Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 125248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Cassidy clenched his fist. “So they got away?”
“The shooters ditched it in a parking garage in Koreatown. Free tracked it through street cams until it went underground. No exit footage.”
“Fuck!” Cassidy barked.
The doctor jabbed him lightly with one gloved finger. “Damnit.”
Tech lifted his hand before Cassidy could keep swearing, and turned toward Xander.
“The kid says his name is River Blackwell.”
Xander frowned. For a moment, the name meant nothing. Then it landed.
“Celestine Ashford’s son?”
Tech nodded.
His stomach dropped.
“He says it’s his stepfather behind all this.”
Xander covered his mouth. “Bennett Ashford?”
Cassidy scowled. “Why?”
Tech sighed. “According to River, Celestine’s film, Where the Sea Ends, was a forty-seven-million-dollar project she funded herself. Written and directed by her and produced through Ashford’s company. It was expected to dominate awards season until What Breaks in Silence overtook it.”
Xander shook his head. “That’s insane.”
“People have been attacked and killed for far less than ego and forty-seven million dollars,” Tech said.
Xander lowered his hand. “But Celestine…”
“She’s not involved.” Tech shrugged. “At least that’s what her son says.”
Xander’s mind jumped to every interview Celestine had done, every polite answer about being honored to be included with such extraordinary nominees. He remembered how kind she’d been at the first awards luncheon, hugging him and telling him his performance was one of the best she’d ever seen.
“She’s always so nice to me,” Xander said quietly.
“River says she’s barely functioning,” Tech said. “He says she relapsed after the awards losses started stacking up. Drinking. Pills. Cocaine.”
“Oh god,” he said, dropping his head in his hands.
“Hey,” Cassidy squeezed his shoulder. “This isn’t your fault.”
“Her team’s been telling the press she’s on location developing a new film, but she’s been at the Solstice Wellness Institute in Malibu for the last three months.”
Xander stared at him. “I thought she was working in Vancouver.”
“It’s a cover story.”
“Wow.” Xander couldn’t believe it was an industry colleague coming after him and not some sick fan.
God had been right.
Cassidy’s eyes were hard. “You sure it’s just Ashford?”
Tech nodded once. “River overheard Bennett Ashford talking to two hired men at their estate. Ashford said he wanted you injured enough to shut down your future projects. He specifically said he didn’t want you killed because it’d bring too much heat.”
The doctor’s hands stilled for a half second before she resumed stitching.
Xander felt cold all over.
“He’s going to that extent because his wife lost a few awards? Seems extreme.”
“River said Ashford believes you’re coming out made your film untouchable,” Tech said. “He called it dirty politics.”
Xander let out a stunned breath. “That’s not true.”
“No,” Tech said. “It isn’t.”
Xander’s attention moved back and forth between them. “Can they arrest him?”
Tech’s expression told him the answer before he said it.
“River doesn’t have any proof. He overheard the conversation through a door. He can’t even identify the men by appearance and he didn’t record it. And without catching tonight’s shooters…”
Xander threw his hands up. “Will this ever end?”
“God considers this the first solid thread that actually pulls in the right direction. Free is digging into Ashford’s finances, and phone calls. But a lot of what Free will find won’t be legally admissible unless we can anchor it to a lawful source.”
Cassidy grunted. “We’ll need to catch the men flat out and get ’em to confess Ashford’s involvement.”
“Exactly.” Tech shifted in the chair. “River said the men indicated they wouldn’t be back to Ashford’s house since they were told to disappear after the job. Besides, God and Day don’t want River putting himself in danger trying to get evidence. He says he’s been trying to get you alone Xander, but after what happened tonight, he came straight to the hotel.”
“Can I talk to him?” he asked.
“No,” Tech and Cassidy said.
Xander frowned. “I just want to tell him thank you for coming here. It was brave.”
“I’ll relay your gratitude.” Tech stood.
Cassidy touched the back of his neck. “Lane. I don’t want you anywhere near him.”
“He helped me.”
“You still don’t know him.”
“But he did all this to warn me. I gotta at least—”
“I said no.” Cassidy growled.
Xander wanted to argue, but when he looked at Cassidy’s bruised chest, the blood still on his arm, he closed his mouth.
“I’ll let him know you’re appreciative, Xander.” Tech came closer. “God wants you to stay in the hotel tonight. He’s got Ruxs, Green, and Steele sitting on your place to see if anyone shows there after the failed hit, but most likely Ashford’s men know they lost the window tonight.”
“Wait. My dogs?”
“Two of Morrison’s agents who’d helped install the security system are in your house.” Tech said immediately. “Ranger and Roxie know them. They’re fine.”
Xander exhaled.
“I’m going to run over and grab you a bag,” Tech continued. “Clothes, toiletries, anything obvious. Cassidy, I’ll grab your spare duffle outta your trunk.”
Cassidy settled back against the pillows, irritation still marring his handsome face. “I don’t like being benched.”