Page 62 of Kill Me Sweetly

The call was on speaker, and everyone was staring wide eyed…everyone except Four, who hadn’t moved since Nick had commandeered the television.

“So you haven’t seen him?” The father sounded wrecked.

“No, I’m so sorry.”

He sighed; it was broken and full of worry. “Thank you. If you do, please tell him to come home.”

“I will, sir, good luck.” I disconnected the call and glared at Wes’s face on the television.

“How?” JJ was full of disbelief.

“The second Four set one foot into the shop that night…they were a step ahead of us.” I was furious and was feeling all sorts of dumb.

“Wait, this shit has been working at Saintly Sweets?” Nick shouted.

Angel stood from his seat and walked closer to the TV. He didn’t turn around, but I could feel his rage from here.

“I think we need to have a chat with this Wes,” was all he said.

And that was when Mason’s phone rang.

“It’s Alicia House.”

Because of course it was. We’d gone for so long with no leads, and now they were falling into our laps.

I pointed to Mason. “Answer it. Nick and Angel, kitchen. We need to catch a rat.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

JJ

Mason answered the phone,and I moved near him. “Hello?”

“Good morning, is this Mr. Columbus?”

“Yes, this is Lewis Columbus.”

“Very good,” the woman said a bit snappily. “I’m Penny Ballard. Mr. Reese said you’d like a tour of Alicia House?”

“Oh, yes, very much. My husband, Clark is here; let me put the call on speaker. We’re looking to invest in the house to help the girls.”

“Is that right?” Penny’s voice lightened. “I wasn’t aware.”

I was itching to go into the kitchen and hear the plan to grab Wes and get some answers, but this was important too.

“Yes, Mr. Reese described the home as a wonderful haven.” Mason rolled his eyes at me as he spoke.

“Thank you for saying that. Tell me when would work for you?” she asked and I looked over to Noel and Gabe.

Noel tapped his watch, which I took to mean ASAP. “Tomorrow?” The twins weren’t able to find out much about the house with all they had to do, unfortunately.

“That soon? Okay, yes, I have time at one if that works for you both?”

Mason answered, “Perfect, if I can just have the address?”

Once we got the details, we ended the call and rushed into the kitchen to find out what was going on.

“How’d it go?” Shep asked once we entered.

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