Page 110 of While You Were Spying
Both buildings were created to be seen, not to remain hidden from the world. People come here for wine-tasting events.
The buildings aren’t where you bring people you’ve abducted.
To the side of the smaller building, a portion of the parking lot is visible, the rest obscured due to our angle. It’s unclear how many vehicles are in it, and how many belong to customers merely enjoying an afternoon at the winery.
“There’s a black truck parked in front of the larger building.” Landon pulls a pair of small binoculars from his pocket and reads the license plate number for Connor to look up.
A moment later he comes back with a name: Gabrielle Mendez.
Jayden’s string of curse words shoulders its way through my earpiece.
“It’s a common name,” I say, quickly recovering from the shock. “It might not even be her.”
There’s a momentary pause. “No, it’s definitely her. Connor pulled up her driver’s license photo.”
“Damn, she takes a hot photo,” Connor says under his breath. His voice isn’t as clear as Jayden’s was.
“I’m no expert on wineries,” I say, ignoring him, “but my guess is that the larger building is where they make the wine. Do you think my grandmother is in there?”
None of the men answer because this isn’t the time for speculation.
“We’re approaching from the other side.” A moment later, Liam reads out the other license plate numbers.
Two are registered with men who have links to Vadik Orlov. One is listed to Tyler Mathews. I guess that answers which mobster he’s connected to. The other three cars are registered to individuals who have no known links to Orlov.
“Regina and Dennis are listed as employees of the winery,” Connor says. “The owner of the fifth vehicle isn’t associated with either the Orlov family or the winery. Whoever was in the car might simply be customers.”
“The question is, has Regina or Dennis seen Isabelle’s grandmother?” Adam asks. “And do they even know why she’s here?”
“I would like to know where Olov’s men are currently located.” The tension in Jayden’s voice is tighter than a glued-on jam jar lid.
“I’d like to know that, too,” Liam says. “Scorpio and Ladybird, do you any visuals?”
“Nothing from where we are,” I say. “But we can easily approach the larger building without being seen and check inside.”
“Ten-four. Firecracker and I will hold our position in the meantime.”
Landon and I make our way to the target. The side door is locked, as is the barn door in the front.
We continue our perimeter search and locate several windows about five feet from the ground, overlooking the low mountain range in the distance. Any other time, I would’ve stopped to enjoy it. Any other time, I would’ve considered the view breathtaking.
The window nearest us is opened partway. Landon and I inch closer to it, barely breathing.
“I’m going to check on what’s keeping Vadik,” a male voice, which I recognize as Bernard’s, says.
“And I’m really sorry now that I dated you.” Granny’s voice is stiff. Uppity.
“That deeply wounded me.” Except the last thing the old man sounds is wounded. More like amused. Which makes me wonder just how much of the soulmate gibberish he talked about the day Jayden and I first met him he actually believes in.
“I somehow doubt it. And since when did you associate with mobster trash?”
I guess he doesn’t feel like dignifying that with a response. A moment later, the door clicks open and shut.
“Well, as nice as this tour is,” Granny says in a tone I recognize. It’s her I’m-getting-a-little-peeved-here-but-I’ll-still-be-a-lady-about-it tone.
I wince—not because she’s in trouble.
But because whoever’s in the room with her is about to meet their reckoning.
