Page 83 of The Vampire and the Barista

CHAPTER 29

Ivan was working away; he’d found a secret folder on Kay’s computer with hundreds of names on. The problem was that he didn’t know if they were members of the organisation or kidnapped children. So he was researching each name. It was slow going, especially as his mind kept wandering back to seeing a beaten and bloody Jamie practically fall out of that alleyway.

“What if we’d arrived later?” he said out loud.

Olly spun his chair around. “Don’t what if. You got there in time, and thanks to Adrian, Jamie is all fixed up now.”

Ivan turned to look at Olly. “I should have realised his father would come looking for him, after last night’s late-night phone call.”

“Phone call?” Olly enquired.

Ivan told him about the call.

“Bad business. Now we need to know why Jamie’s dad needs them back so much.”

“Yeah, I’ll do some more research on these names for another hour or so and then look into Jamie’s parents.”

Just then, there was a knock at the open door. They both turned and saw Gavin standing there, laptop under his arm.

“Hey, little brother. You okay?” Ivan asked.

Gavin nodded and smiled before signing. “I thought you might need help.”

“And you would be right. Come on in, and I’ll send some work to you. I’ve uncovered a list of literally hundreds of names, but have no idea if they are kidnapped victims or members of the organisation. You can help me go through it all,” Ivan said.

Gavin nodded and walked to Mathis’ desk and sat down, before he fake scowled at Ivan and Olly.

“What’s with the scowl. You literally just offered to help,” Olly pointed out.

“That’s not why I’m scowling,” Gavin signed.

“Then why?” Ivan asked, looking confused.

“You went to an old abandoned mental asylum and didn’t take me.”

“I literally have no idea what you just signed. We didn’t do something? Tell you something?” Olly guessed.

Gavin nodded as Ivan burst out laughing. “It’s about the asylum, isn’t it?”

Gavin nodded.

“Sorry, I promise the next haunted location we visit, we’ll take you with us,” Ivan assured him.

Gavin smiled and signed his thanks.

“You might want to check with Raz that Thiago is alright. It seems he knew the demon that was messing with us. He looked sad at lunch yesterday,” Ivan told him.

Gavin nodded and pulled his phone out of his pocket, sending Raz a message. He really needed to get Thaigo’s mobile number. That done, he sent a quick one to Hunter and then looked at Ivan.

“I’ve just emailed half the list to you. Thanks, Gav.”

Gavin nodded and opened his laptop, ready to get to work.

Jamie found Karl, Kitty and Spencer having archery lessons. They each had their own target and a guard helping them. Looking at the targets, they all seemed to be doing well.

He stood back so as not to put them off and watched them shoot their next round. Karl and Kitty hit just outside the centre, while Spencer hit dead centre.

Jamie clapped. “Nice, Spencer.”