of something. “Have your people tried to work out about how many people that quantity of groceries would feed? I mean. I know that sick people wouldn’t eat as much as a man doing physical labor, but has anyone tried to take a guess at how many are inside the facility?”
“No. That’s a good idea. I’ll get Tegan to follow up on that. Jayden’s been talking to a military buddy to see if we can borrow equipment that will count heat signatures to try to give us a head count, but that’s not organized yet. Jayden’s still in discussions with his contact.”
“Thanks for the information, Harry. I appreciate all you’re doing. It definitely sounds like something suspicious is going on at that place.”
“By the way, Hamilton owns the property legitimately. He’s bought the whole thing. Well, that is, he has taken out a mortgage on it. But he’s making full and regular payments on the loan, so he has to be making decent money.”
Cadfael leaned back in his chair and stretched. “Well, damn. I wish I knew what the fuck was going on there. I didn’t trust Bailey and I don’t trust Jackson either. I want to think Willow and Hawthorne are safe but I can’t relax yet.”
“No. Don’t relax. I don’t trust this man either. Now, are you going to report to Mr. Vukic, or do you want me to do it?”
“Likely it’s best if you talk to him. All the information is at your fingertips. If he asked me questions I probably wouldn’t know the answers. But please reassure him I’m not done yet. I want this mystery solved and I won’t rest until my woman and her sister are both safe. Thank you, most sincerely, for all your work. You’ve told me a lot.”
“No problem, Cadfael. I’m only sorry we don’t have an answer yet.”
Cadfael clicked off the call. Yeah, he was sure as hell sorry there was no answer yet either. But something smelled wrong about Hamilton’s clinic, and he was fucking certain he wouldn’t let the problem go until Willow was safe no matter how long it took or how much money it cost him.
As well as that, someone was going to have to tell Hawthorne she couldn’t move out of the mall and live in an apartment yet. Not until he was positive she’d be safe. He hoped Willow’s sister wasn’t going to be angry about that. They were both redheads with the feisty spirit that typified their hair color. Too bad. Maelor would just have to get out his handcuffs and rope if she wouldn’t listen to him.
Chapter Four
Dylan and Maelor had planned the walk carefully, wanting to show Hawthorne the highlights of the neighborhood, but without taking her anywhere near any areas that might be even the slightest bit unsavory. Not that anywhere around the mall was bad, or even particularly unsafe. There were no gangs here. But still, it wasn’t the top end of town either, nor was it like the apartment building the wolf pack owned, where every person living there was known to the others and held accountable for any guests they invited.
They chose the restaurant where they’d eat with the same attention to detail. It was a tiny pizza and pasta bar, with red and white checked tablecloths and the ma î tre d’ was the owner himself. His wife cooked the pasta, and their children were the servers. It was like something from a previous century, but the food was amazing and the service outstanding. Dylan was sure Hawthorne would enjoy visiting there.
And after that. Ah, after the pasta he hoped Hawthorne would agree to come home with them and this time they’d fuck her properly. They’d give her so many orgasms she’d want to stay with them forever.
Their walk began just the way Dylan had imagined it, with Hawthorne tucked between him and Maelor, setting the pace, and them all talking easily about the things they saw. Unfortunately it went off the rails within the first ten minutes. They came to an intersection and the men led the way to turn right.
“Why are we turning right? I can see stores and a