VALOROUS (A Quantum Novel)(77)

“I’m leaving for my honeymoon in Mexico in the next few days. I’d like to have it back before I go.” I wait for him to tell me I’m not to leave the country.

“What’s the code?”


I try not to show my relief that he hasn’t objected to me leaving the country, which confirms he’s on a fishing expedition with this visit, and I’m not an actual suspect. “Nine six three two.” And then I remember the photos of Natalie I took on our wedding night, and a feeling of profound dread overtakes me. “There’re very personal photos on that phone that I’d like to remove before you take it.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Everything on here is evidence.”

“Pictures of my wife from our wedding night are not evidence. Give me the phone.”

Vickers stares at me, a mulish expression on his face.

“My father and I are great friends and supporters of the president. Give me the phone, or I’ll have your job.” I hold out my hand and engage in a stare-down with the agent.

He blinks first and puts the phone in my hand.

It pains me to delete the suggestive, sexy photos of Natalie from our wedding night, but there’s no way I’m letting them out of my custody. The phone is backed up to the cloud, so we still have access to them.

“There you go. Was that so hard?”

“People like you are so entitled. You think you’re above it all, even the law.”

“I think our business is finished, Mr. Vickers. You can find your way out.”

We are quiet until after he leaves, slamming the door behind him.

Addie breaks the silence. “Holy. Shit. Did that really just happen?”

“They’re just ruling you out,” Hayden says. “You haven’t left California, so there’s no way they can pin it on you.”

“Sure there is. There’re all sorts of ways they can pin this on me if they really want to.”

“They’d be foolish to try,” Addie says. “No jury in this world would convict you even if you had done it.”

While I appreciate her support, I’m not so na?ve as to believe there aren’t plenty of regular Americans who’d love to see a big-time, self-important movie star knocked off his high horse.

“I need to go home and talk to Natalie. Will you text her and tell her I’m on my way?”

“Sure,” Addie says. “And I’ll get you another phone to hold you over.”

“Don’t bother. You’ve got Natalie’s number if you need to reach me, and I’ll tell my folks.” To Hayden, I say, “Are we good on the plan for the film and the other stuff?”

“Yeah, we’re good. I’ll email you when there’s new footage to view.”

“And I’ll work some part of every day until it’s done.”

“In the meantime, we need a f*cking name for this movie.”

“I’ve been thinking about that, too. I’ll send you some suggestions.”

We had what we considered the perfect title until the studio that’s distributing the film rejected it. We’re so married to the original title, we’re having trouble coming up with something else.

“If anyone else hears from the FBI, let me know.”

“We will.”

“By the way,” Hayden says, “there’re your Critics’ Choice awards.”

I hadn’t even noticed the two crystal statues on my desk until he points them out to me. “Thanks for accepting for me.”

“No problem.”

Before I leave the office, I ask for a moment with Addie, gesturing for her to close the door behind Hayden.

“What’s up?”

“I need to get Natalie on all my personal accounts. She needs an ATM card, credit cards, etc. Can you take care of that for me?”

“Sure, I’ll call the bank and have them call you on her phone if they have any questions.”

“Thank you.”

She gives me a questioning look.

“What? Do I have spinach in my teeth or something?”

“No,” she says with a laugh. “I’m still trying to get my head around the fact that you’re actually married. Flynn Godfrey is married.”

I’m amused by her comments. “Yes, he is and very happily so. I’ll be happier when my wife has access to money. Apparently, she’s been concerned about her lack thereof.”

Addie’s eyes bug out of her head. “Has she no idea?”

“No, she doesn’t, but she will.”

“I’ll take care of that right away.”

“Thanks. We might need some travel help tomorrow or the next day.”

“Where to?”

“Either Mexico or New York, I guess, depending on whether she decides to accept the offer to go back to school.”

“I’m so glad to hear they’re asking her to come back.”

“So am I. No matter what happens now, it’s up to her, which is the way it should be.”

Addie writes a number on a piece of paper and hands it to me.

“What’s this?”

“My phone number. It’s been programmed into yours for so long, you probably don’t know it. Call me when you decide where you’re going.”