Page 99 of GAF Factor

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, just…what did you do for fun? Where did you hang out?”

“Mostly here,” he chuckled. “We didn’t exactly have a lively bachelorhood. I mean, you remember him back then. Straight as an arrow, that one.”

“Yeah, he was.”

He was, and then it all changed. Had he gotten involved with Mitch again? What if Mitch was somehow connected to all this? He was always a somewhat bad influence on Shawn, from what I remembered. And now he had part ownership in this club. I didn’t want to think that Mitch couldn’t get ahead on his own, but I couldn’t help but wonder.

“So, what’s he up to now?”

I was pulled out of my thoughts by Mitch’s question. “Um…Working hard. He’s a detective now.”

“Really? That’s impressive.”

“He works a lot,” I said, swallowing the bitterness I felt churning inside.

Unfortunately, my acting skills needed some work because he saw right through me. “Why do you not seem happy about that?”

“I’m very happy for him. He always wanted to be a detective.” I just hadn’t expected it to change him so much. “But it puts a lot of strain on us.”

“As any change in a job does,” Mitch nodded. “And speaking of…I need to get back to work, but you two should stay as long as you want.”

As soon as he stood, I panicked. I had failed. I hadn’t gotten any information out of him. Nothing that would lead us to Shawn.

“But we haven’t gotten to catch up,” I said, shoving out of the booth.

He huffed out a laugh. “It’s been years and now you want to catch up? You hardly know me, Isla.”

I was pushing too much. He was never going to buy any of this. “Sorry, it’s just…”

Pressure filled my chest at the thought of failing, of walking out of here and knowing Shawn would disappear with no way for me to find him. The Irish wouldn’t stop trying to kill him. And if they failed, they’d come after me next. I had to do something.

“Mitch—” I stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “Shawn is missing. He got into some trouble at work and…and I don’t know where he is. There are some bad people after him, and I’m trying to find him before they catch up to him.”

He cocked his head to the side, a sad look coming over his face. “Oh, Isla…I wish you had just said that.” He sighed and looked out over the club. “Tell you what, after I close up the club for the night, I’ll meet with you and we’ll figure out where he is.”

“Thank you,” I said, relief flooding me.

He placed his hand on the back of my neck and pulled me forward, kissing me on the cheek. It was entirely too familiar, but I wasn’t going to complain when he was going to help us.

“I’ll see you after closing.”

“Okay. Sounds good.”

“Help yourself to a few drinks.”

I was going to need it. I smiled as he walked away. Relief flooded me as I turned to Jane. “I can’t believe he’s going to help us.”

“But does he really know anything?”

“I don’t know, but if there’s a chance, I have to take it. It’s the only way to end this.”

“I’ll get us some drinks. Just sit down, okay?”

I nodded and headed back to the booth, but stumbled on the way. Whoa. A dizzying sensation washed over me, but I shook it off. I slid into the booth, closing my eyes for a moment, shaking off my nerves. I just had to get through the rest of the night.

I wished IKE was with me, but until he could be here, I had to hold it together. I could do this. Jane slid into the booth across from me and said something, but it didn’t sound right.

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