Page 2 of Lost Hours
Even less, if possible. He’d lived enough of those threats as a secret service agent on the presidential detail. And, yet…here he was just to find out who organized the night.
The sun set over his shoulders and a soft breeze drifted across the lush landscape as he approached the wide steps leading up to the 1800s Victorian.
Looked calm. Serene. Peaceful even. But was it?
His steps hitched. Was he a sucker for coming here? Maybe. Possibly even. But not like he had a choice. He’d had to show up. Curiosity and all that. Besides, the rest of his Lost Lake Locators team waited for him on the veranda. He wouldn’t bail on them.
“Keep going.” Shoving the invite into the breast pocket of his tuxedo, he moved ahead to the sweeping stairs of the renovated mansion. It was perched on a cliff overlooking Lost Lake Bay and was now used as a party venue. He bounded up as fast as his slick dress shoes allowed without faceplanting.
The five other members of his team turned to face him. He’d known everyone since college, and they were like a family, but he’d never seen them in formal wear. Striking really.
All three of the guys had dark hair and close-cut beards and wore tuxedos like Nolan. Not so the women. Abby Day and Reece Waters were nothing alike. Sure, they both wore formal black dresses, but Abby was petite, had short dark hair, and held herself like the former sheriff she’d served as. Reece was tall with long blond hair, and her college modeling showed in her stance. Most people would never guess she was once an ATF agent.
Gabe Irving, a former Oregon state trooper, looked up from his phone and gave Nolan a once over. “Boss man. You clean up well.”
“It’s been a minute, though.” Nolan tugged on his bowtie and resisted pulling it completely free. “I’m not used to it.”
“At least you own yours, and it’s tailored to you.” Hayden Kraus, a former US Customs and Border Protection agent, adjusted his jacket. “This thing is binding up in all the wrong places. Give me hiking or skiing gear over this any day.”
Nolan wasn’t into the same things as Hayden, but… “Tonight I’d rather be rappelling down a cliff with you than be here.”
“You’re joking, right?” Hayden creased his forehead. “You’re the one who sent the invitations. Never thought you’d fork out this kind of cash for a little team building.”
“From me?” Nolan looked around the group. “Is that what you guys think? No wonder no one mentioned it. I wouldn’t plan a party when we have work the next day. I’m as surprised by it as you.”
Hayden faced the team. “One of you set this up?”
“Not me,” Abby said. “I’m with Nolan. Monday night isn’t a party night.”
“I didn’t send it either.” Gabe shoved his phone into his pocket.
“Not from me.” Reece looked around the area. “No way I can afford a party in an upscale place like this. Not with all my money going to buy into the business.”
“None of us can.” A hint of frustration crept into Jude’s tone. He’d had to work the hardest to come up with his buy-in to become an equal partner in Lost Lake Locators and almost didn’t leave the FBI to join the team because of it. Sure, Nolan purchased the inn with an inheritance, but the others had to chip in for upfront costs and buying needed equipment.
“Then who in the world sent out these invitations?” Reece asked.
Abby cast a concerned look around the area. “I don’t like this. Something’s up.”
“What, is the question.” Gabe rested a hand on the sidearm tucked under his tuxedo jacket.
The front door groaned open. Nolan’s heart gave a kick, and he felt for his concealed weapon as he spun to face the building.
A man he put in his fifties stepped out. Thick gel slicked back his inky hair, and he wore a formal tux and white cloth gloves. “Wonderful. You’re all here. My name is Smythe, and I’ll see to your needs this evening.”
What in the world?Nolan blinked a few times. Was this man an actor hired to play a formal butler or a real butler? If an actor, Nolan was buying into his role.
“Follow me.” He spun in a precise pivot and entered the house.
Gabe frowned, his gaze locked on Smythe. “This is getting weirder and weirder.”
“Yeah, but if we want to find out what it’s all about, then we do as he says and follow him. But take care.” Nolan gave each team member a pointed look, then strode into the mansion.
The well-groomed man stood just inside the formal two-story foyer, his posture military perfect. Nolan forced himself to look away and take in the building as his teammates entered behind him. He stood on gleaming marble tile with a sweeping grand staircase climbing to the second floor that overlooked the entry, and an impressive chandelier sparkled from above.
The butler moved, and Nolan jerked his focus back to him.
He held out his gloved hand. “The dining room is straight ahead to your right, and dinner will be served in five minutes.”
