Page 12 of Secret Triplets for Christmas

So there was just me. The only deep link to Liam. To find who was texting us, the police needed someone who’d been involved with Liam up until the end. That person was me.

I exited my office, finding my admin just putting her purse in her desk to start the day. Thank God she was always on time.

“I have to go to Boston. Whatever I have on the calendar needs to be canceled or rescheduled.”

She blinked at me in surprise but then nodded. “For how long?”

“How long?

“How long will you be gone? How far out do I need to cancel or reschedule your meetings?”

I shook my head. I wasn’t usually a spontaneous person, and I was now realizing how much I wasn’t considering in my rush to get back to Boston. “I don't really know.” For a moment, I stood at her desk, thinking about how I was going to make this work. At this point, with Lindsay’s life at risk, I didn't care about my business or the money. But I had responsibilities to the people who worked for me.

“I'm going to take my laptop and I'll work remotely.” It wasn’t like I didn't have other remote workers.

“Of course.” Her head tilted to the side. “Is everything alright, Mr. Quinlan?”

I rolled my shoulders in an effort to relieve the tension. “I don't know. I'm worried that it’s not, so I need to go home.”

Thankfully, she didn't ask for any details.

“From now on, I'll be communicating with you directly. I'm going to rely on you to help me get messages out to the team as needed.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

I returned to my office, gathered up my laptop and all the paperwork I thought was important, and shoved it all into my laptop case. As I headed down to my car, I researched flights to Boston, booking the next one out that I could reasonably get to on time.

Once home, I made a beeline for my room, pulling a duffle out of my closet to pack. It was one of the few times I wished I'd gone with the Steve Jobs/Mark Zuckerberg wardrobe system as it would have made it easier to pack. I tossed a couple of pairs of jeans, a pair of slacks, T-shirts, and then remembering December in Boston was cold, I included two fleece pullovers.

I grabbed my grooming kit from the bathroom and tossed it into the bag. I gave my condo one last check, making sure everything was secure. For a moment, I wondered if I’d come home to a trashed condo if this guy texting me wanted to come look here. I didn’t have much of value, so I wasn’t too worried one way or the other.

I headed out the door, leaving my car there and instead ordering a rideshare to take me to the airport. It saved me the hassle of long-term parking, plus, the ride could drop me right at the terminal.

The next few hours flew by, and before I knew it, I was sitting in business class as the airplane powered down the runway to take off. I wondered if I should’ve called anyone to let them know I was coming. But who? I had no family there. I doubt the police would care except to warn me away from getting involved. Perhaps I should let Lindsay know I was coming. After all, the whole purpose of returning to Boston was to do my duty to Liam by protecting her.

5

Lindsay

My girls stood lined up in front of me in the bathroom as I inspected them. Dressed. Teeth brushed. Hair combed.

“Cassie didn’t wash her face,” Georgie tattled.

“I did so.” Cassie glared at Georgie and then turned to me.

“Did you use water?” I asked.

“No.”

I pulled out a makeup remover wipe and handed it to her. “Use this.” Cassie wiped her face and handed the wipe back to me, and I tossed it in the trash.

“How much longer do we get to stay with Grandpa and Gran-Mira?” Olivia asked.

Today was our second day at my dad and Mira’s house, and I was still struggling with what to tell them about it. I hoped that I’d be able to get my home cleaned up and our lives back to normal soon.

“At least one more night,” I said cheerfully.

“Yay!” they said in unison.

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