12. Chapter 12
Chapter twelve
Mary Carlson sat at her computer looking for anything that would appease Hernandez.
She had a threatening call on her voicemail last night and his henchman had informed her that she better find something or else.
She knew what “or else” meant. Hernandez was sitting in a federal prison awaiting trial and every day he was there was a day closer to a hit being put out on her if she didn’t deliver.
She couldn’t find anything. Whoever was on Isla Pierce’s case was good. She wasn’t buying that Larkin was out on family leave. Where was his team? They had all disappeared as well. She knew they were on this case. Now she needed to find out where Larkin was, and she would find out where Pierce was.
She had spent the last two hours trying to hack into Larkin’s file.
This shouldn’t be so hard, she thought. She’d gotten into his file just last week.
Someone was building these walls and she needed to start taking them down or she was a dead woman.
This wasn’t as exciting as it used to be.
Her life depended on getting Hernandez this information. She needed more time.
“Hi Mary, another early morning, huh?” Steve asked as he sat down at his desk.
“Yeah, I’m getting close to clearing my desk. But it looks like it’ll take another few days to get it done.”
“Do you want to get lunch together? I didn’t make a lunch today. The cupboards are bare. All I have in my fridge is sour milk and a six pack,” he laughed. “My wife is visiting her folks with the kids, so I’m on my own.”
Mary nearly turned him down out of habit.
But maybe she should take the time to go to lunch with Steve.
He and Mitch had hung out a few times when Mitch was in town.
They were both Eagles fans and had gone to a few home games together.
She could pick his brain. Maybe he knew where Mitch was.
She turned back to Steve, “You know what, Steve—sure, these reports can wait. Where are we going?”
“I thought maybe that Mexican restaurant on East Street.”
“Sure, why not?” Mary said, doing her best to seem nonchalant.
Four hours dragged by. Mary and Steve entered the restaurant and were seated right away. The server came over with chips and salsa. They placed their orders quickly. This was a work lunch—fast and simple. Mary had only forty-three minutes to get some information out of Steve.
“Any vacation plans for you and the family this year?” she asked, deciding to start with something personal. Something to make it seem like she cared.
Steve brightened. “We’re taking the kids to Disney in the spring. It’s a big one. The kids are finally old enough to remember. Tyler’s eight and Devon is ten. What about you, Mary?”
Mary was flustered by his question. She wasn’t used to people asking about her life outside of work. “I really haven’t thought about it. Maybe I’ll take a camping trip this spring.”
“I would have never taken you for a camper,” Steve laughed.
“Just because I’m a computer geek doesn’t mean I don’t like nature. My folks took us on four camping trips a year. I can pitch a tent and make a fire on my own.”
“Wow, I’m impressed,” Steve said sitting back in his seat and munching on a chip. “You’re a woman with many talents.”
Mary didn’t like his condescension but couldn’t get caught up in that right now. She got right to it. “Have you been to any football games lately?
“I have,” said Steve. In went another chip. “I went last week with my brother. It was a great game—the Eagles won. I didn’t know you were interested in football?”
“I’m from Buffalo,” she said. “Die-hard Bills fan.”
“Gotta love an underdog,” said Steve.
Yes, don’t we, thought Mary.
“I’m an Eagles fan all the way,” he continued.
“You usually go with Mitch, don’t you?” She felt the excitement rising in her body. This is why she got into this side hustle. The thrill that went down her spine when she was close to an answer. She felt it now.
“Yeah, we were supposed to go together last week, but he couldn’t make it. He left his ticket with the boss. That’s why my brother and I went.”
“Oh, is Mitch on a case or has he taken a vacation?”
“I really don’t know,” said Steve, motioning to the waiter for more salsa. “You know we’re not privy to certain information. He could be on a case or maybe it’s hunting season. He could have taken time off to go hunting with his buddies. His family has a cabin in Virginia.”
“Really,” said Mary, slyly. “So do my folks, up near Charlottesville. I wonder where his is?”
“Someplace in Albemarle County, but I couldn’t tell you where. I haven’t a clue.”
“I’ll have to ask him the next time I see him. Wouldn’t it be funny if we both had cabins in the same area?” Mary laughed.
“I wish my family had a family place like that. Sometimes you just want to get away for a few days, ya know?”
Mary barely heard the rest of Steve’s monologue about vacation homes. She ate her tacos, wiped her hands on wet wipes, and repeated her information over and over. Albemarle County, Albemarle County…
Lara knocked on Isla’s door. “Molly, are you up?” Lara asked as she quietly opened the door. Isla was curled up under the covers. Lara walked over to the bed and touched Isla’s shoulder. “Molly, wake up, it’s four o’clock. You said you wanted to be up by four.”
Isla opened her eyes, “Oh, hi, Lara. I’m up, I’ll be down in a few minutes. I want to start dinner.” She slid out from under the covers.
“Sounds good to me,” said Lara. “I’d help, but I’m due down in the basement in ten minutes. It’s my turn to be on surveillance duty.”
“I’ll be fine,” said Isla. She knew a nap wouldn’t touch the exhaustion in her heart.
Isla went to freshen up and headed down to start dinner. Mitch and Max were at the kitchen table with Kip and Jax.
Jax turned and smiled at her as she walked into the room. “Hi, Molly! Sleep well?”
Isla nodded. “Yes, thank you. I won’t be disturbing you guys if I start dinner, will I?”
“Not at all,” Max said. “What’s for dinner?”
“Meatloaf and mashed potatoes.”
The guys oohed and ahhed. It made Isla smile. Max said, “Why don’t you give me the potatoes? I’ll peel them for you. Growing up it was my job to peel the potatoes and the carrots and snap the peas. My mom taught us to cook before we were in grammar school.”
“Well then, the job is all yours,” Isla laughed.
Mitch got up and took a paring knife from the drawer. He started peeling with Max while Isla mixed the ingredients for meatloaf. After everything was done and in the oven, Mitch turned to Isla. “Want to take a short walk?”
“Forty-five minutes for the oven,” Isla said with a smile. “A short one.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Mitch saluted.
Isla and Mitch headed into the woods on the path that led to the compound’s training center.
“You okay? You’ve been really quiet since we got back,” Mitch asked, concerned.
Isla hugged herself against the mountain chill. “I’m okay, I just need some time to process everything. I knew facing that monster would be tough, but I didn’t realize how hard it would really be. The way he stared me down made my heart stop. He terrifies me.”
“He wanted to scare and intimidate you. That’s his power play. Don’t worry, once he’s in prison forever, it’ll be over. There’s no way he’s getting out of this, this time.”
“I hope you’re right. I can’t live this way, not knowing if he’s going to find me or my folks.”
“You’re safe with us, Molly.” He took her hand in his while they walked along the trail.
There was a clearing up ahead with a small stream running through it.
They sat on the rocks alongside it. She leaned against Mitch’s chest as he gathered her to him.
He kissed her brow as they sat in silence enjoying the sounds of nature around them.
“Isn’t it hunting season?” Isla said. “My friend’s brothers always go hunting around Thanksgiving.”
“It is, but Curt’s property is posted so we shouldn’t have another episode like we did last week. We’re being vigilant though. We’re watching the monitors 24/7. If anyone breaches the compound, we’ll know about it.”
Isla bit her lip. “Mitch, how long are we going to be here? It’s been more than two weeks already.
It could take months before Hernandez goes to trial.
How long before they change teams? I can’t imagine that you and your team are going to be with me until this is over. You guys have lives and families.”
“We’ll be relieved two at a time now that the case has gone to the grand jury.
Our team will rotate every two days. The team that’ll come in to relieve our team will be here seven days a week.
They’re a team of four. Good people, I’ve worked with them for years.
You can trust them. I handpicked them myself. ”
“So you’re leaving?” Isla said, her heart sinking.
Mitch shook his head. “Each of us will get a two-day pass to go home. Molly, I’m not going anywhere unless I need to.”
Isla felt bad now. Like she was keeping him here against his will. “Mitch, you need time off for yourself. The holidays are coming up—what about your family? I’m sure they want to spend time with you.”
“I’ll spend time with them when this is over. I’m not leaving you alone. I’m in charge of this team and what I say goes. Don’t worry about me. I want to be here.”
“Thanksgiving is coming up,” Isla said. “Is anyone from the team going home to their family?” Call it the aftereffect of foster care, but Isla constantly worried about people not having family at the holidays.
“Lara and Colt are going home for the holiday,” Mitch said. “They’ll be back on Friday.”
Then Isla got an idea. “If we’re going to be here for the holiday, I guess I need to plan my menu so that Jax can bring me the groceries I’ll need. I’m making a proper Thanksgiving feast.”
Mitch smiled. “Just give me a list and I’ll see that you get what you need.”
Mitch leaned down and touched his lips to hers. He took her hand. “Come on, we’ve been gone long enough. I don’t want your dinner to burn. And just so you know, meatloaf is my favorite dinner.”
“I would have pegged you for a fried chicken kind of guy. Meatloaf, huh?”
“Yep, meatloaf.” He laughed as he tugged her along.