Page 17 of Operation: Unify

“You could be right. If he knows names above him, his life is in danger. I guess I just always thought of him at the top because that’s what Scarlet said, and she was in the inner circle. But she was also little more than a slave to him. Why would he tell her that he was less than the best?”

“He wouldn’t. He had no reason to. Just like Kelly thought Nathen was at the top, but it turned out he was barely a lacky. She wasn’t in a position to know any more.” Edwyn hung his head. “Do you ever get the feeling like there’s too much evil? Like we’ll never be able to do enough to combat it? Nadine doesn’t want to ever have children after what she’s seen. Why bring children into a dark world?”

After divorcing Lacy, that was one thing he could speak on. He wished he’d been able to have a child. That had been a dream of hers and he’d taken that from her because of his own fears. “Children bring light. They are accepting and easily believe in things that are good. Less children means more darkness. Thatsaid, I wouldn’t want her to become pregnant when she doesn’t want to be.”

“I’ll have to settle for her cat for now.” Edwyn laughed. “Maybe after the trial she’ll feel safe again.” He paused for a moment and tilted his head in thought. “I think she’ll want to stay here because she likes to do battle from a security point of view, but I’ll let you know if she changes her mind.”

“Sounds good.” He glanced at his phone and felt a pang of disappointment when there wasn’t another message from Lacy.

“When is she coming back?”

Connor laid down his phone. “Who?”

Edwyn snorted. “Lacy. Who else would have you so distracted that you would look at your phone during a meeting?”

“Sorry. She’s found herself in a situation. She says she can handle it and has promised that she’ll let me know if she needs my help, but that doesn’t stop me from worrying. Especially when she’s so far away. I can’t just drop everything and get to her within an hour.”

“That’s a tough spot to be in. You’re needed in two places. Wayside only ran well while you were in the hospital so long because Lacy checked in daily by phone.”

“And you were and are a good foreman that I can trust.” He’d already thanked Edwyn for doing that job.

“Except we both know that my main interest is in the animals. I don’t have the same intuition you have with people. I almost lost Kelly when she came. She still shies away from me. I guess what I’m saying is, Lacy will be back. We need you here. There’s a full roster of guests right now, meaning you can’t up and leave.”

“I may need to.”

“Is Ferd ready to do your job?” Edwyn looked him straight in the eyes. “Because she seemed mighty convinced she couldn’t even do Lacy’s.”

“No, not even close.”

“Might be time to make sure she does. Like I said, we’re full with guests and now Viceroy’s team is active either trying to get him loose or kill him. Those two things are enough to make more work than you could normally handle. Add distraction in and we’re in trouble.”

“I won’t let this distract me.”

“You already did.” Edwyn pointed at his hand.

Even though he’d already assured himself that there were no other messages, he had already picked up his phone again without consciously thinking about it.

“I . . .”

“You’ve got it bad.” Edwyn laughed.

“I have for years. That won’t help me right now. I know Dad is still recovering, but I’ll have to make sure he can take over at a moment’s notice. I can’t leave Lacy there if she needs me.”

Edwyn stood. “Sounds like you’ve made your decision. I just hope it doesn’t come back to bite you.” He left the office.

His phone lay on the desk, but he hadn’t released it yet. Even though he usually didn’t use his phone, today, he didn’t want to get too far away from it. Edwyn was right, he had to make sure everything was in order in case he had to leave. He didn’t want to get held up having to make those arrangements at the last minute.

He picked up his desk phone and called his dad.

“Morning,” Dad said as soon as he picked up.

“How are you feeling?” Connor asked, getting right to the matter.

“Finer than frog hair. I figured you’d be calling. I’ll be over there in a half hour.”

The room phonerang as Melinda pulled her chair out to eat the continental breakfast Lacy had brought to the room. Lacy hesitated for a moment before picking it up. “Hello?”

“Where is she?” a growly voice came over the line.

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