONAIRE FOUND DEAD. This is mostly just a regurgitation of the press release we sent out. No details, just speculation where additional facts should be.

Is Crystal seeing this? Now that they’ve found Justin, I expect she’ll be a wreck, but surely, she will come home.

When we get to my building, I stow my phone and feel a wave of relief as Scott opens the garage and pulls us inside, away from the cameras and people staring. The door closes behind us, and Scott and I climb the stairs to my floor without saying a word.

When I open the door to my flat, Levi is there. He runs to me and wraps his arms around me in a hug. Just like that, I remember what matters most.

“Sorry if I’ve spoiled dinner,” Georgia says. “We stopped for ice cream to celebrate his first day.”

Levi smiles with his chocolate mouth as he looks up at me. “That’s a perfect reason to spoil your dinner,” I assure them. Warmth blooms in my chest for the simple kindness she’s shown Levi and her help with his adjustment to moving here.

I introduce Scott and Georgia since they’ll be working together. They exchange information so they can organize pickups and drop offs. Then we say goodbye to Georgia, and she promises to see Levi tomorrow.

As the door closes behind her, I kneel at Levi’s level, our eyes meeting. “Tell me. What was the best part of your day?”

“My friend Geoff. He’s Geoff—with a G,” he clarifies with the seriousness only a child can muster over such details. “He likes Pokémon and video games, just like me!”

“Sounds like a great friend,” I say, my heart swelling. “Maybe you can have him over sometime soon.”

“Can we?” His eyes gleam.

“Sure, we can arrange that. Georgia will talk to his mom or nanny, okay?” I stand, ready to face the next ordeal.

Scott looms by the door, a silent sentinel. I nod at him. “Levi,” I say, turning back to my brother, “like I told Georgia earlier, this is my friend Scott. He’s going to stay in your room for a few days, and you’ll stay with me. Is that okay?”

He nods. “Sure. Is he your boyfriend?”

Scott smiles, and I shake my head. “Nope. He’s just helping me out. We’re going to a friend’s for dinner tonight, and Scott’s going to drive us. A work friend of mine…well, he died, and we need to be there for each other.”

“Is it like when Grandpa went to heaven?” Levi asks, his voice small.

“Yes, sweetheart, a lot like that,” I reply.

“Okay.” He looks down a moment. “Can I bring my game player?”

“I think that’s a great idea. Go grab your game.”

I watch him scamper off.

“Ready?” Scott asks as Levi returns, gripping his handheld console.

“Let’s go,” I confirm, and we walk out together, braced for whatever waits beyond the safety of our sanctuary.