Page 18 of Night Moves
Drake shook his head. “She’s out for the count.”
“And you’re not going to wake her up?”
“Likely an adrenaline crash, and she needs to sleep it off.”
Erik arched a brow, looking like their mother when she was grilling them for misbehaving. Drake had rarely caved under their mom’s scrutiny, and he wouldn’t cave for his little brother.
Erik tipped his chair back. “So how do you want to proceed?”
“Let me check in with Clay and Malone to see what’s happening at Gentry’s place.” Drake went to his iPad to send an encrypted message using their Virtual Private Network, which masked his location, and asked for an update from Clay.
Clay’s reply came right away, and he read it aloud for Erik.
Subject inside. Police knocking but no answer. Seems like they’re waiting for direction to proceed.
Keep me updated,Drake replied.
Erik dropped the legs of his chair to the floor. “So now what, oh, wise one?”
Drake ignored his sarcasm. “We focus on protection while I try to get a hold of Malone and see if she knows more. We’ll do what we normally would with a two-man protection detail. I’ll remain here with the protectee, and you take the end of the driveway so we have advance warning of any danger.”
“Figured you would say that,” he grumbled. “Talk about boring.”
“Well, don’t fall asleep, whatever you do.”
“I know how to do my job.”
“Yeah, but this is your second shift of the day.”
“Same for you, but we do this all the time.” He blew out a breath. “You’re just questioning me because I’m the youngest.”
Was he? Maybe. “I expect things to be quiet, so you can spend your time in the truck doing research on Kirk Gentry.”
“Fine.” He pushed to his feet and closed his laptop then tucked it under his arm. “Go do your thing. I got this.”
“It won’t be more interesting in here, you know?”
“But it’ll be far more comfortable.” Erik went to the kitchen and opened the cabinet.
“Help yourself,” Drake said letting his sarcasm flow.
“Hey man, you put me on surveillance duty. The least you can do is provide me with a few protein bars.” He grabbed a handful and pocketed them, then filled a travel tumbler with water. “You’ll call Aiden and Brendan in for relief in the morning, right?”
Drake held up his iPad. “Will do once I have more information.”
“Let me know when they’re expected. Wouldn’t want to shoot one of my brothers.” He grinned and stepped out the door.
Drake shook his head. His brother could be a smart aleck, but Drake was thankful for him. Sure, Erik complained at times. Who wouldn’t? But now he was off to spend the night in his cold truck watching the road while Drake had a more comfy spot.
Didn’t matter. Comfy or not, Drake wouldn’t be sitting. He’d be by the door watching. Waiting. His gut said this Gentry guy was bad news, and Drake wasn’t going to let him get anywhere near the woman and kids sleeping upstairs.
Natalie woke with a start and sat up. Where in the world was she? She glanced around the room with a hint of cedar in the air. Willow lay next to her and the other Gentry children were snuggled into twin beds.
Right. She was at Drake Byrd’s hunting cabin, and Kirk was doing who knows what. How long had she been out?
She checked her watch. One a.m. She’d been sleeping for an hour and Kirk could be using that time to find her. Or trying to evade the police. Just because they’d gotten to his house didn’t mean they arrested him. Natalie had to find out what was happening.
She slid out from under a downy warm handcrafted quilt.A quilt.She hadn’t put that on before falling asleep. And her shoes. She’d been wearing them. Now they were sitting neatly on the floor. Who’d removed them and covered her?
