Page 41 of Sizzling Nights

She started putting food into the large pantry and in the refrigerator and freezer.

Marco responded to whoever he was talking to with, "Hang on a moment. I'll put you on speaker."

He tapped his phone and strode to her. "Okay, Mitch. Say it again."

"My chatter channel has revealed some interesting information. There's a charity event in Blossom Springs this coming Saturday. On the surface, it's to raise money for funding for medical research focusing on the elimination of childhood leukemia. But it’s actually a front to launder millions of dollars for the Celtics. The chairman of the fundraiser is none other than Torin Terry, owner of the PCK Meatpacking plant outside of Blossom Springs."

Marco's brows furrowed. "Are you sure he's in on this?"

"I'm ninety-nine percent sure. I did some research after I heard this on the chatter channel. I have proof he's been in recent meetings with heads of the Celtics, including the president. Chatter is that he houses several people at his place outside of town. He has a ranch, with a ranch house. It makes sense to me that he'd have available beds out there. He can direct activities from out there and his guys can be all over town in the ranch trucks without anyone thinking anything of it. They could have been watching Theresa for a time. Hiding in plain sight. Much like she was doing."

Her stomach twisted. She'd remembered some of those guys coming into the Sandbar two days ago. They'd been that close to her. They likely came in for lunch to make sure it was her.

She nodded her head and Marco's jaw tightened. "Did you see them?"

"Yes. At the Sandbar."

"How do you know it was them?"

"They all wore work shirts with the ranch logo on them. Khaki-colored button-up shirts and jeans. There were three of them."

Mitch continued. "They were likely making sure it was you."

Marco stared into her eyes. "Did one of them have red hair?"

She pinched her lips together. "Yes."

"A man with red hair threw the rock through your window. They followed you home or were watching and found you packing your car."

Her stomach twisted and she worried she'd lose the little bit she'd eaten for supper. Her hand flew to her tummy and pressed as her knees began shaking. She realized they'd been close for a while now.

Marco took her arm and guided her to a bar stool at the counter. "They've been close but until they blew up the car, they only tried scaring you. Threatening you."

"Right." She took a deep breath. "They want my information."

"They'll get it when the rest of the world gets it."

She nodded.

Marco spoke to Mitch. "I'm going to that fundraiser to see if I can find out anything more on Torin Terry, the organization, and how close he is to the Celtics. Meaning, is he a leader or is he working for them?"

Theresa nodded. "I'm going with you."

"No, it might not be safe."

"I'm going with you. You just said they don't want me dead. Not yet. If they see me there, I may be enough of a diversion for you to get the information you need. And I can't just sit here and do nothing. It might also be good for my story."

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Marco's jaw tightened. "You've been scared. We're in hiding to keep you safe. Now you want to go where they are and show yourself?"

"Yes." She took a deep breath. "Think about it. Seeing me there will rattle them. They'll be more focused on me than what you or Mitch are doing. It could really work to our benefit."

"But you already have the ledgers and you've figured out the code. What more could we do other than bring down the people in town working with them?"

"That's huge, don't you think? The more arms of their operation we cripple, the better."

Mitch's voice came over the phone. "She's got a point, Marco."

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