Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Seven
Kelley pulled up to the gate of his house to find another vehicle already parked there. One of the guards stood next to the vehicle looking stoic but completely ignoring the occupant. Kelley climbed out his car and the guard straightened his stance.
“Detective Black …”
The car door opened and Durandt Black climbed out. “Good afternoon, Kelley. I need to speak with you since you are now home.”
Kelley smiled and nodded his head at the guard. “Of course, Detective.”
The gate opened and Kelley got back into his car and watched the detective drive through the gate. The guard nodded his head at him as he also drove through the gate. He parked his car in the garage and Durandt parked in the driveway.
He followed Kelley to the front door that opened just as he stepped onto the stone patio. Connor looked at Durandt and then at Kelley. “Detective Black, I see you made your way inside after all.”
“That I did. Lucky for me that Kelley arrived when he did.”
“Let’s go through to the sitting room. Connor, would you ask Mavis for some coffee please.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Durandt followed Kelley to the sitting room and sat down on the plush sofa across from Kelley. He watched Kelley’s movements intently; he looked relaxed and carefree. Durandt had to admit he didn’t look like a man who had kidnapped someone.
Sounds on the stairs made Durandt turn his head. Mason was helping Lee down the stairs, dressed in a robe with only socks on his feet, Durandt could see that Lee was in pain. He stood as they entered the sitting room.
“You should stay in bed, Lee.” Kelley’s voice was soft and caring, filled with worry.
“I’m your lawyer, Kelley, and when a detective shows up unannounced my presence is called for.”
“I heard about the shooting, Lee, I’m glad you’re getting better.”
Lee nodded his head as Mason helped him to the sofa and he sat down next to Kelley. Connor appeared at Kelley’s side followed by Mavis with the coffee trolley. Connor dismissed her with a whisper and Mason took a seat closest to Lee.
“Coffee?” Connor’s demeanour was calm as he poured coffee for Kelley first and then for Durandt. It was a play at who was the most important in this room. Durandt had to smile.
“I’m investigating a missing adult.”
Kelley placed his cup down on the coffee table and looked at Durandt. “I see.”
“Kirk Goodwin was reported missing two days ago. His friends claim that he wouldn’t just disappear of his own accord.”
Kelley smiled then as he leaned forward. “And I’m sure those same friends sent you my way.”
Durandt shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. “Your name was mentioned, yes.”
“It’s no secret that we don’t get along with the Elites but as far as kidnapping is concerned … why would I tarnish my own successful reputation by doing something like that? I’m a businessman not a gangster. I don’t have a criminal record nor do I intend to ever have one, which is why I have an excellent lawyer as a best friend. Kidnapping is for street thugs and I’m not that either.”
“Which is why I’m here as a courtesy, Mr Alexander. I didn’t come with a warrant to search your residence but I have to show that I did speak to you.”
“I appreciate that, Detective.”
Durandt turned towards Mason and a new emotion filtered through his eyes. “I saw your girl at the house. She looks as okay as can be. She has very sad eyes for a little girl.”
“Grace?”
Durandt nodded his head and looked at Mason. He could see the hope glisten in his eyes, the love for that little girl was evident. “I’m sorry you lost your daughter. Marcus Holt doesn’t seem like the fatherly type. She has a nanny that plays with her, but when I asked her if her father was home she told me that her father didn’t live there, that her father was Mason James.”
Mason smiled sadly as he nodded his head. “She’ll always be my daughter.”
“If I were you, Mason, I’d hire a private detective to find whatever he could to discredit Marcus Holt as a father.”
“Why would you tell me that?” Mason looked questioningly at Durandt.
“Off the record?”
Kelley nodded his head as did Lee who answered him. “Off the record.”
“I know you’re at war with the Elites. I also know that Kelley cut Petey’s brake lines. There is no proof, I’m aware, but my gut tells me he did it. I also know that Charles Alexander has an appetite for young girls, some under the legal age, again, nothing I can prove. I know that you surround yourself with guards, ex-marines, ex-army and that you have two IT specialists in your employ. I know Connor here was a mercenary in his day, no proof of course. I also know that JenCorp’s fall has your fingerprints all over it and that Hanson Chadney is a bad man. I know that the rest of your family is somewhere for safety reasons, which was a good move. I also think that the Elite’s shot Lee and Marella and when Lee said he couldn’t remember anything, he was lying his ass off. How am I doing so far?”
“You have a vivid imagination, Detective.” Lee’s voice was low and his look stoic.
“Or I’m just damn good at what I do. I don’t like bad people and if I thought you were the bad guys I wouldn’t be here unofficially or telling you what I think is the truth.”
Mason shifted slightly. “And what do you think is the truth about Kirk Goodwin?”
“I think he’s here, in this house, but I don’t think he’s tied up somewhere. I think you offered him safety in return for information. Your next move will probably be to fake his death and let the Elite’s know so they’ll react in kind only to find no easy target. You’re all holed up in this fortress so they’ll have to overplay their hand to get to you.”
