My Addiction (Club Desire #2)(83)
“Dick, let’s be totally honest. When I first came to The Dungeon, she was our common denominator. So, yes, when Ed Ralston originally introduced us, I went in as an FBI agent doing a job.” He paused for a long moment, gathering his thoughts. “But Kate is unlike anyone I’ve ever known, and I’ve grown to care for her.”
Fretwell made a face like he’d eaten something sour. “Bull.”
Dex stiffened, as churning anger made him gear up to spar with Fretwell.
“You’re in love with her.”
Shock washed over Dex like ice water. He definitely hadn’t expected that tactic.
“It’s written all over your face, even in the picture.” Fretwell reached out to tap the photo that sat between them. “You may not have admitted it yet, but it’s there for those who know where to look.”
Dex met the man’s gaze squarely. He couldn’t deny it. “Now I see where Kate got her very perceptive nature.”
Fretwell shrugged. “I never pictured my little girl with an FBI agent, but if you’re who she chooses, you’d better treat her right, or you’ll answer to me.” He smacked the tabletop with his palm to reinforce his point.
Dex frowned, and Fretwell scowled at his reaction.
“What?” the older man demanded.
Dex shook his head. “I just didn’t expect you to be so protective and concerned for your daughter from what I knew of you.”
He waved away Dex’s comment. “You should always be prepared for the unexpected.” He leaned back in his chair, looking more relaxed and at ease. “All right, let’s talk about terrorists.”
The straightforward approach caught Dex’s attention and piqued his curiosity. “What do you have to tell me?”
“I’m sure if you’re any good at all, you already know about my PI at The Dungeon.”
Dex nodded. “Opal told me everything she knew. I was hoping you could fill in any gaps.”
“Here’s all you need to know. I was approached a few years ago to invest in a new global company called Merestone Resorts. After talking to some fellow investors that I’ve grown to trust, I invested heavily, and for nearly two years it paid off very well.
“I noticed other high-end players were buying in too—Mark Stanton, Senator Balkins, and even Ed Ralston.” He scratched the back of his hand before taking a breath to continue. “Ralston’s involvement surprised me. He doesn’t have a lot of money compared to the rest of the men on that list, but he likes to look like he does.”
Dex had known about the investment, but was surprised Fretwell knew about the others’ involvement.
Fretwell shook his head. “I didn’t think much about it since I have several other investments and projects to watch over. But once the attacks happened, I looked back and realized there was an interesting pattern. Bills introduced in Congress began to have various amendments that would give Merestone favorable results. Less taxes, fewer environmental regulations, et cetera. My contacts would mention the riders, but then inevitably there would be someone who would filibuster or somehow block the bill, and it wouldn’t pass, or at least wouldn’t pass with the amendment. One of the main crusaders to remove those was an old family friend of ours.”
“Carl Fredericks?” Dex supplied.
Fretwell nodded. “He dated my late wife before she and I met, and they stayed in touch over the years.”
Dex didn’t know they had dated. He wondered if Kate knew. “I heard you don’t get along with him.”
“True,” Fretwell answered openly. “I was admittedly jealous of the man who was my wife’s first Dominant, hanging around her for several decades.”
Dex tried to hide his shock at that revelation. He was usually very perceptive and read people well, but he hadn’t gotten a Dom vibe from Dick Fretwell. It took Dex a minute to come to terms with the fact that Kate’s parents had been in the lifestyle. But he could definitely understand territorial instincts when it came to a committed or collared submissive. He felt that same way about Kate.
“Don’t look so shocked, boy. Your generation didn’t invent BDSM.”
Dex nodded. “Of course not, Dick. Let’s just say that most people in your generation don’t freely admit to knowledge of it, let alone active participation.”
“Fair enough,” Fretwell conceded. “But as for Carl, while we didn’t get along well, I didn’t shoot him.”
Dex had to admire the older man for his spunk. It was too bad he and Kate didn’t have a closer relationship. If they weren’t related, Dex was sure they would really like each other.
“The FBI took out the shooter, so you aren’t a suspect in that crime.”
Fretwell nodded. “Good. I know my wife would’ve been devastated if she were around for this, and I suspect this hit Kate pretty hard, although it didn’t come up when she visited me earlier.”
Dex had heard about Kate’s visit from the protection detail, and he wondered what had transpired. “What did Kate come to meet with you about earlier?”
Fretwell shook his head. “I would normally tell you to go to hell, that it wasn’t any of your business, but she came to talk to me about Merestone.”
Dex frowned as he looked across the desk at the older man. “What about them?”