Page 60 of Protecting What Is Mine

“What? Spit it out already.”

“I’m saying, did you ever stop to consider…maybe Clint might’ve been the messenger? You know?”

Gabe sits back and runs a hand through his hair. “You thinking the uncle might have a play here?”

Jack nods. “Not sure what he’d be after, but following the K.I.S.S. principle…how many other logical explanations could there be?”

“What’s K.I.S.S?” I ask.

Jack blinks in surprise. “Keep it simple, stupid. I thought you’d know that by heart. I’m just saying, this is a small town. And as far as anyone can tell, she walked out of the diner and disappeared.”

Gabe turns to me, but I’ve already got my phone in my hand calling Sam.

“Hey, any news?” Sam asks nervously.

“Not really.” I look around the room at my mother and brothers. “But we’ve got a working theory. Any chance you know where your dad is?”

Sam’s quiet for a moment. “Um. I honestly don’t. Why? And who is we?”

“We, is my brothers and me. At this point, if there’s a place you know he frequents, his favorite place to buy gas, anything…I’ll take it.”

“There’s only one place I can think of. If he’s not out there, I wouldn’t have a clue.”

“I’ll take it.” I nod at Gabe and Jack, letting them know we might have something. “If you’ll text me the address, we’ll check it out.”

“Can’t,” Sam says matter-of-factly.

“Huh? Why not?”

“Well, the place I’m thinking of doesn’t have an address, exactly.”

“What place doesn’t have an address?”

“When I was young I called it home, but in the years since I’ve come to see it for what it was…a secluded place for Roger to lay low after he and his cronies did…whatever it was they did.”

“Okay, just tell me how to get there, I’ll find it.” I look to Gabe. “Do something useful and get me a pen and paper.”

Sam laughs. “Hank, I could draw you a map and if you hadn’t been there before, you’d still never find it.”

“Alright, plan B then, you come with and show us this mystery place that isn’t on a map. Any luck finding a babysitter?”

Mom places a hand on my arm to get my attention. “Ask if they’ve had dinner. I’ll bring some leftovers to snack on.”

“Never mind. Looks like the babysitter will be coming with me, and she wants to know if you’ve eaten.” I chuckle. “But before you say you have, I feel it only fair to tell you she’s an amazing cook, and even if you’re full, you probably don’t want to pass on the offer.”

“Um, alright. I guess that should be okay.” Sam laughs. “Vanessa’s getting ready for bed, anyway.”

I look at Mom. “She’ll be going to bed soon, maybe pack some stuff for breakfast?”

Mom nods in agreement and wanders into the kitchen to pack.

“Okay. Looks like I’ll see you in a little while.” I turn to Jack. “You better be right about this smart guy.”

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