Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
I could have gotten the coffee from Betty, but the point was to be seen. I want little tidbits of information about me getting back to Tinsley, and I’m betting everything gets back to her. I was barely checked-in when she popped up. I have a feeling there’s not much she doesn’t know in this town. I plan on using that to my advantage.
I pretend to not notice the whispers and glances, which I’m sure links back to Tinsley being in my room. The townspeople have to be used to random tourists. It would be fun to linger, but as much fun as I had with Tinsley last night, that all went to shit when I saw the expression on her face when she was talking about the resort being built here.
There was sadness but also betrayal, which has lingered with me the most. For her to feel betrayed by me means she cares because we barely know each other at this point. Or she barely knows me. I can keep getting more and more information on her.
I find what I can about the buying of the land on the outer city limit of New Hope and have more information pulled on a few companies in the mix.
Ones that I’m unaware of. I’m guessing they are shell companies. I continue to look into things until it’s about the time Hollis asked me to be at his house.
He even asked me to go around to a side gate on his property that will be unlocked. Hollis really doesn’t want this getting out. I meet him on his back patio.
“I feel like we’re in a deep operation together.”
“We are. The women in this town could give the CIA a run for their money.” He’s shaking his head but smirking about it.
“Isn’t it only a matter of time?” I ask, following him into the house. He picks up a few toys off the ground when we enter his office.
My mind flashes to having a life like this for myself. Sure, I have always thought one day, but day after day I’ve never attempted to make that happen.
When I was younger, the goal and drive was to acquire all the things I never had. Back then, it was more about money and power. The need to have more control over my own life and money to never go hungry again is what drove me. With money comes freedom.
The desire to have a family of my own lingered in the back of my mind, but my vision of it has been fuzzy. I thought it was because I didn’t know what a real family was. That I’d never experienced it for myself, but now it’s becoming more clear. It’s been fuzzy because I couldn’t picture the woman I’d ever wish for that with. Then there was Tinsley, barreling into Biff’s office like a little tornado. It all snapped into place at that moment.
"Yes, Kindred will figure it out soon, and she'll tell my wife, Candy. That will spark a chain of unpredictable events.” Again, he smiles as though he’s been down this road before. "Tinsley is already hot on your trail. Being in your room and all." Hollis sits down in one of the chairs by the fireplace instead of going to his desk. I take the other.
"She knows. I don't know how, but she does. But I do know it's connected to her."
"The girl was in the city for a year. Not even here."
"The past has a way of following you."
"That's the fucking truth." Hollis chuckles.
The story of how he and his wife came together is no secret. I'd vaguely forgotten it and who it was linked to, but I knew of the story. From what I remember, they ended up taking down a growing medical company that was infecting all the others.
I give Hollis the CliffsNotes.
"I swear to Christ. Any time a man is throwing a fit, it's because a smarter woman got one over on him."
"I can't get a hold of Biff. I can make my threats again, but maybe the Biltons would fill in the loans I can pull from him. I'm holding a lot of his banking. There are a few others, but I'm not sure where they stand."
"And I'm guessing they're in a little group that doesn't make it so easy for you to ask because you'd be going after one of your own."
"Yes," I answer, though he already knows. "I pulled a few things and contacts." I hold out the USB for him to take. "You take a look at what I've got and see if you see any plays. I put all the names and such of who is connected. I'd very much prefer that it never leave this circle."
I'd put the names of half a dozen of the King of Thieves in there, but I'm not holding any punches. These are big names, and we might have to pull resources and power. I’ll do whatever it takes so I never see that look on Tinsley’s face again.