Page 47 of Vortex

“If you think she knows more than she’s telling you, then you do whatever is necessary to get the information we need. Can I make it any clearer than that? Whatever is necessary. We need that information.” I watch the grins appear on both of their faces and wonder if I’m doing the right thing here. They are like two smiling tigers, and I’m glad that they aren’t coming after me. “You’ll have Vortex and Twang watching your back. They are your security detail and backup if you need it. Somehow I don’t think you’ll need help getting the information. I think you’ll be more than capable in that department.”

“When do we go?” Pattie asks, “And where is she likely to be?”

“You want me to hold your hand, or just go myself? Get out and don’t come back without that intel. The sooner the better.” I wave my hand vaguely in the direction of the door and pretend to get something from my desk drawer. “Nice bike, by the way, Allegra. You might want to practice keeping it upright at stop signs and red lights, though.”

Vortex pushes her out the door before she gets to respond, and I can’t hide the laugh that bursts out at her indignant look.

*~* Pattie *~*

Leaving Pres’s office, I see Allegra stiffen at his dig about her bike being heavy. That man just can’t resist poking the bear, can he? I take them directly to my room, and we start throwing out questions, suggestions, and ideas on how to go about things. My first suggestion is to take two of the club’s SUVs.

“Why take two?” Asks Twang, but I know he’s just testing me.

“In case one gets damaged or even shot up. The last thing we need is the four of us stranded with a flat. Don’t go there with me, Twang. If I say something that doesn’t sit right with you just spit it out, but don’t question me for the sake of it. I can always ask Pres to replace you for the sake of the mission.”

Twang looks like he’s got more to say, but Vortex steps in. “Pattie’s right, Twang. Put the sibling rivalry to the side and take a back seat. Let’s hear what the lady's plan first, and if we see a problem, then we’ll offer our advice. I think Pres meant this to be their mission, not ours, otherwise he would have sent four brothers in the first place.”

Twang settles into his seat at the bottom of my bed and folds his arms. Stubborn silence I can live with right now. Allegra is quiet, but I can see she has something gnawing at her.

“What is it, Allegra? What’s eating at you?” I ask.

“I don’t know to be honest. There is just something that’s niggling me, but it’s like it’s in a fog or something. I know it’s there, but it’s not clear enough to grasp. It’s just out of reach of my mind. Do you understand?”

“I know what you mean. Don’t keep chasing it, and it will come to you. Now, where is Candi likely to be? At the Home and Hearth office? If not there, where? Do we have a home address for her?”

“Can I add something here?” Vortex asks, and I nod. “If she’s not at the office, I’d put my money on her being at the estate by the lake. She was impressed by Chris having that place, and they were getting cozy there. I’d bet she’d be making hay while the sun shines and getting the most out of the place before Cottonwood takes it away. She’s bound to know that if Chris knows it.”

“Good point, Vortex. So, we check the office first, and if she’s not there, we head out to the lake. In the meantime, we could get Bull on the case and find out her mailing address and Chris’s, too.” This is coming together quickly, I think to myself, then I realize that we’re not talking rocket science as yet.

“What do we do if she doesn’t want to talk? How far do we go to get her to open up?” Allegra asks me directly.

“You heard Pres. This intel is important, and if it’s going to stop Cottonwood, then we do whatever we need to. I’m not against causing severe pain to help the club. I know if I were missing, they would do anything and everything to bring me home safe. I’m all in this, one hundred percent.”

“Me too. I agree with you, just wanted to hear it.” Allegra stands up. “So, what are we waiting for? Let’s speak to Bull and then get this shitshow on the road.”

“Show, my love, it’s just show on the road,” Vortex corrects her.

“Whatever, my man, whatever!”

Chapter 28

*~* Allegra *~*

The Home and Hearth office is all locked up, and there are a few pieces of mail sticking out of the mailbox, so it doesn’t look as though anyone has been there since before the weekend. I know she’ll be living it up at the lakeside estate while she has the chance. I just know that’s who she is. The type of person to take advantage of someone else's misfortune. Chris is still recuperating at the clubhouse, slowly I must say, but showing improvement. Mary is loving life working with Julia in the kitchen. It’s like the movie, Julie & Julia, watching the young Julie learn to cook all the older cook’s recipes.

I’ll be surprised if Mary goes home after this is all over. She fits in with everyone so well. I’ve noticed that she keeps an eye out for the prospects, especially Noah. I’ve heard him call her Nana more than once, much to Martha’s displeasure. I don’t think anyone will be sorry to see the back of Martha, though. Especially not Pres. He has gone out of his way to be pleasant, but I saw him reach the end of his rope at the weekend when Martha was ordering Noah around as though he was her personal slave. Pres put her in her place and made sure everyone heard it, too.

Sitting in the back seat of the club’s SUV, I’m playing with a pair of binoculars that Vortex brought so we could see if anything was untoward at the estate before we drive up to the main doors. If Brandon is taking the estate from Chris, he may decide to use it himself. You never know with these things. Turning them back to front, I look at Pattie, who now seems to be miles away rather than next to me. I almost pee myself when she leans forward and puts her eyes to the other side of the lenses.

“My, my. What big eyes you have Grandma,” she quotes and I have to laugh.

“We’ll be able to see the estate shortly, if you girls have finished playing Little Red Riding Hood,” states Twang from the driver's seat.

Pattie snatches the binoculars from my hands, “My turn, and I can see better from this side.” She swings them to focus on the house that has just come into view and then leans forward as though this helps at such a distance. “Don’t slow down and do not turn into the driveway. Keep driving by normally.” She drops the binoculars into her lap and tells us not to look at the estate. Once we’re past, she tells Twang to pull over at the next safe place.

When we’re parked and out of sight of the estate driveway, she gives a little sigh and tells us what she saw.

“There were three SUVs at the house. I didn’t count the men, but there were enough that we’d be in trouble if we just rolled in there. Brandon was just leaving the house. He kissed Candi at the door…She had a towel wrapped around her.”