“I’ve been thinking about this since Ember showed up. She said there are other kids there and they rarely get to interact with each other. I’m guessing that’s so they won’t talk to each other and start figuring out that things aren’t right with that place. I want to get the names of the farm kids they went to school with from Ember, Reese, and prospect Jamie. They should be able to give us enough names to get started. I want Byte to get into the school’s records for these kids and get parents’ names and addresses. Then, we’re going to start digging into the parents. We’ll see what information that brings us and go from there. Anybody have any other business or issues to bring to the table?”
I cleared my throat and stood, “Anybody seen or heard from Duke today?”
Heads shook and several no’s answered my question. Badger asked, “You think something’s up?”
“I don’t know, brother. It ain’t like him to just disappear and he ain’t answering his phone. I know everyone in this room has had the pleasure of Duke answering his damn phone when he really shouldn’t have.” Everyone chuckled at that. We had all heard Duke at some of his finest, or worst, depending on how you looked at it, moments.
“I’ve sent a prospect into town to ride around and look for him and the others are scouring the buildings and land around here. Be at the gates and ready to ride out in 10. Dash and Carbon stay here with the girls and the prospects.”
Phoenix banged the gavel on the table and dismissed church.
I dropped my ass onto one of the couches in the common room. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was not right with Duke.
CHAPTER 12
Ember
Reese and I walked into the common room to find something for dinner. I was shocked to find it completely empty. I looked to Reese, “Where is everybody?”
“How would I know? I’ve been with you all afternoon,” she snapped.
Okay, so moody Reese had returned. Noted.
“I just think it’s odd that no one is here. There are always at least three or four people in here,” I explained, still looking around to see if I could spot anyone.
She looked around the room, that blank look on her face again, “Just enjoy not having to hear them fart or fuck.”
“What?!?” I screeched.
She rolled her eyes, “You should come out here after dark sometime. Take a look around.”
“It doesn’t sound like that is something I would actually want to do.”
“Probably not, but you should do it anyway. It would be an experience for you, that’s for sure,” she said flatly.
“Do you think we should go back to the room?”
“Why? Just because no one is out here doesn’t mean we can’t be out here. I’m freaking starving.”
“Fine. Let’s eat,” I grumbled.
We finished our dinner in silence. The entire time we were eating, not a soul came or went. It was eerily quiet and I started to get a little freaked out. Where was everyone?
“I’m going to go knock on Phoenix’s door and see if he is in there.”
She nodded so I knew she heard me, but she continued to stare off into space. I should have asked her what was wrong and made her talk to me, but I had a strong feeling that something wasn’t right, which meant Reese’s issues would have to wait.
Phoenix didn’t answer the door when I knocked and it didn’t sound like anyone was in there. I was going to check, but the door was locked.
I walked down the hallway to see if anyone was around. All the brothers’ doors were closed and no sounds were coming from any of the rooms.
Once I got back to the common room, Reese was gone. What was with the disappearing act? I was really starting to feel creeped out at this point. I knew I was safe in the clubhouse, or at least I thought I was, but I didn’t particularly like being left all alone, especially when it felt like something was going on.
On the way back to my room, I decided to knock on Dash’s door. I figured he would be gone just like everyone else, so I jumped back when the door opened, “You scared me!”
“How did I scare you when you knocked on my door?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.
“I didn’t expect you to answer. Where is everyone?”
