Page 27 of Secrets and Lies

Spencer’s mind was already racing. “So… what you’re telling me is that you think someone in the British aristocracy, someone from that set, has something to do with Teddy B trying to put Gage in prison?”

“I don’t know the details. I don’t even know much about the Callahan guy. But my source says Teddy B is chatting it up with his old pals again. So yeah... my guess is, one of them is behind all this.”

“That’s just… truly bizarre.”

“I agree,” Carol said. “But no more bizarre than African warlords or any of the others.”

“Well, that’s true. Anyway, thanks, Carol. And let me know anytime you want to stay at one of our hotels. I’ll set it up.”

“I’ll do that for sure. Chat soon,” Carol replied before ending the call.

Spencer turned to find Drake watching her.

“So?” he asked.

“According to my source, Teddy B lent a helping hand to one of his old friends. They’re slowly letting him back into theircircle. She says if Teddy B did this favor…setting Gage up… it was probably for someone from that crowd.”

Drake stared at her, a frown forming. “Someone in the British aristocracy wants Gage in prison?”

She shook her head. “I know. It makes zero sense. We’ve got one piece to a thousand-piece puzzle, and none of it’s going to make sense until we find the rest.”

“You’re right. It doesn’t,” Drake said, glancing at his watch. “I’ll pass this on to Gage—but it’ll have to wait. I have a call in two minutes.”

“I’ve got time, I’ll make the call,” Spencer said. “My meeting with the NSA isn’t for a little while. I’ll reach out to Lacy and the Callahans. Maybe they can shed some light on who Gage pissed off among the Royals.”

Drake came over and dropped a kiss on her lips. “I don’t know whether I should say ‘good luck or not,’ but I hope you get what you want from the meeting.”

“Thanks, me too,” she responded and watched him walk out the door.

She turned back to the mirror and gave herself a final once-over. She looked good. Very professional. Dropping the mascara tube into the drawer, she turned and headed for the elevator. Drake was going to work from his home office for the rest of the day, so no matter what, she was heading out. As much as she loved the man, if they were both in the apartment, she found herself either in his office bugging him, or he came to her office to bug her. They were better working separately, which was one of the reasons she wanted a career not linked to his.

If she were being honest, she wanted autonomy because she felt guilty. He was providing everything for her. All the money, the apartment, the travel to anywhere she wanted to go… She didn’t like not contributing, but worse, she loathed her loss of independence. Not that Drake ever made her feel that way. Nope—that fault was all hers. She needed to cut the head off that particular snake. Earn her own keep. Do something that meant she mattered in the grand scheme of things.

She hit the lobby and glanced at her watch. Her meeting wasn’t for a while, so she decided to take the subway and go to Callahan Security. Might as well tell them in person. Plus, she wanted to see how the plans were going. She was super excited about the wedding. The fact that all this was happening now must have Logan stratospheric in his stress level. She grinned. Better Lacy than her.

Twenty-five minutes, and a crowded subway train ride later, Spencer was shown into the boardroom of Callahan Security. Gage, Logan, and Mitch were sitting around the table along with Alex.

“Hey all,” she said as she entered the room.

The guys rose to greet her, each in turn giving her a hug. Alex smiled. “Fellow shopper! We need a trip soon. I need some new summer clothes.”

Spencer nodded. “I’m down with that. I could use some new dresses myself. You tell me the time and place, and I’ll be there.”

Everyone sat down again.

“So,” Gage started, “I got your text. What did you find out?”

Spencer leaned back in her chair and filled them all in.

“Someone in the royal family is responsible for framing Gage?” Alex asked incredulously.

“No, not the royal family, but someone in that set seems to have asked a favor from Teddy B, or at least that’s the theory. The only other people Teddy has been working with of late are African warlords and the occasional terrorist group. Somehow, neither seems more plausible.”

“No,” Logan agreed. “They don’t, but it doesn’t answer the question of why someone would want to frame Gage either. This whole thing gets more mysterious with every fact we find out.”

Alex glanced at Mitch and then reached over to squeeze Gage’s arm. “I am so sorry about all this.” She stood. “I’m going to track down Leo. He’s been out of touch, but I promise I won’t stop until I reach him. We have to know how all this began if we want to figure the rest of it out.” She nodded to Spencer and left the room, her cell phone already in her hand.

“Well, thanks, Spencer. I’m not sure what we’ll do with that information, but anything and everything helps,” Mitch commented.

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