Two computer geeks in one family. That explains things. I guess it does anyway. If his brother is anything like Nick, all ittakes is a few clicks of a keyboard to mess someone’s life up. I’ve seen him do it several times.
Jude steps forward and offers Mack his hand. “Mr. McLeod, I’m Jude Harrington.” He tilts his head back slightly, motioning to the men behind him. “This is Chief, Scotch, and Smoke. You have all the resources of Slone Security behind you until we find your daughter.”
Mack takes his hand and keeps his other arm around Nanny. “It’s just Mack or Jacob. None of us stands on formality. Thanks for coming.”
Smoke, the man in the back, taps Jude’s shoulder. “I’m going to circle the building. See how far I can get before their security stops me.” He pulls a black knit cap from his coat pocket, puts it on, and slips into the shadows. As if he’s one with his surroundings, Smoke quietly disappears around the side of the building.
“I suggest we get the ladies inside.” It has to be below freezing out here. I don’t mind talking, but not at 2 AM in a parking lot in the cold.
“Yes, that would be great.” Ciara pulls her coat tight around her and leads the way up the stairs to the front door.
“Scotch, check the camera around the building. Smoke has the perimeter,” Jude orders. “Chief, you’re with me.”
Chief falls in line behind Jude. There’s a seriousness in his eyes, and he takes orders easily. He’s ex-military. I’d bet my life on it. Our ex-military brothers have the same look at times. These men aren’t what I expected from a security company. They’re definitely not mall cops. Just what kind of company does Nick’s brother work for?
Ciara rings the security system’s doorbell. It’s not as fancy as the ones Nick installed around club property. No one answers, so she pushes the button several more times. I reach over hershoulder and pound my fist on the door. We’re getting inside one way or another.
“Worley, give them a minute.” Mack’s eyes remain on the door. Oh, trust me. He’s ready to burst his way inside.
Stepping back, movement to the right catches my eye. Chief stands slightly to Jude’s right with what appears to be a flare gun pointed at the porch floor. Something tells me that’s not a regular flare gun. His eyes are locked on the front door. And there’s our one way or another way in. A quick glance around confirms no one else has noticed. Again, what kind of security company is this? Hey, if they get us through the door and help find Harley, I don’t care how they do it.
Before someone literally bursts through the door, the lights in the front lobby come on. Doctor Hanson unhappily unlocks the door. Nanny, Mack, and Ciara push their way inside without giving the doctor time to greet us.
“Where is she? Tell me you found her.” Nanny’s all up in the doctor’s face.
“Easy, love.” Mack wraps an arm around her waist, but doesn’t pull his wife back.
“Doctor Hanson, is Harley McLeod here?” Ciara asks.
Doctor Hanson drops his head and steps back out of reach. “Not yet. The police got a tip, but it wasn’t her.”
“Okay.” Our feisty little lawyer jabs her finger at the doctor. “We’re going through with the legal matters against your facility. I want a conference room, now. I want Doctor Spears there, as I stated hours ago. I also want to see Doctor McCain and every person at Aspen Health Resort who knows Harley and Mr. Edwards.”
Whoa. I lock eyes with Mack. Usually, we’d step in and handle things. This woman is a wrecking ball and doesn’t need help. Mack slightly dips his chin. Yeah, we’ll let Ciara take charge for now and be her muscle if she needs it.
“It’s the middle of the night. You all should go to a hotel and come back in the morning,” Doctor Hanson suggests.
“Not happening.” Nanny pushes forward and pokes him in the chest. “I want my daughter. I’m not leaving until I have her.”
Doctor Hanson backs away some more. “She’s not here. The police are looking for her.”
Scotches knocks on the door. Chief lets him and Smoke in.
“They have cameras on the corners of the building.” Scotch shakes his head. “They’re not bad, but they aren’t very efficient.”
“Security is a no-go. No one approached me, and I circled the entire facility,” Smoke reports.
Jude steps between the women and the doctor. “Doctor Hanson, we need that conference room and your two colleagues, now. My team wants a video call.”
“There’s nothing we can do. The police are handling everything. Come back tomorrow,” Doctor Hanson pleads.
Jude takes a deep breath. “Sherlock.”
A second later, the room goes dark.
Chapter 8
Worley
