Page 22 of Nikoli

"That's his job, Isobel." I sigh. "Forget about all that, do you know anything about Harold? Has anyone said anything?"

"Are you accusing?—"

"No," I rush out. "I haven't been around, so I wondered if there is any scuttlebutt."

"Nothing much. Susan said he paid his own fees each month for being here, but she has no idea how much money he actually has." Isobel shrugs. "I can't see it being about money. I mean, how would they get it from him? It's not like he has it all stashed in his room."

My eyes pop wide. "What if he did? Did Susan say whether he paid cash or check or something else?"

Isobel rolls her eyes. "Willow, this is so diagnoses murder." She smirks. It's a show we have watched over and over again when in the TV room with residents. I'd often find myself the only one awake by the end of an episode.

"Well, someone hit him on the head and tried to make it look like I was responsible. Luckily for me I wasn't here otherwise I may have had a hard time getting the cops to believe me."

"I did hear that." Isobel steps close and whispers, "There were no visitors checked in before he was found. In fact, that guy you sent to talk to me and Laura was the first visitor of the day."

"Which means it was someone here who killed him."

"Yes. I'd watch your back Willow. This person obviously wanted to set you up, but that didn't work. They might try again." Pause. "And before you ask, no it wasn't me. I know nothing about what happened to Harold." She shudders. "I liked him. He'd talk to me about the 50s. He was a big Elvis Presley fan you know. Saw him live before the King made it big time."

"I believe you." I look about. "We better get back to work."

She nods and runs off. I take my time moving along the hallway. I don't relish having a conversation with Susan, but I don't have much choice if I don't want to lose my job. I need to take off for a day or two and find my brother.

* * *

The private jet comes to a screeching halt on the runway. I don't mind flying, but I don't think Levi Dodge is thrilled about it. He has a steel grip on the armrests. I quickly turn and look out the small window.

When I'd called Dodge and explained what I wanted to do, the man had been all business. That's how we ended up in Ellison Security's private jet. The man has worked the entire three-hour flight with only the odd answer needed from me.

Dodge clears his throat in a way that I know he's trying to get my attention. "We're here. I think I know where Gabe is." He winces. "The problem may be getting to him."

"What do you mean?"

"From the research I've already done, and taking the words in the letter literally, I think your brother is being held in one of two facilities. Neither has a good reputation."

I press a hand to my stomach and nod slowly. "I'll get him out of wherever he is. Then we'll go to the police."

Dodge gives me a long, hard look before nodding. "Let's go." He gets up and leaves me to follow. As I do, I worry, wondering how Nikoli will react to my disappearance.

16

NIKOLI

I skate past where my parents sit for the game. Mom gets up and roars with the rest of the crowd. My eyes search for Willow. Where is she? I turn around and head back that way. I still don't see her. Mom frowns when she notices me looking around. She looks behind her, too. Her frown deepens. I didn't tell my mom that my girlfriend would be here tonight, so she has no idea who I'm looking for. I'm worried. Dario skates up and nudges me. "I'm not the only one who gets distracted, huh?" he laughs, which is soon wiped off his face when he realizes something is wrong.

"Willow promised to be here. She's not." I look up into the executive suite. My heart pounds as I see Marcus Carter staring out over the ice. No, that's not right. He's staring right at me. "Something's going on," I say.

The warning for the players to get into position fills the arena. I curse. With a last look back, Mom holds my gaze for a moment. My heart isn't in the game anymore. I so wanted Willow to be in the crowd. She could have chosen to stay back at Evergreen and watch the game with Gran.

My focus shifts back to the ice, where I feel Marcus Carter staring at me. The game is about to start, and I can't shake the feeling that something is very wrong.

Rhodes comes into view and says in a hurry, "She's looking into something with Dodge. He has her back."

I grab the back of his jersey as he moves away. "Where is she?"

He throws a wince over his shoulder. "On her way to Baton Rouge."

What the fuck!

---