Chapter Twenty-Eight

A Treasure of Secrets

Elena had more secrets than any telenovela he’d ever watched. Harry covered his eyes with his hands when they became too painful from staring at the computer screen for so long. She’d hidden her business investments within investments. She’d paid off loans with more loans. She’d changed the names of her businesses so frequently Harry had to print new copies of his documents and color code the businesses she’d frequently renamed.

“Hey!” Edgar’s voice cut into his thoughts. “How about we take a break?”

“Sounds awesome,” Harry said, rubbing his eyes. He didn’t need a second invitation.

“I’ve made reservations at Olive and Oil for us,” Edgar said.

“Sounds marvelous,” Harry replied, smiling. Edgar was definitely being nice to him. Was he softening him up for a blow? Olive and Oil was his favorite restaurant mainly because they served their meat dishes well done, and they also had a wide variety of vegetable dishes on their menu. Harry wasn’t particularly fond of half-cooked meat.

“I appreciate you helping me go through the financials. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” Edgar said.

“It’s the least I could do.”

He wanted to clear Elena’s name. But more than anything else, he didn’t want her to drag him into her mess. He didn’t want to face the Elders or lose his position as Edgar’s Beta. He loved Elena with all his heart, but he couldn’t risk his future for her. He’d been so blinded by her promises and sweet kisses he’d never paid attention to what was going on behind the scenes of their relationship. The last few days had given him a chance to think, really think, about his life’s choices. He still loved Elena but he owed Edgar his life.

The Alpha had groomed him to be a responsible Beta despite his inability to stomach meat. He’d never mocked him, or forced him to change. He’d accepted him as he was. He’d have to find a way to help Edgar, and perhaps clear Elena’s name—if that were possible. They traveled in silence to the restaurant. Edgar turned on the radio; Harry listened half-mindedly to the news.

“…mysterious attacks are still continuing in various states. There have been reports of random murders in Washington. Two young women were found unconscious with no visible injuries in Los Angeles. They are currently both in a coma and have lost a significant amount of blood…”

Harry gasped. “Do you think this has anything to do with the Evening Club?”

Edgar shook his head. “It could be random attacks.”

“Those girls that were drained of their blood were attacked by vampires, Edgar.” Harry shivered. “They’ve broken our pact. They promised to feed off convicted criminals, not innocents.”

“There haven’t been vampire attacks in years. Why would they start now?” Edgar wondered aloud.

“They’re not afraid. Someone promised to protect them,” Harry said. “It’s one of the first things you taught me when you took me in eleven years ago.”

“Elena doesn’t have the power to protect herself, let alone anyone else,” Edgar said. “Maybe my Luna is innocent after all.”

“Then who could be behind this?” Harry asked as Edgar pulled into the parking outside Olive and Oil.

“We’ll figure that out,” Edgar said. “I have a feeling we’ll figure it out before we’re done with lunch.”

Harry had the same foreboding feeling in the pit of his stomach. A part of him didn’t want to find out who Elena had trusted enough to do business with. Another part of him just wanted this whole mess to be over.

“Did you manage to find any links to any of the companies in the financials?” Edgar asked.

“I’m not sure. I’ve been trying to draw a timeline of the name changes for the various businesses in the financials and I’ve restarted the process nearly a dozen times,” Harry said.

“A dozen?” Edgar laughed. “I’ve printed the same set of documents more than twenty times.”

Elena sure is a piece of work, Harry thought. He’d assumed she’d be far wiser than entering into business dealings with what looked like an international syndicate who were experts in laundering money.

“So far I’ve found six companies that have had frequent name changes. The number of directors also changes erratically from one to five to two to ten,” Harry said.

“Go on,” Edgar said.

“Two of those companies started out as subsidiaries of Elena’s fashion house.” Harry paused. “The name changes began after her last successful were Elena showcased a range of clothing made from discarded fashion.”

“I remember that show. I was there. Elena signed multi-million dollar deals with various countries to design sustainable clothing for them,” Edgar said.

“Yes, she did,” Harry said, “however the biggest investors came from right here. Elena soon began buying abandoned land. Some of the notes attached to the financial statements indicate that the land was to be used to build new factories to provide employment.”

“I came across those notes as well,” Edgar said. “Do you have any addresses for the land Elena purchased?”

Harry grinned and for the first time in days; he truly felt victorious. “There’s only way to find out,” he said, showing Edgar a picture on his phone. “One of the transactions for new investments had an address next to it. I thought it would come in handy.”

Seeing Edgar smile reminded him of their close bond. Would he forget all about their bond if Elena lured him into her web with her sweet words and passionate kisses? Harry pushed that thought to the back of his mind. He’d worry about that when he came face to face with Elena.

“Let’s visit that site after we’re done eating,” Edgar said.

“It’s more than two thousand miles away,” Harry reminded him.

“I know. It’s a good thing I have a few private planes,” Edgar said.

Harry laughed again. “Aren’t you worried about leaving Elena alone?”

“Not at all. If she knows what’s good for her, she won’t try any of her tricks while I’m away.”

Harry hoped Edgar was right. If Elena knew what was good for her she’d stay within the safe confines of Edgar’s mansion. They ate their lunch in silence. Edgar ordered more food for them to eat during the flight. Harry didn’t mind. It’d been days since he’d eaten a decent meal, let alone any of his favorites. He hadn’t realized until now how much of a strain Elena’s shenanigans had taken on his mental and physical health.

“What if this is a dead end?” Harry asked Edgar as they neared the airport.

Edgar shrugged. “We won’t know until we get there, will we?”

Edgar’s optimism was refreshing. Harry hoped they weren’t following a false lead. He had a strong hunch they’d find something of value in Arizona. He wasn’t quite sure what they’d find there though. Harry’s butterflies multiplied as they boarded the flight.

“It’s going to be okay,” Edgar assured him.

The Alpha had always been perceptive. “Thanks for the reassurance.” He wanted more than anything for this mess to be over so he could go back to living a normal life. He just wished for peace. If only Elena would save them the trouble and come clean—but it didn’t look like she would do that anytime soon.

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