Page 49 of The B-Team

“Jen made him look good,” Delia said. “She was everything he wasn’t. Sociable, friendly, outgoing, and good with people. I think he wanted a hostess wife from the fifties. Someone to smooth his path with other people.”

“I spent ten years with the man, and I’ve no idea what he wanted.” Jen picked up another slice of pizza. “And it only took a few years to realize he didn’t know me at all and had no interest in knowing me. He was always at work… or with his family. Honestly, the best thing about getting rid of Garrison was that I no longer had to spend time with his family.”

“They were disappointed that Garrison married down,” Delia said, outraged.

“I had plenty of social connections, but I didn’t have a family pedigree. No title. No pompous relatives he could name-drop in conversation. All I had was my talent and this place.” She waved a hand to indicate the apartment. “It’s been in my family for generations. My great-uncle was a butler at the palace, and he bought this place for his sister, who passed it down to her children. I’m the last one standing, and I rented it out over theyears. When I separated from Garrison, I moved in here. It does help to have an address in Knightsbridge. It can open a lot of doors.”

Delia nodded. “It meant you met the people who could afford your glass.”

Jen smiled wickedly. “I do enjoy being exclusive.”

“And expensive,” Delia said with a grin.

“So,” Ryan said, “this flat has nothing to do with your ex?”

“Nope. It’s all mine.”

Ryan’s shoulders slumped. “I hoped he’d bought it with money from dodgy dealings.”

Delia snorted wine all over herself. “Sorry!” She jumped up and grabbed some napkins. “Sorry I made a mess, but that’s hilarious.”

“Garrison’s too superior and persnickety to do anything dodgy,” Jen said.

“He irons his underwear.” Delia burst out laughing.

“How much wine have you had?” Jen asked with a look of amusement.

“Not enough if we’re talking about Fitz.” Delia went to refill her glass.

Belinda leaned forward. “Jen, there has to be something you can tell us that will help. He’s trying to railroad our friends and family because of this grudge he has against Lake Benson. We think he’s even going as far as illegally accessing Benson Security’s server to dig up evidence he can use to put our people in jail.”

Jen shook her head. “No, he wouldn’t do that.” She looked at Delia. “Tell them.”

“She’s right. There’s no way he’d do something that illegal.”

“I’ve known him for seventeen years,” Jen said. “He’d never jeopardize his job for a grudge.”

“You think he doesn’t hold grudges?” Ryan said. “Because I can tell you it sure looked like that’s what he was doing when he stormed our office this morning.”

“Oh, he holds grudges.” Jen swept stray hair from her brow. “But he’s not a crusader—vengeful or otherwise. He’s more… petty.”

Delia nodded. “He’s more likely to use his family connections to try to ruin Benson Security’s reputation than go after a conviction that would be difficult to get.”

Belinda sat back on the sofa next to Jen, feeling discouraged and a little useless. It was clear the commander’s ex-wife couldn’t tell them anything useful. It was another dead end.

“So, he’s a Boy Scout,” Ryan said in disgust. Clearly as frustrated as Belinda.

“I didn’t say that.” Jen frowned. “Just that he’s no master criminal. Garrison definitely isn’t squeaky clean, but the only times he’s crossed any lines have been when he’s dealt with problems for his family. Even then, we’re talking about getting rid of traffic violations or having minor charges dropped.”

“Like when his father was pulled over for driving drunk,” Delia said helpfully.

“Yes. Things like that. He smooths the way for his family if it’s within his power to do so.”

“Not exactly blackmail material.” Ryan threw up his hands in defeat.

Jen and Delia shared a look that made the hairs on the back of Belinda’s neck stand on end.

“What is it?” She placed a hand on Jen’s arm. “We don’t want to put you in a difficult position, so we understand if you can’t say anything. But if you can tell us something that might help, we’d really appreciate it. We’re desperate.”