Page 32 of Point Blank

Serena didn’t want to know the details of Brock’s businesses. For one, it would implicate her if something ever went down, and two, she wouldn’t be able to help repeating it to Dani, which would surely only infuriate her sister.

“Not at all. I need to check in with Melanie and my assistant, and I want to get some info out of Dani’s team members—if anyone will talk to me.”

Brock said goodbye and slipped out of the office and Milo pulled out his phone.

“I’ll be in the living room if you need me,” he said.

She nodded as she took a seat at the office chair, then searched for Melanie’s number. After touching base with both her and her assistant, she turned her attention to the CC’d names on Dani’s email. She stared at the three names, waiting for them to ring a bell. Wes Cook, Adam Walsh, and Vivi Probe. She’d reach out to Peyton first and get the others’ numbers. Using Dani’s email, she sent one to Peyton asking her to call her at Serena’s number.

Dammit, she needed to talk to someone now. It could be hours before she heard from Peyton. She searched Dani’s Gmail account, typing each person’s name into the search box and scrolling through the messages. After about five minutes, one from Vivi caught her eye.

My phone fell in the sink and is toast. Here’s my new number.

Without missing a beat, Serena punched the sequence into her phone.

“Hello.” The deep female voice sounded groggy.

“Hi, this is Serena Smith, Dani Metcalf’s sister. Do you have a minute to chat?”

“Uh . . . sure.” The rasp left her voice and the sound of blankets shuffling crackled over the receiver. “Sorry, I worked last night, so I just woke up.”

“No problem, I’m sorry to bother you.”

“What’s up?”

“My sister”—she cleared her throat—“Dani, I mean. She’s been kidnapped.”

The sharp inhale pierced Serena’s ear.

“Oh my god! How? Who?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. Is this line secure?”

“Yes, yes. I always use an encrypted phone for calls with my team. How did you get this number?”

“I found it in Dani’s emails. Something about your old phone getting damaged.” Serena waved her hand in the air, brushing away the unimportant detail. “I need you to tell me about the job you had planned. Who was the target?”

Silence beat through the phone.

“Um . . . that’s top secret.”

Serena rocked her teeth back and forth. “I know that. But they could have found out about your plans. We’re having trouble finding any other possible motive.”

“Look, I want to help and all, but I don’t even know you. For all I know you’re just trying to get information out of me.”

Serena closed her eyes. She couldn’t blame Vivi for not wanting to jeopardize her team or operation, but she needed something—anything. “I understand. I won’t ask about the job, but what about your team? Is there anyone who has beef with Dani? Do you know and trust everyone?”

“If I knew anything at all that would help find who’s after Dani, I’d tell you. Your sister is very respected among our team. I can’t see any of them being behind this.”

Serena stared at the burgundy wall. All the hope she’d held for the conversation vanished. “Thanks for your help, Vivi.”

Vivi made her promise to contact her with any news on Dani, and Serena agreed before disconnecting. She put down the phone and, despite needing a break, went back to the computer.

Hours later, grits of sand scratched her eyes with every blink and she hadn’t come up with a damn thing. Milo showed up at the door to the office, two plates of food in hand. “Any luck with the team members?”

“No. I spoke to someone named Vivi Probe, but I think that avenue is a dead end. I’ll try to reach Peyton again later. She might be more help.”

They ate and chatted until the doorbell rang. Milo let Brock in, and they got back to work.