Page 25 of Xavier

Another lead that ends.

The yelling continues as the man demands to know what Everett has been up to and what he has said to whoever is inside the building.

Several quiet minutes later, the men head back to their car and drive away like a bat out of hell.

Hudson and I break out into a full sprint to get back to our cars in time to tail them.

When my phone rings, I answer it, knowing it’s probably Hudson calling.

“I’ll tail them if you want to head to the mayor’s house and figure out how the hell he’s involved.”

“And if he’s not?”

“I don’t buy it. He’s involved one way or another. For a mayor to be as devoted to his community as he is, he has to know about whatever illegal activity is happening in that warehouse. Find the answers or else I will.”

Anger builds inside of me as I end the call and throw my phone back onto the passenger seat.

Has the mayor been lying to Hudson this entire time? What about his wife and Brianna?

My breathing gets deeper the angrier I get, but there’s nothing I can do right now except follow these assholes and hope Hudson gets the truth from the mayor.

The white jeep takes the same roads back toward town. When I think they are going to turn left at the firehouse, they turn right toward the beach.

Why would they be headed toward the beach?

A pit grows in my stomach as they slow down. I know exactly where they are headed.

We were all here last night for the bonfire.

I park in a parking lot a little down the street from the seafood restaurant and wait to see if my gut instinct is right.

The white jeep pulls into the parking lot, next to a dark blue SUV. The two men get out yelling for Everett.

Does the blue vehicle belong to Everett?

Glancing around the parking lot, my gaze locks onto the all too familiar convertible.

Shit. She’s here too.

I grab my phone and call Hudson.

“We have a situation here. Brianna’s car is in the parking lot. We may be dealing with a hostage situation.”

“Can you see inside?”

“No. They already boarded the place up and I’m on the opposite side of the restaurant.”

I quietly get out of the car and walk closer to the restaurant. There’s nowhere for me to hide.

Sure, I might be able to dip behind other businesses, but if I want to hear what is going on, I need to get closer.

The closer I get to the restaurant, the quieter it is. Only the sound of the waves crashing on the shore can be heard.

Where are the two men?

Are they already inside?

Did they find Brianna?

---