Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Irish walked into Ox’s office and found Angel and Growler already in there, both holding an envelope like the one he carried. He spied one sitting on the desk in front of Ox.
“So, we all got one?” he asked, as he closed the door behind him. Not that it was necessary, as Fox and his team were with Julian at his office, going over some intel for the mission happening in the new year.
“Yep. What do you suppose it is?” Angel asked, tapping the envelope against his thigh.
“Did anyone ask Yolanda who dropped them off?” Growler asked.
“I did, and she said that they were dropped off by a messenger service, and all she was told was to make sure that we all got it,” Ox replied.
“And before you ask, I’m not going to get Cass to review the footage from the cameras in the foyer to see who exactly it was that dropped them off. I don’t think it’s anything sinister.”
Irish tended to agree with his friend. “Do we know if Fox’s teams got envelopes as well?”
If their desks were empty, then it would be a good indication they were the ones who’d arranged for the envelopes to be delivered.
“I didn’t look,” Growler said.
“I’ll go look.” Angel was out the door before Ox could stop him. He really didn’t like the idea of there being a division between the men he employed. That wouldn’t bode well for the future and for the good of the company.
“They’ve got envelopes too.” Angel announced, walking back into his office.
Relief swept through Ox. “Well then, seems we’ve all got one. Shall we open them and see what it’s all about?”
He didn’t get to finish his sentence before the sound of ripping paper filled the air. He waited half a second before doing what his friends were doing. He pulled out a white card with Christmas baubles in silver and blue printed into the corners of it.
“It’s an invitation to a Christmas party,” Irish murmured. “But it doesn’t say who it’s from. And it’s for tonight. Who the fuck sends an invite out with only a few hours’ notice?”
Were the invites on the others’ desks red herrings to ensure they were put off the scent that Fox and his team were up to something?
Ox sighed. “I guess we know what we’ll be doing tonight. It’s a Friday night, so not like we have to be back here tomorrow.”
“I guess so. Will you be bringing Oscar?” Angel asked, tapping the invitation on his chin.
“Of course, I am. I’m not leaving him home with some stranger. The invitation doesn’t say we can’t bring kids.”
“You know you’re going to have to leave Oscar with a sitter at some time in your life?” Angel pointed out.
“I will,” Ox said indignantly, not at all ashamed that the very idea of leaving his son alone wasn’t one he could deal with.
Maybe when he was a little older, he’d be willing to do so.
But at the moment, he was too little and too young.
Eveline felt the same way, so he didn’t have to worry about his wife thinking he was being overprotective.
Growler laughed, and Ox glared at him. “What are you laughing at?”
“Nothing.” He clamped his lips shut, and Ox gave him the bird, which only set him off on another fit of laughter, which set off both Irish and Angel.
“Don’t you all have something to do?” He stared them down, but it had little effect; they knew him too well to be shaking in their boots.
“I still think Fox and his team are involved somehow,” Irish muttered on his way out the door.
“I guess we’ll find out in a few hours.” At least Ox figured they would. If it turned out the party was put on by someone else, then the mystery of if Fox and his team were up to something was still ongoing.