Page 14 of The Daredevil

I fired off an email to my directors from every touring site to inspect the wiring. The last thing I needed was a lawsuit from customers injured during the tours or livery services.

A competitor popped into my head. Could Einar Hallsson from Hallsson’s Excursions be that vindictive? In business, anything was possible. Last year, I won the opportunity to promote outdoor gear from a new startup company. Though Einar promised the company a better incentive, the CEO decided to work with me after researching Paradigm Excursion Group and discovering how large my company was. Could that be a reason for sabotage?

It was time I did some digging. I sent Remi a text message.

Royce:Yo. Is your PI available for a contract job?

Remi:He can be. I’m his only employer, but I can lend him to you.

Royce:I’ve got an issue. Need his help.

Remi:Okay. I’ll give him your info. He’ll be in touch.

Royce:Cool, thanks. We’ll catch up when I get back.

Remi:Things okay over there?

Royce:I’ve got it handled.

Ten minutes later, my cell phone pinged with a short message and a phone number to call. I called the PI and gave him Einar’s info.

“I need everything about him and his company,” I said.

The PI listened and asked brief questions. I’d heard about Remi’s PI and his efficiency, which I valued. I could’ve hired someone else, but I needed someone dependable.

As soon as my conversation with the PI ended, my phone rang with David Butler’s name flashing on my screen. A tight knot formed in my stomach as I picked up the call from the director of my Whitewater Family Resort in Oregon.

“David, is everything okay?”

“Sorry to bother you, Royce, but there’s an issue you need to know about.”

“What kind of issue?”

David had been with the company from the beginning and taught me everything about whitewater rafting.

“We found a dead body on the trail.”

“What?” We hadn’t had any issues at Whitewater Family Resort in a long time. A few rafts had flipped now and then, but that was Mother Nature’s forceful currents. Nothing we could control. But death? What the fuck.

“I’ll be there tomorrow.”

“Are you sure? I can keep you posted about the investigation.”

“There’s been too many unexplained accidents. I want to be there. The police may have questions for the owner.”

“Okay, I’ll have your lodge prepared for your arrival.”

“Thanks.” At all my adventure sites, I had a lodge, a suite, or a cabin reserved for me to conduct business during my visits.

I was tempted to call the encrypted number to inform the PI I had another job for him, but I decided against it. It was probably best to let him focus on one thing at a time. I had to sort this out before whoever was behind this destroyed my company’s reputation.

Whitewater Family Resort had been the first business I’d purchased and expanded. It held a special significance to me. Not that I didn’tlove my other sites. I wouldn't have bought them if I didn’t love them or see their potential. But Whitewater Family Resort in Oregon represented the beginning of my dream—it started my billionaire empire. Excursions for You was my history, the soul of who I was. My heritage was there.

My blood heated, wondering who was fucking with me. I’d bring down the wrath of God before I let anyone ruin what I’d built with sweat, hard work, and dedication.

“Can you send me the name and any info you have on the person who died? Did he stay at our lodge? If not, let me know where.”

“On it.”

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