8. Chapter Eight #3
He looked tired and let out a defeated sigh.
“Ryan barely acknowledged I was in the room. It hasn’t been this bad since Ross…
” He trailed off as ghosts of the night Liam’s failure caused the death of Ryan’s brother darkened his eyes.
After a moment, he shook his head. “Lianne is going to check in with Ellen to see if she’s been in contact with Ryan at all today.
Apparently, they’ve been sort of dating or something.
Not that he’s mentioned much about it to me.
” There was a lot of bitterness in his voice.
“Regardless of what they’re calling it, Lianne is gambling heavily on Ellen being able to punch through whatever mental wall he’s thrown up. ”
“I’m sorry he wouldn’t talk to you.”
Lukas only shrugged and took another sip of his whiskey. “It is what it is.”
I perched on the edge of the other chair, watching Lukas stew as he drank.
This isn’t good.
I pulled out my phone.
Peter:
Quinn:
Peter:
I stayed there until there was a quiet knock on the door. When I opened it and saw Quinn, I let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
She nodded. “I’ve got this. Thanks again for letting me know.”
I stepped out of the room and closed the door behind Quinn after she walked in. While I deliberated where to head next, Lynette walked through the foyer and turned to head in my direction.
“Peter. Just the person I was looking for.”
My head snapped up, and I smiled at her. “How can I help you?”
“Join me in my office.” It wasn’t a request. I followed her down the hall, and after stepping inside the private room, she looked back at me. “Please shut the door and have a seat.”
My heart rate shot up as I complied. Am I in trouble? What could I have possibly done in the last couple hours?
Lynette smiled at me after I sat down. “Breathe, Peter. You’re not in trouble, I promise. Actually, it’s quite the opposite.”
I sat up a little straighter. “Ma’am?”
A more serious, concerned expression filled her face as she leaned back in her chair.
This woman, the Agosti matriarch, prided herself on being put together and presenting a polished, unshakable presence.
Before me right now was a woman, while still beautiful, looked far more tired and frustrated than I’d ever seen her.
She also had her greying hair pulled back in an uncharacteristic ponytail.
From what Lianne had mentioned when she had been out in Colorado, her mom only ‘rocked the pony’ when she literally had to take matters into her own hands.
She impressed upon me it was rarely a good sign.
“There was more than one reason I asked you to accompany Lukas and Quinn on this trip. That wasn’t the favor.
This is the favor.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“I need your help with a secret project. It’s not in any of the usual places you work, and it can’t be done during your regular working hours. ”
“Okay?” I was both honored and worried by this introduction.
“This favor requires the utmost tact and secrecy. And before I ask it, you need to know there are only five…” Lynette paused, pain flickering in her eyes for a moment.
“No, now there are only four people involved in this, and that’s including the person I’m helping.
” She swallowed hard and then cleared her throat before continuing.
“Edith and Lukas both speak very highly of you, and George also liked you. It’s a significant reason why I’m asking you. ”
My eyebrows shot up. “Oh. That kind of situation.” I swallowed hard. “Am I allowed to know who else is involved?”
“Me, Ryan, Edith, and the person being protected.”
I blinked several times. “Lianne and Lukas don’t know?”
“No.” Lynette shook her head. “If you agree to help me, you can’t tell anyone about this.
Not Phil. Not Cole. Not Quinn. Not even Lukas.
No one. Secrecy of this situation is paramount.
That being said, I realize the position I’d be putting you in, and I understand if you don’t feel comfortable agreeing to this. ”
I nodded slowly, a bit stunned as I processed what she said. “Lynette, you’ve more than earned a favor from any of us. What I do in my free time is my choice. Now, as long as your request doesn’t put anyone in danger, I would be honored to help you.”
She smiled and nodded. “I assure you, the last thing I want is for anyone to be in danger, thus the secrecy. What I need is for you to check on a property for me and deliver supplies to a secure location from time to time.”
That’s it? “That doesn’t sound difficult.”
Lynette glanced up at the closed door and then leaned forward on her desk as she returned her attention to me. “Maybe not on the surface, but the situation around it is complicated.”
“How so?”
“Before I go any further, I need to know if you are in. Officially.”
If it’s this important to Lynette and Edith to keep whatever this is locked down this tight, I need to help out, especially since Ryan isn’t at his best for the moment. I glanced up and nodded. “I’m in.”
A wide smile appeared on the older woman’s face. “I thought you might be.”
“So, aside from property surveillance and supply drops, what did I just agree to, exactly?”
Lynette clasped her hands in front of her, squeezing them tight for a moment. “Edith is helping me take care of someone, and because of extenuating circumstances right now, I can’t in good conscience let her make the usual supply drop.”
I furrowed my brow. “Couldn’t Frank help her? We both know how he loves taking care of everyone.”
She shook her head. “Unfortunately, he can’t. He doesn’t know anything about it or that she even does it. He can’t know. It’s for the same reason George didn’t even know what I was doing.”
My jaw dropped. “George didn’t know?”
Lynette let out another sigh as she looked down at her wedding ring. “He knew I was protecting someone, but that was it. He respected me enough not to push for more details. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you a life depends on your stealth and silence on the matter.”
I nodded, trying not to show how overwhelmed I was. “Understood. Where exactly is this location?”
“Roughly an hour from the lodge if conditions are favorable.”
If conditions are favorable? Interesting. “I’m assuming the location is off the beaten path, then?”
She nodded again. “Very much so. Once you're back in Colorado, Edith can walk you through the best path she’s found.”
“Can your person wait that much longer for supplies?”
“They will be fine for another few days. We all would rather stretch current supplies to preserve their safety than risk someone else getting hurt.”
“Well, I feel better that Quinn already mentioned she could only stay for two days, max. It will make getting back faster so much easier.”
Lynette grinned, and I noted relief in her blue-grey eyes. “Thank you, Peter.”
I leaned back in my chair. “One last thing. Is there a name for this… situation?”
“Project Hummingbird.” Lynette’s phone buzzed, and she smiled as she looked at the screen. “Oh good. Backup is on the way.”
“Backup?”
She nodded. “Ellen is coming to try talking to Ryan.”
A sad smile appeared on my face. “She’s someone special, isn’t she?”
“Very much so. I see a lot of myself in her. Between you and me, she is Ryan’s perfect match.
” Lynette then sat up straighter, looking far lighter than she had when I first walked in.
“There are more than enough people working right now, and you have had your hands more than full the last twenty-four hours. Please go relax. You can use the guest room closest to the garage.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”