Page 31 of One More Chance

Jax put his hand on the small of her back. “I love mini golf as well. We’ll have to visit dear old dad and play a few rounds. Keep him company.”

Bruce entered a white gate about waist height surrounded by a picket fence. Inside was a pool area, but there was no water in the pool. “Not sure this’ll do.”

Sigil said, “Our pool is currently being refurbished and upgraded. It should all be completed in just a few months to create a state-of-the-art facility for water recreation, therapy, and entertainment.”

“That’s what I’m talkin’ about, Tur?—”

Kenna took his arm and led him on. “I’m glad you like the place so far,Dad. I think you could be happy here.”

She hurried him through the rest of the tour, though she tried not to make it look obvious. He insisted on inspecting the cabin bathroom so he could check out the “john” he’d be using. Then they circled back through the main hall.

Most of the residents were in there eating lunch. Bruce yelled, “Stuart!” across the room and scurried away, apparently noticing someone he knew. Maybe? He ended up in the meal line with a tray, so he was probably just hungry.

“Your father will be well taken care of here.” Sigil still hugged his clipboard. “If the two of you would like to meet with the manager while your father-in-law is enjoying a meal?”

She wanted to scan every face in the meeting hall herself and try to find the collection of five older men who were supposedly other victims of the doctor who’d messed with her. She’d seen photos of them from years ago, but didn’t know their real names. However, Bruce could more seamlessly mingle with the residents, and his spy skills would come in handy. He was supposed to tell them afterward if those men were here, and then they’d figure out how to talk to them.

For now, they had to finish out the ruse before they could leave.

Sigil took them to the main building and a rear office on the ground floor. “The manager will be right with you.” He pointed to a sideboard. “Help yourself to beverages from the fridge.”

“Thank you,” Jax said.

After Sigil shut the door, she said, “Now I’m hungry. I bet Bruce won’t bring me anything from lunch.”

“Maybe he’ll put a pudding cup in his pocket for you.”

“I can hope.”

Jax chuckled, sliding his arms around her waist and nuzzling her nose. “Are all your operations based around access to food?”

“No.” She tipped her head to the side to think about that. “Maybe.”

He let go of her. “I’m going to see what’s in the fridge.”

She sighed, looking around at this office. “There’s nothing on the walls except this weird print that looks like it came from a doctor’s office in the nineties.”

“This whole place is a total throwback.” He crouched in front of the fridge.

“Don’t people usually put their college diploma on the wall? Or personal stuff on their desk?” She walked around the desk and crouched. “There isn’t even a computer. The monitor has a cord that just hangs down under the desk.”

“Everything in this fridge is frozen, like it was left in here with the thermostat turned far too cold.” He straightened, frowning.

“This is supposed to be us pulling one over on this retirement home.” She set her hands on her hips. “Why does it seem like this isn’t what it seems?”

Jax looked around, then pulled out his phone. He frowned. “I have no signal.”

Kenna didn’t bother checking if she had any. She went to the door instead and discovered it was… “Locked.” She glanced at Jax. “Why is the door locked?”

The handle tingled. It took her a second to figure out what was happening, and she got her hand away a second before a spark arced between her skin and the door handle. She hissed. “Ouch. That stung.”

“We’re locked in?”

“And the door is electrified.” She shook her head. “I guess there could be some kind of electrical problem in here. But it seems far more sinister.”

“Look for another way out, but be careful what you touch.”

Kenna nodded, wandering the room. File cabinet beside another file cabinet. No window. A single door.

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