“I’m trying.” She offered a lopsided smile. “I’m not used to praying like you are.”
“Hey, I’m no expert either.” He grinned. “The Sullivans taught me everything I know about faith and prayer.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Are these the same friends who damaged your house?”
“Yep. There are nine siblings altogether, and they have a search and rescue ranch with highly trained K9s. I went to school with Joel and Justin Sullivan. They’re twins. We lost touch for a while when I was in the army but reconnected after I got out.”
“Nine siblings?” Her eyes widened in shock. “I can’t imagine their poor mother, giving birth to nine babies.”
“I hear you. They lost their parents over six years ago now, and every single one of them is married. All within the past year or so,” he added wryly. “Kinda amazing when you think about it.”
She was still trying to imagine giving birth nine times. “Well, I’m glad you have friends like them.”
He looked like he was about to say something but changed his mind. He released her hands and stood. “Do you want me to throw the pizzas into the oven?”
“I can do it.” She gestured to the computer. “Have you found anything interesting?”
“Not really.” He grimaced. “I’ve been combing through O’Neil’s social media. There’s nothing to suggest he’s friends or acquaintances with Nelson.”
“They wouldn’t be friends.” She knew there was no way Nelson would allow his frat buddies to see him befriending a lowly security guard. Former security guard. “Maybe we should look at Nelson’s other friends from the fraternity. Maybe one of them is helping him with these attempts against us.”
“Maybe. Do you know what frat he was a part of?” Grady sat and turned the computer toward her. “If you can find the right one, I can ask Griff to get us a list of names.”
She frowned, leaning forward. “I think it was the Delta Sigma Chi fraternity.” She typed the information into the search bar, adding Chicago Loyola University to narrow the field. The picture of a frat house bloomed on the screen. She tapped it with an index finger. “Yes, it’s this one. Nelson has a picture of him and his buddies standing outside the building.”
“That’s a good place to start.” He bookmarked the page. “Can you remember any of their names?”
“Other than Bobby Morton?” She thought back to her short marriage. Nelson had mentioned them, but she hadn’t paid much attention at the time. She remembered thinking Nelson was spending too much time talking about the glory days of his past, rather than being focused on the present. Especially his new wife. “I’m sorry. Nothing comes to mind.”
“That’s okay.” Grady shrugged. “When Griff calls, I’ll get the list. Maybe seeing a name written down will spark a memory.”
“Okay.” She glanced at her watch and stood. “I’ll throw the pizzas into the oven. It’s early, but I know Lucy is hungry.”
“I am too,” he teased. “Thanks.”
It took her a few minutes to figure out how to work the oven. It wasn’t that she was clueless, it was just that she was accustomed to the newer appliances they had. This oven looked as if it were thirty years old or more. Not that she was complaining. She was grateful to be in the isolated and rustic cabin with Lucy.
And Grady.
While the oven preheated, she read the directions on the back of the frozen pizza box. Feeling Grady’s gaze on her, she flushed and quickly unwrapped them. They looked a little like cardboard to her, but Lucy loved them, which was all that mattered.
When Grady’s phone rang, she whirled to face him.
“It’s Griff,” he said, before answering the call.
“Put it on speaker,” she whispered, crossing over to join him. Lucy was still enthralled with her movie, which was a good thing.
“Hey, Griff, I’m putting you on speaker so Lauren can hear this.” Grady lowered the phone to the table. “We spoke to Agent David Braun. He seems to be on board with continuing the investigation.”
“That’s good. I’m not sure why he was taking such a laid-back approach anyway.”
She arched a brow and shrugged. Grady nodded. “We aren’t sure either. When we told him about the gunfire incidents, though, he changed his tune. Did you find anything new?”
“Yeah, that’s why I’m calling. I have two names for you. Both of these people visited Nelson Derringer at the correctional institute over the past six weeks. Other than his lawyer, who was only there once from what I can see.”
“Two names?” Lauren’s heart filled with hope. “Who are they?”
“A woman by the name of Karla Dalton and a man by the name of Eric Howington. Do either of those names ring a bell?”
