Relentless (Option Zero #2) - Christy Reece Page 0,46

one of both bewilderment and exhaustion. Serena and Jazz had been hammering questions at her since they’d met. He’d read their notes. She had to be feeling overwhelmed. Ordinarily, he might have suggested she take a moment for herself, but he knew to strike when the iron was hot. She would be less likely to prevaricate if the questions continued.

“Come. We can talk in my office.”

He didn’t look to see if she followed him. He had no doubt she would. The questions in her eyes told him she wouldn’t wait much longer to learn the real reason she was here.

If she was honest with him, he would return the favor.

He opened the door to his office and smiled at Jules on the sofa. He’d asked her to sit in on the interview. Not only did she often see things from a different perspective, she would provide a calming presence.

“Jules, I’d like you to meet Aubrey Starr. Aubrey, this is my wife, Jules.”

As the women exchanged greetings, Ash went behind his desk and stood, waiting. Nothing like a little intimidation tactic to get the ball rolling.

“I’m a big fan of your work, Aubrey,” Jules said. “Your films always leave me in tears and feeling the need to do more.”

“Thank you. That’s the highest of compliments.”

As Jules sat back down on the sofa, Ash nodded toward the chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”

He noticed her eyes were on the window behind him. Couldn’t blame her. “Phenomenal, isn’t it? I would’ve bought the house for the view alone.”

“I’ve always loved the mountains.”

“Yet you live in Florida.”

She shrugged. “Sometimes, what you want and what you decide upon are contrary to one another.”

“Guess that’s true.” He nodded toward the chair again.

As soon as she was seated, Aubrey said, “First of all, Mr. Drake, I want to thank you for allowing me inside your organization. Kate told me, and Serena and Jazz drilled it into my brain on the flight here, that this is an unacknowledged organization. I want you to know that I would never reveal anything that you didn’t approve of first.”

“Call me Ash. And you wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t sure of your trustworthiness. And while I believe what you say is true, I hope you’ll understand that we’ll want to see the finished film before anyone else.”

“We can definitely arrange that. I have several other sources who can’t be identified and have asked for the same consideration. Understand, of course, that I won’t be open to changing the content of the film, but I will work with any concerns you have about anything that you think could identify your organization or its operatives.”

“Good enough. Now, seems to me you’ve gotten on the bad side of someone.”

“It’s not the first time.”

“Probably not. People who risk showing the underbelly of humanity often end up with enemies. This one seems particularly determined.”

“I’ll admit the cameras and bugs in my house were a shock.”

“Serena described finding some of the most expensive gadgets on the market, including a couple that are still in the testing stage. Someone is determined to find out what you know.”

Only by the tightening of her jaw did Aubrey give any indication that she was disturbed.

He hadn’t intended to spring their theory of Lawrence Medford’s death yet. This woman had endured several shocks today. One more might shut her down completely. But from her reaction, she wasn’t getting it yet. These people would go far beyond bugging a house to stop her. Should he tell her how far?

Wanting Jules’s take, he sent her a subtle, questioning look. She nodded, telling him she thought he should proceed.

“There’s more.”

“More?” Aubrey asked.

“Lawrence Medford.”

“What about Lawrence?”

“His death wasn’t an accident.”

“I don’t understand.”

Time for bluntness. “He was murdered.”

If she had been pale before, she was almost translucent now. He’d had his own experience with hearing bad news. Best thing to do was get it out as quickly as possible to begin processing.

“We’ve obtained video feed of someone going into Medford’s house and letting those snakes loose.”

“Snakes? I thought there was just one.”

“There were at least four, maybe more.”

She stared into space several seconds. Ash waited her out. Shock was like that. While your mind was numb, every reasonable explanation came knocking at you, trying to change your mind about the truth. Eventually, you allowed them in, but first you had to deal.

“I don’t understand. Why would anyone want to kill Lawrence? That’s just…” Her eyes widened, and her head shook in rapid jerks of