Page 36 of Blackmail of a Billionaire

The threat could have come from anyone. A business rival, someone unhappy with their current contract, or even the person who had sent Julia the threatening note just before the gala. They hadn’t had much luck tracking down the people involved in Evelyn’s disappearance.

He curled his hand into a fist as frustration filled him. His emotions wavered from fear for her to upset over her current location. Was she with someone else at this moment?

He dug his phone out of his pocket and scrolled through the contacts until he found Julia’s name. His shaky thumb hovered over the call icon, a war of emotions raging within him. Calling her now meant facing a reality he dreaded, yet the gnawing uncertainty was unbearable.

She meant too much for him not to. He hit the button, and the line dialed. His fingers tightened on the device as her cheery voice filled his ear. “Hi, you’ve reached Julia Stanton. I can’t take your call right now–“

Grant’s fingers lingered on the device as he ended the call, a turbulent mix of fear and betrayal churning below the surface. As his chest tightened, he tossed the phone onto the desk. It clattered against the mahogany, breaking the tense silence of the room.

“Perhaps she is still driving, sir,” Worthington offered.

Grant rubbed his neck as he stared at the phone. Maybe. Or maybe she was otherwise engaged.

Max’s arrival pulled him from his rumination. The man tapped on his Bluetooth earpiece as he strode into the room. “Call was untraceable. May I ask the nature?”

Grant shoved the picture toward him. “I received this a minute before someone called and threatened Julia.”

Max glanced at the photo. “Any idea when this was taken?”

“Night of the Crescent City Gala.”

“So, several weeks ago,” Max said with a nod as he studied the envelope, searching for any distinguishing marks.

“What difference does that make?” Grant leapt from his chair, pacing the floor behind him.

“Well, timing is everything. A picture several weeks old doesn’t suggest they have eyes on her right now. Who delivered this?”

Grant’s pace quickened, each step echoing in the room until he stopped, curling his fingers into fists until his knuckles whitened.

“Speedy Courier,” Worthington answered. “The name tag said Pat.”

Max typed the information into his phone. “I’ll get a call going to them to see if we can find out who ordered the delivery.”

“Because that worked out so well the last time.”

“We can’t track cash transactions or off-the-books ones. You, of all people, should know that.”

Grant scrunched his features as the veiled comment didn’t miss its mark. He’d made some shady handshake deals in the past in the name of advancing his business. Were they rearing their ugly heads again at the worst possible moment?

“What did they say on the call?” Max asked.

“That it was someone I owed and unless I wanted anything to happen to Julia, I’d pay. Instructions to follow.” Grant scrubbed his face as he leaned back in his chair.

“Male, female, any recognizable speech patterns?”

“They used a voice changer. Hung up right after they made the threat.”

“Doesn’t give us much to go on. Any chance you were able to reach Mrs. Harrington? Have her come home while we sort this out?”

“She’s not answering her cell.” The words sounded hollow as he reminded himself of where she was.

“I’ve got Reynolds on her. You want me to have him intercept?”

Grant’s mind whirled at the question. He desperately wanted to ensure she never got to the destination he suspected of her. But he also wanted confirmation. Stopping her this time wouldn’t solve the issue. He needed to know what he was up against. “No. Let her go, but keep a close eye on her.”

“Is that wise, sir?” Worthington asked.

“Picture’s old. Call said to expect instructions. My guess is they’re not moving on this today,” Max said. “They won’t do anything that’ll stop them from getting whatever it is they’re after. Best thing you can do right now is make sure you have some liquid assets to work with in case they put us on a short clock.”

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