Page 22 of Jael

“Whatever you need, all you have to do is ask.”

“You’ve probably guessed, but as much as I was looking forward to catching up with you, I came with another motive.”

“You need work?”

“If you have anything. Even if it’s cleaning toilets.”

“Please. I’d never make you sink so low as that.” The wrinkles on Gregory’s face deepened as he thought. “It would be easy enough to find you a position within my company, but I don’t think you’re suited to office work.”

“I’ll take what I can get. I realize you don’t need my skills in the same way you used to.”

Gregory tapped a finger on his lip. “That may not be true.”

“Don’t tell me you’re considering returning to your old life.”

“No.” Gregory smirked. “But there is something. A task I’ve been pondering but haven’t found the best way to go about it. Then you walk in. It’s very delicate. I don’t think there’s anyone else I’d trust besides you. That is, if you’re still capable.”

“I’m as sharp as ever.”

“So it’s a yes?”

“What do you need me to do?”

Gregory leaned forward and slapped Danny on the knee. “I knew I could count on you. I’d call it kismet if I believed in such things. As I said, it’s a delicate matter, so I need subtlety on this.”

“I can do that.”

“I need you to follow someone. Find out everything you can about their comings and goings. I want to know when they eat, when they sleep, what they do in their spare time, and how much they spend. Everything. Can you do that?”

“I can do it, but you suggested it wasn’t illegal. Stalking is an arrestable crime.”

“Not for you, it won’t be. I’ll make sure of it. And.” He lifted a finger to emphasize his next point. “I’ll give you a bonus if you can get me details of who else is involved and dig up enough dirt to bring them down.”

“Bring who down?”

“An organization. I want all the skeletons in the closet. Everything you can get on employees or volunteers. Financial records. Where the money’s going. Whatever’s there.”

“Is this a rival business?”

Gregory leaned back in his seat with an expressive sigh, suddenly looking his age. “No. And it pains me to do this because it will hurt someone I care about very much. But do you think you can do it?”

“Absolutely. I’ve got a few old contacts who could help me get the information together. Besides the organization itself, is there someone specifically you want me to target? The head of this organization?”

“Yes.”

“And who’s that?”

“My daughter.”

Danny’s expression went blank. “Jael.”

“It’s for her own protection.”

“Wait a second. You want me to spy on Jael and her foundation?”

“You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. And I know you’d want to protect her as much as I do.”

“But I thought Heber Industries supported Vita Nova?”

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