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“That doesn’t make sense. Why would he leave his car?” I took a sip of my coffee as we sat down.
“The raid didn’t go as planned, he left in a hurry,” Arthur said, pulling out a file. “I found a few things in his file that seem suspicious.”
“I vetted him, Arthur, nothing in his file was suspicious,” I said, taking the file from him.
“I didn’t think so either, until we got attacked at that burger joint Ally likes so much,” Arthur sighed. “At first, I thought maybe we were being followed, but then I found out Ally had messaged him. That's when I dug a little deeper and found out his last job wasn’t real, and he’s been dark the last four years.”
“How the hell did you find that out? Charles recommended him,” I snapped.
“Charles has been dead for six months,” Arthur said, showing me a death certificate, and a photo that was a little grainy, but it looked like Charles.
“Fuck,” I said throwing the photo on the table. “Ok, so we need to find out where the hell he was for the last four years, to see where he might be hiding.”
“That's what I've been trying to do, but the day of the attack we were also supposed to make a deal with Shepard,” Arthur said, leaning forward. “He cancelled at the last minute and now wants to do a pick-up later today.”
“You think he might have helped Lance?” I leaned back in my chair.
“What a coincidence that this happens on days that have something to do with Shepard,” Arthur shrugged.
“Shepard is playing a thug in a Cowboy world, I don’t think he would do this, but set up the deal for this afternoon,” I said, getting up. “I’m going to go look around and then I’ll be in Ally’s office.
“Would it be wise to deal with just us?” Arthur looked hesitant.
“It will be fine, Shepard and I go way back,” I said, trying not to look worried. “Let me know what time you set up.”
I walked out of the kitchen and sent Mars a text.
Me: I need at least ten men here this afternoon in full gear, if we can get more the better, but at least ten.
I put my phone away, walking to Ally’s room to pack her a bag since she was staying with us a little longer. Her scent made me long for her as I gathered books for her and other things I thought she might need. Once her bag was packed, I looked around the compound until I found Lance’s room.
Something about him wasn’t sitting right with me. I vetted him and I didn’t half-ass my vetting. How the hell would he be able to plant himself so quickly after we killed Kris? His room was relatively clean, and a small t-shirt was under his pillow.
It was a vintage Gremlins shirt, and I knew exactly whose it was. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I dialed Maverick, knowing she might not answer, but it was worth a shot. It went straight to voicemail, and I debated texting her, but decided against it. They should be done with their hit soon, and hopefully she could find me some answers.
Arthur found me and told me Shepard would be here in a few hours, and I relayed the message to Mars. I had known Shepard for a few years. He usually stayed in his own lane, and from what Winchester had told me last time, he knew Ally was ours and he wouldn’t fuck with us or the triplets. Shepard might be cocky, but he wasn’t stupid.
Ally ran Christmas Town well, everything was labeled, her color-coded notes made me laugh and miss her. My chest ached more and more as the day went on. I had to take a break fromher office, from that damn picture she had of us taped to her wall.
It reminded me that I was an asshole who had her in my basement and my Little Doll was going to give me hell when I went back home to her. The town was running efficiently without her, and just as I was getting impatient, Arthur told me Shepard was on his way.
Shepard rolled up in some big-ass truck with only a few people and another car. The moment he saw me, the look of fear on his face almost made me laugh. I had a mask with Noelle’s emblem on it but I don’t think Shepard would ever forget King or me.
“Have I offended Noelle so much that she sent you in her place?” Shepard looked around.
“No, you've pissed me off enough that I won’t put up with your bullshit,” I said walking to him. “Maybe next time, King can join us.”
“It was all a misunderstanding.” Shepard clenched his jaw.
“You’re lucky she agreed to another meeting,” I said, waving over Arthur. “I would not have been so lenient."
“Well, I hear she is a gracious leader, and I am grateful,” he said, walking up to the table Arthur had laid out. “If it wouldn’t bother her too much, I would love to extend my gratitude.”
“She is rather busy at the moment brokering a huge deal,” Arthur said smoothly.
“Well, please extend my apologies, and I hope she accepts my gift,” Shepard said, waving to one of his men.
He brought over a suitcase and opened it. Inside were four small knives, and a gun in the same dark blood red.
