Chapter 2
Worley
“We have a problem.”
“Not what I want to hear, Nick.”
Of course, there’s a problem. There’s always a problem.
My job as VP is to handle as much of it as possible before going to our Prez.
I try to handle it all when Mack is stressed.
January is the worst month of the year for the McLeod family.
Mack tries to hold the family together. The truth is, he struggles more than everyone knows.
We’re halfway through February. If anything negative happens around January eighteenth, it takes Mack’s ole’ lady a while to get herself back to somewhat normal.
Mack stays close until she works her way through it.
Nanny’s trying. However, the incident at Ariel’s Candlelight Vigil has legal consequences.
The legal matter is ridiculous and shouldn’t have happened.
A candlelight vigil is held every year in memory of Ariel and Baby Angel.
Pastor Rhodes’ church held it this year.
His daughter, Finley, did a nice job honoring our girls.
Sadly, her parents were disrespectful. When they were practically throwing us out of their fellowship hall, in a moment of hurt, anger, and grief, Nanny threw the candle holder in her hands at the Pastor’s wife. As I said, it’s ridiculous.
Thankfully, we have one of the best lawyers in the state.
Ciara Hollis is more brutal in court than her grandfather is.
And trust me, Robert Hollis rarely loses a case.
Nick did a background check on Ciara after she showed up at the Sheriff’s Office last month.
Robert trained his granddaughter very well.
Nick runs a hand through his hair and drops his head. “I don’t want this one, either, man.”
I pause and look him over. He’s fidgeting and can’t focus his gaze on anything. He takes a deep breath through his nose and swallows hard. This is bad, really bad. What’s got him so ruffled?
“We’ll figure it out before we go to Mack.”
“Can’t. We have to get him right away.”
I stand straighter and brace myself. My breaths come deeper, just like Nick’s.
Whatever this is, it involves the McLeod family personally.
Anger builds within me. What has our idiotic townsfolk done now?
My friend has been through enough. I’m ready to go to town and slam my fist into someone’s face tonight.
“Spill it, Nick,” I demand.
His eyes, laced with pain, finally meet mine. “Harley’s missing.”
And the world stops spinning.
Problem is an understatement. This is world-ending. It will totally and completely destroy the entire McLeod family. They’re barely holding on by a thread as it is. They’ve lost three family members. They can’t handle losing another one. I can’t handle losing anyone else.
I run a hand over my mouth and down my beard. Turning away, I pace in circles to compose myself. It doesn’t help. My brain may explode on this one. I can’t take this to Mack. Can’t keep it from him, either. I spin around and stomp back to our computer geek.
“How’d this happen? How does somebody go missing?” I lean down and narrow my eyes. My voice is heavy and deep. “You said this place would help her.
Nick takes a step back. He swallows hard and closes the leather case around his tablet. “The resort is one of the best in the country. Harley was doing good. She didn’t like that we took her there, but she was working through some things, earning extra privileges.”
That’s true. Harley hated us for taking her to a rehab center.
She loudly told us so the entire way. The center is private and secluded.
They use resort rather than rehab in their name.
Harley hasn’t earned visitors yet. She was granted family video calls after a week.
Her next one is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.
“Explain missing, Nick.” I need more info before I go to Mack.
“There was a Valentine’s Day party at the town community center.” He closes his eyes for a moment and releases a long breath. “A team from the resort was working in the kitchen. Harley was supposed to take out a bag of trash and go to the restroom.” His voice drops. “She didn’t come back.”
“That’s really all you know?” I hate questioning him, but this is serious.
Nick’s good, really good. He’s found information that people have tried to keep from us. We do a deep search on everyone who comes in contact with Ariel’s Angels. Nick hides everything about the club and our secret organization. It’s hard to believe he doesn’t know more.
“It’s all they’re giving me.” He shakes his head and his hand balls into a fist.
“But you’re digging?”
“Yeah, man.” His eyes widen like I’m a fool. “It’s Harley. I have to find her.”
I place a hand on his shoulder to ground him before he explodes. “We’ll find her.”
“Director Spears requested a video call with us as quickly as possible.”
Yeah, this can’t wait. There’s nothing I can do to fix this before going to Mack.
“Where you wanna set up?”
“Mack’s office is more private. If the Prez wants church after, we can call everybody in.”
“Go.” I motion toward the door. “Get everything ready. I’ll get Mack and the rest of the family.”
I follow Nick inside. He hurries across the Den and disappears down the hallway. Jack walks in from the backyard. I’ll need his help.
“Jack.” I toss an arm over his shoulders and pull him close so no one else can hear. “Got a meeting in your dad’s office. Have you seen him?”
Jack’s eyebrows draw together. “We have a meeting, and Dad doesn’t know?” I nod. “This A.A.?”
“No.” I sigh and look him in the eye. “It’s family.”
Jack holds my gaze like he’s trying to read my mind. “Okay. Who do we need?”
“For now, Granddad, and call Jay.”
“Where’s Jay?” Jack looks toward the front door.
We’re watching Jay closely with all the trouble going on with the Rhodes family. Jay’s path doesn’t need to cross with the Pastor’s son. Thankfully, the wild card McLeod is still on club property.
“He took your friend, Grayson Westbrook, up to his house for the night. Gray’s too drunk to drive.”
Jack rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, I need to talk to Gray about his drinking.”
“Sounds like a good plan for tomorrow.” I slap him on the back twice. “Get Granddad. I’ll find your Dad.” He’s probably where his wife is.
I pause and take a deep breath before pushing open the door to the kitchen.
This would be so much easier anywhere else.
The McLeod women and a few of their friends are in here.
If the universe is on my side tonight, I’ll get Mack to the hallway before I have to tell him his daughter is missing.
Putting it off is only making it worse. The moment I step into the kitchen, it’s obvious the universe is out to kill me.