Page 64 of Higher Notes

“Shit, what about the shows?” Jason’s mind came back online.

“Don’t worry, Joey’s taking your place. He’ll sing for Chaotic.”

“Wait, what? For real?” I nodded. “The fans will love that.”

“Gentlemen,” the stewardess stopped by. “The plane has wi-fi. You may use your phones now. I’ll be by in a moment with food and beverages.”

Jason immediately turned his phone on, and the pings rolled out.

“Mom, Easton, Joey, the Chaotic chat.” He swiped at a tear as he called them out. “Our family.”

Snipe raised Jason’s hand and pressed his lips to it. “Our family.”

My phone pinged with a message.

Fizzbo: Checking homeless encampments. Either Sarge and Frogman scared the hell out of the residents, or Paul has no friends because they have pointed us in the direction of his usual haunts. Will update when I know more.

Me: 10-4. We’re airborne.

Fizzbo: 10-4

Chapter Eighteen

Snipe

I swore to whatever deity there may be if that fucker harmed one hair on Gabe’s head he would go down. Who was I kidding, he was going down anyway. Mother fucker was gonna pray for death when I got my hands on him.

Jason got up to use the restroom and Sikes chose that moment to check in with me.

“You good?”

“Nope. You?”

“About the same. Fucker better hope someone other than us finds him.”

“I just had a similar conversation with myself.”

As soon as Jason returned, the stewardess served our meals. Jason stared down at his plate, stirring it around with his fork but hadn’t taken a bite.

“Will you take a couple of bites for me, please?”

“Yes, Daddy,” he smirked but I’d take it as a win, easing his worries for a moment and getting him to eat a bit.

Sikes switched to our group texting chat with Fizzbo. Normally I was fine with them talking one on one, but he knew to include me in this one. Otherwise, I’d bug him every thirty seconds for an update.

Fizzbo: Car is waiting at the executive terminal.

Sikes: Any leads yet?

Fizzbo: So far none of the usual haunts have seen him for a couple of days.

Not a good sign. The fucker had been planning this for a while and staking out the school.

Then Sikes asked the one question I’d hoped to avoid, mostly because the outcome was beyond frightening and put the rest of the family at risk.

Sikes: Any chance he’s headed toward our house?

Fizzbo: Possibly. What are you thinking?

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