Shaking my head, I decided that those thoughts would be my ruin if I didn’t stay focused on business. I honestly couldn’t recall a time I was so easily distracted. That was what Julia did to me.
Disconnecting from the meeting, I called Connie.
“Mr. Sherman.”
“It seems I’ll be back in Ashland.” Today was Wednesday. “I’m planning today or tomorrow.”
“That’s good news.”
“Keep my meetings virtual for tomorrow. I’ll resume what I can in person by Friday.”
“Sir, he called again—Phillip.”
I stood quickly, sending the chair flying against the hotel wall. He was still off the radar. The private detective confirmed that Brooklyn was at Olivia’s home but no sign of Phillip. “What the fuck does he want?”
“To talk to you. He said again that if you didn’t contact him, he’d contact Ms. McGrath.”
I hurriedly sent a text to the private detective.
I need the whereabouts on Phillip Thomas. Hire other people. I don’t give a fuck. I want to know where he is now.
Connie spoke, “Sir, he’s abrasive. I’m concerned if I hang up, he’ll do something to retaliate. I could block his number.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Connie, I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. I’m going to have a trace put on the office phone. Maybe the next time he calls, we can determine where he is.”
“I understand, and that would help, but now he’s calling on my personal cell phone.”
“He’s what?”
Fuck.
“Send me his number,” I said.
“Yes, sir.”
“I can’t legally ask you to trace calls on your own phone…”
“If it would make this stop, I will gladly look into it. I’ll contact one of Ashland’s detectives.”
“I have someone who can help,” I said. “Give me a few minutes. I think he can even do it without physically accessing your phone.”
Connie scoffed. “That’s a little scary.”
“It is. You’re giving me permission, right?”
“I am.” She cleared her throat. “Does your brother have a drinking problem or…I don’t know…drugs? At times his speech seems slurred.”
I didn’t know if Phillip had a drinking problem. I’d washed my hands of him over a decade ago. And then a thought came to mind. If he had a substance-abuse problem, was it affecting Brooklyn?
How often is she pawned off to her aunt?
This fucking had to stop.
“I’m not sure of Phillip’s medical or mental state, Connie. It sounds as though it’s not good. First thing, we’ll find him. Next, restraining order.” Or a bullet between his eyes.
I killed businesses, not people.
That didn’t mean I didn’t have connections. Lennox Demetri’s family wasn’t the only crime family that also dabbled in high finance. Chicago’s kingpin was best known for real estate. Getting involved with those men for anything other than legal business wasn’t my style, but I could break my own rule.