Chapter 8 #2
“Thank you.” Major inclined his head to the back door.
Tabitha followed him outside, and he didn’t stop until he was on the far side of the patio.
“When I reached Craig’s room, he was on the phone in a heated discussion.
And yes, I listened in on both sides of the conversation.
Whoever he was talking to had an accent similar to Italian but not quite.
Craig said he was acting stranger than usual, and the other male reminded Craig it was his place to keep him in line.
That was the deal they’d made. Craig said he was doing his best and would call again later.
He hung up before they mentioned who they were talking about.
I gave him a few seconds before knocking on the door.
I asked him if everything was okay, and he lied with a fake smile, saying it was.
I then voiced him about whether he knew Brad Campbell.
He said he did not. He’d never heard of the man before the altercation.
I was going to ask him who he was talking about on the phone, but it rang, so I told him to forget that part of our conversation before he answered.
One of the minor actors was calling to ask when he and Trista were arriving at the park since they’d heard from the studio that production was starting soon. ”
“I bet dollars to donuts the him in question is Daniel, but why would it be up to Craig to keep his uncle in line? I’m going to text Nikita and let her know that tidbit.
Not that it’s anything more to go on, but it could be important somehow.
” After sending the message, they returned inside.
Florence was pulling items out of the pantry, probably getting ready for lunch, even though they just had breakfast.
The rest of the day was uneventful. Boring, even.
Craig came out of his room long enough to eat, then retreated behind closed doors for most of the day.
He did venture out once to use the gym equipment.
Daniel went outside to smoke pot a couple of times but never even looked toward the dock.
Trista and Perry sat on the patio, sometimes together, others separately.
Trista waited until Craig was in his room to go downstairs to work out, but she didn’t ask Tabitha to spar with her again.
Tabitha and Major took advantage of the quiet to spend time on the patio when the others were inside. Other than a couple of texts, the Trio had also been quiet. That night, there were no alarms, and the next day was much the same until dinner.
Daniel’s and Perry’s phones vibrated at the same time. Both men checked their messages, but it was Daniel who announced, “Craven says we’re to proceed to the park tomorrow, whether anything happens tonight or not.”
“Craven?” Tabitha and Major asked in unison.
“The director.”
“We’ll be ready,” Tabitha responded. She slid her chair back, then picked up her empty plate.
“I’m going outside to check in with Tony,” she told Major.
After depositing her dirties in the dishwasher, Tabitha walked down the dock for privacy.
She already knew her twin was happy since she could sense his emotions through their bond.
It was great to catch up with both him and Elle.
Tony was going to take on cases close to home for the time being until they got their newly mated feet under them.
That was the good thing about working for a Gargoyle.
Mason would remember what those early days with Willow were like.
After talking to them for half an hour, she video-called her parents to check in.
Tessa recounted the showdown with Elle’s sperm donor, and Tabitha was thrilled for her mom if not a little jealous at being left out of the fight.
Andy took over the call, telling her about spending time with Rafael, Kaya, and Wesley.
He had turned to Tessa and asked for a baby brother.
Her parents gave each other heated glances, and that was her cue to disconnect.
Although, with Andy in the room, they would behave until after he went to bed before getting hot and heavy.
She couldn’t wait for that to be her and Major.
Not the kids part. Not yet. She wanted several years together before they started a family.
She was way too young, especially in Goyle terms.
The sun had gone down by the time she headed back to the house. Before she was halfway up the wooden boards, the camera alarm went off. She opened the app on her phone, and the feed showed two men climbing out of a small boat. One she hadn’t heard on the water.
“Are you sure this is the one?” a deep voice asked.
“It’s right here on the fucking map,” the second person groused.
“Let’s get the box and get out of here.”
Tabitha looked into the nearest camera and made a “come here” motion.
She could handle two humans, but Major would need to voice them.
She remained hidden while the men climbed out of the boat and searched the area.
Tabitha felt Major seconds before the soft padding of his steps met her ears.
When he stepped up behind her, she whispered, “They’re looking for the box. ”
“There it is,” one of the men mumbled. “Mother fuck!”
“What?” the other asked.
“It’s empty. Dimitri is going to kill us.”
“Hey, it’s not our fault the thing’s empty. But we better call him now. Show him there are no drugs so he doesn’t think we took them.”
Major stepped closer before they made the call, and Tabitha remained in the shadows. “Stop right there.” The air vibrated with his Gryphon’s voice.
“Do you have the box?” the taller man asked.
“I’m asking the questions. What is Dimitri’s last name?”
The shorter man shivered. “Smith.”
Major scoffed. “Smith? Seriously?” Both men nodded. “Give me his phone number,” Major demanded.
The taller man pulled out his phone, and after tapping the screen, showed it to Major who rattled off the digits aloud, and Tabitha put them in a temporary text. Major handed the phone back. “How often do you deliver drugs for Dimitri?”
“We don’t. That’s the runner’s job, but he fucked up, so Dimitri sent us to retrieve them.”
That didn’t make sense. Why did Dimitri think it was messed up? Major was on the same wavelength because he asked, “Why does Dimitri think the runner fucked up?”
“Because he disappeared without the money.”
“How does he know the drugs were delivered?”
“Kevin sent him a text showing the box by the dock,” the shorter man responded.
“And this Kevin was supposed to exchange the drugs for money? Who carries that much cash with them these days?”
The taller man looked at Major like he was nuts. “Someone who doesn’t want to leave a paper trail when doing something illegal. No money means Dimitri wants the product back.”
“Here’s how this is going to play out.” Major then went through the same steps with these two as he had Kevin.
He took a video with his phone of them admitting to why they were at the dock.
He then made copies of both their driver’s licenses before instructing them to go home without speaking to Dimitri and to not leave town.
Wordlessly, they climbed back in the boat, but this time, instead of rowing to keep the noise down, they started the small motor and maneuvered across the lake.
When Major reached Tabitha, he forwarded the information to her so she could send it along with Dimitri’s phone number to Mason. “I think unless I voice everyone, we’re not going to find out who ordered the drugs.”
“Then let’s—”
Major pressed his fingertips to Tabitha’s lips. “Someone’s coming,” he whispered. They both turned to see Perry strolling down the dock.
“Did I hear a boat?” he asked.
“Yes. A couple of guys are renting one of the houses across the lake, and they were too drunk to find their dock,” Tabitha lied.
“Oh. Uh, that’s good, I guess. Not the drunk driving part, but that they weren’t here for Craig.”
“Exactly. Let’s get back inside and discuss leaving in the morning.”
Perry bobbed his head, then turned and strolled away.
“I probably should have voiced Perry while we had him alone,” Major muttered.
“Probably. He’s been too interested in what happens down here, but hopefully, you’ll get the opportunity before we leave. How do you want to handle getting to the park?”
“I think the same way we traveled here would work. You and Trista go first, then Craig and I can follow behind. I’m guessing Perry will take Florence to the airport. That, or he’ll call a ride for her. He and Daniel can arrive separately.”
“Sounds good. Is it wrong that I had hoped we’d have to spend a few more days here?”
Major chuckled. “Nope. But the sooner we get our clients to the set, the sooner filming can start.”
“Right. Let’s do this.” Tabitha winked at her mate before sashaying back to the house.
Major let out a low wolf whistle, and Tabitha held back a smirk.
Barely. Since she still had Cailín’s car, Tabitha called and asked if she would bring a company SUV to swap out.
She then contacted the guard at the neighborhood entrance, informing him to let Cailín in.
A couple of hours later, the guard called to let Tabitha know Cailín was on her way in.
While Major sat in the kitchen, having a slice of strawberry cake, Tabitha walked up the driveway and punched in the code to the gate.
Cailín drove through, and Tabitha followed on foot.
When Cailín climbed out, Tabitha hugged her. “I appreciate you doing this.”
“It’s nothing but a thing. You actually saved me from eating my weight in ice cream.”
“Oh, then I won’t offer you any of the delicious strawberry cake Florence made.”
Cailín playfully shoved Tabitha’s shoulder. “Like I’m passing up cake.”