Page 45 of Fighting for Brielle
Brielle’s heart rate kicked up a notch. “I’d love to, sweetie, but we need to ask your mom if it’s okay first.”
“Oh, yeah, sure, Brielle. She’s working out. Let’s go ask her right now.”
Brielle followed Shawna into the workout area where they found Vivian on the elliptical machine.
“Hey, Mom, is it okay if Brielle and her boyfriend attend your birthday party next Saturday?”
“Yes, that’s fine!” Vivian panted. “I’ll add Brielle plus one to the guest list.”
“Thanks, Mom! I really want to introduce Brielle to Drake.” Beaming, the teen turned toward Brielle and high-fived her. “I’m so happy you’ll be there. By the way, it starts at seven-thirty, and it’s formal wear only.”
Brielle smiled. “Perfect.”
Chapter 12
With several hours to kill before dinner with Justice, Brielle went for her usual run on the beach and searched for signs of suspicious activity. No luck. When she returned home, she showered and dressed in a denim skirt and a sleeveless pink blouse with a scooped neckline. Grabbing an apple from the bowl of fruit on the kitchen table, Brielle touched base with her parents. As she munched, her father grilled her about the new man in her life. She tolerated his questions because, well, he wastheCameron “Hurricane” McAdams, a force to be reckoned with, even if he was no longer a U.S. attorney. And besides, she absolutely adored him.
After he cautioned her to be careful with losing her heart too easily, Brielle ended the call and spent another hour exchanging a flurry of text messages with her four older brothers and her sister, Brooke, a doctor in Portland, Maine, who was getting ready to head to Ecuador to treat needy children. When Brendan responded to her first text, she berated him for not telling her that something strange was happening in Laguna Beach right beneath her nose. And then he played dumb, which irked her.
Brendan: Is there? Don’t know what you’re talking about.
Brielle: Don’t treat me like an idiot. Justice McQuaid and I are dating. Both of us found arms and ammo right on the beach.
A long pause.
Brendan: Leave it to you to get involved. I didn’t want you to be a part of this.
Brielle: Too late. So spill.
He shared what little information he knew.
Brielle: That’s it?
Brendan: Yeah.
Brielle: Well, we’re on it now. I’ll keep you posted.
Brendan: Ok. Stay safe. I love you.
Brielle: Love you back.
After their brief conversation, Brielle headed into her office and booted up her laptop. She Googled Axel Anderson and began the tedious task of reading and sifting through the online articles about him.
Part of America’s elite one percent, Anderson accepted his powerful position and continued his family’s legacy. On the surface nothing appeared off or out of the ordinary about him. Yet the more she delved into his life and his past, the more suspicious she became.
Brielle dug deep, using whatever resources were available to her, and fell short of calling a cyber tech she knew to hack into Anderson’s business and personal bank accounts. Her patience paid off, though. Buried deep in his social media posts and little-known articles published about him, she found decidedly anti-America comments. The hate speech directed at the country she loved and served caused her blood to boil. A hunch, a gut reaction, prompted her to call Faith.
When her friend answered in a low, breathless voice, Brielle frowned. Something was definitely up with Faith. “What’s wrong? This is the first time I’ve been able to reach you in days. Now you’re talking in whispers, and I can barely hear you. And don’t give me that crap about a boyfriend. I know that’s not true. Don’t make me fly to Chicago, Faith, to drag the truth out of you. You know I will.”
Faith blew out an exasperated breath and raised her voice a little. “All right. I’m in the middle of an investigation and don’t want to be noticed. Happy?”
“Happy that you’re basically yanking my chain? No. But, listen. I’ve got a story for you. It’s about Axel Anderson.”
Faith issued a string of soft curses at Brielle. “What?what about him?”
Brielle’s stomach clenched, as if she’d just been punched in the gut. During all the years they’d known each other, Faith had never cursed at her. And that caused hackles to rise on her neck. “Look, Faith, I’m sorry if I’m bothering you, but this is important. I think he’s mixed up in something fishy here in Laguna Beach, and I’m investigating…”
A shriek followed by another round of curses stopped Brielle mid-sentence. “I can’t talk to you right now!” Faith declared. “I’m busy. In the middle of an investigation as I said. Forget Anderson. He’s probably dead.”
