“You think that’s a good idea?”
“I’m his boss,” I shot back. “They should know the entire company is in shock and supporting his family. I’ll offer a public reward for his return.”
“That puts you in the spotlight.”
I shook my head. “I’ll offer it to them, his parents, as an anonymous contribution to bringing him home,” I explained.
Kimble made a U-turn at the next light, sending us in the direction of the Hilton.
We had twenty minutes in the car.
“What was in Philadelphia?” I asked.
“A connecting flight to Paris.” His eyes darted to the rearview mirror. “You know why I was going there.”
“I do, but you didn’t make it to France. So what else was there? It’s not a coincidence you were routed through there,” I commented. I knew he could be evasive, but I always expected the truth from Kimble.
“I was trying to tie up a loose end for your father,” he admitted.
I blinked. “My father? What are you talking about?” I had a chill. It had run from my shoulders to my wrists. He made it sound as if my father was still alive and giving him orders.
“It’s still not the time. We can go into it later.”
“Maybe it’s the perfect time.” It would take my mind off the one thing I couldn’t control right now.
Kimble exhaled. “There was something he wanted me to do for him four years ago.”
“I remember. It was when I was—”
“Yes, that’s when it was.” Kimble didn’t like to talk about it anymore than I did. He harbored guilt and failure that I’d been snatched out of my own house.
“You didn’t finish the errand for him then?” I asked.
“No.” He made a sharp turn. “I found out about you and left without finishing what he asked me to do.”
I was trying to make sense of the breadcrumbs. “You weren’t able to get back to it until now?”
“That’s correct.” He turned the radio off, despite that it was too low to hear the station playing. “I haven’t left New Orleans. I haven’t left your side in four years.”
“And I appreciate that. But I’ve never asked you not to take a day off of work.”
“Protecting your life is not a job, Kennedy. It’s what I pledged to do. It’s my duty to you and your father.”
“Maybe you need more time off, Kimble. Time to go do something for yourself. I’m not talking about errands for my father.”
He pulled into the Hilton and parked. The car hummed. Neither of us moved.
“He’s going to ask you to marry him. I don’t think you should do it.”
“What?” My head flooded with anger.
“I told him not to propose. It would only end in disaster, and with you getting hurt.”
“You had no right to interfere in my private relationship.” I clenched my teeth. I was stunned by his admission. Stunned that Knight would have told him.
“The Corbans are not good enough for you. They don’t have anything to contribute to Martin Global. They will only tear down what you have built. He is not good enough for you.”
“I get to make that decision. Not you.”