Page 2 of Wild Idol (Tyson Wild Thriller #82)

Palm Haven was an exclusive neighborhood full of custom homes. With a man-made white sand beach, it was the pinnacle of luxury. The yards were perfectly manicured. Towering palms swayed overhead. Each home had a unique design. This was no cookie-cutter neighborhood.

We walked past the Storm Purple Aston Martin Vantage in the circular drive.

I rang the video doorbell at the gate to the courtyard. It was full of lush foliage. A water wall trickled, providing a soothing soundtrack for the oasis.

A man’s voice crackled through the speaker a moment later— the man I had talked to on the phone. “Deputy Wild, thanks for coming.”

He buzzed us in, and we pushed through the gate.

By the time we got to the front door, a dapper gentleman in an expensive suit waited for us.

Strathmore Wellington was in his mid-50s with short, wavy dark hair with a touch of gray, a high forehead, narrow brown eyes, and thin lips that were slightly down-turned at the edges.

He had a grim expression, but that was broken quickly with a smile upon greeting us. He extended his hand, and we shook.

I introduced him to JD.

“It’s a pleasure to meet both of you. Please come in.” Mr. Wellington stepped aside and motioned us into the vaulted foyer.

Florida sunshine spilled in through large transom windows. A magnificent, stylized chandelier hung from the ceiling.

Mr. Wellington escorted us across the foyer into the living room, which offered a stunning view of the infinity pool and the beach. Sapphire waves crashed against the shore. The sun glittered the water.

Expensive art hung on the walls. Large canvases of impressionist works by iconic names—names that cost millions at auction.

The bleached hardwoods and white walls gave it an open, airy feeling, along with the wall of glass that made you feel like you were one with the beach.

“Can I get you anything? Water, tea, coffee? ”

“No, thank you,“ I said.

“If it were after five, I’d offer you a cocktail,” he said with a grin.

“It might be close enough,” JD said, looking at his watch.

“I’ve got beer, whiskey, wine…”

“No thanks,” Jack said, thinking better of it.

Strathmore offered us a seat on the white leather sofa. He took a seat in the chair catty-corner to us.

“What can I do for you?” I said, getting down to business as I fell into the comfy couch.

Strathmore‘s face turned grim again. “I’m in desperate need of your help, as I mentioned on the phone. Forgive me if I was vague. I’m extremely cautious about talking on open channels.”

“I understand.”

“It’s my daughter.” Strathmore sighed and frowned. “I need you to find her and bring her back.” he paused. “I’ve tried everything. Ivy won’t listen to reason. She’s cut off all communication with me.”

“How old is Ivy?”

“She’s 23 now.”

“She’s an adult. She can make her own decisions.”

“I agree. But I don’t think she’s making her own decisions. She’s not in her right mind. That asshole is controlling her.”

“What asshole would that be? ”

“Solomon is a lying, manipulative scumbag who is preying on the naivety and innocence of young girls. They worship him like a god. Devote their lives to him. Give him all of their worldly possessions. It’s a fucking cult. I’m sorry, but there’s no other way to put it. She needs to be deprogrammed.”

“That’s not really our area of expertise,” I said.

“I can put you in touch with Tom Halford,” JD said. “That’s his specialty. He does this kind of thing all the time. He’s got a great track record of recovery and reintegration.”

Strathmore shook his head. “I’m not looking for a referral, gentleman.

” He stared into my eyes. “I called you because I’m told you’re the best. Solomon forced Ivy to break into this very house and steal one of my prized possessions.

That’s breaking and entering. That’s theft. I want my property returned.”

“Did you file a report when this happened?” I asked.

Strathmore frowned and shook his head. “No, I didn’t want to create a legal problem for my daughter.

I just want my daughter and my property back.

I want things to be the way they were. I want to have a healthy relationship with my daughter.

I don’t want to see her waste years of her life devoted to that scumbag while he drains every ounce of her potential.

Her youth, her beauty, her future—he’ll take it all and won’t give it a second thought.

” Strathmore took a deep breath. “There has to be something illegal about what he’s doing. ”

“What’s the value of the object they stole? ”

“It’s priceless.”

I shared a look with JD. “Do you have any proof that they stole the item? Any surveillance footage?”

“No.”

“Tell me about this item,” I said.