Older || 18+

26. Ares

I got another lead last night on this Robert guy and I'm hoping today I'll be able to track him down. Hopefully I will find where my missing money is going.

I had to leave early this morning, which means I missed Emma leaving for her internship. I know I will see her tonight, but I just really hate that I missed seeing her on such an important morning.

I follow the GPS, the drive taking forever. I'm a few cities over from where I've been staying with Emma, but I'm hopeful that this will all be worth it.

After several hours of driving and a lot of stops and starts, I finally find the building where the GPS is telling me I need to go. The building is nondescript, a bland concrete facade, and the only sign of life is a single light shining through the glass front door. It's on a busy street, similar buildings flanking it.

Parking is easy enough, and after locking up, I approach the building.

As soon as I step through the door, a blast of cool air greets me. It's a welcome respite from the heat outside. I take a moment to survey the lobby. It's clean and tidy, with a few chairs and a coffee table. There are no signs of life, though.

I walk up to the reception desk and ring the bell. After a few moments, a man comes out. He's dressed casually, in jeans and a T-shirt. His hair is long, tied back in a ponytail. He has a friendly smile, but his eyes are guarded.

"Can I help you?" he asks, leaning slightly on the counter, his demeanor open yet cautious.

"Yes, I'm looking for someone who might work here. Goes by the name of Robert. Do you know him?" I keep my tone neutral, not wanting to give away too much.

The man's eyes narrow slightly, a flicker of recognition—or is it suspicion?—crossing his face. "Robert, huh? We've got a few Roberts around. You got a last name?"

"Williams."

"And what is your business with Mr. Williams?"

"I just need to talk to him," I say, keeping my tone even. "It's important."

The man studies me for a moment, his eyes searching mine. He's trying to decide if I'm telling the truth.

"And do you have a name?"

"Tell him it's Bradshaw."

"Hold on, let me call him," the man says, turning away from the counter. He picks up the phone and dials a number.

I wait, my heart pounding. I'm not sure what this Robert guy will do when I find him, but I hope he has the answers I need.

After a few minutes, the man returns, his expression neutral. "Mr. Williams would like to speak to you," he says, handing me the phone.

I take the phone and raise it to my ear.

"Hello?"

A pause.

"Hello?" I say again, not sure if he's still on the other line.

The line crackles before a voice finally speaks. "Who is this?"

"I already told your," I turn looking at the guy with the ponytail, "secretary, who I am. Is this Robert Williams?"

"Bradshaw?" he questions.

"Yes, Bradshaw. Ares Bradshaw," I repeat getting tired of this nonsense already. What is this guy's deal?

A quick inhale of breath is all I hear before the line goes dead.

"Fuck!" I slam the phone down.

The atmosphere crackles with tension as I fix my gaze on the guy behind the counter, his raised eyebrow doing little to mask the unease flickering in his eyes. "Call him back!" I demand, my voice a controlled explosion in the too-quiet room. The man's reluctance to comply sends a surge of frustration through me, an unwelcome challenge to my authority.