CHAPTER 17: GRAYSON

Grayson spends the day after leaving Gigi considering ways to neutralize the problem she poses. Because Gigi has Sheffield Grayson’s safe-deposit key but does not know which box it opens, Grayson weighs several options: steal the key, keep watch over Gigi, or prevent Gigi from discovering the box’s registered name.

Grayson decides that reconnecting with Gigi is necessary, so Grayson finds Gigi’s most active social media account and messages her. Rather than risk sounding romantic, Grayson asks whether she has heard from Kent Trowbridge, the lawyer Gigi previously called for help.

While waiting, Grayson researches Kent and confirms Kent is a prominent lawyer. Grayson also notes Kent’s troubling behavior: Kent apparently left Gigi in police custody overnight and for much of the next day without alerting her mother.

Gigi replies playfully with cat memes, then tells Grayson she has a master plan and wants to tell Grayson in person. Gigi invites Grayson over, saying her father would want Grayson there, and continues sending cat pictures to coax him into coming.

Grayson feels guilty because Xander’s warning echoes in Grayson’s mind: getting close to Gigi will require lying, sabotage, and betrayal. Grayson warns Gigi that she is too trusting and admits he has his own reasons for looking for Sheffield, but Gigi says she does not care as long as Grayson is looking. To discourage any romantic misunderstanding, Grayson falsely claims to have a girlfriend, prompting Gigi to respond with more cat pictures and ask whether Grayson wants to be Sherlock or Watson.