Stanton Box Set

“In LA,” Ben replies. “I will drive you and then drop you back here to get your car.”

He thinks for a moment and hesitates. “I will just follow you. I am staying in LA tonight anyway,” he murmurs.

Ben looks back at us. “You two go and see Joshua and I will go with…” he frowns and his eyes flick back to the man. “What’s your name again?” he asks.

“Jesten,” the guy replies. “Jesten Miller.”

Cameron and I go back inside to see Joshua and go back up to the counter. “Can we go in and see him again now?” Cameron asks.

The receptionist looks up from her computer. “What was the name again?” she asks.

“Joshua Stanton,” Cameron snaps, annoyed that she doesn’t remember.

“Take a seat.” She gestures to the waiting lounge and we both sit down.

Fifteen minutes later we hear her voice. “Excuse me, gentlemen,” she calls. We both stand and immediately go to the desk.

“I’m sorry. He has declined your visit,” she says flatly.

“But I didn’t tell you who we are. I didn’t give you my name.” Cameron frowns.

“He is not accepting any visitors.”

We both frown at her in horror. What does that mean?

“He doesn’t

want any visitors,” she repeats.

“He would want to see me,” Cameron says softly. “He’s not thinking right. I’m worried about his safety in here,” he mutters.

She rolls her eyes. “Sorry.” Her eyes go to the man standing waiting in the line behind us. “Can I help you?” she calls.

The drive back to LA is made in complete silence. Both Cameron and I are filled with fear for Joshua. Why wouldn’t he see us? Has something happened overnight? The weight of our thoughts are apparent but neither of us want to say anything out loud for fear of making it come true. He’s on the edge, we know that. How much can a man take before he hits breaking point? We pull into the undercover carpark of our offices and head up to level 33, the new headquarters for our security team as we try to unravel this conundrum. Who killed Natasha and why has Joshua been framed?

Joshua’s large office now has chairs and tables scattered throughout and there are five whiteboards at the front with notes scribbled on them. Each board is for a different suspect, and each board is filled with evidence. Why can’t we work this out? We walk in to find Ben standing in front of the boards and Jesten, Max, Nicholas and six of the security team seated as they listen to Ben speak. He nods as we enter the room and sit.

“You weren’t long.” Ben frowns.

Cameron’s angry eyes flick to Jesten. “He wouldn’t see us. What did you fucking say to him?” he sneers.

Jesten screws up his face. “Don’t speak to me like that or you will be eating through a straw.”

“Will somebody please explain to me why this fuckwit is sitting in my brother’s office?” Cameron yells, outraged.

Max shakes his head and Ben pulls his hands through his hair in frustration.

“Fine,” Jesten snaps. “I will go.” He stands angrily. “I don’t want to be here anyway.”

“Sit down, “ Nicholas yells. “You are not going anywhere until I question you about Allender. Do not dare start this shit now. All of you!”

The room falls silent and my heart does a double beat. Nicholas is taking charge. Finally someone is taking charge.

Jesten sits down angrily.

“Go on,” Nicholas says calmly to Ben.

“Ok.” Ben nods and pulls himself back into concentration mode. “Here are the suspects that we know of.