Page 51 of Greed
Silence fell into an expanding pool of uncertainty.
“I think we should find him,” Griffin offered. “If he wants to remain secluded, then that is fine, but we need eyes on him. I don’t like not knowing specifically where he is. It’s a risk, to us and to him.” Especially because someone was out there with a camera, looking to capture evidence of their true identities.
“I agree,” Evan added.
A chorus of agreement rolled over the table.
“Okay, then.” Parker stood up and shut the dining door after the waitress had left for the final time. “It’s settled. We find Wyatt. Sloan, can you do some of your magic tomorrow and start the process?”
“Huh?” Sloan looked up from her untouched meal.
“Pay attention, Sloan,” Parker quipped. “This moping of yours has to end.”
She pulled her hair out of her mouth long enough to scowl and say, “Screw you, Parker.”
“Give her a break.” Tony threw his napkin at Parker. “She probs lost all her V-bucks in Fortnite, or some shit. Don’t worry, sis”—he winked at Sloan—“I got your back.”
“You’re an asshole too.” Sloan threw her fork at Tony. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“That’s enough.” Mary tapped her palm on the table. “You’re acting like a bunch of teenagers.”
“What’s a V-buck?” Grace whispered to Evan.
He shrugged. “Probably something to do with one of her games.”
They joked, but Sloan was in serious danger of falling deep under the influence of her sin, sloth. Just because it was based around negligence, didn’t mean it wasn’t dangerous. She’d put on weight in the past, but now he noticed she barely touched her food and slept a lot. She rarely left her gaming console, and Griffin couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her in battle gear, out on the streets. Her body mass index was rapidly falling back down, and not in a healthy way.
Griffin took a bite of his steak, and chewed, trying to remember.
Two years ago.
It had been two years ago, after the bombing. He shot a worried glance her way. That was about the time she’d been all excited to meet one of her virtual gamer friends in real life. He didn’t know exactly what went on, but knew the man didn’t turn up. She hadn’t been the same since. Perhaps Griffin’s balance protocol would work for her. He made a mental note to visit her and coach her when he had the chance.
“We have more important things to discuss tonight. Griffin”—Mary looked him in the eye—“Tell us about the pictures you found yesterday.”
He lowered his fork, supposing he’d better start at the beginning. “Yesterday, we discovered a link between the murdered thieves at the jewelers and Lilo’s kidnapped father. I’m led to believe he’s a Mafia boss in control of the South-Side district and parts of The Eyrie gated community.”
“This is your friend, Doc?” Evan balked.
“Oh, don’t worry”—she waved her partner down—“She excommunicated herself from her parents years ago. She’s really very nice.”
“Right.” Evan didn’t look convinced.
“As I was saying, her father was kidnapped and a ransom note sent. Yesterday, Lilo received a bloody ear delivered to the Cardinal Copy newsroom instructing her to bring the contents of her father’s private safe to a predetermined location tomorrow night. I went with Lilo—”
Tony held up his hand. “Sorry, who the fuck is Lilo again?”
Griffin eyeballed him for a long time, imagining all the things he would do to make him hurt. The fork Sloan had thrown levitated until it hovered in front of Tony’s eye, prongs first.
Tony lifted his palms in surrender. “What the forking-fuck?”
Griffin let go of the metal and it clattered to a plate.
“Jesus. I was just asking,” Tony simpered. “I’m guessing she’s the reason you’re all metal-head right now.”
Grace saved him from answering. “She’s a friend of mine who also works at the Cardinal Copy.”
“She’s obviously more than a friend. What have I missed?” Tony searched all eyes at the table.
