Showdown: Tech Billionaires

by Ainsley St Claire

  Lilly slumps into a chair. “Her girls are friends with your girls.”

  “I know. Walker has offered us his place up in Whistler for a little while. What do you think? We can get Cecelia’s parents and maybe Alicia to come with us, and we can hide for a while until this blows over.”

  Lilly shakes her head slowly, eyes wide. I know she’s remembering the chaos after Cecelia’s murder. “The girls can’t go to school this week—or maybe for a few weeks.” She crosses her arms and bites her lower lip. “It’s too crazy. I suppose it’ll be easier for Trevor and his team to look out for us.” She looks up at me. “I’m assuming you want me to join you, but if you don’t, I get it.”

  I shake my head and reach for her. “No, I definitely want you to come. And I’ll need your help. Eventually we’ll need to keep the girls caught up on their schoolwork.”

  “I can do some, but I’m not a licensed teacher.” Lilly starts picking at her nail, and I know she’s nervous.

  “I think you can work with their teachers until we figure out what’s going on. Then we can get a tutor or consider other options, if needed.”

  She nods. “The girls are still sleeping. We can start packing as soon as they wake up.”

  “I’m awake,” Katrina says from the doorway. Her eyes are full of tears. “Is it true?”

  Lilly steps away. I open my arms to Katrina and hold her tight. Right now, it feels like she’s six again. “I’m afraid so.”

  “Jenny’s mom?” Katrina looks at me, and I can see the emotions swimming in her eyes. “She was Mommy’s friend.”

  “I know, baby,” I say as I rub her back. “I don’t have any details, but I think we should get out of town for a few days. What do you think?”

  She nods. “Can Lilly come?”

  “I was planning on it, and maybe Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Alicia.”

  My phone rings.

  “Why don’t you get packed? I think we’re going to go up where it’s snowing.” I see it’s Alicia on the phone. “Hey,” I say in greeting, and then I just launch into it. “I’m going to take the girls up to Whistler and stay at a friend’s place. It’s more than big enough for you and your folks to come.”

  “Walker Clifton mentioned it to Mom, but she wants to stay here. Do you mind making sure there’s someone watching the house?”

  “Of course. What about you?”

  “I’ll go stay with them. I can have Jim’s team drive me into the office and flirt with them.”

  “What will Trevor think?” She and Trevor have been dating for a while, but I haven’t let on that I know.

  “You know?”

  “I’m not blind, Alicia. And he’s great.”

  “Thanks. He’s probably going to go with you, but I still want to stay with Mom and Dad.”

  “I’ll call them and check in.”

  “Thanks. Give the girls a big hug from me.”

  “I will.”

  I pause a moment to text Walker.

  Me: We’d like to take you up on your offer to stay in Whistler. It will just be the four of us. My in-laws and Alicia are remaining here.

  Walker: I’ll alert Amy and Eko, my house managers. Jim knows how to get there.

  Me: I really appreciate this.

  Walker: Whatever we can do for you, my friend.

  Bex wanders in, sucking her thumb. This is what happened when Cecelia died.

  “Why is Katrina crying?” she asks.

  I reach for her, and she crawls onto my lap. “They arrested Jenny and Sophie’s mom this morning. They think she had something to do with what happened to Mommy.”

  She leans back and puts her head on my chest. “She was Mommy’s friend. Why would she do something to hurt her?”

  “I don’t know anything more, but because I’m worried there will be helicopters circling and people trying to get in our space, we’re going to go on a trip where there is a lot of snow.”

  She curls close. “I’m worried.”

  “What are you worried about, baby?”

  “What happens to Katrina and me if you die?”

  “Well, I’m not going to die. But just so you know, your mom and I worked on that before she died. You would probably split your time between Uncle Jim’s and your Aunt Alicia.”

  “But what if Uncle Jim and Kate have a baby?”

  “They would probably get a bigger place. But you have a lot of people who would look out for you: your grandparents, Lilly, Uncle Jim and Kate, and also, Mason and Caroline would be there for you. You don’t have to worry; you’d never be alone.”

  “Please don’t die, Daddy.”

  That rips my heart out. Christina better hope she stays in jail, because Jim and I will hunt her down. “I promise, baby.” I hold her tight on my lap.

  I look up and see Lilly dressed in jeans and a sweater. Her hair is pulled into a messy bun. She is my rock. I need her so much right now, but I need to be strong for my girls.

  She reaches out to Bex and rubs her back. “Sweetheart, let’s go get packed. We can have anything we forget sent to us, but let’s see what we might want to take to Canada.”

  Bex’s eyes grow wide. “We’re going to Canada?”

  “Yep,” Lilly says. “Whistler is up in Canada.”

  Bex takes her hand and they walk out.

  My phone rings again, and I only answer because it’s Landon.

  “Hey, man. I just saw the news. I’m sorry. If you want to get out of town, you’re welcome to go to my ranch in Montana. It might be a fun place for the girls to hang out.”

  “Thanks so much,” I tell him. “I love that idea. I think we have a plan in place to start, but if this continues to be tough, we may want to hang in Montana this summer.”

  “Whatever you need.”

  “Thanks, man,” I tell him.

  We speak for a short time longer, and then I bounce over to a call from my in-laws, who are understandably distraught. I’m only able get off with them when Mason calls. Trevor passes by, walking luggage downstairs. I need to shower and get packed, but I am grateful my friends are calling.

  When we finish, I finally get my wish and throw a bunch of things in my bag. Whether they’re the things I’ll actually need, I can’t say.

  Lilly comes in. “How are you doing?”

  I shrug. “I feel like someone pulled the scab off, and I’m bleeding again.”

  She steps forward and hugs me. “You’re going to be okay, I promise.”

  Before we leave, Trevor pulls Lilly and me aside. “We’ve had three attempted breaches this morning. We’re loading the cars from the side. I’ve got five identical Suburbans. We’re going to play the shell game and move you around to lose the press. Your luggage has already left with Rod and Charlie—they’re your team to start with on this trip. I’ll be sending up others once we get the lay of the land. Jackson Graham has a helipad on his office roof, we’re going to drive there, and we’ll load you into a chopper that will get you to the airport. The pilot is filing three flight plans with the FAA—Seattle and Bellingham, Washington, and Vancouver. That will keep the paparazzi guessing long enough that we can get you through customs and up to Whistler. Jim’s activated the local team, and you should be covered.”

  “Are you coming with us?” I ask.

  “I’ll be up in a few days. I need to look out for the house and try to throw them off your scent. Access by water is our biggest concern right now.”

  “Make sure you look out for Alicia and my in-laws.”

  Trevor gives me a half-smile.

  “That shouldn’t be too big of an ask,” I say with a wink.

  He nods. “I’ve got them covered.”

  We walk to the garage, load up, and then three Suburbans pull out together. As we move through our front gates, there are police holding easily fifty photographers and reporters back as we pull away from the house.

  Katrina begins to cry, and I put my arm around her. “I know, baby.”

  Bex leans against Lilly, a
nd it’s a very solemn ride into San Francisco as helicopters and drones chase us. Our group of cars is driving in all the lanes so we can control the traffic and keep the paparazzi at bay. This is something Jim and his team have worked out with California Highway Patrol. No one can cross in front of us or do something dangerous, but to further ensure this, we’re often in the last vehicle, which discounts our car as a possibility.

  We make our way across the Golden Gate Bridge, and one vehicle heads directly to the airport and the main terminal. They’ll lose the helicopters and drones but not those following in cars. Our Suburban turns into the garage of Jackson’s high-rise office building, and no one follows.

  We enter the elevator, and Jackson meets us upstairs when we exit.

  Jackson and Corrine hug each of us. “Welcome,” he says. “I wish it was under better circumstances.”

  “Thanks for doing this,” I tell him.

  “If we can keep them off your scent for a few days, that works.”

  I nod.

  “I’ve got the Foundation locked down, and we’ll be working from home for a few days,” Corrine says. “I can’t believe…”

  She doesn’t finish, and I don’t blame her. Christina did a lot with the Foundation to keep it going in the early days before I talked Corrine into taking over.

  “If you decide you want some Hawaiian sunshine, please consider Maui,” Jackson says, covering for the pause in conversation. “You’re welcome anytime. Call as you’re in-flight. Whatever you need. We’ll both be here for you.”

  “Thank you,” is all I can say. My friends’ generosity blows me away.

  Jackson gestures toward the hallway. “Well, let’s get you upstairs and into the helicopter.”

  He winds us through his offices, and we take a flight of metal stairs up to the roof. The pilot explains where he’s been permitted to land—a short walk from where they’ve parked my plane.

  I shake Jackson’s hand. “We’ll talk soon.”

  He nods. We follow the pilot to the helicopter and load up. As the blades start whipping around, a black helicopter comes over the roofline of the adjacent building. My heart stops.

  Then, over my headphones, I hear, “Mr. Lancaster, I’m Officer Boudreaux. I’ll be escorting you to SFO. The governor sends his regards, and I’m to tell you that you and your family are welcome to come up to Sacramento to get away at any time.”

  Goose bumps cover my skin. I’ve never been so grateful for my friends. I don’t know how to respond so he can hear me, but he’s close enough to see me give him a thumbs up. He turns, and we head out right after him.

  I look to the helicopter’s back bench and see my girls holding Lilly’s hands in death grips. Lilly looks at me and smiles. I’m nearly overcome at how thankful I am that the girls and I have her to depend on.

  The flight doesn’t take long, and I watch the landscape pass by below—buildings sitting on top of one another. The highway is packed with morning commuters coming and going around the city. The fog that chokes South San Francisco is rolling out, and the sun may peek out at some point today. I do love this town.

  When we set down at the airport, we transition swiftly to my jet, and the doors close behind me as I’m the last to step aboard. Looking out the windows, I see them pulling the chocks from the wheels, and we’re streaming down the runway before I can even sit.

  Once we reach our cruising altitude, the pilot comes back to talk to me. “I filed the three flight plans as instructed, but I also added Honolulu and Adak, Alaska. I figure if we’re going to give the tabloids a goose to chase, we should spread them thin.”

  I get stuck on the destination in Alaska. “Isn’t Adak in the Aleutian Islands?” I ask, trying to pull my less-than-perfect Alaskan geography through the cobwebs of my memory.

  He nods. “I grew up there, and it has a population of three hundred and twenty-six people—six of whom are in the Navy and stationed at the naval post there to keep an eye on Russian submarine traffic. I didn’t think you’d mind if I threw my aunt some business when a bunch of paparazzi show up and stay at her hotel while they look for where you might be hiding.”

  I throw my head back and laugh. It’s genius, really. “That’s fantastic.” I hate paparazzi. It’s one thing to cover Cecelia’s murder, but trying to capture the girls’ grief is slimy.

  Lilly pops in a movie for the girls and gets them plenty of snacks to make up for their lack of breakfast. Then she sits next to me and reaches for my hand. “How are you doing?”

  I relax at the warmth of her touch. “To be honest, I’m numb. Christina was part of our inner circle. You saw how helpful she was after Cecelia was found.”

  Lilly nods, her eyes sad.

  I spend the next two and a half hours unloading to her, off and on, just how much I hated Christina and worried about her influence. I remember how she lied to Cecelia about her husband. She kept telling Cecelia he was having an affair, but in reality, they were divorced. Then she whined to anyone who would listen that she’d gotten nothing in the divorce, when in truth, I’m pretty sure she got millions but was spending it as fast as she could on the men she was dating.

  She never told Cecelia that she’d lost custody of her girls, but her ex told me. He knew Cecelia and Christina were friendly and wanted to know how Christina was taking it. Cecelia and I were stunned. Yet Cecelia always found a way to forgive Christina’s flaws.

  That was terrible for my relationship with Cecelia, because I kept pressuring her to cut ties with Christina. I always thought Christina was bad for her, but honestly, I never considered she’d be this bad.

  Christina finally disappeared from my life after I found her in my St. Louis hotel room dressed in lingerie one night a few months after Cecelia passed away. I was traveling for business. I turned around and left her there, and went to check into another hotel under Trevor’s name.

  “I always wondered why she stopped coming around,” Lilly marvels.

  “It was awful,” I say.

  “Did she have a penis under her nightie?” Lilly teases.

  I can’t help but smile. “I didn’t look close enough to see.”

  “If she was behind Cecelia’s murder, she must have wanted to stay close so she’d know what was going on with the investigation. And if she managed to snag you in the process, she’d come out way ahead.”

  I shudder at the thought. “All I knew was I was grateful Cecelia had hired you.”

  Lilly gets a funny look on her face with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. I’ve seen this look before, but I have no idea what it means.

  I’m about to ask when the pilot announces that we’ve crossed into Canada and are starting our final descent into Vancouver. When I turn back to Lilly, the moment has passed.

  Once we land, I put my hand on the pilot’s shoulder. “We may be here for a few weeks, and I may need you to bring things back and forth,” I tell him. “But maybe it would help our illusion if you were to head up to Adak and park the jet there for a week or so? You could enjoy some time with your family.”

  “Really?”

  “Absolutely. I’m guessing we can double the size of Adak for a few days at least.”

  “Thanks, boss. My uncle is the mayor. He’ll love that. You may be part of his re-election campaign.”

  Chapter 15

  Lilly

  After we land, two Range Rovers pull up at the foot of the plane stairs. Rod and Charlie unload and reload our luggage, and the four of us climb into one of the vehicles.

  “When will we go home?” Katrina asks. Her voice is so small she sounds like she’s five.

  “I don’t know,” Nate tells her as he pulls her close. “I suppose when things get quiet.”

  I know she turned on her cell phone when we landed, and I’m sure right now she’s trying to process all the text and social media notifications. Both girls are sensitive, but Katrina more so than her younger sister. She puts on a brave face, but I see her struggle time and again.


  I reach out and squeeze her shoulder. “I say we take a social media break for a few weeks while we’re here.”

  “They’re so mean,” she chokes.

  “I’m sorry, honey,” Nate agrees. “But we also have to be careful right now. We just don’t know enough about what’s going on, and the police have more arrests to make. While your friends might not intentionally say anything to the tabloids, someone could say something to someone else, and it might get warped and could affect the case.”

  Katrina hands her phone to her dad, and I can see her reflection in it as tears roll down her face. She leans back in her seat next to Bex and stares out the window.

  A light rain falls, and the gray sky seems to mimic how we feel. We pass through Vancouver, and people are wrapped in dark coats and keep their heads down as they scurry across the streets.

  I’ve never been to Canada, but so far it looks almost like any American city. I just don’t recognize the stores. The cars, however, look somewhat the same.

  After what seems like a thousand traffic lights, we cross a large bridge over a deep waterway with heavy freighters full of goods crossing below us to get into port. As we drive north, we’re silent and take in the scenery.

  “You guys are going to be so impressed,” Nate finally says. “This drive is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever been on.”

  “They call this the Sea-to-Sky highway,” the driver adds.

  The farther from the airport we get, the more stunning the view is out our windows. Suddenly, the driver pulls off to the side of the road.

  “Look over there.” He points to the water next to the highway.”

  “Oh my God, it’s an orca,” Katrina says with awe.

  I see what I think is a calf at her side. “Is that a little whale tail? Is she a mom with a new calf?”

  The driver shakes his head. “I’ve seen this happen maybe twice in all the years I’ve driven this highway. Her pod must be close. They say eight pods of orcas run around these islands, but I’ve never seen them this close to the highway.”