Page 41 of Two Steps Ahead

Gwendolyn bobbed her head. “He and Leo were enemies.”

Dean nodded. “Kesler’s bread and butter was medical research and artificial intelligence. Leo saw an opportunity and bought Kesler’s company. He was supposed to sell it as a whole, but something changed.”

“Changed how?” Weston asked.

Dean’s jaw got tighter. “It was the meeting I wasn’t invited to. Leo and Kesler went into the meeting together. I don’t know what happened, but afterward, Leo was the owner and he dismantled Kesler’s entire business. Everything sold off in pieces.”

Gwendolyn crossed her arms over her chest. “That was before my time, but Leo has mentioned it. Are you sure this needs to be discussed right now, Dean? Kayleigh wants to get in to see Leo.”

Kayleigh shook her head. “Do you think Kesler is behind the attack on Dad and kidnapping attempts? Some sort of revenge?”

“He can’t be,” Dean responded. “A few months after the merger was finished, he had a heart attack and died.”

Gwendolyn gasped, hand flying to her mouth. “Oh my gosh.”

Kayleigh let out a sigh. “I’m sorry to hear that and even sorrier if Dad’s actions had a part in the heart attack cause. But what does this have to do with now?”

“Because this current merger Leo has been so worried about involves George Kesler’s son, Beau.”

Dean took some papers out of his briefcase and handed them around. One was a picture of Beau, the others images and data about Brighton Pharmaceuticals.

Weston’s eyes narrowed. “So, Leo’s involved with another Kesler, he’s keeping secrets from you, and there have been multiple attacks against him and Kayleigh.”

None of those things individually were good. All three together were very bad.

Dean nodded. “Yes. Beau built Brighton Pharmaceuticals after his father died.”

Weston looked over at Gwendolyn. “Do you know anything more than Dean about the merger? Has Beau attempted to contact Leo or come by the house?”

“No. I’ve never seen Beau Kesler in my life. Leo has kept me out of the loop about a lot of this merger too.”

“It’s in three days,” Kayleigh whispered. “What happens with it if Dad’s still in a coma?”

“All of Leo’s mergers have a clause in it that require them to continue to completion once they’ve started.” Dean’s eyes darted between Kayleigh and Weston. “So, no matter what happens, the merger will go forward. In cases like this where Leo is unavailable due to medical issues, I have power of attorney, but I’ll need your signature too.”

“Fine, whatever,” Kayleigh said. “I just want to see my father.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. Leave her alone for a while, Dean.” Gwendolyn slid an arm around Kayleigh. They made their way to the door and were quickly whisked away by a nurse.

Weston itched to follow after them. He wanted his own eyes on Kayleigh, especially since everyone else was a potential suspect. He stood, ready to do just that when Dean’s voice called him back.

“Weston, there’s something else,” Dean said, eyes darting to the door Kayleigh just disappeared through before settling back on Weston. “Leo has another clause in his contracts. In the case of his incapacitation or death, Kayleigh has the authority to halt or continue any merger at her discretion.”

He raised an eyebrow. “She can override everything? So she’ll have sole decision-making power for whether the merger goes through or not.”

“Yes.”

Weston’s stomach tightened and he looked over at Chance, who was still standing at the door, lips now pursed. He was thinking the same thing. Kayleigh was in more danger than they’d realized.

“You need to take her somewhere safe,” Dean said. “If someone’s trying to make sure the merger doesn’t go through, she’s the target now.”

“Beau Kesler?”

Dean shook his head. “I don’t think it’s him. Beau will be making a lot of money in this merger. It’s not in his best interest to stop it.”

Chance took a step closer. “We’ve been doing some digging into the merger since Weston took the case. What about Oliver Lyle?”

“Lyle? I know him,” Dean responded. “He’s a competitor in the medical research sector.”

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