“Tell them about what Dante Perrone told Jett,” Chiara said.
“What?” Hudson asked.
Jagger thought the guys seemed a bit uncertain of whether they should tell them.
“What did Dante say? How is he involved?” Jagger asked them.
“Dante has done business with the firm Tia works at. He said before she left Paris, she had been in a bad state and had been really down. He knows one of the secretaries, Alexa, that works there. Alexa told him that Tia never talked about her family, and is always alone. She was dating some older guy, but then it stopped. Dante said that since returning she looks great, her attitude has changed, and she finally stood up for herself against one of the bosses who was
stealing her designs.”
“Stealing her designs? Tia is a designer? Of what?”
Jett smiled.
“Everything you’re looking for in a home decorator, bud. She designs furniture and produces a catalog for Malone’s,” Chiara told them.
“Wow. I like that company. It’s not high end, but it’s nice. I think Dante just sent me the catalog for September this morning,” Hudson said, and then stopped and looked at them. “That fucker knew. Unbelievable.”
“Well, don’t get upset with him. He has a plan for the two of you to meet Tia, so you don’t spook her,” Jett said.
“Spook her?”
“Yep, he thinks she’s perfect for the two of you. So call him,” Jett stated and then stood up.
“Holy crap. But what about all this other stuff?” Jagger asked them.
“We could find out everything if you need. I mean her bank account, her social security number, any arrests, as well as ex-boyfriends if you want. We can even find out why she left home and why she keeps sending money to people who don’t call her except once a month around the time the money gets sent to Missouri,” Cash added as he stood up as well.
Jagger understood it. They didn’t want to pry too much.
“Hey, we appreciate that. We asked for you guys to help us find her and you did. We’ll take the next steps now,” Jagger said.
“Call Dante. His plan sounds so good,” Chiara said as they kissed her good-bye and then shook their friends’ hands good-bye.
“We will. Thanks.”
As everyone left, Hudson walked back toward the living room. Jagger was staring at her picture.
“She’s so beautiful, Hudson. But my gut is clenched with concern. I think there’s more to this break-in and this whole sending money to her parents.”
“Well, I sure as shit would hope you weren’t blind to that. I feel it, too. She needs us and we need her. Call Dante.”
“Okay. I will, and you check out this catalog. I bet we can get her to accompany us to the country home and start remodeling there. Three weeks in our arms should do the trick,” Jagger said, passing the magazine to Hudson.
Hudson chuckled. “That might work out just fine.” He leaned back with the catalog in hand.
Jagger hoped that this was the beginning of getting their woman back into their arms where she belonged and where they needed her to be.
* * * *
There was a knock at her office door and Alexa came in.
“Hey, Dante Perrone is on line one. He’s asking to speak with you.”
“Me? I just saw him yesterday.”
“I know,” Alexa said then raised her eyebrows up and down.