“Don’t you think I know that? But at least it’ll buy us time to find that shit out. Right now, we’re sittingducks…and that makes it impossible for us to follow any lead Riley finds.”
“Well for what it’s worth, I think Smokey is the target and I’m pretty sure it’s connected to whatever he was doing during those months.” Hearing an email notification, Ghost turned back to his computer.
“No fucking shit,” Glenn said. “Riley hasn’t found my name connected to any ofmytargets and…”
“I’ve been out of the business for a long time, at least as far as the world knows,” Ghost muttered.
“Yeah, and that’s another discussion we oughta have,” said Glenn, gesturing at the room they were in. “This certainly doesn’t look like you’re just investigating cheating spouses.”
Grunting, Ghost ignored Glenn’s comment. He knew once his friend saw his set up, it wouldn’t take but a minute for Glenn to figure out the private security business he supposedly had was actually a front for something else…but that was a conversation he wanted to avoid for now.
Staring at his computer screen, Glenn read the latest email. “Good, Riley has hacked into both their phones so once we’re in place, he’ll send the first message.”
Nodding, Ghost finished up, and after shutting down his computer, turned to Glenn. “I know Riley’s helping us find the Collector, but have you asked him about quitting the agency and joining us? We could use someone with his skills.”
“I wanted to discuss it with you and Smokey before I said anything to him.”
“Well, I have no problem with it, and I doubt Smokey will, either.”
“I figured as much, but it can wait for another day. Hey, grab that shit from the printer, will ya?”
Picking up the sheets of papers, Ghost flipped through them, chuckling at Riley’s thoroughness. Everything they’d need to succeed with the plan was there. Time to move. Handing them over to Glenn, he said, “Let’s go wake up Sleeping Beauty.”
Picking up the Glock 9mm pistol Ghost had set down, Glenn racked the slide, checking the chamber, before releasing it. Standing, he tucked it in the back of his pants, pulling his shirt over it. Then, shoving the documents into a folder, said, “Fine, but knowing Smokey, I recommend standing far enough away from him so you don’t get kicked in the balls.”
“Me? Wake up Smokey? Oh no, Snow White…my job is getting our transportation. Waking up the slumbering bear is your job. Have fun and don’t forget the distance thing,” chortled Ghost.
“Fuckin’ asshole.”
Chapter 7
Staring off into the distance, Willow’s mind was firmly focused on the recent call from her son, reviewing what was said and what wasn’t. And it was the ‘what wasn’t’ she was trying to figure out. She knew it was only a matter of time before she’d put all the pieces together, but in the meantime, she’d enjoy the mental exercise of solving the puzzle, something she’d sorely missed those years on the run.
The last time was when Glenn abruptly gave up arguing with her when she began running from Josiah. That night, in a dingy hotel room, after Willow refused to tell him what she witnessed, she sat quietly, watching her son use every technique he could think of to try to make her see it his way. But through it all, she remained resolute, knowing what would happen to Hope if it ever leaked to Josiah that someone was alive who could testify to his atrocities that night. And at last, when Glenn dropped the matter, instead, hugging her while whispering he loved her before walking out the door, she knew it wasn’t because he finally agreed with her. No, it was that her son had thought of another way to protect her. It was always that way with Glenn, even when he was a young child, and she quickly learned to pick up on what he didn’t say.
Hearing a soft knock, Willow left her sitting room, walking over to greet the person waiting for her. Opening the door, she smiled at her visitor. “My goodness, is it time already?”
“Mac wanted to start early,” Sofia replied.
“Why? Did something happen with Hope?”
Hesitating slightly, Sofia said, “I don’t think so. Mac just asked if it was all right if he moved Hope’s session up an hour earlier. Are you busy?”
“No, not at all.” Joining her friend, she walked with Sofia toward the hospital. “I was just thinking about my son…”
“Is he all right?” Sofia asked quickly.
“Yes, but my momdar is telling me he’s worried about something…”
“And that’s making you worry,” Sofia interjected.
Willow grinned. “Of course…isn’t that what mothers are supposed to do? No matter how old my son is, I never stop. Silly, isn’t it? Glenn is an adult, perfectly capable of taking care of himself but yet…”
“I know. It’s the same way with me and David.”
“How’s he doing?”
Sofia’s face lit up. “Good…very, very good. I’m so proud of him.”
