Page 95 of Sycamore Circle

“Thanks.”

“Where you going away to?” Seth asked.

“Just to a cabin in Hocking Hills. Neither of us want to be too far away, we just want a break. We’re going to sleep, walk, make s’mores...” Lincoln grinned. “Whatever she wants.”

There was a time when Bo would’ve sworn that a word like s’mores would have never passed his boss’s lips. Now, though? It felt right. “Sounds perfect. I’m happy for you.”

Seth’s lips twitched. “And idyllic.”

Lincoln grinned. “Right? I never thought I’d be so excited to hole up in a cabin in the middle of nowhere but it’s sounding pretty good.” Turning serious, he added, “One of the reasons we’re going to that cabin is because cell phone reception is next to nothing. That means I’m going to be out of range when Sammy gets sprung. You three are going to be in charge.”

Already thinking about logistics, Bo asked, “How do you want us to handle everything?”

Lincoln waved a hand. “If Jennifer or Hunt were going to be at the house, I’d give you directions. But with them out of the picture, I’m gonna let you guys figure it out. I’ll do what I can to help, but I’m asking you for this favor. Jennifer needs a break, and I don’t want to let her down.”

“Understood,” said Mason. “But, ah, Boss, I think I should assign a pair of guys to the trip.”

“No.”

“If y’all are on your own and there ain’t no reception... you’re going to need some help.”

“I hear you, but Jennifer’s not going to relax if she knows two guys are sleeping in an SUV while we’re in the cabin.”

Mason rolled his eyes. “That girl. I’ve told her a dozen times that guard duty ain’t no big deal.”

“I tell her that too. But to be honest, I’m okay with she and I having a little bit of privacy. Plus, I was serious about Sammy being a worry.” He frowned. “Warden Hayes said one of the guards overheard Colt giving Sammy an earful about T-DOT—especially you, Bo.”

“Okay, moving on, let’s go through how everyone else is doing. Bo, you start. Everyone good?”

He nodded. “I’ve got a couple who aren’t going to be real pleased about Sammy getting out but no one who’s going to jump ship to his side.”

“Fair enough. Seth?”

Seth pressed his hands on his knees as he obviously took some time to consider every guy in the program. “Everyone’s good, except for Jacks.”

“What about him?”

“Something’s off. He’s squirrely. He’s been showing up at work, but I had to talk to him the other day about getting off his phone. It took him a minute.”

“Want me to talk to him?” Mason asked.

“Nee,” Seth said.

Bo drew back. Seth had grown up Amish but rarely spoke Pennsylvania Dutch unless he was rattled.

Lincoln was staring at him intently too. “You bring Jacks in this afternoon. I’ll talk to him.”

Seth shook his head. “That ain’t necessary, Boss.”

“I know, but I made the choice to bring him into the program, even though one of the guards had tried to talk me out of it. I won’t get in his face. I just want to remind him that I haven’t forgotten about him.”

“He’ll realize that real quick,” Bo joked.

Turning to Mason, Lincoln said, “I’m afraid you’re going to have your hands full. Not only are we gonna have to keep close tabs on everybody, we’re also going to have to step up the watch around here.”

Mason nodded, as if everything their boss was saying wasn’t going to be a huge amount of work.

Thinking quickly, Bo said, “Maybe Charlie should get more involved. He’s been wanting more responsibility.”

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