Chapter 314

I knew who Victor meant before he said their name.

“Will Findlay be able to stay safe while on this mission?” I asked. “He is married. Perhaps his husband won’t like it. I wouldn’t want you to be in danger like that.”

Ever since getting to know him better, I found I like Findlay. I liked him well enough to be worried about his safety on such a dangerous mission.

“Daisy, everybody is in danger until the faction is stopped,” Victor said. “I don’t want Findlay mingling with these murderers, but he is the most loyal employee I have. We’ve been together for years, and I trust him implicitly.”

“Call him and ask him to come here,” Alex said. “Tell him it’s important, and you need to speak to him right away.”

Victor sent Mickey Findlay a text message, and his loyal assistant was led by Benson into the living room fifteen minutes later.

“Findlay, we need your help,” Victor said after his assistant sat beside me. “The Association is in danger of a hostile takeover.”

“I’ve suspected this for weeks,” Findlay agreed. “It’s why you are being spied upon and sabotaged.”

“Exactly,” Victor told Findlay many of the things we discussed before his arrival.

“One of my coworkers was asking suspicious questions last week,” Findlay told us. “They wanted to know if we thought you were the best man for the job and if we thought we were paid enough.”

Alex and Victor exchanged glances. They were suspicious questions. The man had to be a faction recruiter.

“Who was it?” Victor asked.

“Darnell Monroe,” Findlay replied.

“The head security guard for our section of the complex?” Alex’s voice was full of disbelief. “I approved his promotion. He has worked for The Association for years.”

“He has a sick child and needs money,” Findlay said. “I believe that’s how he was compromised.”

“How did you answer his questions?” Victor asked.

“The same way most of us in the break room did,” he said. “I acted like I didn’t hear him.”

“Nobody responded to Darnell’s probing?” Alex asked.

“Just the Huntley brothers, Earl and Randy,” Findlay replied. “But those two are always complaining about something.”

“They are paid a higher than competitive wage for their jobs in the mail room,” Victor said. “But I’m sure they must be compromised by now.”

“There will be others like them,” Alex said. “We need to know their names.”

“You will, Mr. Wilson,” Findlay said. “I will go to Darnell first thing tomorrow and tell him I didn’t dare to say it in front of the others, but I agreed with his words about Victor. I’ll also hint that I need money.”

“Shouldn’t you talk it over with your husband first?” I asked. I would want to know if Victor was doing something this dangerous. “He works for The Association, too.”

“Is he loyal?” Alex asked. “Who is he?”

“His name is Tony Basil,” Findlay replied. “He works in the Antiquities Department and is completely loyal to Victor and The Association.”

“Are you going to tell him I asked you to be my spy?” Victor asked.

“No, sir,” Findlay replied. “He would only worry. I’d rather keep him out of it.”

“Very well,” Victor said. “We also want to plant false information for the faction, so you and I will meet in my office tomorrow afternoon at two. Everything we discuss will be incorrect information I’ll put together in the morning.”

Findlay nodded. “You should watch Chloe. I saw her talking to Earl and Randy in the break room on Friday. I’m not saying she joined the faction, but she enjoys money.”

Victor sighed. “We need a code word in case you find yourself in trouble.”

Findlay shrugged. “Like what?”

“The word should be a common one that will sound natural in case the enemy can hear you,” Alex suggested.

“What about master keys?” Findlay suggested. “I could easily work those two words into a sentence, and I don’t use them often.”

“It sounds good to me,” Victor said.

After Victor and Findlay set up a code word, they were set to begin their fight against the faction.

Alex invited him to stay for dinner, and the five of us went to the dining room to enjoy a delicious meal that the cook had ready. We spoke of other things while we ate, keeping the conversation light.

But there was a sense of seriousness when Victor and I walked outside with Findlay afterward, and they shook hands.

“Be careful, Findlay,” Victor said. “Let me know if you feel you are in any danger, and I’ll quickly get you and Tony to safety.”

“Thank you, sir. I’m glad to do this service for you and The Association,” Findlay replied. “I will let you know if I feel like I’m in trouble.”

Victor and I watched Findlay drive away before climbing into the Lamborghini and going to the apartment.

We slept in each other’s arms, content to be together. I was relieved everything was out in the open. And even though there would be more dangerous times ahead, it was good to know we were working on the threat together with our allies.

The next morning, Victor left the apartment before me. I was worried about him, but I told myself he would be safer now that he knew what he was up against.

My day at Frampton University was much the same as the previous week. There were more whispers and stares from some of my fellow students, but thankfully, there were no confrontations.

My professors treated me the same as the other students, but I sensed they were hyper-aware of my presence in their classroom. I was being watched closely.

I planned on visiting Dr. Clark after my last class of the day until I received an anonymous text from someone claiming to have information with documentation that I would find of use. They asked me to meet them at Edgar’s Eats at three thirty.

Since Edgar’s Eats was a public place and I was curious, I left campus and drove to the diner near the university where Amy’s car had been stolen.

I went inside, sat at a booth, and ordered a chocolate milkshake. The milkshake arrived a few seconds before my new source.

The petite, middle-aged woman looked nervous as she slid into the booth across from me. I recognized her as the secretary in the Director of Admissions office.

“You’re Mrs. Park, right?” I said.

“That’s right, but please keep your voice down,” she hissed. “I shouldn’t be here …I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my son insisting it’s the right thing to do.”

“I brought all the proof you’ll need.” She laid a thick folder on the table and pushed it toward me.

“Thank you,” I said and put the folder on my lap. “Why did your son want you to do this?”

“His father and I are Betas,” she explained. “That means he was automatically rejected from every good school to which he applied while Alphas with poor test scores are welcomed here with open arms.”

“I understand his anger,” I said. “Tell him I said thank you. This information will help me get the laws changed.”

“Please don’t tell the university I gave you the documentation or even spoke to you,” she pleaded. “I need my job.”

“My sources will be kept confidential,” I assured her.

“I have to go.” She looked around the diner and stood. Without another word, she was on her way out the door.

I was tempted to look over the file, but it might attract attention, and I decided to wait until I got home.

My milkshake was in a paper cup, so I decided to take it with me. As I was sliding out of the booth, a man ran in the door. He was shaking.

“Somebody call an ambulance!” he cried. “A car just hit some poor woman and took off. I swear they did it on purpose. They swerved right at her.”

“No!” I hurried outside, hoping it wasn’t the admissions secretary who had been struck by a hit-and-run driver. But in my gut, I knew it was her.

My instincts were correct. When I got outside, Mrs. Park was lying on the gravel in the middle of the mostly empty parking lot.

I was sure it wasn’t a coincidence.

Running to her side, I had my cell phone in my hand, already calling for help.

I knelt at her side. “Hold on, Mrs. Park. Help is on the way.”

She moaned, and her eyes fluttered. “Tell my husband …and my son …that I love them.”

Her eyes closed again as I heard the wail of an ambulance siren rushing our way.