Page 53 of Greed
“As you can see, Donald came from a family of high achievers. He also dated Lilo Likeke for a few years, but that relationship is over. That’s about the extent of the information we could pull, nothing to explain why he would be going out of his way to get a sample of your blood, Griff. Are you sure you have the right man?”
Hearing Lilo’s and Donald’s name in the same sentence made him feel ill, but she was their closest connection to him. The thought had crossed his mind to question Lilo about Doppenger’s motives, but he couldn’t bring himself to involve her further.
“I’m one hundred percent certain. Doppenger’s greed signature matched the imposter. He wasn’t at the newsroom today for me to investigate further.”
“Hold up.” Tony lifted his palm. “Now, don’t throw flying-forks at me, but who’s to say this woman isn’t still involved with him? It all sounds a little too connected to me.”
Griffin stabbed his steak with his knife. “She broke up with him months ago.”
“So she tells you. I’m just playing devil’s advocate. Her family are mafiosi. No need to look at me like that.”
“No,” Grace added with a sympathetic look to Griffin. “There’s no chance she’s with Donnie.”
“How can you be sure, Doc?” Evan asked softly.
“I shouldn’t be saying this because it’s a breach of trust, but I want you to know she is one of the best people I know. There’s no chance she’s in league with him because… it was an abusive relationship.”
Abusive?
No sound, no thought, nothing moved in Griffin’s mind except that word, over and over, and with each repetition, his muscles locked tighter. He couldn’t get it out of his mind.
Abusive.
What had Doppenger done to her? How? When? Where?
I wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole.
It wasn’t until Parker said, “Chill out, Griff,” that Griffin realized he’d let his control slip and metal utensils hovered an inch from the surface of the table. Forks, knives and spoons whirled at face level, spinning faster and faster with Griffin’s elevating stress.
“This is awesome!” Evan grinned. “I can’t wait until we spar, bro. Finally on the same level with someone. Although, you know metal conducts electricity, maybe we can team up and—”
“Evan.” Grace put her palm gently on his arm. “Not the time.”
“Right. Sorry.”
In a panic, Griffin looked to Mary. She wasn’t worried. He shouldn’t be worried.
Focus on your breathing.
Griffin reigned in his ability, slowly and smoothly. The items lowered softly to the ground.
“You’re getting better at that,” Mary noted. “Keep flexing those supernatural muscles.”
He wanted to dab the sweat on his brow, but resisted. The effort to keep his emotions in check when thinking about Lilo was hard, but not impossible.
Knowing Doppenger abused her, he wanted her nowhere near him, and he didn’t want to ask her about him. Anything Griffin could do to avoid her pain, he would.
“Doppenger will need to be questioned. I should be the one to do it,” he stated.
“No.” Parker re-organized his cutlery. “You’re too close to this. I’ll do it. Sloan will come.”
“What?” Sloan whined. “But—”
“But what? Do you have more pressing things to do?”
“I don’t fit my gear.”
“That excuse is getting old. Get new gear made, or wear something else, or get your ass into the gym. We have a new suit prototype coming soon, and when that happens, you’ll have no excuse, so get used to it. For now, all you need is your mask to hide your face and a hood or a hat.”
