Page 82 of Babies for the Christmas Grump
I hit ignore once more, then toss the phone back on my desk. The drama of the hotel is easier to deal with thanher.
There’s a knock on the door, which makes me groan.
“Who is it?”
Nolan slides into the room with his usual brisk efficiency, but he hesitates when he sees my tense posture. He’s learned to read me. He’s good at that.
“Everything alright, Ryder?” Nolan asks, his tone careful.
“Everything’s fine,” I mutter. “Just trying to figure all of this out, you know.”
He doesn’t buy it. I can see the way his gaze flicks to the ignored phone buzzing on my desk.
“Your mother’s trying to reach you,” he says. “She’s calling the front desk like crazy. Pearl answered the phone and tried to shut her down, but she wouldn’t listen.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, she knows she’s not supposed to be here, so hopefully she won’t turn up. But I’ll make the calls stop. We don’t need that.”
“What do you want us to say when she does call?”
“Tell her I’m busy. Always busy.”
There’s no time to deal with my mother now. I’ve got bigger problems.
Nolan leans against the doorframe, looking me over, sensing the storm brewing under my skin. I can’t hide anything from him. He’s been with me long enough to know when I’m barely holding it together.
“You’re still looking into the financial stuff?” he asks.
Nolan doesn’t miss a beat. He’s sharp that way.
I nod, leaning forward in my chair, resting my elbows on the desk. The paperwork scattered in front of me is becoming a blur. I can’t focus.
I’ve been compiling all the financials, records, and staff interviews about Lang and his company for weeks. The picture’s coming into focus, and it’s a bad one.
“I’m trying to find a Vincent Lang,” I mutter, frustration leaking into my tone. “But he’s like a ghost. No one knows where the hell he is, and every lead I have … evaporates. He’s a shadow, Nolan.”
Nolan steps further into the room, crossing his arms. “Who the hell is this guy? And why does he matter so much?”
I let out a breath, shifting in my chair. It’s time I explain.
“Lang’s a corporate shark, and he’s somehow involved with this hotel. I don’t knowhowyet, but I’m figuring things out.”
“So, what’s the plan?” Nolan asks, leaning against the desk now, clearly in full investigative mode.
“I need to find him,” I say. “I’ve got a file on him that’s starting to make sense, but I need him in the same room. He’s playing a dangerous game, and I’m the one who’s going to take him down. But it’s not going to be easy.”
Nolan nods, his eyes narrowing. “Yeah, I get that. If you’re trying to find a man who doesn’t want to be found, you need someone who can dig deeper. Someone who knows how to track people like that. Someone who doesn’t let them slip away.”
I lean back in my chair, thinking for a moment—Nolan’s right. I can’t keep playing this game alone, especially not with someone as slippery as Lang.
I need all the help I can get.
“I know someone,” I say, rubbing my jaw. “A former associate of mine. He’s good at this… tracking people, digging up dirt, whatever it takes to find someone who doesn’t want to be found. I haven’t worked with him in a while, but he owes me. I’ll reach out to him.”
Nolan’s gaze sharpens. “If you’re going to call in a favor, then make sure you know what you’re asking. If Lang’s as dangerous as you say, the last thing we need is a wild card who doesn’t know when to stop poking around.”
I look at him. “You’re not wrong. That’s why I’m keeping this tight. Just you, me, and whoever I bring in. We don’t want any loose lips or unintended consequences.”
He nods, thoughtful. “Okay. I’ll dig into Lang’s business connections to see if there’s anyone we can talk to who might know where he’s hiding. I’ve got some people who might be able to provide a lead. But we need a plan that doesn’t draw attention.Lang’s not going to come to you unless he thinks he has no choice.”
