“Why do you think you got the job at Crystal Oak in the first place?”

The wind whipped past us, carrying a fresh flurry of dry snow.

“Julian Bellamy needed you close,” Trevor continued.

“He needed someone to watch you, to make sure you never started asking the wrong questions about your father’s accident.”

“And you did it for money,” Charles said, his voice deep and steady.

Charles had not moved an inch, still standing directly between Trevor’s gun and us.

“Julian pays very well, Mr. Whitmore,” Trevor said.

“But tonight, your interference has made things very complicated.”

I noticed Charles’s left hand was tucked slightly behind his back.

His thumb was pressing a small button on the side of his heavy silver watch.

A tiny red light on the watch face began to pulse rapidly.

He met my eyes for a brief second, giving me a microscopic nod.

“You cannot hide a double murder, Trevor,” Charles said, keeping his tone calm.

“This facility is monitored.”

Trevor laughed, a harsh sound in the quiet courtyard.

“Monitored by us,” Trevor said.