Chapter 9
Val
I stare at my screen. God, I am so sick of spending every hour of the day on my computer. Before this whole affair, I thought I was on my computer too much, and now I think I am becoming one with it—a merger I had never consciously agreed with.
But I’m finally getting somewhere, and my spite for Gunnolf’s assertions that I am not helpful and drink far too much espresso is fueling me onward. Here , I chuckle to myself. I got something on you, Marcus, you slippery minx.
Organizing the data, I create twelve profiles each on a different paranormal connected with Marcus Crowe through a secret society they were all part of from freshman to senior year in college. These kinds of groups stay in contact through the years, their connections helping each other advance in their careers and social circles.
“I’d bet at least one of you has been in contact with Crowe in the past few years since his disappearance,” I sing to myself. I click through the profiles, narrowing my eyes to the addresses listed. Three of the twelve members still live in Memphis. Three possible leads right here in my hometown.
Leaning back in my chair, I blow out a breath. My first instinct is to tell Gunnolf what I’ve found, but his harsh words from yesterday still echo in my head. I haven’t spoken to him since he and Kato ran off to chase a lead. Not that he’s tried to contact me, but I wouldn’t have responded if he had.
“No, I’m not telling him,” I mutter, tapping my fingers against the desk. “Screw that.”
Instead, I pull out my phone and text Minna. Found something interesting. Can you meet me now at my house?
A few moments later, my phone buzzes. On my way!
I smile, relieved—at least Minna will take me seriously. It doesn’t take more than twenty minutes for there to be a knock on my door, and when I answer, Minna is standing there in pale pink silk pajamas with a hot pink fuzzy collar and cuffs. She’s wearing bunny slippers. God, I love her.
“You’ve got something good, I can tell.” She grins, stepping inside. “Cute house, way cozier than I imagined looking at your office.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“I try my best to separate work and home, although this case has seemed to blur those lines pretty intensely.”
“Spill your secrets, woman,” Minna says, plopping down on the couch.
I link my computer with my television and pull up the profiles glancing over to the curtains to make triple sure that I’ve already closed them. I did. Minna looks over the files as I fill her in.
“Whoa, do you think any of them might still be in contact with him?”
“I’m not sure,” I admit, “but it’s too big a coincidence to ignore. Crowe didn’t just become a bomb-making mastermind overnight. I think he had help, maybe from some of his old buddies. Looking into them is worth a shot.”
“Worth a shot? I’ll say honey. You’ve hit the gold mine. Gunnolf is going to be so embarrassed when I tell the team about this. You two still aren’t talking right? That’s why you called on me and not him?”
“I... don’t feel like dealing with Gunnolf right now.”
Minna lets out a low whistle. “Yeah, he can be a real dick sometimes, can’t he?”
I huff a laugh, though it’s tinged with frustration. “That’s putting it mildly.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it, and I’ll make sure everyone knows just how much of a genius you are for having uncovered a secret society and for everything else that you’ve done,” she winks.
I nod, “Thanks, Minna. I owe you one.”
“Please, you’re helping me crack this case. We’re a team, Val. We could seriously use your help on more cases at the SPIU. Even if some people don’t know how to show it.” Minna winks and grabs the USB with the files from me as she heads for the door. “I’ll keep you posted on what they say.”
As I bolt the deadlock behind Minna, I let out a deep exhale and set my home security system. My gut tells me I’m onto something important. This secret society could be the key to unraveling Marcus’s plan and maybe even stopping his next move.
For now, I’ll let Minna carry the torch. Gunnolf can stew in his arrogance a little longer.
I grab the remote and flip on the television as I sink deeper into my chair, legs kicked up on the ottoman. That’s enough for the night, it’s time to relax.
My phone buzzes from the table beside me. Expecting an update from Minna, I unlock the screen, and the blood drains from my face as soon as I read the words: I told you to stay out of this. It’s too late now.
My stomach drops. I scan the room, a sensation of being watched creeping over me. Swallowing hard, I push through the panic. If I got another message after discovering what I just did, does that mean I’m finally onto something?
If they’re trying to scare me away, it means I’ve rattled someone. Maybe those members of society are connected to Marcus, after all. The idea gives me a strange sense of empowerment. I’m not backing down. Not now, not when I’m finally making progress.
Still, the sharp edge of the text lingers in my mind, and my hand trembles as I lock my phone and set it aside. I lean back in my chair, exhaling slowly to steady my nerves. Trying to forget the texts and the threats, I let my mind wander back toward the one topic I can get utterly lost in, Gunnolf.
As much as I pretend I don’t want to talk to him, the silence between us is gnawing at me. The way he snapped at me ripped open old wounds I hadn’t realized I still had. I’ve been through this before, haven’t I?
The sharp words, the cold distance, the sudden withdrawal. Memories of past relationships flicker through my mind, uninvited but relentless. The men who promised one thing and then turned around to cheat on me, neglect me, or worse—leave me altogether.
I’ve been left behind more times than I care to count. Always told I was too much or not enough. Too driven, too intense, too busy. Too something .
My chest tightens. I don’t know if I can go through this again. Gunnolf and the way he looks at me with those piercing green eyes scares me more than any anonymous text message ever could. Am I making a mistake even letting myself think about him that way?
He is going to leave eventually. He’s only in town on a case. Am I simply repeating old patterns? Fuck, why does this all have to be so complicated?
The next few days pass and it almost feels like business-as-usual back at SableTech, save for the occasional line of communication from Minna. All of my staff are back in the office, and the business is back in full swing. The most concerned of our clients seemingly soothed now.
The team, working off my discovery, splits up to keep an eye on the three Memphis-based members of Marcus Crowe’s old secret society.
The truth is I need to forget about Marcus Crowe for the time being and focus on finding the mole in my corporation. What could possibly motivate someone to work against SableTech? Could it be a personal connection to the ‘enemy’? Or perhaps monetary motivation…?
I think it’s time to dig into my employees’ personal lives, this is going to take a while.
Minna and I sit in a small café near my office, and it’s been a few days since we last saw each other. I hadn’t realized how much I missed her until now. She always seems to make everything feel a little less heavy.
“I hate this part,” Minna mutters, glancing out the window like she half expects something to explode right in front of us. “The waiting. Knowing something’s coming but not knowing when or where. Ugh, it’s the worst.”
I nod, picking at my food, which I haven’t touched in a while. “You think that Crowe is toying with us?”
She shrugs. “Hard to say. Everyone’s on edge. We’re watching those three guys like hawks, but so far... nothing. The team’s ready to move in if one of them so much as sneezes wrong.” After a beat she leans in with a mischievous smile, “Oh, and by the way, Gun? He’s been extra wound up lately. Like, the guy looks miserable.”
I try not to react. Try not to give away just how much of an affect he has on me but my stomach twists at the mention of his name. “Miserable, huh? Poor thing.” I roll my eyes, trying to keep it light.
Minna grins, “Yup. Absolutely miserable. But you know, he’s been keeping busy with the case, so at least he’s not completely falling apart.”
“Well, that’s something,” I mutter, glancing out the window. If he’s so miserable how come he hasn’t come by? Or at the very least texted me? “Honestly, I can’t blame him. At this point we’re all basically waiting for something terrible to happen.”
“Exactly! Like, hello, can we just get this over with already?” Minna throws her hands up in mock frustration, then smirks. “You know, Val, we could really use someone like you around for stuff like this... like, permanently.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? Trying to recruit me now?”
She grins. “Maybe. I mean, you’ve been pretty great to work with, and SPIU could always use a little more of your genius. Plus, I’m not the only one who thinks so. Just something to think about. You’d even be great as a consultant.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I don’t know about that, but I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
Minna shrugs playfully. “Hey, I’m just saying. If you ever want to come over to the dark side, you’ve got options.”
“Pretty sure that you’re actually on the light side, and I’m already on the dark side.” We share a laugh, but my mind drifts. The feeling has been getting worse these past few days. I’m plagued with a nagging sensation that I’m being watched. Every time I leave my office, every time I walk to my car, I feel it.
At first, I chalked it up to paranoia, but now... it’s different. The weight of unseen eyes, the flicker of movement just out of sight. Someone’s following me. I know it. Any minute might be my last and keeping these threats a secret is becoming increasingly difficult.
I’ve kept it to myself. I haven’t even told Minna. I keep saying it’s because I don’t want to make a big deal out of it, but the truth? Admitting it would make it real. And I’m not ready for that.
Minna’s phone buzzes on the table. She glances at the screen, and her eyes widen slightly.
“Looks like we’ve got a break,” she says, slipping her phone back into her bag and standing. “Gunnolf just texted. They need me back at the office to track movements and triangulate coordinates. Blah, blah, blah. I’ve got to jet. You don’t mind paying for lunch, do you, Miss CEO?”
My heart skips a beat, and I chuckle, “Of course, I’ll pay for lunch. I’m the one who invited you out.
Minna shrugs, flashing a grin as she slings her bag over her shoulder. “Be careful, okay?”
I smile tightly. “Always.”
She winks, and with a quick wave, she’s out the door, leaving me alone at the table. As the café continues to buzz around me, I sit back and let my thoughts spin. I’ve been holding back, keeping the warnings and my growing fear to myself.
But how long can I keep this quiet? If Marcus Crowe, or someone working for him is really watching me, am I putting everyone around me in danger by staying silent?
I finish my coffee and pay the tab before heading out. Truthfully, I’m never too eager to be outside on my own these days. As I walk down the street my heart pounds. My steps echoing louder than usual.
Despite a million glances over my shoulder, there’s nothing. Nothing that stands out anyway, just the usual flow of people going about their day. But in my gut, I know someone’s there, lurking just out of sight.
Forcing myself to walk calmly, I turn the corner toward my car, my pulse quickening with every step. I’m being followed. Whoever it is, they want me to know. This is torture. Like Minna said earlier just get it over with already.
Just as I reach my building, a shadow shifts behind me. My breath catches in my throat, and I whirl around?—
Nothing. No one.
My heart races as I scan the empty street. But the feeling doesn’t leave.
Next time , I think. Next time, I won’t be alone.