Page 52 of Vail

Sheldon went to close the door, but Forest pushed through before he could, closing the door behind him. My brother didn’t know everything, but he knew a lot. Hopefully, he’d keep quiet and let Sheldon or me talk.

“It was easier getting to you than Jordan today,” Barrett began. “I can play the visit with you off. Plus, this pertains to you.”

“What does?”

“There was a break-in at the house you used to rent. It’s still empty.”

“Okay, but what does that have to do with me?” It wasn’t like I still lived there or had anything to do with my old landlord. He didn’t contact me after receiving the call from Jordan.

“Our officers responded, and every room had been torn through. The drawers were open, cabinets, closets.”

“There couldn’t have been much there. Everything I had was packed and moved with me.”

“You’re right, but they took prints. Want to guess who’s they found?”

“Gil,” Sheldon said.

“Bingo. Now why would he purposefully leave his prints? He’s not a stupid man. He has the chief on his side, who is completely confused as to what the fuck Gil is doing.”

My shoulders slumped. I hated every fucking moment that asshole was out there walking free. “To fuck with Vail.”

“Mmhmm.”

“He’s good at mind games,” Sheldon supplied.

“I’ve seen a lot of cases involving obsessed exes, but this is a lot.”

“You fucking think?” Forest interjected loudly. “Can’t you find him and put a fucking stop to this already?”

“Hey,” Barrett barked. “I get that this affects people you care about, but don’t yell at me. I’m trying to fucking help.”

Sheldon put his hand on Forest’s back. “Easy. Barrett may be a cop, but he’s on our side in this. He wants to find Gil too.”

My brother visibly deflated. Sheldon really had a magic touch. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Barrett said. “Hartley, please tell Jordan what happened.”

“He’s not going to like that you were here.”

“Yeah, well, Jordan doesn’t always like the things I do. I’ve learned to live with it. Besides, it was either visit you, which was easy, or get to one of his guards to give him a message for Jordan. Here I can check on your business and see how you’re doing. Everyone at the station knows Jordan wouldn’t call us to help with a break-in.” He was right. Jordan wouldn’t call them except to prove his innocence regarding Gil.

I licked my lips, then forced myself to stop. I used to do it more when I was younger and nervous. Those nerves were hitting me again. This time for Vail. The thought of telling him what Gil did had me shaking. After what Vail went through in the cabin, how he tore through the downstairs while tears ran from his eyes, I hated having to say more to him. I wouldn’t keep it from him though. He had the right to know. If he got to a point where he didn’t want to hear about Gil, I trusted he would tell us.

“I’ll speak with Jordan and Vail.”

Barrett nodded. “Thank you. Let Jordan know I’ll be in touch if anything else happens.”

“I will, but he’s going to be pissed.”

Grinning, Barrett said, “Tell him with Reghan in the room so I can irritate them both at once.”

“Reghan is going to kick your ass one day,” Sheldon stated.

“Nah, but hopefully he’ll fuck me.” Barrett winked, then opened the door, leaving without another word.

I chuckled. Whenever those two got together, it was going to be explosive. They were on a collision course.

“Okay, time to get back to work,” I said. “I’m even more behind now.”

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