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She gave him a funny look and nodded, shutting the door behind her as she left.
“I wondered when I’d see you again,” Howie began, opening his desk drawer to pull out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. He filled them both and pushed one in my direction.
I took the drink, tossed back its contents, and enjoyed the resulting burn. “I need the documents.”
He paused with the glass halfway to his mouth. “Shit.”
Yeah, shit. “I got a note this morning.”
“He found your daughter.”
It didn’t surprise me that Howie reached that conclusion without a nudge from me. “Yes.”
“Then we need to secure our investments and put the plan in place.”
“Already done on my end. I spoke to Raven. The club will know what to do. I need the envelope mailed to the clubhouse right away, addressed to Crow. I’m going to pick up my daughter when I leave here.”
“Done.” Howie drained his glass and placed it on his desk. “I’ll leave first. Close up my office and send Sally on her way. I don’t want her caught in the middle as collateral damage if Undertaker had you followed.”
I already considered that option. But since he enjoyed toying with me, I didn’t think he’d make a move yet. He wanted me to squirm first, like the worm dangling from a hook above the gaping mouth of a fish.
“He won’t. Not yet.”
“I hope you’re right.” Howie cleared his throat. “He can’t know my role in this.”
“As far as I know, he doesn’t. That’s why I made sure no one followed me here. Took a couple of detours on the way.”
Howie nodded. Relief swept over his features. “Good.” He stood and walked to a framed picture on his wall, plucking it away and placing it on the ground by his feet. A safe had been concealed. He spun the dial for the combination before opening it. “Here.” He reached inside and pulled out an envelope, handing it over. “Check that it’s in order before I mail it.”
I flipped through the contents, skimming the documents inside. Crow’s birth certificate. Abigail’s birth certificate. My marriage license with Crow’s mother, Laurel. Her forged death certificate I promised to hold, breaking Laurel’s connection to the world she’d grown to hate. It was all here.
“It’s complete.”
“Then I’ll prepare the package.”
Howie addressed the envelope and sealed it, placing it inside his open briefcase. He’d popped it onto his desk while I checked all the documents. Inside, he added cash, passports, and other items that weren’t my business. The safe had been emptied.
He left it open. There was nothing left to conceal.
“Do you still have the letter for Laurel?”
“Yes.”
“Mail that too.”
How pursed his lips. “As you wish.”
I glanced at my phone, swiping to open it, sending funds from my account. “Your final payment has been made.”
Howie shut his briefcase and locked it. “I won’t be reachable until this is finished.”
“I understand.”
We both walked toward his door.
Howie turned to me. “I hope it works out. Abigail should be at The Roost with you and Crow. It’s her legacy.”
“Yes,” I agreed. My legacy, passed on to both of my children.
