Page 72 of Mann Hunt
“I’m so sorry,” Charlie choked out between sobs. “I ruined everything… The other guy recognised me. They know I work for you.”
“It’s okay. It’ll all come out soon enough.”
“I did find out that the company that owns at least some of those buildings is Monarch,” Charlie said.
“Fantastic. There, see, you didn’t fail. And you’ll have the bruises to show off as your war wounds.”
There was a knock at the door and Mickey came back in. “Sorry, I forgot to give you these,” he said, holding out Charlie’s car keys.
“My keys… How did you—”
“You were talking in your sleep. You kept going on about leaving it behind and pawing at the keys in your pocket. I sent the Kid out to look for it. It’s in the back lot beside mine.”
“Thank God,” Charlie said, flopping back down on the bed. “Ow!”
“I think it’s time you got some rest. Come on, let me take you home,” Declan said.
“Sure. Thanks.” Charlie had hoped Declan would take him back to his apartment, but instead, Declan pulled up in front of Charlie’s house.
Charlie asked, “How did you know where I lived?”
Declan smiled, “I’m a detective. That, and the address was on the top of your resumé. Do you need help getting in?”
“No. I’ll be fine. Thanks.”
As he watched Declan pull away, Charlie smiled.I took on the guy that beat Declan up, and he said that Ihandled it better than he did. I can do this job and I really think it’s a place I can fit in.His smile faded as he looked at his cuts and bruises.How am I gonna explain this to my folks?
* * * *
Declan returned to the office. He sat at his desk and reviewed the events of the day. One thing stuck in his mind. He had left Charlie vulnerable.
Without thinking, he’d taken it for granted that Charlie could take care of himself. But he couldn’t. He had no experience, no training and no time to develop his instincts. Charlie could have died today. One serious punch from Brick Wall could have killed him…and it would have been Declan’s fault. He had to do something.
It was a little after nine. Declan picked up the phone and placed a call. After a few rings, it was answered.
“Hello?”
“Palvinder, Declan Hunt here.”
“Declan. So nice to hear from you again.”
“Sorry for the late call, but something’s come up.”
“No problem. I never rest. It gets in the way of work. Now—how may I help you?”
“Monarch attacked Charlie this afternoon.”
Palvinder gasped. “No. Not Charlie. What happened?”
“He was investigating the area around Ian Mann’s factory building.”
“You sent your secretary to do your dirty work? Mr Hunt, that is not proper!”
Declan paused and shifted in his chair. “I take full blame for it. No excuses. But I have to make sure itnever happens again. I have to keep them away from Charlie. Palvinder… I need names.”
“Mr Hunt, I told you before, even if I wanted to, all of the documents were signed with Monarch’s digital signature.”
“They almost killed Charlie,” Declan snapped.
