Page 47 of The Text

“At all?”

“Not until the next morning.” I rub the back of my head. “You know how I lose track of time when I’m in the middle of something.”

Blake nods. He understands. That’s part of who I am and why I’m good at what I do. Unwavering concentration. Nerves of steel.

“That can’t be the only reason,” Blake comments.

“I don’t know what to tell you.”

Blake picks up the empty Dalmore bottle. “You didn’t drink it all, did you?”

I grind my palms into my eyes. “Unfortunately, yes.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Good job.”

“Thank you.”

He chuckles.

Rob shows up with coffee and hands us each one.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.”

He gets a coffee for himself and takes a seat in a wide tufted leather wingback chair. I’ve never found the chair very comfortable, but guests seem to like it, and Rob loves it. “Makes me feel like a king when I’m sitting in it.”

“This is going to drive me crazy.” I sip my coffee. Hot and stout.

“Any idea where Amber is?” Blake asks.

“No.”

“Is she at her old place? Work? Any idea?”

“No.”

“Well, let’s start there, then. Find out where she is, and you can ask her.”

“All right.”

I massage my temples. I’m never drinking that much again, and I mean it.

“Why don’t you clean up, and we’ll make some calls?” Blake suggests. “I’ll call Tom’s secretary… and her cousin, is it? That’s who she was staying with?”

“Yeah.” I give him the number since I have it memorized.

“All right. Hit the shower. We’ll have some answers when you get back.”

I nod, drink some more coffee, and head off. Hop in the shower and let the water run over me for twenty minutes. Towel off and brush my teeth for a second time. Not feeling too bad. Put on a fresh set of clothes and head back out to check on my brothers’ progress.

“No luck,” Blake says. “Called her cousin’s place, but nobody answered. Got hold of Tom’s secretary. Amber contacted her immediate supervisor and told her she was quitting. Didn’t give a reason.”

From bad to worse.

“Could have returned to Chicago,” I say.

“Possible. Let’s have Ryder check it out. He has the resources.”

---