Page 60 of Savage Ruin
When the convoy hits the gate, the press tries to follow, but the split confuses them. Most follow me to SEI, allowing Thiago to keep his meeting with the ATF relatively quiet. Word will slip out, but it buys him a little time.
We roar into SEI’s parking garage. Thankfully, security stops any of the press from entering behind us. Mateo is waiting for me when we pull up. He yanks me from the car straight into his arms, inhaling deeply, and holding me tightly in his arms. The tension from the morning eases along with the tight band around my chest. Security taps him on the shoulder, and he raises a hand to acknowledge the need to move.
Releasing me, he links our hands together while we follow the team into SEI. “Minha linda, I let you go away for two days, and you almost get yourself killed. Again. I refuse to let you leave ever again. Do you hear me?”
Puzzled, I raise an eyebrow. “Again?”
“Dallas. Huge fire. Destroyed your loft,” he bites out, punctuating each word with his hands. “You never did tell us how you escaped and what caused the fire.”
We enter the security room filled with televisions. “I had the loft modified to accommodate an escape plan with a hidden, secondary sprinkler system containing a Class B accelerant, a timer-based ignition switch, and a tunnel into the drainage system below.”
Heads whip around to stare at me. The big guy from the security team points to me. “She’s good under pressure.”
“Maybe we should hire you,” an older gentleman comments from behind me.
I swivel around to face him. A military man. Hard, almost stern features, eyes constantly moving and assessing. Buzzed cut dark hair and brown eyes.
“Jameson Bennett,” he announces, holding out his hand.
The head of SEI’s security and Zane’s recommendation. “Henley Night. I’m sorry for your loss.” The loss of two team members will be keenly felt in this small, close group.
He dips his chin. “Thank you, they will be missed.” His stance relaxes, and he waves an arm. “Let me introduce you to the rest of the team. Allison Engles, she’s heading up SEI’s security.” A pretty brunette on the phone in the corner raises her hand. “Jaxon Pointer, head of cybersecurity. He’s been working closely with Mateo.” The lean, serious man sitting on my right stands and shakes my hand.
The big guy from the plane steps forward and grins, knowing I don’t remember his name. “Mitch.”
Jameson continues, introducing those who are in the security room with us, although I see many more on the monitors in front of me.
The monitors are extensive but on par for a company whose main product is security. They have several different types of cameras, including infrared and three hundred sixty degree views, with some cool features like the ability to tap and zoom, plus facial recognition.
The man on the monitor to the right catches my eye. Philip Carlton. He’s currently walking out the lobby doors. I point to the monitor. “Can you follow him?”
Philip stops halfway across the courtyard in front of a blond man. He gives him a brief hug and pat on the back, then they chat for a few minutes. “Are we capturing everyone he has contact with?”
The security team manning the cameras nod.
“Have you seen him with this guy before?” His face is turned away from the cameras, but there’s something about his mannerisms that’s captured my attention.
The security guard on my left answers. “He usually meets him for lunch.”
I lean forward. “Can you get closer?”
The guy looks to Jameson and Mateo, who both nod, and he taps the keys to zoom in on Carlton and his friend. The guy’s head turns toward us for a brief second when he faces the wind and sweeps a hand through his hair.
“Son of a…” I whisper.
Mateo steps beside me. “What is it? That’s Philip’s son… I can’t remember his name.”
“David Perry. His name is David Perry. Damn. Thiago’s gut was right. Austin wasn’t a coincidence.” I grit my teeth when I reveal his identity. “Who’s the lackey? Philip or David? My money is on Philip. Solid, upstanding employee until his son enters the picture. If he’s his son.”
I turn to Mateo. “When did you meet David?”
He drags a hand through his unruly hair. “Officially, I met him at the pitch he and Philip gave us last year. It was for financial software of some sort. We could pull up the information if you want?”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “Maybe later. How many times do you think he’s been here?”
“Here at SEI?” Mateo asks. He lifts a shoulder. “He’s been here several times for lunch, but I haven’t really spoken to him since the pitch.”
“If they’re close, we might be able to take both down at once,” I remark, trying to think of how this could work. I’ve still got David’s card with his number, although I wonder now if it’s false. “I’m not sure yet, but let’s keep it as an option on the table.”
