2019-07-20 - Staying One Step Ahead

At first, when Byron heard the sirens of the police cars, not only approaching, but driving into the Bayside Apartments, he was set on edge. He didn't have time for this. There were more important matters that needed taking care of and whatever it is the police wanted /now/ would just take a backseat to what he believes must be done. It didn't matter if it were another murder or if word got out that some of his apartment units were being used as criminal safehouses for a certain crime boss in town.

It just happened to be another murder and strangely, the death of someone with a last name that was only recently brought to his attention as a family mixed up in this Billy Business. And yet, Byron didn't have time for this. He had things to do, places to be. Schemes to plot. The last thing he needed was for the police, tenants and now, even the press to keep him from his duties.

It's only later that he realizes how much a wonderful rouse this murder was. It's unfortunate that someone had to die. In his Apartments too. He didn't want that. He still doesn't. But this restlessness that he feels, this inability to sleep. Now he had a good reason to be awake and no one would bat an eye. Not tonight.

The following morning found him incredibly busy. As he predicted, there were the police to speak to, the tenants to answer questions for and the reporters to avoid. Once all of these were done, to a superficial degree, he returned back to his office, letting Vivian know that due to the happenings of the past few days, he would need time to catch up on his work before making himself accessible to the masses once more. She should understand.

With his office door locked shut, he stares blankly down at his phone as he considers the order of operations that he wanted to follow. First thing's first and his fingers deftly type out a message to Magnolia. Yesterday, when Alexander found Isabella in such a sorry state, he hinted to them that he would check up on Magnolia, but at the time, it was a mere act. He wanted to think of what to say first and that took time. Now he was ready.

The humor that he puts in his text messages are in no way reflected in his expression. That almost blank, yet intense look on his face never falters. In fact, there's an almost constant clenching of his jaw the entire time that he's typing.

If one were to be observing Byron Thorne right now, they wouldn't have guessed that some of what he was typing was both humorous and playful in banter. Words expressed to show that everything was fine. Nothing was unusual and Thorne was just being Thorne. Instead, it was easier to believe that Byron was reading the details of the latest murder victim, this Kelly Carr, younger sister to Rebecca Carr. That's the visage that he holds. When no one is watching, there is no need to pretend.

With one down, he immediately moves on to the next person. Alexander Clayton would probably expect to be hearing from Byron regarding Isabella. Or, at the very least, wanting to update Thorne on the antics of his childhood friend. For what Thorne has planned tonight, he couldn't be interrupted in any way. This was far too crucial a moment to have the phone call of a nosy busy-body ruining everything.

That should keep Clayton out of his hair for a time. And if Alexander did try to reach out to contact him, he'd know the reason why Thorne is unable to come to the phone right now. Or that is what Byron is hoping for. There was no need to contact Isabella. She was... not in the right state of mind. And the only way that she would become his problem again is if Alexander loses track of her and she finds her way to the Pawn Shop.

Each second that he was seated here, sending out these messages, the ring was in Lilith's possession. He was filled with restless anxiety, so wound up that the paranoia began to set in, taking his best friend's words as a threat or a warning. What did Alexander tell Tobin? Did he mention the ring? And what Tobin mean by 'I'll do what I can on that front'? He had to know.

The first smile of the day spreads across his lips. He even has to laugh at himself a little, knowing full way that he was being paranoid now. Of course, the BONES. The Serial Killer. The ADDINGTON Killer. None of that had anything to do with the ring. This was the best he'd felt in a long time, the way that relief washed away the tension that had built over the last couple of days.

Who else needed to be warded off? Who else should he contact? One name comes to mind: Carver

There's also a moment where Byron reaches into his desk drawer to pull out the man's 'business' card. Holding it within his hands, he looks on the printed text with an absent stare. Something inside of him says that he better not. His contacting Carver might alert the man that something was wrong. But how will he know that Carver won't be there tonight? It's a gamble that he'd have to take.

Byron wasn't lying when he sent that message and perhaps it would set her mind at ease, that he would be so preoccupied with this murder that he wouldn't dream of showing up at her shop now would he? For a while now, he was considering how to get her out of there. Which friend to call to drag Lilith to dinner or a club. Just somewhere far away from the ring.

He might not know at this moment, but luck would be on his side, after one of his 'people' confirms with him that Lilith would was not only away from her shop, but had told her temp that she would be gone all night. This was his chance. His opportunity.

That's when he sends out one final call.