Page 80 of Piece Of Me

“Her messages aren’t telling me much.”

“She’s in contact with you.”

Lacey nodded. “I made her promise because neither one of us trusts him.”

“So, her disappearance does have something to do with David.” Not that he needed confirmation.

“David?” Lacey asked, clearly puzzled.

“Malcom David. Hank’s father.”

“Oh, right.” She glanced over her shoulder and then back to him. “Actually, his name is Kingsley.” Her mouth twitched as if she were about to cross a line. “Malcom David Kingsley. Apparently, he’s an Earl or something and that’s already too much information. I promised Scarlett I wouldn’t say a word, especially to you or Cal or Benton.”

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why. She knew that whatever she was up to would get the kind of reaction she didn’t want to deal with. The dark, angry kind.

“Where is she?” he bit out.

“I can’t, Taz. I’m sorry but I promised.”

“Lacey! I need some help.” Her husband held up his hands and she began to back away.

“All I will say is that she flew out of Bozeman on Monday. I really wish I could tell you more but…I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You’re a good friend.”

Taz waited until she joined her husband and then he moved deeper into the shadows. He grabbed his cell phone and called the only man he trusted to do the kind of work he needed done. A man he’d used for Temple Holdings more times than he could count. Greg Brecker picked up on the first ring.

“Brecker.”

“I need as much info as I can get on a man named Malcom David Kingsley. He’s from Ireland, or maybe the UK. The family might have some kind of title.”

“How deep?”

Face set in stone, Taz started for the gate. It felt good to act. He was done waiting for things to play out. “As deep as you can go.”

“On it, boss.”

“I need this info by yesterday.”

“I’ll call you as soon as I have what you need.”

“You’re leaving?” Lacey asked as he approached the table.

“Yeah.”

“Are you going after Scarlett?”

He didn’t hesitate.

“I am.”

Lacey held his gaze for a few heartbeats. “Okay,” she said softly. “Bring her home.”

Taz strode out to his truck and jumped inside. The engine roared to life but before he turned it toward Dry Creek Road, he had one more phone call to make. He scrolled through his contacts and hit up Benton Bridgestone.

CHAPTER 26

Thursday morning broke early, and it was no different than the previous one. There was sun, there were birds chirping, and there was the kind of loneliness that sat like a stone on Scarlett’s chest. She stared up at the ceiling and listened to the light breathing that came from Hank’s playpen. He’d had no problem sleeping and for that at least, she could be thankful.

---