Page 140 of Checkmate
Those items held zero value to anyone outside of his company. It didn’t make sense for anyone to take them. Not unless this was a personal attack. Given the fact Erica still had not received the signed papers, it very well could be.
“No, that’s everything.” He forced himself to focus on Erica, who was speaking to the officer called out to the scene. “Really, officer, we can’t thank you enough.”
“It’s nothing, Miss.” The officer took some notes, and Marcus drowned out the conversation once more.
Thank God Erica was here. He didn’t know what he’d do without her. Once she had seen how useless the robbery had made him, she had taken charge, while all he could do was watch on.
This was pathetic.
It was only stuff, and the level at which this had affected him had taken him by surprise. It felt like a violation. Like someone had come and taken something precious from him, and sullied his property.
And by someone, he meant Alex.
“Marcus, my boy! What has happened here?” Marcus looked over his shoulder as Angus left a car and hurried towards them. For an older gentleman, he was quick on his feet, and in no time, he was by Marcus’ side, his shocked eyes surveying the mess.
“What happened?”
“Not what,” Erica said, joining them. “But who.”
Thank fuck she seemed to be on the same page. Angus took her hand, kissing her cheek in greeting.
“Lovely to see you again, Erica,” he said, releasing her. “I only wish it were under better circumstances.”
“How did you know to come?” Marcus asked, speaking for the first time since he had first seen the mess of his garage. “The officer hasn’t even finished his report.”
“You think one of our top tourist attractions gets attacked and I don’t find out? Marcus, my boy, I thought you were smarter than that.” Angus squeezed his shoulder. “You think you know who did this?”
Erica sighed and shrugged, avoiding Marcus’s gaze.
Weird.
She looked embarrassed. Almost ashamed. She didn’t think he was blaming her… did she?
“Not the ex-husband?” Angus said, looking between them. “You can’t be serious.”
“We don’t have proof,” Erica said. “CCTV only shows a couple of masked, stocky guys. But I can’t think of anyone else who’d want to get this personal.”
“You don’t think it might have been a random act of violence?” Angus asked.
“Had they only taken the bus, I might have believed that,” Marcus replied. “But who, aside from the people in this company, has any need for tea-dyed clothing and old fraying wigs? It feels too personal.”
“It is personal,” Erica insisted. “He’s trying to get back at you for the other day.”
“And what happened the other day?” Angus asked. “I assume it has something to do with those bruises on your face.”
“I can’t tell you,” Marcus replied. “You could have me arrested.”
“He tried blackmailing Alex into signing the divorce papers,” Erica said. “He got my brother to record Alex throwing punches at him and threatened to send it to his clients.”
“I see.” Angus stayed silent for a moment. “Remind me again why you won’t let me help you, Erica.”
“Because I am determined to do this properly. No favours, just a nice clean divorce.”
“Well, I admire you for trying,” Angus said. “But clearly your ex didn’t receive the memo. And now he’s come for what’s mine, he’s left me no choice.”
“I don’t understand,” Marcus said. “What do you mean come for what’s yours?”
“Do you think I care about this business because of a great love for ghost stories, Marcus?” Angus replied, frowning. “Why do you think I have taken such an interest and have spent these last few years so heavily involved in your life?”
