“He’s at Possession with the two agents assigned to his case,” Stephen said
James nodded. “What?”
“The two agents, Josiah Dewitt and Hubert Long, they’re at Possession, and they need you there,” Lucas said. “Dane is there with Isabella and Rebecca. Tate and Kevin are also keeping an eye on everything. They’re checking through records of Leo, I mean, Daren Robinson.”
“Let me guess, it doesn’t look good?” James asked. He tore some of his shirt and pressed the fabric against his bruised knuckles. Hitting the wall no longer felt like a good idea. He was losing his mind the more he was away from Prudence.
“From what Kevin and Tate have been able to make out since his real identity has come to light, he’s the right-hand man. The person the boss man turns to when he needs something done,” Lucas said.
“Is Prudence safe? I mean, will he hurt her?” James pushed the tears down. Thinking of his woman alone with that animal tore him apart. No matter what he thought, Daren was a monster and would do whatever the hell he wanted to do.
Lucas turned to look at the other two men.
“We don’t know,” Sean said. “We don’t know enough about this guy. Dominic Green was where it all started for us. This with Daren and whoever the boss is, goes back a lot longer than we anticipated.”
James turned to look at the safe. “I’m wondering if Daddy knew a lot more than he let on.”
Chapter Four
James placed his cup on the floor then stood up. He moved toward the safe wanting to know what secrets lay beneath the strong metal container. The picture against the wall stared up at him, mocking him. His father had never liked that artwork, but he’d been determined to keep it. Why?
Lifting the artwork in his hands, James turned it over to see a key taped to the top right hand corner.
“Secrets from within,” he said. The words were written underneath the key.
“What do you think it means?” Stephen asked, standing beside him.
James grabbed the key then placed the image on the floor. “I’ve no idea, but I want to know what my father knew and was afraid to tell me.” His father had shared everything with him. He placed the key into the lock, and the door sprang open revealing another metal box and several files. Frowning, James grabbed the small metal box that was in fact a small money safe. He handed the box to Stephen then pulled out the files.
James placed the files on top of the coffee table. Lucas and Sean had taken a seat on the sofa.
“What do you think this is?” Lucas asked.
“I’ve no idea. I’ve been through everything else he left me. I didn’t even know he had a second safe.”
“How could you not have known?” The question came from Sean.
“I didn’t redesign this part of the house. I loved coming here and sitting with my father as he worked.” James flipped open the file. An image of Lloyd Black filled the page. Flicking through the file he caught the odd word relating Lloyd back to prostitution among other things. One name kept popping up. “Have any of you heard of a Henry Warren?”
He looked up to see confusion on the other men’s faces.
“We need to take this back to Possession,” Stephen said. He lifted the box then started closing the files.
“You’re going to trust two agents who are probably working for Daren?” James asked.
“Are you paranoid as well? They’re here to make sure Dane does his part of the deal. I don’t know about you, but I want this finished. I’m tired of looking over my shoulder. Between Dominic Green, Lloyd and Eugene Black, and now Daren Robinson, I’ve had enough. Ursula is soon to be my wife, and yet I can’t offer her the protection she deserves with these men threatening to take everything away from me,” Stephen said. “I’m pretty f**king desperate, and these men know what they’re talking about.”
James stared at his longest friend before turning to see Sean and Lucas nodding in agreement. Both men had served their country in the forces. They had military training, knowledge, and the means of helping him.
“Do you trust these two agents?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t trust anyone else. They were after Dominic like I was, James. I wouldn’t let anything happen to your woman,” Lucas said.
Nodding, James followed the three men out of the house. He locked the door even though he wasn’t scared of anyone breaking in. The files were locked in his arms. He wasn’t letting them go. They were his lifeline to getting Prudence back. Time was fading fast, and he didn’t know how much longer Prudence had left.
She would be in England, and when he had everything he needed, he’d make the trade.
Stephen’s car pulled out of the driveway. After his own driver, Arthur, saw him home the night before, James ordered the man to stay away. Whatever mess he was in, he didn’t want anyone else getting hurt.
“What happened with Jermaine?” he asked. He’d abandoned his friends to go to Veronica.
“His body was taken to the local morgue. He’s being released to his family, and then a date will be set for burial,” Lucas said.
“We were all taken away for questioning. Josiah and Hubert dealt with the cops and got us released. They promised to keep an eye on us as long as we give them the details of what’s happening,” Stephen said.
“I want money sent to Jermaine’s family. He didn’t deserve to die like that. His family will be provided for and his burial paid.” James stared out of the window. His reflection shocked him. There were several greys hairs mixed with his black. Running his fingers through it, he saw the wrinkles around his eyes. From the image staring back at him it looked like he’d aged overnight.
“I’ll sort something out with Jermaine,” Stephen said.
Turning away from his reflection, James stared over Sean’s shoulder. Possession came into view. The sunlight made everything look beautiful even though he knew the club would be empty. There was no press surrounding the grounds. Lucas pressed in the security code that opened the gates.
“No press?” James asked.
“They disappeared. I’m hoping to never see them again. They were irritating as f**k.” James chuckled. The sound seemed forced even to his ears. Staring up at the house where Possession was located filled James with deep regret. He’d been here when he should have been protecting Prudence.
Lucas and Sean left the car. Stephen remained. “I know this place is hard for you.”