Page 108 of Broken Wheels

If only Malone could be dealt with that easily.

At least he could carry out the next stage of the plan. A particularly important stage, given the new direction he was about to take. He smiled to himself.

Josh Malone, if you only knew what part you are about to play….

Such pleasant thoughts could wait. There was cleaning up to be done.

Spencer called his personal assistant and told her to contact their disposal team and have them do their job. He also reminded her there was a meeting in the room the next day, so it had to be immaculate.

Kathy huffed. “Did you really think I’d forgotten that?”

No, he hadn’t. She was the only one who seemed capable of doing her job. But once the plan was fully realized, she’d still have to go.

Pity. She makes a mean cup of espresso.

Chapter 32

Josh scanned the living room. “Where’s your best bud?” Coby lay in his bed, asleep, curled into a tiny furry ball.

At the dining table, Dixon frowned. “You talking about Chalmers?”

“You mean you have another best friend?” he teased. “I’m impressed.” It wasn’t often that he yanked Dixon’s chain, but it was fast becoming Josh’s favorite hobby.

“He said he’ll be back soon. He had something to do.”

Josh frowned. “I hope he’s being careful.”

“You think he’s in danger?”

“I think he’s probably breaking a shit ton of rules for us. And then there’s his missing boss….” Josh shivered.

Stepping outside of CrossBow had become a scary prospect.

“I’m sure Chalmers can take care of himself,” Dixon said in a confident tone.

He glanced at Dixon. “So…. Wanna tell me what’s going on between you and Chalmers?”

Dixon froze. “What do you mean? There’s nothing going on.”

Josh shrugged. “I don’t know. The two of you seem awfully chummy lately. Almost like, you know, besties would be.”

Dixon put down his phone and looked Josh in the eye. “You know I love you, right?”

Josh would bet money his grin looked downright goofy. “Yeah, I know.”

“Well, when it comes to Chalmers? Right now, there’s a fine line between love and hate.”

“What do you mean?” Something in Dixon’s voice made Josh’s stomach clench.

Dixon sighed. He got up from his chair, took Josh’s hand, and led him to the couch where they sat. “Chalmers reminds me of someone, that’s all.”

“Who?”

“Whitlock Abbott. He was my best friend growing up, but anyone looking at us would have said we were unlikely buds.” Dixon smiled. “He was the good boy, while I was your typical troublemaker. We were like most kids our age, constantly trying to one-up each other. If he got a B on a test, I got an A. If he got a car, I got a better one. He dated one of the cheerleaders, so I went out with the head cheerleader—and then reminded him constantly she was known as the head cheerleader for a reason.” Josh gasped, and Dixon chuckled. “It was pure bluff, just the kind of bullshit teen boys come out with. Plus, it was stupid, and something I’d never do now. I think it’s fair to say I’ve grown to respect people, not try to make myself look better by using them.” He covered his eyes. “Like I did to Whit.”

Cold inched its way through Josh’s body.

“What happened?”