"I will." Tony sighed as he hung up then glanced toward the apartment building. Maybe a trip back to Cade Creek was a good idea. He could call a few of his friends and see if they could help him track down Lex and this Carson character. He wasn't getting anywhere sitting outside this apartment building.
Tony tucked his cell phone away and started up his car. That was one thing he wouldn't miss, the tiny-ass car. He shot one more look at the apartment building before pulling out into traffic. He knew exactly how long of a car ride he had to get to the airport, and he wasn't looking forward to it in the least, but it would be nice to get out of the city again.
Even driving through big city traffic, Tony had a lot of time to think. He was pretty sure asking Dan Wilson for a favor was his best bet. Dan was a DEA agent. He'd be able to look into places Tony didn't even know of, and find everything there was to know about Robert Carson. He might even be able to look into why he wasn't at the hospital and where he might have gone.
Since Tony didn't have a ticket to head back, he was on standby when he got to the airport. Luckily, he only had to sit and wait a couple of hours, which gave him time to get something to eat and stretch his legs a little. After riding in that tin can masquerading as car, he needed it.
By the time he actually boarded a plane and found his seat, his shoulders were slumping. He wasn't physically exhausted, but his mental capacity at the moment was subpar. He definitely wasn't operating on all thrusters.
His mind was consumed by thoughts of Lex and where the man might be. Tony was terrified he'd never find him again. He was even more terrified of what kind of condition he might find Lex in. People didn't get taken to the hospital for stubbed toes.
Tony rolled up his jacket and placed it between him and the window, using it as a pillow. Maybe he'd be lucky and he'd sleep through the entire flight. He certainly wasn't in the mood to talk with the older man sitting next to him. It wasn't personal. He just wasn't in the mood to chat.
A couple of hours later, Tony woke to the flight attendant shaking him awake. He smiled at her then stood and pulled his jacket on. The man who'd been sitting next to him was gone, along with a majority of the passengers. There were just a few left, most of them walking down the aisle to disembark.
Tony grabbed his bag from the overhead then made his own way off the plane. Luckily, he didn't have to rent a teeny tiny car this time. He had his truck. By the time he reached the parking lot, he was almost running. He was so looking forward to being out of the city, any city.
Tony climbed into his truck as soon as he reached it and started it up. He smiled as the engine roared to life. "Purrs like a kitten."
He loved his truck.
Tony drove out of the parking lot and made his way to the road that went over the mountain to Cade Creek. There was only one. There were times in the winter when it got too snowed over to drive. He'd always thought that was a bother, but now he wasn't so sure. Being cut off from city life was looking pretty damn good. He had no idea how Lex did it.
Tony connected his phone to the Bluetooth in his truck then called Brody. "Hey, I just landed and I'm on the road home."
"The shop is closed for the day," Brody said. "Come by the church when you get back into town."
"Okay. See you in a couple of hours."
Once again, Tony had time to think. He still thought talking to Dan was a good idea, but maybe Brody would have another one. There were a lot of good people in Cade Creek that he could talk to. One of them had to know what he should do because he didn't have a clue.
The ride over the mountain was a rough one. There was just enough snow on the ground that he had to give up thinking about Lex and concentrate on driving. He didn't want to end this trip by sliding off the road.
By the time the lights of Cade Creek came into view, Tony was white-knuckling the steering wheel. He didn't let out the breath he'd been holding until he reached the valley floor and headed for the Cade Creek Community Church.
Now that he was down in the valley, it only took a few minutes to get to the church. He was a little confused as to why Brody wanted to meet him here instead of his place out on the Blaecleah ranch. Maybe he had some work to do at the church. It wasn't like the place ever really closed down. It was a church.
Tony parked in front of the church then climbed out and walked inside. "Brody?" he called out when he didn't see the man in the main room.
"Back here."
Tony followed the voice to the small kitchen off on the side of the church. Brody and his husband, Neason, were sitting at the small dinette table drinking coffee. "Hey."
"Hi, Tony," Neason said brightly. "Coffee?"
"Please." Tony sat down while Neason got him a cup. He probably shouldn't drinking coffee this late, but he needed the pick-me-up. "So, why did you want me to meet you here?"
Brody held out his hand. "Give me your cell phone."
Tony's eyebrows shot up, but he pulled his cell phone out and handed it over. Brody tossed it on the table then stood. "Can you put that in a to-go cup, babe?"
Neason smiled as he turned and held out a tall metal cup. "Already done."
Brody leaned over and kissed Neason before stroking a hand down the side of his face. "I'll be back soon. Be ready to go home when I get here.”
Neason nodded.
Brody gestured toward the doorway Tony had entered through. “Let’s go.”
