Page 31 of The Devil's Detail
I sigh, saying, “Let’s just say we may happen to be in possession of a little video of Gary slagging off one too many high-profile chat show hosts behind their backs. Maybe another of him dishing secrets from the sets of his morning fashion show slot. Especially about the women. A few clips of him making fun of underwear accidents, and generally being unpleasant, was sufficient to get him to back off and go home.” I look around at them all, taking in their reactions.
Carter's mouth opens in shock. “What a nasty little man. Thank God I dumped him.”
I nod at him. So am I. He’s trouble of the biggest sort. No publicity is bad publicity for Gary. And when that’s your mantra, well, you’re prepared to do anything.
“I called a truce on your behalf. Leave you alone, go home and work under your own merit. I told him you owed him nothing, and the assault charges won’t stick. Also informed him he’d had his leg up, now fuck off.”
James grins at me. But Bucky is more outspoken. “I fucking hate people who hang onto your coattails, but aren’t even grateful about it. Talentless fucking wonders.” Bucky is still simmering with anger. And I fear Bucky’s reprisals more than Carter’s.
“He’s not stupid enough to chance it. I gave him my word that as long as he doesn’t try anything else, the recordings won’t see the light of day. But if he does, I won’t hesitate to send it to allparties involved. He’ll never get another day of work anywhere. He’ll be finished for good.”
“I don’t think you should let him off,” Bucky states. Apparently he’s not had his full say yet. “He shouldn’t be able to be in that frame of mind, talk about people in that way and get away with it.” He hates injustice.
“Bucky, people aren’t stupid. They see and hear him. He’ll be his own downfall. In fact, we were given that material by others in the industry. People are gunning for him. Don’t you worry, it’ll come out. It just won’t come from me if he keeps away from Carter. What others do…. Well, I obviously don’t have control over anyone else.” I smile knowingly at Carter. “If our leverage gets blown, we’ll move to plan B.”
James snorts out a laugh. “Uncle Jonno, here we come.” They all nod, James still grinning.
And now it’s time to turn to the issues with Carter directly. I can see it in his face—he knows it’s coming.
“The school was a shit show, but I’m not going back over it. We’ve both said our piece, and you know where I stand.” I’m firm, but not aggressive. He gets agitated if I am. “I know you mean well, Carter, but the fact that you were encouraged and enabled is the biggest worry to me. We need to get rid of the three men who remained from the old company. One of them was chief fucking enabler at the school.”
Carter stands and starts to protest, claiming the school mobbing wasn’t that bad. That no one enabled him. He made all the decisions. That I’m seeing demons everywhere there are none. I watch as both Bucky and James’s facial expressions blank out with each protest he states. I have the same look, as his gaze ping-pongs from one to the other and back again. He eventually peters off, and none of us speak, the silence becoming near unbearable.
“Well, I’m off,” states Kasey. Clearly he can read the room. “I’ll catch you all soon. Carter, let’s chat next week.” He nods at me and leaves.
Carter looks at James, Buck, and me, giving us all attitude. “Is this a Greystone ganging up session?” He looks pissed off, his hands on his hips.TheCarter Fucking Maywood has turned up.
I wondered when he would rear his ugly head. But I think I’ve figured it out. We’ve been providing security for him long enough to recognize the signs—the diva turns up when he’s afraid. When he wants to deflect. Well, he isn’t getting the fucking chance. It’s ultimatum time.
“James, Bucky, I’ll see you both next week, boys,” I state to them, but my eyes are trained on Carter. Who has not taken his eyes from me. James taps my hand as he passes, telling me to make Carter see sense.
“Whoa, there, I never said for them to leave.” Carter’s head spins to them as they start to move. He’s backtracking, as both boys make their way towards the door. “James, honey, thanks for tonight. Same for you, Bucky. I love that you both came to my rescue.”
He’s got the back of his hand on his forehead again as if he’s in some southern belle period drama and was rescued by a handsome prince. I smile on the inside. I can’t let him see he makes me laugh, he’ll play up on it. Take advantage of any weakness.
“Let them go, Carter. We don’t need anyone here. We can sort this out,” I rasp out. I need him on his own and listening. His full focus on me.
James walks back to Carter and pulls him into a hug, saying something in his ear. Carter goes pale. When James pulls back, he looks into his eyes, no playful smirk, all seriousness. What is that boy doing now? He’s so like Jonno at times. That is exactly what my youngest brother would have done.
I look at James with an eyebrow raised and he just smirks at me.
“Love you, Uncle Jax. Be kind,” he states, and gives Carter ‘the look’.
“Yes, be kind, Uncle Jax. Gary’s a dick. It wasn’t Carter's fault. This time.” Bucky kisses my cheek, and they both leave the suite.
“Right then,where does this leave us?” I ask Carter. Straight up, no messing.
He looks crestfallen. “Give it to me straight, honey. Is my goose cooked? Are you leaving me for another?” he drawls out, batting his long lashes at me.
I ignore his attempts to charm me, going for blunt and to the point. The time for pussyfooting around him is past.
“Two of the men you let stay have been aiding and abetting someone sending you threatening notes. They’ve been coming for weeks. We intercepted them easily when it was just the post, but then they started turning up on your bed.”
He gasps, his eyes widening in fear. He looks genuinely scared. I lift my hands, palms out towards him, trying to placate him so he doesn’t go off the rails before I can reassure him he’s safe. But I do need to be fully honest with him so he does understand the underlying threat as well.
“I watched the blond one pick them up from a post office box and bring them directly to your home. Dropped them right on your bed. I’ve been taking them, looking for patterns in the writing, running some tests on the envelopes.”
Carter’s entire demeanor falls. His shoulders slump and I practically see him deflate as he slowly lowers to the sofa. He scrubs his hand down his face, suddenly looking beyond tired.
