Page 34 of Mile High Baby

Or dead.

“It's sounding more and more like the D. A. isn't going to indict,” Dax finished.

“Has he been bought?”

“More likely threatened. We're looking to see if either is in play. Until then, we need something more significant to get him on.”

"It won’t be from a move on Victoria." I was a man willing to risk a lot, but not that. Not her. Henry wouldn’t forgive me if I fucked up and something happened to her. The burn in my gut said the guilt would ruin me.

"We need something. Elliott will pull the team out. You know he will."

"Not protection.” As long as Henry paid, he could retain our security services. I wondered how Henry would feel about bodyguards for the rest of life. He was lucky he had the money to afford it. For Victoria too, although I couldn't see her living a small life.

"No, but—"

“Keep men on George and his men. They'll fuck up."

Dax was quiet. “Okay. But this is a tenuous situation.”

"I know. Thanks for helping me out. Is your family upset about your working during your visit? "

"This was a working visit, so no. But I leave next week, and Elliott is already vacillating on the scope of this case."

I ended the call with Dax as Knightly entered my work area.

"Mr. Banion is leaving. He'd like a word with you."

I wanted to be petty and tell him I was too busy trying to keep him and Victoria safe, but I mustered enough maturity to meet with Henry.

I found him down in the garage. Ian was there, looking attentive, his eyes scanning the private garage. Knightly put Henry's suitcase in the trunk of the car my team arranged to drive Henry to a private airport. Who I didn't see was Victoria.

Henry turned to me, letting out a long sigh. "I said some harsh things. I'm sorry."

I nodded. "I said them too, and I meant them.”

"Yes, I know. You're doing what I asked you to do and I’m making your job harder. "

I decided not to remind him of the danger he'd brought on all of us, including Victoria and my team. Instead, I needed him to understand the gravity of the situation. "Henry, this thing with Pitney isn't going to happen like you want.”

“We'll talk about it when I get back in a week.”

“A week? I thought you said a few days?” I gave the man an inch and he took a mile.

"I need that much time to make plans that will allow me to work more from home. This will keep the business going and allow us to focus on putting Pitney away."

“And if Pitney doesn’t go away? I won't be here forever, Henry.”

"I appreciate that you're here now."

He shook my hand and climbed into the car.

"Ian," I called before he got into the vehicle.

“Sir.”

“Do your best to rein him in, okay? Don't let him do something stupid. "

"I'll do my best."