Page 50 of Silos and Sabotage

A musical alto voice filled the cab of the vehicle. “Gage Hefner! To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I have someone with me who’s been doing some more remembering,” he announced, gesturing grandly for Ella to start talking.

She was silent for a moment while his words sank in. “You mean Ella?” Avery Radcliffe gasped. Her joy was so palpable that Ella could feel it all the way in the backseat.

Gage smiled across the seat at Ella and angled his head toward the phone.Tell her,he mouthed.

“Oh, she’s allowed to speak, and I’m not?” Johnny stage whispered his complaint. “I see how it is!”

“Who’s that?” Avery Radcliffe sounded worried.

“Hi, Mom.” Ella undid her seatbelt so she could stretch her body through the opening between the two front seats. She leaned both elbows on the console and waited.

“Ella, honey.” Her mother paused to draw a shuddery breath. “Is everything okay?”

Ella’s life was far from okay, so she dodged the question. “I remember everything now.” Well, almost everything. There were still a few fuzzy parts, thanks to the surgeries and anesthesia.

“Where are you?” her mother asked quickly. “I want to see you.”

Gage jumped back into the conversation and gave her their location. “I’m assuming you’re traveling with security, ma’am? If not, we’ll come pick you up.”

Her mother sniffed. “I can’t remember the last time I traveled anywhere without a bodyguard. Not even when I was a kid.” She disconnected the line.

“One down. One to go.” Without explaining what he meant by that, Gage dialed another number.

This time, a man picked up.

“If you’re calling about the contract, my attorney promised to have it sent over to you today.” His voice was unfamiliar to Ella.

“That’s great, sir. I’m actually calling about something else, though.”

“Yeah, yeah. I heard there’s a fleet of Billy Bob Bolander trucks on the road,” the man groaned.

“But no sign of your son yet.” Some of the excitement ebbed from Gage’s voice. “I can only imagine how difficult this is for you.”

His son?Ella stared a hole in the back of Gage’s head, silently daring him to turn around again. Weren’t they supposed to be staying away from the Bolanders?

“It used to be difficult.” Mr. Bolander’s tone held little inflection. “Until it wasn’t. I’ve done everything I can to get him to straighten up his act. You have no idea the amount of counseling he’s been through, all the group therapy, all the stays at rehabilitation clinics, all the medication…”

Ella’s hand shot out and curled around the top of Gage’s shoulder. “What are you doing?” she hissed. Unless she was dreaming, he was talking to Creston Bolander. One of the prime suspects in her father’s murder.

Gage reached up to cover her hand with his. “This is the part where you turn it over to God, sir.” His answer surprised Ella. He was talking to the man like they knew each other.

“You’re right.” To her even greater surprise, Mr. Bolander’s voice grew soft with humility. “I reckon there are a lot of things I should’ve turned over to Him before now.” He was silent for a moment. “Like the whereabouts of my granddaughter. So help me, Gage, we have to find her! Even if it’s only to lay her to rest.” His voice cracked.

His granddaughter? Ella shuddered.Please, please, please don’t be talking about me!

“That’s what I’m calling about, sir.” Gage’s fingers tightened on hers. “I have a lead on her whereabouts.”

Her heart felt like it was sinking into the floorboard.

“You mean she’s alive?” Creston Bolander shouted the question.

“Yes, sir. I have every reason to believe that’s the case. If you’ll meet me at the lake, I’ll explain everything.” He rattled off the address.

“Why the lake?” Mr. Bolander’s voice was infused with suspicion.

“Because it’s private, sir. I’ll be waiting for you in the gazebo.”

---