Page 49 of Zen's Crash

Once we meet up with the others, we head back to the clubhouse to look through the boxes for possible clues. I can’t wait. Having all his personal effects might lead to a break in the case—or might end up being just a bunch of junk he didn’t care to take with him. Either way, I want the opportunity to look through it.

I make a mental note that if these boxes don’t yield a clue, I can go back to searching Lexi’s computer. There’s nothing I found that suggests Terrance is a hacker, but given his attempt to hack into our computers, I’m guessing Terry-boy has some hidden talents he likes to keep quiet about. I still haven’t found out how he established a two-way link without the malware picking it up. I’m not about to return that computer to her until I figure it out. After stopping for lunch and refueling, we get back to the clubhouse just as it’s getting dark.

Chapter 19

Lexi

I’ve been waiting all day for Zen to get back. Cindy and Kayla have stuck by my side, and it’s been wonderful having so much quality time together. That’s something we never could have done when we were busy in our day-to-day lives. Isolating for our safety here at the Savage Legion’s clubhouse feels like time has slowed down, while life in the outside world continues as usual. I’ve gotta say, being here is growing on me.

Cindy waves her hand in front of my face and says, “Are you listening to me? It seems like you were lost in your own thoughts there for a minute.”

I pick up my drink and take another sip. “Sorry. I have a lot on my mind. I’m back now. What were you saying?”

“I was asking about your job. How’s that graphic design project going? Is all this chaos keeping you from earning?”

“The project is moving along. I’m waiting for the team to review my prototypes and decide what style they want for their design. I got my first twenty-five percent payout when I accepted the job. Once they make a decision, I get paid out for my second twenty-five percent, and once the project is finished, I get the remaining fifty percent.”

“I can’t believe you’re designing an energy drink label for a new product in Argentina.”

I grin at my easily impressed friend. “That’s the way the world works now. If you work remotely, you can apply for and accept jobs anywhere in the world.”

“Having international clients makes you seem so worldly.”

“Nah, it sounds a lot more glamorous than it actually is. Plus, there’s no guarantee this knockoff energy drink is even going to be popular. This might end up being a one-time opportunity.”

Before she can respond, the club brothers who left with Zen this morning come pouring back into the clubhouse. Several of them hit the bar, the pool tables fill up, and others grab tables.

“Excuse me, Cindy. I’m going to see if Zen came back with them.”

“Go right ahead, girl. If I had a man, I’d be looking for him too.”

I leave what’s left of my drink and head out the front door. I see Siege with a few of his club brothers, pulling boxes out of a car. I walk up to see what’s going on. “Did you go shopping on the way back?” I ask.

Zen glances over his shoulder, looking more handsome than ever. “No. It’s something much better than shopping.” Before I can inquire what that might be, he tells me, “Terrance Harris’ mother gave us all the personal effects he left behind seven years ago when she threw him out. We’re gonna look through it for clues.”

Excited that their visit bore fruit, I ask, “Can I help?”

He shoves a small box into my arms. “As long as you’re okay seeing more of his comic book artwork, I don’t see why not. Another set of eyes can’t be anything but helpful.”

Rigs stretches his arms above his head. “I think I’m gonna let you have at it. I want to go home and check on Mattie. I’ll be back in the morning to help you.”

Siege perks up. “Same here. Since the women are here, we don’t have to worry about their safety. I want to go home and check on Cleo and the kids.”

Chapter 20

Zen

Several prospects keep making trips from the car to Rigs’ office. This is where we’ve decided to unpack all the boxes. The room is spacious and has everything we need to support our search. We’d never be able to fit all this in my tiny office. I lead the way, and Lexi follows. We’re both silent, caught up in our own thoughts.

When all the boxes are stacked neatly in the office, I shut the door and come to sit next to her at the long conference table. “I want to take a minute to bring you up to speed about our trip to Reno.”

“Did you find Terrance Harris? Was he staying with his mother?”

“No. He’s persona non grata in Reno. He attacked his mother seven years ago and hasn’t been welcome since.” I choose not to go into the things she said about her son and just add, “She said he was really dangerous, and she doesn’t want anything else to do with him.”

Glancing at the boxes, she says, “I guess you must have found a stash of his stuff hidden away there somewhere.”

“His mother gave them to us and told us to dispose of them however we see fit when we’re finished.”

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