Ken slumped back in his chair and circled his finger, pointing it at his temple. “Sorry, dude. Brainy no worky right now.”
Peyton smirked. “I’ll forgive you for a cup of coffee. How about that?”
Ken snorted and stood. “Sold.”
Peyton sat at the head of the table, Hamish to his right. “He’s exhausted,” Peyton said. “I feel horrible I had to drag him over here.”
“Can still hear you,” Ken called from the kitchen. “And thanks.”
“Meant for you to,” Peyton called back, and Ken responded with laughter. To Hamish, he said, “About what Ken said, we’re monitoring a situation. We told you about the Segura cartel and how they attacked our compound.”
Hamish nodded, and Peyton continued.
“Well, it looks like the daughter of the guy’s uncle is still poking around and fishing for intel. I don’t want it to develop into a major situation, but we have to keep an eye on it. Which is another reason I want you over here.”
“I still don’t understand why you want me here. I haven’t been back here since I left.”
“That’s actually a bonus. We may be missing things because they’re familiar and they’re slipping through our paws.”
“You’re not just talking about the house, are you?” Hamish asked.
“Exactly. You’re also an experienced businessman. You might be able to help Ken crunch the data with a fresh eye and different perspective.”
Hamish slowly nodded. “I promise I’ll give it my best.”
“That’s all I ask.” Ken returned with Peyton’s coffee and retook his seat. “And to be honest, Ken, I’m shocked and impressed it’s taken you this long to flub something.”
Ken stared at Peyton. “I don’t know if I should be insulted or not,” he snarked, but with a smirk on his face that told Hamish he wasn’t upset.
Peyton grinned. “Yes.”
Not quite two hours later, Peyton, Trevor, Ken, Hamish, Jake, and two of Trevor’s men set off in a large helicopter that picked them up directly from the expansive lawn behind Trevor’s house.
“We’ll land at the manor house,” Trevor told Hamish through the headsets they all wore. “Our pilot will go refuel while we’re conducting our search. I have six men waiting for us.”
“I hope I’ll be of help,” Hamish said. “I’d hate to think you brought me all this way and I can’t.”
“I’m sure the house has changed since the last time you were there,” Peyton said, “but a house that old likely has places we won’t find without a complete demolition.”
“I know where Father used to hide things,” Hamish said. “But I don’t know if Faegan’s added any.”
“We’re desperate,” Ken added. “Even if we find only one piece of information we didn’t already have, that might be what leads us to tracking him down.”
“Or locating previously unknown associates,” Trevor said.
Hamish stared at the landscape below as they sped over it, amazed at all the development that had taken place since he’d last seen it. Previously empty expanses of forests and farmland now held towns and cities and dense clusters of homes. Roads and electrical wires and cell towers further crisscrossed the landscape.
He’d expected it, but still…
It was remarkable and conflicted him in ways he’d need time and space to process.
That’s not happening right now.
As they closed in on the manor, Hamish was startled to see how much of the main property…hadn’t changed.
When they landed and it was safe to emerge, he needed a moment as he stood there, staring at the back of the house.
It looked more rundown than he’d expected. Empty.
