Page 194 of Broken
“I think he’s blocking out the bad memories,” the detective said.
“I’m hoping to replace those with good ones,” Prescott replied. “Have you made any progress on the case?”
“We’ve gotten the hospital surveillance video and we did see someone enter your sister’s room at around five in the morning.”
“And?”
Kealing smiled at Ethan. “Mr. Armstrong, I’d be happy to discuss the case with you, but not in front of your nephew.”
Prescott already knew what she’d seen on the video. “Understood.”
With Ethan in his arms, he left the building, slipped on his sunglasses. “You did a good job, Ethan. I’m proud of you.” He held up his hand and Ethan high-fived him.
After taking Ethan back to daycare, he returned to his office, stopping in Francis’s to check in.
“Did you schedule the board meeting?”
“Today, at one-thirty,” Francis replied. “Executive conference room. Not everyone could make it here, so I set up a video call.”
“I’ll email you over a link for TopCon. It’s nothing more than a DBA held by Artemis.” He growled. “He’s paying the consultant for work she’s not doing.”
“Not true,” Francis replied. “I’m guessing she’s doingallkindsof work for him.”
Despite the anger pounding through him, he chuffed out a laugh.
“Before I meet with the board, check with Hershel in accounting,” he said. “He’ll give you everything you need. One more thing… let security know. When Artemis gets back, have him held in the lobby. I’ll go down and deal with him.” Another growl shot out of him. “He’s a disgrace to this company, and our family.”
He returned to his office to find Jacqueline staring out the window. Her sweet smile assuaged his agitation.
“How’d it go?” she asked.
He made his way over to her, dipped down, and kissed her. “Ethan did great. He told them Mr. Man has no hair, but he’s got facial hair. He said a lot of nice things about you.”
“I love hearing that.” Her smile faded. “I gave Z my list of suspects.”
“Congratulations.” He pulled his gun from his safe and slid it into the ankle holster. “He’s probably got a team of agents working on that now.”
“There is a team,” she said, “and it’s me. He’s not assigning a team because he already did. Unfortunately, the suspect got away.”
“Who are we talking about?”
“Maul,” she replied. “Terrence Maul.”
Prescott stared at her. “Maul’s dead.”
“No,” she said, pushing back. “He isnotdead. I’m going to find him, and when I do, you’re going to finish him, for good.”
Knock-knock.
Francis popped in. “It’s time. Let’s get you set up in the conference room.”
Prescott eyed Jack. “This conversation is not over.”
“Good luck.”
With his laptop in hand, he strode out.
“Did you talk to Hershel?” Prescott asked Francis on the way to the conference room.
