Page 34 of Beneath the Flames
She let out an uneasy sigh. “I trust Marquis.” Thinking on it further, she felt more clarity and told him, “I would like to meet with Marquis, but…”
“What?” Sir pressed.
“I would like you to be near.”
Sir nodded, his expression somber as he picked up the phone. Rather than text Marquis back, he dialed the number. Brie held her breath as she listened to a one-sided conversation between the two Masters.
Sir frowned slightly as he listened, then muted the phone and looked at Brie. “Gray is asking for you to meet with him today. He urges that it be sooner rather than later.”
Although Brie was physically exhausted after their trip, she realized she would not be able to sleep until she heard what Marquis Gray wanted to say. “Tell him I’ll come, Sir.”
Unmuting the phone, Sir told him, “We can be there in two hours, Gray. Brianna will speak with you alone but has requested I be there.”
After hanging up, Brie was concerned by his pensive expression.
“What’s wrong, Sir?”
“Marquis doesn’t sound like himself.”
A chill ran down her spine. “What do you mean?”
He shook his head. “I can’t put my finger on it, but something’s changed.”
Tears welled up in Brie’s eyes at the thought of the beloved trainer being in pain.
“Are you having second thoughts?” Sir asked her when he saw a tear roll down her cheek.
She shook her head, wiping it away. “No. In fact, I’m more sure than ever.”
Sir arranged for Mary to watch the children. When she arrived a little over an hour later, he explained, “I’m uncertain how long we will be, but the children are tired after the extended trip and I believe they won’t stir until after our return.”
“I can handle it if they wake up, Sir Davis,” she assured him.
He pursed his lips, then looked at Brie. “I do not know what Marquis needs to share with Brianna this evening, Miss Wilson. But, whatever Brie may discuss with you on her return must be held in the strictest ofconfidence.”
“I understand,” Mary replied, adding solemnly, “It will go with me to the grave.”
Sir sighed. “Hopefully, that won’t be necessary. But I suspect Brie may require your support on her return. It was the reason I asked you to come. You are someone she trusts—that we both trust.”
“Your trust is not misplaced, Sir Davis.”
He nodded, then turned to Brie. “Are you ready, babygirl?”
She took a deep breath before answering. “I am, Sir.”
When Mary walked over, Brie was expecting an encouraging hug. Instead, Mary socked her in the arm. “Whatever Gray confesses has no bearing on you.”
Brie had never shared the details of Marquis’s text with anyone and looked at her in surprise. “What are you talking about?”
“I had a hunch he might be involved with Holloway’s death, and the fact he suddenly wants to meet with you only confirms it.”
“I have no idea what Marquis has to do with that monster’s death,” she insisted.
Mary looked her in the eyes. “Whatever he did or didn’t do washischoice. Remember that.”
Brie nodded numbly, understanding what Mary was saying in academic terms. However, she could not bear it if Marquis Gray became another casualty of Greg Holloway’s seemingly endless cruelty.
“I’ll be right here, Stinks,” Mary assured her as they walked to the door together. “This bitch ain’t going nowhere—come hell or high water.”
