Prestige, page 16
Meri pulled her burner phone from her pocket and scrolled for the number she had saved to call the director. As soon as he answered, she started speed-talking.
“This is Meri. Listen carefully. There’s a photo of me at your birthday party last year on Troy’s wall. Check Troy’s entry records into the office. He wasn’t there. He took a vacation day to be with his family. He flew out to Augusta, Maine, the night before your party and came back Sunday afternoon. There’s a little airport there, you can check the records.”
“How do you—”
“There is another photo taken outside my mother’s house. In the bottom right-hand side of the window is a reflection in blue. Blow it up, and you will see that it was Sarah taking that picture.”
“Sarah?”
“Sarah also had access to my home on numerous occasions to plant cameras. Randall admitted to me that he had shadowed Troy’s computer. He could have shadowed Sarah’s as well. If he was able to hack his way in, it’s possible he also took the footage from Sarah’s computer and put it on Troy’s.”
“Meri, how do you—”
“You told Troy that Randall married into money. Check to make sure that money didn’t arrive in his wife’s bank account. That would give him motive to pin all this on Troy.”
“It is after nine p.m. my time, Meri,” he finally managed to state. “This could have waited until morning.”
“No, sir. It can’t. You’ve been holding Troy for days. He didn’t do this. He didn’t do any of this. He’s right. I bet if you think back, you’ll realize it was Randall subtly making you doubt Troy all along. Everything goes back to Randall. Now you get your ass to the office and start looking into what I told you. Please,” she added sarcastically before she ended the call and lifted a brow at Casey. “Fast enough?”
“Fast enough. But do you think that’s going to get them to release Troy? He did take Logan without notifying the agency.”
“Marta says Troy’s attorney is really pushing that he was acting in the best interest of his client. I’d say that if they can poke holes in the theory that Troy was some kind of mad stalker and someone else did these things, they will have to let him go.”
Casey didn’t look nearly as convinced as Meri was, but she didn’t let that deter her. Troy’s innocence would be proven, and he’d be released by morning. She had to believe that, even if Casey didn’t.
Dawn had barely broken when Troy was hauled from his holding cell to the visiting area of the jail where he’d been housed for days. He was expecting to see his attorney, but Director Bruce sat at the table, looking like he hadn’t gotten much more sleep than Troy had.
“Sit,” the director ordered.
Troy dropped into a chair and sighed. He was getting really tired of these stupid games. Instead of pressing him to confess, the director put a photo of Meri and Randall in front of him. Troy looked it over for a moment before shrugging at the director.
“What am I looking for?”
“Do you recognize that image?”
Frustrated, he sighed and pushed the photo away. “You woke me up for this? How many more times do I have to tell you that I didn’t take those pictures before you start listening?”
“I’m listening now.”
Creasing his brow, Troy tilted his head a bit, trying to process what he’d heard.
“You weren’t in the office the day that photo was taken,” Director Bruce said. “We verified that your badge was never used to enter the building that day and that you had boarded a plane to Maine the night before. Granted, you could have driven back in that time and used someone else’s badge, but your sister confirmed you attended her son’s kindergarten graduation and offered photos to prove it.” Sitting forward, Director Bruce slid another photo across the desk. “Look at this one. See the reflection off to the side here?”
Troy narrowed his eyes, trying to make out the image, but the director added a blown-up and slightly blurry copy.
“Is that Sarah?” Troy lifted his face, confused by this new information. “Sarah was following Meri?”
“We’re still digging into this, but in this picture, this one image outside Meri’s mother’s house… It looks an awful lot like Sarah Brewer took this.”
“But that doesn’t explain how this got in my apartment.”
“Exactly. We looked deeper into the spy-cam footage. We can’t determine who dumped it on your computer, but the videos were dumped all at once and after you had gone on the run but before we searched your apartment. Seems awfully strange, don’t you think?”
Troy was hesitant to feel relieved. He clung to his poker face, not sure what was going to happen next. After three days of answering endless questions, being accused of stalking Meri, and threatened with life in prison for murdering the Bantams and kidnapping their son, he wasn’t going to let his guard down for a second. This could be a trap.
“I have two investigators checking every security and traffic camera around your apartment building. If one of our own broke in to put up those photos and dump that footage, we might be able to catch them.”
“Meri called,” he added.
Finally, Troy perked up. He didn’t mean to. He should have been more guarded where Meri was concerned, considering they thought he’d murdered two people as an excuse to get close to her.
“How’s Logan?” he asked, a quick attempt at excusing his sudden interest.
“I don’t know. She didn’t mention him. She’s the one who tipped me off that you hadn’t been at my birthday party. I had forgotten about that. She also pointed out the reflection in the glass and said that Randall admitted to hacking into your computer. We haven’t been able to confirm that, but those computer nerds down in IT confirmed there was spyware on your hard drive. Now, it is possible,” he said, “that Randall compromised your computer.”
“That he dumped the footage,” Troy clarified. “Goddamn it. I told you this days ago. Have you told Meri’s team that you confirmed this? Randall is there. Who knows—”
“I spoke with Randall two days ago after you told me he had rented a house so close to Meri’s. He was told to return to New York.”
“Has he?”
The director sighed. “I’ll have someone check. But I really don’t think—”
“You said you verified he hacked into my computer.”
“I said we verified there was spyware. We didn’t verify it was Randall.”
“He followed me—”
“He said he followed you to try to locate and return Logan Bantam.” The director wasn’t giving an inch.
Troy shook his head. “Director, he is lying.”
“I’m bringing Randall in for further questioning as soon as I verify he’s back in New York. Now if you are done huffing and puffing, there is something that I need from you. You say you’ve been acting in Logan’s best interest. I need some kind of proof of that.”
“Like what?”
“I need to hear Logan and verify he’s okay. You’re going to call Meri, and you’re going to put it on speakerphone so I can hear him. And you better hope to God that he doesn’t say anything that makes me think you had any motive other than protecting him. Understood?”
“Understood.”
The director slid the phone that Prestige had programmed for Brian Donnelly across the desk. How was that just over a week ago?
“You want me to call now? It’s four o’clock in the morning their time.”
“You want to go back to your cell and wait for a more polite time?”
Troy flipped the phone open and selected the number for Brenda. Three rings in and Meri answered. Troy’s heart lifted at the sound of her voice, even though it was groggy from sleep.
“Troy?” she asked.
He smiled. “I’m here.”
“Did they let you go?”
“Not yet, but I think we’re getting there.”
She exhaled loudly into the phone. “How are you doing?”
“Oh, I’ve been better,” he said lightly. “The bed is lumpy, the food is terrible, and my roommate snores.”
“I’m so sorry. I had to—”
“I know.” He lost his teasing tone. “Don’t apologize. I get it. Listen, I need to talk to Logan.”
“He’s sleeping.”
“Put him on,” the director ordered. “I need to know that he’s okay.”
“Okay,” Meri said. “Hey, Logan. Troy’s on the phone. He wants to talk to you.”
Closing his eyes, Troy could actually envision the scene playing out on the other end of the line. No doubt Logan was curled up against Meri, seeking the safety that had been so lacking in his life.
A moment later, Logan’s tired voice came through the phone. “Troy?”
Troy couldn’t stop the big grin that curved his lips. He also couldn’t stop his heart from aching. He’d missed that kid as much as he’d missed Meri.
“Hey, buddy. How are you?”
“I was sleeping.”
“I know. It’s a really bad time to call, but this was the only time I had. I’m sorry.”
Logan yawned. “Are you coming back soon?”
“I’m going to try. Are you doing okay?”
“Yeah. I got to look at some really cool rocks today. Well, yesterday, I guess.”
“That’s awesome.”
“Casey’s boyfriend is really smart, and he said he can teach me all kinds of things about science. He has more rocks than anybody I’ve ever seen.” The sleepy sound faded with each word he said as his excitement grew. He was waking up. Meri would have a heck of a time getting him back to sleep now. “Meri said we might get to go to a park tomorrow. I’ve been practicing calling Meri Mom, but I keep forgetting.”
“That’s okay. It’s hard to remember,” Troy said, but he didn’t think Logan heard.
The kid barely took a breath before he started rambling again. “When are you coming back?”
Troy chuckled when Logan finally stopped talking. “As soon as I can, bud.”
There was muffled talk in the background, and Logan moaned in displeasure. “Meri says I have to go now.”
“I’ll talk to you again real soon. Try to go back to sleep, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Hey,” Meri said, coming back on the line. “He’s fine. He and Shawn became fast friends. Casey suggested a trip to the park to let Shawn help him with rock hunting to start his own collection. I think it will be okay.”
“Sounds like it,” Troy said. “How are you?”
“I’m good,” she said, but she didn’t sound okay. She sounded upset.
Troy didn’t have to think too much to know why. As much as he hated having her question him, she had to have hated it as well.
“Thanks for calling in last night,” he said. “They were able to clear me of a few things at least.”
The director cleared his throat. “I’m dropping the charges.”
“You are?” Meri and Troy said at the same time.
“Logan is clearly eager for Troy to return. At this point, there is mounting evidence that Troy was set up, even if we don’t know by whom. I have no reason to believe he’s a danger to the kid. We’ll get him out of here.”
Troy nodded his thanks. “Am I free to go back to them?”
Director Bruce sat back and frowned. “Until we know who killed his parents and why, he could still be in danger. As the lead guard responsible for keeping him safe… I guess you better get your ass back there and keep him safe.”
Troy smiled. “Thank you.”
“But,” he said, pointing a finger at Troy, “Meri De Luca is no longer employed by this company. She has no business working with you on this.”
“Sir,” Meri stated.
“However,” the director continued, “these circumstances are unusual. And…Meri was always a much better investigator than you are, so I’m going to let her involvement slide. This one time. You need to understand, Meri, that you are no longer employed by Lochlin, and you have no authority to act in that capacity. Your role in this is to assist Troy in keeping Logan safe. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” she answered.
“You’ll check in with me every day,” Director Bruce continued. “You will not go rogue again. If you need to move, you will tell me where you are.”
Troy nodded. “What about Randall?”
“I’ll keep you posted.”
That was all he could ask for. “Hey,” he said to Meri. “Tell Logan I’m coming home.”
“He’s going to be thrilled,” Meri said. “He’s missed you.”
Troy hoped she had missed him too, but he couldn’t really ask that when Director Bruce was listening in on their conversation. He would ask when he got back, though. He hoped that her working so diligently to prove to the director that Troy was innocent meant that she’d forgiven him for the one crime he had committed—lying about his relationship with Sarah.
“I’ll get him on the first flight out,” the director said. “You have means to pick him up from the airport?”
“I’ll send someone.”
“Good enough,” Director Bruce said. “Let’s get you released.”
“I’ll call back with details,” Troy said.
Meri hesitated, but when she spoke, she sounded sincere. “I’ll be waiting.”
For the first time in days, Troy allowed himself to really breathe. He was going back to Logan and Meri. Back where he belonged. And the director was finally hearing him. Randall might have outsmarted his team for a long time, but that time was coming to an end, and Troy couldn’t be happier about that.
11
The sound of gravel crunching under tires caused Meri’s heart to flutter. He was back. Troy was back. She was as excited as she was nervous. They were going to have to deal with what had transpired the last time they’d seen each other. He might understand that she’d done what she had to do, and she might understand that he had turned to Sarah out of loneliness, but understanding didn’t mean there wasn’t underlying resentment on both of their parts waiting to show itself.
Those emotions had to be dealt with swiftly so they didn’t interfere with protecting Logan. Or, hopefully, getting their very young relationship back on track.
“Hey,” she called to Logan.
He turned from where he sat eating a big bowl of cereal in front of the television. She smiled when he used his sleeve to catch a dribble of milk running down his chin.
“Troy’s here.”
He jumped up, mouth full, and ran for the door. He grabbed the knob before he stopped, as if remembering the rules, and looked at Meri. She peered out the window and verified it was Joanie and Troy climbing from the car.
“Go ahead,” she said.
Logan unlocked the door and yanked it open. He was gone in a flash. A moment later, as she watched through the paned glass, he ran toward Troy. Troy smiled and opened his arms. In a scene that felt way too comforting to Meri, she watched him scoop the boy up and hug him tight.
She’d never wanted kids before, but after a week with Logan, she was beginning to think she might be an okay mom someday. The thought struck something in her that made her have to look away from the reunion happening outside.
Picking up his bowl, she used the remote to turn off the cartoon that he’d been glued to and busied herself with cleaning up what was left of his breakfast. She had no doubt that he’d be too distracted to eat now. Troy had only been gone a few days, but Logan had a long list of things he couldn’t wait to tell him.
“Good morning,” Joanie sang out, coming inside.
Meri flashed her a smile as she focused on rinsing out the sink. “Morning. Thanks for giving Troy a lift.”
The door opened and Logan darted in. “Meri! He’s back!”
“I know,” she said. When she finally found the courage to lift her gaze to Troy, her heart started aching for him all over again.
He dropped a duffel bag by the door and shrugged out of the light jacket he was wearing. That hadn’t been in his limited wardrobe before. He must have taken the time to swap out his clothes while in New York. Which meant he’d gone to his apartment and possibly seen some of the planted evidence for himself.
The exhaustion was evident in his slower movements, and when he looked at her, she could see it plainly written on his face. No doubt he hadn’t been sleeping well. Wherever they had detained him was not conducive to getting a lot of rest. His shoulders stooped a bit lower than before he’d left, and the stubble on his face was proof he hadn’t been given much opportunity to take care of himself.
God, she felt like an asshole for doing that to him.
Troy looked at Joanie, and she turned her focus on Logan as if they had this moment planned.
“Hey,” she said in a super happy voice, “did you get a chance to look at all the new books I brought over?”
Logan’s wide grin grew. “They are awesome!”
“Come on,” Joanie said, holding out her hand. “Show me.”
“Troy, come see.”
Troy offered him a smile as he ruffled his hair. “Hey, buddy. I’ve been traveling for a long time. I’m going to take a nap, and then you can show me all your new stuff, okay?”
Logan looked a bit deflated, but Joanie worked her magic and told him she couldn’t wait any longer. She had to see his new books. Logan ran toward his room, dragging her behind him.
Meri bit her lip when they disappeared before focusing on Troy again. “Well, that was a little transparent.”
“I wanted to settle things between us.”
Her chest tightened. He didn’t sound angry—he even said he wasn’t—but she didn’t know how he couldn’t be. She’d held him at gunpoint. “I am so sorry—”
“I’m the one who is sorry, Meri. I should have told you about Sarah.”
“I understand why you didn’t,” she said. “Things would have gotten more complicated.”
“And I understand why you took Logan. He comes first. Always. We agreed.”
She nodded. “This job is a bitch sometimes, huh?”
