Page 45 of Coming Up Aces

“Then why ask about Seth? You should know better than anyone that my husband is an honest man, Ray. He would never take a bribe or whatever it is you think Hanson did.”

“I know, but people get desperate. That’s why I asked about your situation. Seth would do anything for you and the kids. Anything.”

Vanessa stood, placing her hands on the desk, and scowled. “Not that. Never that. He would find an honest way if we were having issues. He’d ask Delia or his parents before he ever did something illegal. I can’t believe you.”

“I’m sorry. Truly sorry. I’ll figure out what’s going on. If you do hear from him… Shit.” Rayna turned to Regina. “My phone.”

Regina stepped forward. “Write down my phone number. You can reach Rayna through me.” She then dropped her voice. “You will not share this number with anyone. Not even Seth.”

After Vanessa took down the digits, Rayna rounded the desk and pulled her best friend into a tight embrace. “I’ll find him, Nessa. I’ll do whatever I have to so he comes home safe.” Vanessa hugged her back, but it was lacking.

“Are you really going back to the office?” Regina asked once they were in her car.

“I don’t see any other way to find out what’s going on. Unless… Maybe before I do that, I’ll stake out the office. If I don’t see Seth, then I’ll follow Grissom and see if he’s up to no good.”

“Ooh, we need snacks,” Regina crowed. “I’ve never been on a stakeout.” She started the car and drove back the way they came. “Wait. Where’s your office located?”

“Albany,” Rayna admitted, although she wasn’t sure getting Regina and Rory more involved was a good idea.

“What’s close by? Anywhere we can park without looking conspicuous?”

“There’s a sports complex across the street. With it being summer, there are baseball games during the day, so the place is busy.”

“Excellent. Do they have concession stands?” Regina was excited about food.

“I have no idea, but I would assume so. Listen, maybe I should do this alone. I don’t want Sutton and Conrad mad at me.”

“Pfft. I’m going to call Lucy,” Rory said. She tapped on her phone, and when Lucy answered, Rory said, “Hey, Little Dove. Vanessa hasn’t heard from Seth since yesterday morning, so we’re going to sit across from the field office. If we don’t find Seth, we’re going to follow Grissom if we see him.”

“Have you informed Pops of your clandestine outing?”

“Not yet because I don’t want a pack of Hounds showing up and blowing our cover.”

Lucy snorted.“You’re my hero, you know that?”

“That’s sweet, but we both know you’re the hero of our family.”

Lucy ignored her grandmother’s praise.“I was able to track Grissom from Vanessa’s salon through town, but I lost him onthe freeway. There aren’t many CCTV cameras close to the FBI field office, but I’m still looking for his car. I’ll call you back if I find it somewhere other than close to Albany.”

“Thanks, Little Dove. Love you.”

“Love you too, Rory.”

Rayna couldn’t help but smile at the love between the two. It made her miss her own grandmother more than she already did. Maybe once she and Asher settled down together, she could convince Gran to move to New Troy. Then again, Gran loved the hot weather out west. Rayna would have to convince Ash to take lots of vacations instead.

The drive to Albany only took twenty minutes, and Rayna directed Regina to the sports complex. After parking, the trio piled out and walked around, searching for a concession stand. They loaded up on hot dogs, chips, and sodas, then returned to the ball field closest to the road between the fields and the office. Sitting on the third-base-side bleachers, they could see both entrances to the building. The females were decades older than Rayna, but you’d never know it by the way they carried on. While Rayna kept her eyes on the building across the street, Regina told her how Glory found out Ripley was a Gryphon. “Ripley was beside himself, because the first female he thought was his mate freaked out when he revealed his shifter side. But he didn’t need to worry. Glory was more worried about Rip being naked in front of Con and me when he shifted to his skin.”

“What’s going on with them now? Ash said they were dealing with Marjorie not wanting to go to Florida.”

“She decided this morning she’s going back to Haven, but the good news is she’s allowing the two younger sisters to go live with their grandmother.”

“I can’t imagine anyone living at the compound willingly. Four months was more than enough for me.”

“According to Glory, Marjorie has always lived a pious life with her husband taking care of her. She has no life skills outside the home. They convinced her Amos wouldn’t be returning, but at Haven, Marjorie can just do whatever job they give her and sing praises to her God. Honestly, I’m glad she’s going back. That way, Glory can focus on the future, and her grandmother can dote on her younger sisters. Hope, the older sister who’s married, and her husband, Scott, are also moving to Florida to help look after Splendor and Majesty.”

Rayna chewed her bite of hotdog, then washed it down with Coke. “I really like Glory. She’s such a sweetheart. I’m hoping we can be friends, especially since our mates are besties.”

“I have no doubt you will be. She is a wonderful young lady.”

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