“He does. I’ll shoot you the address. What’s the cover?”
“Bar fight.”
I chuckled. “That should work. He already looks hungover.”
At the Charlie Brown Airport in Atlanta, I was able to confirm that someone matching Anabelle’s description had landed earlier today. Finally, some good news. I turned to Teak, but before I could open my mouth and tell him to go home, he put up his hand.
“You could be walking into an ambush. You’re gonna need backup. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Thanks.” I dug through my duffel and got my phone wrapped in Anabelle’s T-shirt. I fought the urge to press her clothes to my face. Instead, I turned on my phone. Shit. I had a message from Anabelle: NYC. “Let’s go.”
The drive to Fox’s Bank was pure hell. I sat in the passenger seat with my stomach in knots, gripping my handgun. I didn’t know if Charlie had taken Anabelle home, but if Luisa was right and Charlie only wanted to get to Rebecca, his childhood home would be his first stop.
I closed my eyes and focused on Anabelle’s bright smile. Every now and then her face would be replaced with flitting images of Charlie intimidating her into doing what he wanted. Had she figured it out yet? Did she know what he had done, what he was a part of? Did she know she wasn’t safe?
“Jesus, feel free to blow through some red lights.” I glared at the traffic light.
“You can’t help Anabelle if you’re dead.” He flicked his signal, then made a turn at the next street.
“I’m thinking we just barge in when we get there.”
“Front door?” He pressed on the gas pedal, and the SUV made a satisfying revving sound.
Finally.
“Kitchen. We’ll go in through my brother’s house.” I pointed at the house before Anabelle’s.
The security guard met us as soon as we pulled up. “Can I help you?”
I leaned forward and peered up at him. “Hey, man. It’s me.”
“Mr. Cole, welcome back.” He stepped back into the security hut, and the gate opened.
“Thanks.” I waved at him. “Okay, keep going straight. Shit. We’ll have to go in through the front door. It’ll take longer if we go around the house.”
“Lead the way.” Teak killed the ignition and reached behind him where he pulled a big-ass rifle.
“Jesus. I hope Mom isn’t home.” I climbed out of the car and went inside. Laughter and chatter filtered from the kitchen into the empty foyer. I put up two fingers and flicked them toward the basement door. As soon as I got visual confirmation from him, I made a run for it down the steps and out into the back patio that led to the gardens.
I felt like an idiot playing cops and robbers in my own home. But the element of surprise was all we had.
“Is that it?” Teak stopped at the edge of the tree line, eyebrows raised high as he ogled Fox’s Bank in admiration. “I forgot how big this place was.”
“This is the back of the house. The front is much more impressive. Lights are on. I’ll call Will.” I fished my phone from the back pocket of my jeans.
He answered on the first ring. “Wesley. Is everything okay?”
“Hey, are you home?”
“No, Anabelle called and said to take the day off. You need us home? We can leave in a few.”
Fuck me. “No, that’s fine. Let me call you back.” I ended the call.
“So that could be them?”
“Sounds like it.”
“Let’s do it,” I called under my breath.