Chapter 58

Chapter 58

On the way back, Kristin dozed off against the window.

James gestured to Bill to crank up the heat and kill the music, driving smoothly in silence.

“Mr. Bryce, I’ve dug up some dirt… Ms. Turner skedaddled to Crescendo Town solo. The Turner family and the FitzGerald family don’t seem keen on letting her off the hook. Word on the street is Vincent’s trying to strong–arm her into marrying his butler’s son, a psycho. She called the cops and bolted,” Bill said, his voice hoarse.

He couldn’t fathom why all the malice in the world seemed to have it out for this kind–hearted lady.

James had a grim look on his face, his gaze dark as he stared out the car window.

“Back in the day, Ms. Turner must’ve been blind to fall for a guy like Vincent. What a bad luck in the love department!” Bill mused.

Six

years ago, he had sensed Vincent wasn’t worthy of Kristin. But back then, Kristin had eyes only for Vincent.

“Ms. Turner showing up at the club was a fluke. The club’s business manager, Harriet, did time with Ms. Turner and needed an extra hand because of the chamber of commerce dinner. Harriet roped Ms. Turner in to help out as a drink–serving gal initially, but since Ms. Turner probably can’t hold her liquor, Harriet, being somewhat decent, let her work the front desk instead.”

James frowned and glanced at Kristin. If he hadn’t recognized Kristin at the club, she might’ve been in for a rougher time.

“Ms. Turner is shacking up with Harriet in the club’s apartment block, a place that isn’t top–notch,” Bill whispered.

“Let’s head home.” James wasn’t about to let Kristin keep bunking with others in some rental dump.

“To the No.9 Mansion or…” Bill hesitated.

Over the years, James had a fair share of women, most of them taken to the No. 9 Mansion. Linda, the one who’d hung around the longest, always met him there.

James had never brought any woman to his own place.

“Back to Marigold Manor.” replied James

Bill looked back at James in surprise, as if to double–check.

James didn’t say another word, and Bill just drove back.

That was James‘ own pad, a place never sullied by the presence of a woman.

11:40

Dacher 58

Watching Kristin sleeping, James rubbed his temples. This time he was dead serious about not letting her slip away easily.

At Garner’s Garage in Silvergrove City.

Summer was sitting in the yard, fiddling with a magic cube, lightning–fast despite being only five years old.

“Hey kid, where are the grown–ups?” asked a man in a van, stopping to peek through the iron

gate.

Summer looked up and replied, “My uncle is at work, not fixing cars today.”

Garner had taken a side gig as a bodyguard for the well–heeled, which was on one day and off

the next.

Today, Summer was home alone.

The man glanced around. “Hey kid, I’ve got candy here. Open the gate for me, and I’ll take you

out for some fun.”

Summer eyed the man. “I can’t take candy from strangers, and I won’t go out to play with you. You a kidnapper or what?”

The man was taken aback by the cheeky kid. “Hey, I’m just being nice, offering you sweets.”

“Well I’ve got candy too. You game?” Summer put down his cube and shot back.

The man chuckled, impressed by the kid’s savvy. “Open up, and I promise, I’m not a kidnapper. Just gonna take you somewhere special.”

When Summer ignored him, the man darkened his face and got back in his van, ready to bust the gate down.

1

He was just doing a job for the cash to snatch the kid for someone.

Just as he was about to ram the gate, a black sedan pulled up to the curb.

Spotting someone, the van driver hit the gas and skedaddled.

York got out of the car, eyeing the van suspiciously.

Without much thought, York walked up with snacks in hand. “Summer.”

At the sight of York, Summer ran over, all smiles. “Mr. York!”

“Mr. FitzGerald sent me to bring you some grub.”

Summer bit his lip, asking softly. “Is he not coming?”

“Mr. FitzGerald is swamped. Be glad he’s thinking of you at all.” York chuckled, crouching down to ruffle Summer’s hair through the gate gap. “I’ve sorted out your school enrollment. Garner will take you tomorrow. Be good and study hard. Don’t open the door to strangers.”

Summer nodded obediently.

11:40

Chapter 58

Suddenly remembering something. Summer dashed inside and came back with a carefully folded paper. “This is for Dad.”

Summer was trying to win Rhett’s favor, wanting Rhett to be his dad for real.

York took the paper with a sigh. “I’m off to Crescendo Town with Mr. FitzGerald tomorrow, so be good.”

“Will you bring Mom back?” Summer missed his mother.

“Will do.” York nodded. He had found out that Kristin might be in Crescendo Town. Rhett’s trip there was also to hunt for Kristin.

Lately, Vincent and Clarence had been going bonkers searching for Kristin. Rhett feared they’d harm Summer.

Those two would likely use Summer to strong–arm Kristin into coming back.

“Mr. York, you gotta keep your word.” Summer reddened his eyes.

York paused, then nodded. “Summer, does your mom have any friends in Crescendo Town?”

Summer thought for a bit, then replied, “Mom has a friend, Harriet. She got out of the prison before Mom and came to see me. I remember her number.”

Summer had a photographic memory, especially sharp with numbers.

York was totally gobsmacked by sharp Summer who made sure to jot down her number.

Ditching the snacks, York hopped into the car and took a quick peek at the drawing Summer had whipped up. For some reason, it hit him right in the feels.

Summer had drawn two adults holding hands with a kid in the middle.

1

Dad was holding an umbrella, shielding both him and Mom from the stormy weather.

The drawing made it clear as day. Summer was dying for a complete family.

At the airport of Crescendo Town.

Rhett rocked up to Crescendo Town ahead of time and kept it on the down–low from James.

“Got the address?” Rhett asked in a deep voice.

“Harriet lives in the dorm building of Nightlight Club, smack–dab in the Charing Cross.”

York flagged down a cab and made a beeline for Harriet’s place.

“It’s the crack of dawn. What’s this chick still doing out?” York muttered under his breath. “Harriet is one of those barflies.”

Rhett frowned. “Hit up Nightlight Club!”

York did a double–take. “You can’t just waltz Into Nightlight Club like that. It’s Aurora Tech’s turf. Mr. Bryce will definitely get wind of it.”

11:40

Chapter 58

“Don’t make me repeat myself.” Rhett was getting irked for some reason. Was Kristin hitting the booze too?

York didn’t dare to push it and drove straight to the club.

In the wee hours of the morning, the club’s nightlife was just kicking off.

“Hey, you got a gal named Kristin here?” York approached the reception and popped the question.

The night–shift receptionist shook her head. “I don’t know her.”

“What about Harriet?” York pressed on.

“Are you looking for Harriet? She’s busy entertaining a client, sorry. She can’t come to meet you.” The receptionist seemed a bit uneasy. “Harriet’s with some big shots tonight, so…”

Harriet was hobnobbing with Zack and his crew.

“Room number.” Rhett didn’t wait in the car and strutted straight into the club.

The receptionist was totally bowled over by Rhett’s presence and looks, stuttering. “Are you… Mr. FitzGerald from Silvergrove City?”

“Where’s Harriet?” York pushed once more.

“Room… 3688.”

Rhett, stone–faced, headed for the elevator.

The receptionist was freaked out, thinking she must’ve seen wrong. Rhett… was an even bigger fish than Mr. Bryce.

Shaking like a leaf, she snatched up her cell and hastily dialed the manager.