Page 18 of The Mastermind

While I employed my PI, he couldn’t work for someone else. I needed his dedication, and I paid him well to do it.

At the moment, I oversaw several ongoing projects that required his assistance to ensure they were moving in the right direction. I glanced at the calendar on my desktop with a date highlighted in red.

Slash wanted to catch up. He could have easily handed my friends and me over to his people then, but he chose not to.

It was about time I understood why.

CHAPTERSEVEN

AUDRI

Thursday,I came home from work exhausted and wanting my bed. I had already taken two antacids, so my tummy felt better than it did at work.

I kicked off my heels, tossed my purse and work bag on the kitchen table, and flopped onto the couch. The tight muscles in my body called for a yoga session, which I hadn’t been doing. A massage would ease the aches in my shoulder and also relax my muscles. Maybe next week.

I’d been swamped because we’d lost two team members in our department as a result of the reorganization. George and Susan Lafayette announced the sale of the company to Starke Global last week, and everything escalated from there.

Anything associated with Remington Starke proceeded with speed and efficiency. I’d seen him play basketball with my brothers and his friends, and even back then, he had momentum and agility. I imagined he applied the same skill set to his business.

How long had he been eyeing Lafayette Marketing? I didn’t even know he was interested in advertising. Then again, Remi was a venture capitalist and stuck his hands in anything profitable.

I’d worked in the corporate world long enough to understand what occurred when companies changed ownership. Reorganization and consolidation meant some people would lose their jobs while others gained additional responsibilities.

That would be me. I was now Director of Promotional Campaigns, a large umbrella that overlooked several other departments. Lawrence had left me with a slew of issues he had slid under the rug.

What the hell had he done all day if he hadn’t been doing his job? Not only that, he hadn’t paid the models for their work, but he created fake invoices showing he did. Where did the money go? I had no idea what he had been up to and was grateful he was gone. His exit wasn’t because of my complaint. I was going to follow up with HR, but decided not to when I heard the news.

Shoving all work issues aside, I got up from the couch, and went to take a shower. The hot water released the tension from my body, but fatigue still clung to me. I slipped into my favorite La Perla silk nightgown I’d gotten for Christmas one year, skipped dinner, and crashed into bed.

Joy fills me as I hide in the family room, which is also the library, watching and listening to my dad. He’s talking about summer vacation with someone on the phone in his office. Excitement bursts in my heart. Can it be our family trip to Disney?

I’m glad I finished my school project early with my friend Becky, so I could witness this. Her family was going out to dinner for burgers and fries and invited me, but I declined. Mom is making wonton noodle soup tonight, and I want that instead.

I watch as Dad smiles and nods. Please, please, please, let it be Disney! I’ve begged my parents to go there for a vacation.

“As long as you and Grayson keep up the good grades, we’ll go.” Mommy and Daddy told me last year.

I make sure I get all A’s. Grayson does too. Unlike me, he doesn’t have to study much to get A’s. I have to study every day, but he helps me.

Some people are just lucky. I roll my eyes at my big brother, who has gone grocery shopping with Mom and Uncle Derek to buy ingredients for the soup. I would have gone, but I have some friendship bracelets to make for my third-grade fundraiser at school.

“Meow, meow.” Mochi sneaks between my legs, his blue eyes staring at me.

“Shh.” I press a finger to my lips and pat his gray fur. “I’ll feed you soon.”

“Meow.” Mochi’s response is softer.

My partner-in-crime and I stand by the door peeking into my dad’s office.

The smell of vanilla candles slithers into my nose, and I glance over at Mom’s scented candle on the small desk by the large bookcase. The sweet aroma makes the house smell nice. Mom usually places it on the kitchen island, where the scent can travel all over the house. She probably forgot to bring it there before she rushed out the door.

I can help her. I’m a good girl.

I amble over to the desk, carefully clasp the warm glass jar with both hands, and walk out of the family room. Mochi winds his way between my legs, and I trip over him, losing my balance. The candle jar flies out of my hand, crashing into the bookcase, and flames whoosh like an orange monster.

“Mommy! Daddy!” I scream.

The flames grow fast and furious. As smoke billows around me, I panic, then remember what I learned in school. I drop to the floor and try to crawl away, but I can’t see anything. The smoke is so thick, it stings my eyes, and I can’t breathe. Daddy calls my name. Mochi clings to me, and I hold him tight.