Chapter 41

Ethan hadn’t been taking any calls this morning. He’d advised his secretary to take messages on his behalf. He had a doctor’s appointment with his wife later in the evening, they were trying to conceive. Not that anyone else knew about it, it was a surprise for when they finally got pregnant. In lieu of the visit, he had to knock his daily goals out of the way. The sure fire way to do that? Limit those tiny nuisances that derailed his thought process and turned a one hour task into two.

A knock sounded at the door, his secretary pushing her way in. She had leaned half-way into the room and waited for him to acknowledge her.
Ethan rode on the wave of his thoughts. “Linda,” Ethan called out her name politely, his fingers gliding against the keyboard, his eyes not seeing her. “I am sure I asked not to be interrupted before lunch time.” He reminded her of his request. “The building better be burning down.” That was the only excuse he was willing to tolerate for the interruption.

“It’s your wife, sir.”

*Well, perhaps a fire was not the only reason he’d tolerate.*

Linda had said the words in that familiar tone that reminded him of his scare level. It was zero, by the way. At least when it came to Linda, she didn’t find him or Harvey intimidating. “I don’t dare to ask Peyton to leave a message.” She addressed his wife by her first name. The two had been thick as thieves since Linda was hired. With a wife like Peyton, no one remained mere acquaintances; she had a lively presence that made friends easily. Peyton knew the value of people and relationships.

“Good call.” Ethan replied, gazing at the forty-six year old woman. She was a huge help to him when he got started. Her years of experience made his job all the more easier.

“Line 2.” She shot him a self-satisfied look and exited his office. Ethan shook his head and took the call.

“Missing me already?” He spoke into phone, smiling at her cute little giggle. They’d ended up spending the night in her childhood room last night, ignoring the knocks on the door from her sister and her friends.

“Yes,” she said instantly, “but that’s not why I called.” She paused.

“I am all ears.” He’d ceased typing up the report, hung back on his chair and waited for her to talk.

“Two things. The first is that I have rescheduled our doctor’s appointment for next week.” She rattled out the words, ready to move on from the topic.

“Why?” he interrupted her, forcing her to take a step back. She began stammering and he automatically knew he wouldn’t approve. “Out with it, darling.” He prompted.

“I have a lead I need to follow up on after lunch.” Her voice had gone lower, he’d strained his senses to be able to pick up the words.

“Peyton…” His voice was a warning. He rubbed his hands over his eyes, the exhaustion creeping up on him.

“I know, I know.” She said defensively. “It’s my only opportunity, if I wait any longer my story will get delayed.” She pouted and whined over the phone. “You know I can’t stand it when you call me by my government name.” she sniffled. Ethan rolled his eyes and pressed his lips in a thin line. His wife knew he was wrapped around her tiny fingers and she used it to her advantage.

“I am sorry, babe.” He conceded on the name point. “There will be no cancelation of the appointment for next week then?” he needed confirmation.

“I promise I will honour that one.” She rattled out, going silent. She was giving him time to forgive her and indulge her.

“I’ll take your word for it but if you stand me up again, I will walk into that building scoop you up in my arms and drag you to the doctor’s.” he threatened, knowing she would be insanely embarrassed if she was man-handled in front of her co-workers. “Is that clear?” he was stern.

“I love it when you use that tone with me.” She purred, but Ethan was not to be flirted with. This was a serious conversation.

“Do not make me call you by your government name again.” He warned.

“It’s crystal clear, babe.” She sang, a slight chuckle tickling his ears.

“Good. What’s the next thing?” he prodded. She was not the only one who had insatiable curiosity.

“Draven got back to me.” She lowered her voice. “I’m forwarding you his findings, now.”

“Findings?” Ethan sat up in his chair and crossed his legs. “Didn’t you reach out to him only last night?” Ethan was beginning to doubt his own eyes. He’d been in bed with his wife last night when she’d reached out to her brother.

“What can I say, Draven works fast.” She snickered, his cell phone notifications sounding simultaneously.

“The files are all recordings?” Ethan quizzed as he checked his cell phone.

“That’s right. He interviewed their neighbours this morning,” she paused. “He said, they were very open.”

*This morning!* Ethan checked his watch; it was only quarter to twelve. He wasn’t expecting results this quickly.

“How did he get them to open up to him?” he scrolled through the recordings, counting them. There were six in total.

“I didn’t ask.” Peyton answered honestly. When it came to Draven’s business dealings the less she knew the better. That was the only way in which she could pretend her brother was involved in a normal eight to four job.

“Did you listen to them?” He asked, unsure of whether he should listen to them before handing them over to Harvey.

“One of them.” She admitted, “but it doesn’t seem that Mia has nefarious intentions for Harvey.”

“That’s all I wanted to know either way.” He was thinking out loud. He thanked his wife and they ended the call. Ethan flashed his gaze between the recordings and the time. Harvey was holding a meeting at the moment, but this couldn’t wait. It was almost lunch time anyway. He pressed back on his chair and the wheels rolled him away from his desk. He stood, pulled his cell phone into his hands and made his way two floors down to the conference room.

Ethan noticed people filing out of the conference room and took this as his opportunity to trap Harvey in conversation. He’d tried talking to him earlier but Harvey had adeptly avoided him on the excuse of work.

“We should talk.” He said once the room was filled with them alone. Harvey was struck dumb. He’d avoided Ethan all morning and now he was back in his face. He had nothing to say on the topic Ethan wanted to discuss.

“If it’s about work, I will happily oblige.” Harvey eased back into his seat and glared at Ethan.

“Sorry to disappoint you,” Ethan began and Harvey rose instantly.

“I am not discussing *that* with you.” He referred to the situation with Mia. He was about to walk past Ethan.
Ethan put his hand out in front of Harvey to stop him. “You will want to hear this.” Ethan’s voice rose. The rise in Ethan’s voice startled Harvey. Never once during their friendship had Ethan ever taken a rough tone with him.

“Are you really raising your voice at me?” Harvey questioned, staring at Ethan’s hand in front of him.

“If you keep acting like an errant child, you leave me no choice.” Ethan shrugged gesturing for Harvey to take a seat. They stared at each other for a few moments in silence, Harvey eventually caving and re-occupying his seat.

“I’m listening.” Harvey crossed his arms across his chest and waited. Ethan nodded and moved to slip into a seat, his eyes falling to the floor at Harvey’s feet.

“Is that your phone?” Ethan directed Harvey’s attention to the black cell phone on the ground. Thank heavens it was encased or else the screen would have shattered.

“Thinking of abandoning it.” Harvey replied, without casting a glance at it.

“Pick it up.” Ethan groaned, “I am sending you some files.” He clarified. Harvey begrudgingly lowered his arm down to pick it up. “I thought this wasn’t work related.” He mused.

“It isn’t.” Ethan appeared impatient as he forwarded the files to Harvey.

“What are these?” Harvey glanced at Ethan, the lines on this forehead creasing.

“I had someone do a little digging into the Evans’ relationship, “ he began, Harvey parted his lips to make an objection but Ethan’s voice powered over his, “I was concerned that she’d approached you on behalf of her husband.” He continued, “However, that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

“Then what’s so important about these recordings that you needed to forward it to me?” Harvey questioned. Ethan raised and contracted his shoulders to indicate his lack of knowledge in that area.

“I didn’t listen to them,” he deleted the files from his phone in the same breath. This was Harvey’s personal business. “But maybe they would answer some of your questions.” He finished, rising from his seat to leave.
Harvey was transfixed by the recordings. “Where did you get these?” He didn’t look at Ethan.

“Peyton’s brother, remember I told you he’s into law enforcement,” Ethan stretched the truth a bit. The true nature of Draven’s work couldn’t be revealed willy nilly. “he interviewed the neighbours of the Evans family as a favour to Peyton.” Ethan stared at Harvey’s far off expression. “It’s up to you to listen to them or not. I have already deleted them.”