Said the screen froze sometimes. And you have access to this old phone because… Because I offered to take it to that repair guy I know to see if it was fixable, Clayton replied. She handed it over willingly.
It’s not breaking and entering if she gave you the device. Aiden studied him carefully. This about the wedding? Clayton met his gaze steadily.
This is about the truth. I need to know what I’m dealing with before tomorrow. And if you don’t like what you find, then I make different choices.
Aiden drummed his fingers on the table, considering. I don’t want to get mixed up in something messy, Clay. We go back, but there are lines.
I’m not asking you to do anything illegal, Clayton assured him. The phone was given to me voluntarily. I’m asking you to recover deleted files from a device I legally possess.
What I do with that information is my business. After a moment’s hesitation, Aiden nodded. All right, but I work alone, and I need at least four hours.
Come back this afternoon. Clayton slid the phone across the table. Thanks.
I owe you. Yeah, you do. Aiden agreed, pocketing the device.
And Clay, whatever you’re planning, be careful. After Aiden left, Clayton made another call this one to a contact at Westbrook Industries, one of the firms that contracted with both his employer and apparently with Brock Freight. Jerry Westbrook had always liked Clayton.
They shared a straightforward approach to business that transcended their different social circles. Clayton, good to hear from you. Big day tomorrow, huh? About that, Jerry, Clayton replied, keeping his tone casual.
I’m doing some last-minute checks. Delaney mentioned some issues with deliveries from Brock Freight. Anything I should know before joining the family business? Jerry’s hesitation was telling.
Look, Clay, I don’t want to step into family matters. Consider it due diligence. Off the record, a sigh came through the phone.
They’ve been late on the last four shipments. Quality control’s slipping too. Between us, we’re considering other options.
Any idea why? Rumor is they’re having cash flow problems. Nothing concrete, but the industry talks. Appreciate the heads up, Jerry.
Enjoy the fishing trip next month. Will do. And Clay, congratulations.
Delaney seems like a wonderful woman. Clayton’s smile was bitter as he ended the call. Seems being the operative word up B.Y. four o’clock.
He was back at digital restoration, slipping through the rear entrance as Aiden had instructed. The shop was closed, a back-in-30-minutes sign hanging in the window. Aiden sat behind the counter, expression grim.
You better sit down, Clay. For the next hour, Aiden showed him everything he’d found. Text threads between Delaney and Seth dating back seven months long before Clayton had proposed.
Photos that left nothing to the imagination. Location data showing regular visits to an apartment address Clayton didn’t recognize but assumed was Seth’s. Clayton absorbed it all with outward calm, though inside, something was breaking apart and reshaping itself into something harder, colder.
There’s more, Aiden said hesitantly. I found some emails that seemed relevant. He pulled up a thread of correspondence between Delaney and a friend named Veronica.
The subject was clear. Clayton was a safe plan amid mounting financial pressure. My dad’s company is in trouble, one email read.
He says it’s temporary, but I’ve seen the statements. They’re behind on everything. Clayton’s stable, boring sometimes but dependable, and he’d do anything for me.
Another, Seth is fun, but he’s not husband material. Clay is. I need security right now, not excitement.
And finally, the most damning. Clay wanted to preen up but I talked him out of it. So it was about trust.
Men are so easy to manipulate when you appeal to their pride. Clayton read each message twice, his expression unchanging. Only the whitening of his knuckles as he gripped the edge of the counter betrayed his emotion.
You okay, man? Aiden asked quietly. Fine, Clayton replied, his voice controlled. Can you put all of this on a thumb drive? Aiden hesitated.
What are you going to do with it? What needs to be done? Clayton met his gaze steadily. Nothing illegal, nothing violent, just justice. After a moment, Aiden nodded.
Give me ten minutes. When Clayton left the shop, thumb drive secure in his pocket, the sun was beginning to set. He drove to the cemetery, needing the quiet presence of the one person who had never betrayed him to his mother’s grave.
Clayton stood with his hands in his pockets, watching his golden light filtered through the oak branches above. They tried to use you against me, mom, he said quietly. Try to make me feel ashamed of where I come from, who I am.
He took a deep breath. But you taught me better than that. You taught me that integrity matters.
That actions have consequences. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves overhead. I’m going to make them pay, he continued, his voice hardening.
Not with violence, not with anything illegal, but with the truth, their own truth thrown back at them. As dusk deepened into darkness, Clayton made his final stop of the day, a local print shop owned by a former high school classmate. By the time he returned home, he had everything he needed for what would come next.
Warren and Josie were waiting on his porch, concern evident in their postures. You’ve been AWOL all day, Josie said as he approached. Delaney’s been texting, asking if we’ve seen you.
What did you tell her? That you were running last minute errands, Warren replied. But she’s getting suspicious, said you weren’t answering calls. Clayton unlocked his front door, letting them in.
I’ve been busy in his living room. He laid out everything he’d discovered printouts of text messages, emails, financial records he’d obtained through his industry contacts showing Brock freights, mounting debt. Warren whistled low.
Holy shit, Clay. Josie’s eyes widened as she read through the messages. That manipulative bitch, she breathed.
Seven months? While you were planning a wedding? Clayton nodded grimly. And it gets better. The Brocks are in financial trouble, deep trouble.
Silas overextended, took on debt he can’t service. They’re behind on payments to suppliers, employees, everyone. And Delaney knew, Warren concluded, connecting the dots.
She knew, Clayton confirmed. She was looking for a safety net, someone stable, someone who’d do anything for her. So what’s the plan? Josie asked, because if it involves slashing tires, I’m in.
Clayton almost smiled. Nothing so crude. I’m going to give them exactly what they want a spectacle, just not the one they’re expecting.