Page 77 of Blackmail of a Billionaire

“I appreciate that sentiment,” he said as he rose, gripping the folder.

Julia’s eyes fell on it, her eyebrows knitting as she stared at the bold red letters announcing CONFIDENTIAL across the front. A name, marked in black pen on the tab, announced the file’s contents. Carter, Kyle.

Heat washed over her as she stared at it. “Is that the background information on Kyle Carter that Mitchell was putting together?”

Worthington glanced down at it. “Yes, I was about to message Mr. Harrington that it had arrived.”

“May I?” she asked.

“Of course.” He handed the folder over to her. “And if there is anything else I can get you, please call.”

“Thank you, but I’ll be leaving soon to meet Sierra.”

Worthington offered her a smile and nod. “Enjoy the trip, Mrs. Harrington. And thank you.”

He left the room, leaving her alone with the folder. She ran a hand over the smooth manila top before she flicked it open. A picture from the hospital’s website stared back at her. She flipped past it to the write-up.

“Dr. Kyle Cooper, emergency physician at St. Mary’s Memorial,” she read aloud. All information she already knew. “Previous Employment at Dallas Memorial where he was a surgeon.”

She scanned through the other information, finding nothing surprising. In fact, the larger question became what would make this stable, seemingly upstanding surgeon risk everything to falsely accuse Grant of abuse?

She sank her head into her hands after studying the information from his childhood. He appeared bright and well-adjusted.

A printed news article announced the unfortunate death of Kyle’s father several years ago, followed by his mother to cancer only a few months earlier.

Julia frowned at the article. Did his grief over his parents’ deaths trigger something? She shifted to the next article, this one from Mississippi. She scrunched her eyebrows. It detailed the death of another woman listed as Kyle’s mother.

She flipped back, comparing the names. They weren’t the same. Had Kyle been adopted?

Julia flicked the folder shut. She had no more answers than she had before, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more. What else did Kyle Carter have up his sleeve? What hidden things did Kyle plan to expose?

Her fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her palm as she saw one sensational headline after another. And with Grant’s reactive behavior, this may spiral beyond their control quickly. It could cost him more than a few hours behind bars.

She had to learn more. Her pulse quickened as she grabbed her purse and dug through it to find the card from Kyle. She entered the phone number and typed a message.

Her thumb quivered above the send button, each heartbeat echoing in her ears. Dread and anticipation swirled within her as she pressed send, sealing her decision into reality. It’s Julia. I’m ready to talk.

A chat bubble appeared almost immediately, indicating his typing. I’m so pleased to hear that. You name the time and place.

Julia’s heart leapt into her throat at the response. Had she made a mistake? She bit her lower lip as she stared at the message waiting on the screen. Before she could second-guess any further, she typed a response and sent it. Riverside Park entrance. 30 minutes.

With her phone clutched in her hand, she grabbed her purse and headed for the door. Her phone chimed before she made it. She checked the lock-screen display. See you there. And, Julia, you won’t regret this.

She pressed her lips together as she sighed. “I’ll bet.”

With the phone shoved into her purse, she hurried through the house and outside, half-running to James’s condo. She banged on the door, memories of the last hasty trip here flashing through her mind. They’d gone to the warehouse, not knowing they’d find a missing woman who had been presumed dead…or that she’d be violently attacked. She hoped this meeting would turn out better.

James tugged the door open. “Mrs. Harrington, ready to go shopping?”

She shook her head as she darted through his door. “Not yet. There’s another stop I need to make.”

“Sure, where is it?” he asked as he led her through the house to the connected garage.

“Riverside Park,” she said, her heart thudding as she stepped through the door and eyed the rows of cars.

James slid her a sideways glance as he grabbed the keys. “Any particular reason?”

Julia licked her lips as she tightened her grip on her purse. “I need to meet with Kyle Carter.”

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