Page 7 of Ashes

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Travis has also been digging into Ace. I find it odd that his background seems as bare as hers, except for a few details that seem to be planted. For example, he’s a great hacker, yet he let the date he moved to town, his address, and his bank information be known.

That’s not a coincidence.

At one point, Tate believed that he’d never do anything to hurt her. She said Ace couldn’t possibly be responsible for anything, but I think otherwise, which is why I’m having Travis dig further into him.

Sooner or later, we’re going to uncover all of her secrets, and I genuinely fucking hope that it’ll put us closer to discovering the identity of the unknown sender.

This morning, we received another delivery from him. This time, it was to our office, and thankfully King and I hid it before Eli had a chance to see it. This time, there wasn’t a text along with it; just a photo of a brunette woman holding a blonde child—probably three or four years old—in her arms. The child’s face was hidden in the crook of her neck as the woman walked out of a grocery store. When we flipped the photo over, there was something on the back.

Not just something.

Names.

Rachel and Olivia Hollis.

That’s it. That’s all the information we were given. We immediately began searching the names, hoping to get answers as to why this photo was sent to us and what’s so special about the mother and child in the picture.

The note that came with Sebastian’s photo said tobring her, so I’m assuming theherhe’s referring to is the woman in the photo.

It’s now 5:00 p.m., and I’m still sitting inside the nearly empty office I claimed as mine a few years ago when we started our business. King and I are rarely here, as we prefer to be doing groundwork rather than wearing a suit and sitting in an office all day, as Eli prefers.

That’s why he makes a great CEO. He enjoys being front and center and navigating the business world, while King and I prefer to get our hands dirty and navigate the underworld. It’s what we’re best at.

The only reason I’m still here is because I’ve been doing some digging of my own, putting the information I know about Lee to use, and doing a search of my own. Also, I’ve been waiting for one of our tech or security guys to get back to me with the information I requested on Rachel and Olivia Hollis.

Speaking of which, a tap at my door tears my attention away from my computer screen that is currently loading a search regarding one of the foster homes that I knew Tate/Lee had been in. “Come in!” I call out, watching as the door opens and Malcolm appears.

I hired him four years ago after he’d been discharged from the military, and he’s always been the most loyal to me. I trusted him with the photo and to remain discreet and not tell Eli what he’s doing for me.

“I don’t have much.” He clears his throat, getting right to the point. He closes the door before speaking. “Rachel Hollis is thirty-seven years old. Olivia, her daughter, is ten. The photo is a few years old and was taken in Florida, which I confirmed by the car license plates in the background of the picture,” he says, walking to my desk and extending a thin file toward me.

Taking the folder, I open it, and my eyes scan over the few pages. “As you can see, there’s not much there. Besides age, there’s nothing to be found on either of them. No record of birth for either, no employment, bank accounts, or mortgage. Rachel and Olivia Hollis do not exist.”

Their pasts have been covered up for a reason. Their identity has been concealed for a fucking reason, just like Tate’s has been covered up. I’m convinced now more than ever that this woman has something to do with Tate, and I will figure it out sooner rather than later.

“Thanks for looking into them, Malcolm.”

He nods, pointing toward the file in my hands. “That’s her address. Don’t ask how I got it because it was not the legal way.” I make a mental note to give him a raise. I won’t ask questions; I never do when it comes to him because I know he uses less than ethical means to get his information.

I have an address which is good enough for me. The faceless fuck wants Rachel, and now I know where she lives. I’m going to visit her, but before I use her as bait, I plan to find out about her connection to Tate.

It’s time I get some of my fucking questions answered.

“Thanks, man, I appreciate it. Actually, can you look into something else for me?” He nods, awaiting instruction.

“Remember that house fire three months ago? Look into the bodies that were recovered. The bodies were badly burned and had to be identified with dental records. Look into it. Make sure the three people’s identities are correct, and run a full background on them. I want to know everything there is to know.”

“You got it. Anything else?”

“That’s it. Remember, this stays between us.”

Malcolm nods. “Yes, of course.” With that, he’s gone, leaving me alone with a smug grin about the fact I have Rachel’s address and am now one fucking step closer.

After a few minutes, I call King, and he answers on the first ring. “Hey, brother. What did you find?” he asks.

“I have an address. I’ll arrange our travel plans and make sure we can leave without Eli noticing. We’re going to get some answers,” I say, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. This is the best news we’ve received in a while.

“Fuck yeah!” King shouts through the phone. “Let’s do it, brother. It’s time to lure out the faceless fucker and end him for good.”


Tags: Kyla Faye Romance