Page 22 of Secrets and Lies

Davis seemed to be fighting some kind of internal war when he finally blurted out, “Teddy B.”

“This is not cute.” He dug his fingers deep into the man’s shoulders, satisfied when Davis tried to shift away. He pressed harder, knowing Davis’s arm had to be getting numb. “What does the B stand for?” Hawk growled. His patience was wearing thin.

“Bettincourt. Theodore Bettincourt.”

Hawk narrowed his eyes at Davis. “Did this Teddy Bettincourt tell you why he wanted you to make the call?”

“He said that he had information that it was Callahan. He showed me the pictures. It looked like Callahan. He asked me tomake the call because if it came from me, it would have more clout.”

“I see,” Hawk said, but he really didn’t see. “Who exactly is Teddy Bettincourt?”

Davis sighed. “Teddy B is some sort of British aristocrat. His family owns an estate in England. He made his money with some hedge fund. He’s well connected.”

Hawk was starting to get the picture. Teddy B had connections, and he asked a favor of Davis, who would have leapt at the chance. Then Teddy B would owe him, and Davis would no doubt collect in a way that would benefit him greatly. But why ask in the first place? Why keep his name out of it? Those were questions for someone else to answer.

“What else did you give the D.A., besides just calling and telling them it was Gage?”

“Teddy B gave me pictures and a video, which I forwarded to the D.A.”

“Did you also call the judge to get the warrant?” Hawk wanted to know just how much Davis was willing to do for this Teddy B guy.

“No, he said he had someone else for that.”

“Is there anything else you want to tell me about this? Anything at all? Because if I find out you were holding out on me, it won’t go well for you. Not well at all.” He tightened his grip on Davis’s shoulder again.

Davis glared. “Nothing. I made the call. Sent the pictures and video, and that was it.”

Hawk released his pressure hold, then turned and started toward the door. “Keep your nose out of this from this point on, or I’ll find you. Make sure you find me if Teddy B asks for anything else.” He turned and locked eyes with Davis. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal,” Davis said through clenched teeth as he massaged the spot between his neck and shoulder.

“Good then.” Hawk turned and left the suite. He called Lacy on the way down to the lobby and filled her in. Then he called Drake and did the same. It was all he could do, and he hoped it helped. A chill swept across his skin. Whatever this was, somehow he had a feeling it was a lot more than some missing ugly statue. A lot more.

CHAPTER EIGHT

DRAKE

Drake stood staring out at the landscape of New York City, but his mind was on the call from Hawk. Teddy B. He hadn’t heard that name in years, mostly, he was sure, because people knew better than to say it around him.

The phone on his desk buzzed. He hit the button. “Send them in,” he said, and then turned toward the door as it opened. He walked across his office and shook hands with each man. “Mitch, Gage, Logan,” he greeted each one in turn.

“Good to see you, Drake,” Mitch said.

“Come in, have a seat.” He gestured to the couches at the other end of his office. The conference table seemed too formal for what was going on. “Can I get anyone a drink?”

“No, thanks,” Gage responded. “Although to be honest, a shot of scotch sounds good right about now.”

Drake nodded. “I bet, but yes, better to be on your game.”

Mitch and Logan both shook their heads no.

“You said you had some information,” Logan started as he took a seat in the chair opposite his two brothers on the couch. “We spoke to Hawk. He filled us in on this Teddy B person being behind Davis making the call and pushing for the warrant.”

“I’ve never come across a player named Teddy B,” Mitch said as he made himself comfortable on the sofa next to Gage. “What do you know?”

Drake took the chair at the end of the coffee table between the brothers. “I’m not surprised. Teddy B runs in different circles.” He sighed. Theodore Bettincourt was a blast from his past, an unhappy one. He hadn’t thought of the man in years, with good reason.

“Why do I feel like whatever you’re about to tell us is not good news?” Logan commented as he watched Drake closely.

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