Page 116 of Fortune's Control
Lilah’s phone went straight to voicemail. I sent a quick text letting her know we were on our way back, and started the truck engine.
“Thanks for helping with this project,” I told Jack as we left Gainesville behind.
“Yes, you’ve thanked me several times.” He gave a humorless laugh. “Let’s head back to your house and start fresh on the work tomorrow. I want Aiden’s help.”
I didn’t respond. Aiden’s lackadaisical approach to construction pained Jack, and if he wanted some lighthearted revenge, I wouldn’t stop him. “You have other plans later today?”
“Are you checking up on me?” he asked, and I didn’t miss the sour note in his voice.
“You and Sophie had a big blow-up. She’s my sister, and you’re my oldest friend. It’d be nice if you two could at least be polite.”
“I’m not the one you need to convince, Shane. If I had a choice…”.
“What did you do to her?”
“That’s rich coming from the guy who sent her to live with strangers.”
Fair point. “I want you to try again. For both your sakes.”
“Sure. I’ll try again. I always try again, don’t I? One more apology should solve the problem.”
Jack crossed his arms, and I gave up. We drove in familiar silence until reaching Fortune’s Creek.
“Stop the truck.” Jack pounded on the dashboard. “Stop it.”
I slammed the brakes and looked around, alert for any hidden danger. “What’s wrong?”
“The sign moved.”
“What sign?”
“On the gray bitch.” Jack’s unspoken dream. “Someone moved the for-sale sign. It sat next to the sidewalk, facing the road so passersby could see it. Now, it’s right up next to the resort, so you can’t read the phone number or the real estate agent’s name. Someone moved it.”
“Buy the damn thing, and be done with it.” He drifted from job to job, rather than pursuing what he truly wanted. I spent a year in stasis, waiting for Lilah to show up, so I knew how painful it was. “It’s what you want to do.”
He didn’t respond, which was not unexpected, so I tried Lilah again. No answer.
Lilah had sent a text letting me know her work with Aiden ended earlier than planned, and to meet me at home. My response was still marked unread, so I sent her another.
I planned to take her to dinner tonight, somewhere fancier than the Creekside Diner.
“You heard from that cop yet?”
I put the truck in park and let it idle. “Not yet, and don’t expect to.” I knocked on the steering wheel, deliberating. Concern won out, and I dialed again with the same result. “Call Aiden and see if he picks up.”
Jack didn’t push back; instead, he pressed a button and put it on speakerphone.
“Hi, this is Aiden. I don’t know how to checkvoicemail, so call my brother. He’s a friendly fellow.”
“Where are you guys? Call me.” Jack typed out a message and pressed the send button. “It’s possible they left their phones in the house.”
“No, she always carries it, just in case.” Lilah took constant pictures of the cat or whatever caught her eye, often sending them to me with emojis or other commentary.
I tried her phone one last time, with the same result. “Something is wrong. We need to go. Right now.” Intuition roared in my ears as I put the truck in drive and pressed on the throttle. “Keep calling. Take turns.”
Jack called as I sped past one stop sign and another.
My phone rang. “Can you check who it is?”
