Page 62 of End Game

“It’s the only scenario that makes sense. Plus, there were other signs of a fight. Why there were two intruders and why they went at each other is the bigger question.”

“Hopefully forensics will get a hit on the DNA and that will answer your why.”

“I have a feeling whatever the lab finds is going to create more questions than it answers.”

“You want me to search the web for any mention of assassination plots on the governor or Kayla and jewelry left at the crime scene signature? Is that all?”

“See what you can find out about a company called HCVS. They’ve been pouring millions into Krowne and Associates for years. The only details I could find on them was the information Krowne listed on the lobbying statement form they’re required to submit to the Secretary of State.” With the task force and Rohan searching for clues, something had to pop. He hoped.

“Do you have that information handy?”

Ash rattled off the address and Maywood’s contact info.

“Give me a couple of days, and I’ll see what I can find.”

“Thanks, bro.”

“Family first.”

Emotion pressed against the backs of his eyes, and he snapped his lids closed. Only once before had he been included in his brothers’ mantra and that was only because he’d inserted himself into the mix.

Rohan had just invited him in. Without hesitation or prejudice.

“Ash?”

“Yeah,” he swallowed hard. “I’m here.” He released a breath through his aching throat, lifted his head as if he could see into his brother’s eyes. “Go slow and easy on this one. Don’t leave a single crumb for anyone to pick up. I don’t know how deep and dark this goes.”

“The last thing you need to worry about right now is my level of caution. This is my schtick. I know how to cover my tracks. Kayla is the one who needs your attention and energy.”

“I hear what you’re saying, and agree, but that won’t stop me from worrying about my little brother.”

Another silence fell between them. This one didn’t contain the awkwardness of before. This one nodded toward fellowship. Brotherhood.

“Talk in a few days,” Rohan said, and the line went dead.

Ash pulled the Airpod from his ear before opening the bottom right drawer of his desk. Inside was a five-by-seven, black-framed picture, lying face down.

He lifted the photo from where he’d dropped it unceremoniously five years ago after finding it stashed in his moving box the day he’d left the family business behind.

No note. No explanation. But Ash recognized Grams’s trademark everything will work out symbolism, all the same.

Turning the frame over, he stared into the smiling faces of him and his four brothers.

He couldn’t even recall the occasion or what the hell they were so happy about. But he was certain of one thing. It was their last happy moment captured on camera before he’d ripped the family apart.

Bending back the frame’s easel, he set the photo on the left corner of his desk. New beginnings had to start somewhere.

He just hoped it wasn’t too late for this one.

29

Kayla scrambled to find her ringing phone as she exited the elevator and stepped into the marble-tiled foyer of her building.

In a hurry, she’d dumped the device into her handbag, along with a few file folders, rather than slipping it into its normal side pocket. Bad decision.

Frustration tunneled her vision into the black abyss of her purse, while she fast-walked to the doors leading outside. A sixth sense of an impending danger saved her from plowing into a man going the opposite direction.

She screeched to a halt mere inches from Tommy O’Connor. The same client her intern had to hang up on two days ago because of his belligerence. She’d called him back minutes later with an update and an admonishment about his treatment of her staff.

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