My stomach lurched. “Shit, I hadn’t even thought about that part yet. Don’t worry, she’ll be safe. I won’t let him anywhere near her.”
“And we still have the second player to deal with, this David guy. We don’t know where he is either. I’ll call you if I have any updates.”
“Randy, we need to find where they were keeping Mallory. If they had other women there, he could be trying to move them.”
“I know, with this new development, I’ll be able to get the clearance to start using the drone, and I’m well aware he was the one looking into property owners.”
I heard him rustling through papers. “I’m at his desk right now and I don’t see anything about the property owners. Jim! Ineed you to do something for me. Listen, Liam, I need to go. I’ll call you if I find anything.”
“Okay. Good luck.”
Randy made a grunting sound and hung up. I was sure it was hard for him to hear that it was his friend and co-worker who was most likely the person who organized this whole thing.
Walking back into the living room, I looked at Billy, then my brother. “Jonathon is missing. Do you have any idea where he could be? Does he own land that you’re aware of?”
“Land?” Chad asked, confused. “Not that I know of. He grew up in town, and his parents still live in the house Jonathon was raised in.”
“He could have bought some property and not told anyone he was using it for nefarious reasons,” Billy stated.
I glanced out the window. “It’s going to be getting dark soon. Chad, do you want to stay here tonight?”
Chad looked at Krista. “What do you want to do?”
She chewed on her lip. “I think staying here with a group of people might be better.”
“Do you think he’ll come for Mallory?” Chad asked.
I rubbed at the ache in my neck. “I don’t honestly know. If he thinks he’s been found out or could be, my best guess is he’s going to run. I’m not sure he’d risk coming here for Mallory.”
Chad nodded. “Then we’ll stay.”
“I’m going to let Bubba, Larson, Jimmy, and Howdy know what’s going on. We’re going to need everyone to keep an eye out for anything unusual.”
My phone rang and I jumped, causing everyone else in the room to jump as well.
“It’s just Larson,” I said as I answered the phone.
“Liam, we’ve got another mare foaling and something is wrong. I called the vet and he’s on his way, but I think you need to get to the barn.”
“Right, I’m on my way.”
Chad stood. “Where are you going?”
“Mare’s foaling and something is wrong.” I turned to Billy. “Get the rest of the guys up here. When the girls wake up, fill them in on everything. It’s probably best they’re sleeping off the booze. I’m sure Mallory would be freaked out.”
Krista stood. “Do you mind if I head to the kitchen? I cook when I’m nervous.”
I grinned. “Mallory does the same thing.”
“I can’t wait to meet her. I’m sure we’ll be fast friends, and hopefully, when this is all over, you and Chad can get out of your own asses and be brothers.”
Chad’s eyes went wide, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Listen,” Chad stated as he stood and faced me. “Go to the barn, keep your phone on you. I think, just as a precaution, we should have a patrol car at least at the gate.”
“I’ll call Randy on the way to the barn and ask him to send someone. Chad?”
“Yeah?”
