The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Hector took a deep breath and kept his voice steady. “Let’s not jump to conclusions before we get to the bottom of this, Dracon. What’s the word from the doctors?”

Dracon pinched the bridge of his nose, the worry lines on his forehead deepening. “They’re playing it by ear with the treatment. No idea when Dad might come out of it. The house is in chaos, and I’m at a loss here.”

“You’ve always been the one steering the ship at home. I’ll hold down the fort here at the hospital; you head back and sort things out. Keep Dad’s condition under wraps, okay? We don’t want to spook the shareholders or the folks at Vanguard Agency. And get a couple more guys to watch over this place. I’ve got a bad feeling there might be more trouble brewing.”

Hector orchestrated the plans with the finesse of an elder brother despite the fact that he wasn’t.

Dracon nodded, silently taking in Hector’s instructions before heading out to do as he said.

Micah, who had been listening in, couldn’t help but vent to Vance, “Compared to Hector, Dracon’s a piece of trash.”

Vance shot Micah a look that could quell any further comments. “You always this chatty?”

Micah choked on his words. No matter how long they had worked together, he and Vance just didn’t click.

After Dracon had left, Hector came over to introduce himself. “Vance, Micah, right? I’m Hector.”

“Mr. Linklater, it’s an honor,” Vance replied, shaking Hector’s hand firmly.

“Vanguard Agency will leave no stone unturned in investigating what happened to Yorick. There will be no cover-ups, rest assured.”

Hector adjusted his glasses, a smile devoid of warmth tugging at his lips. “Vance, don’t just fixate on Percival as the prime suspect. He has no motive to harm my father. I’ve heard of his reputation; my father has praised him. I suspect there’s more to this story. If you need my help, just say the word.”

Vance felt a glimmer of relief upon hearing this. Finally, someone talking sense.

“We’ll take your suggestion to heart, Mr. Linklater. We’ve got business back at the agency, so we’ll be off. If there’s any news about Yorick, please keep us informed.”

After exchanging goodbyes, Vance and Micah made to leave.

do you happen to know where Karen

was taken aback, eyeing Hector as if he were up to no

surprised. How

has mentioned her

now,” Micah replied, his gaze

about Hector didn’t sit right

nodded slightly. “Understood.

further ado, Micah left,

hold back his curiosity, “Is Lark acquainted

with irritation. “What’s with

fell silent, awkwardly closing his

driving in silence, didn’t chime in. The

Thomas sent a coded message to

[They’re in my car.]

on her way to the Vanguard Agency’s detention center

guard on duty was Caspian, who looked at Vivienne with

suffer in there. Could you please head back for now? He’ll be released

stood her ground. “I need

like he was about to kneel and beg. “Madam, it’s really not possible right now. The

worry about

never impulsive, but a text message she received before Thomas’s call had simply

much thought initially, but when news

in custody, Vivienne knew that if he remained locked

this was a targeted attack. Someone

I promise not even a hair on Percival’s head will be harmed. Please, turn

help! Help me to persuade

no one

numerous guns and weapons were aimed at the secret detention

had several red dots