Chapter Fifty-Five #2
“Something could have happened. But it doesn’t mean he was kidnapped. It could be anything. A car accident. A delay. A race.” Carlos called Hale on speaker.
It went to voicemail. My worry increased.
“I wonder if his sisters track his phone? Not that I have any of their numbers. I’m not sure if I want to ask Grif. I know.” Carlos snapped his fingers. “Rusty. She’s the Maimer’s team captain and a friend of mine.” He started texting, worry coming through our bond.
Dusty came back in. “Raelynn is offended.”
“Raelynn was following us.” I rolled my eyes.
Carlos’ phone rang with an unknown number. He put it on speaker and set it on the breakfast bar. “This is Carlos.”
“Carlos, this is Mercy. Um, did my brother go to the Circle?” she asked.
“Yes, he went yesterday to get clothes and do some things. He was supposed to be back by now and we can’t get a hold of him.” Carlos leaned over the phone.
“Okay, that makes sense. I was wondering if Big Tad was stoned. Tad called me and said Hale left his puppy at the house, but not to worry because they were feeding him, and hopefully the drug bandits wouldn’t take him. Yeah, I’m not making this up.” Mercy sighed.
“Drug bandits?” My voice grew concerned.
“Someone broke into their house but only stole drugs and booze. And people say Briar and Marquess aren’t party schools.” She sighed again. “Big Tad is Hale’s friend and one of his housemates. He used to tutor me, which is how he has my number.”
“Got it. Wait, his puppy?” Carlos frowned.
“He did say he got us a surprise,” I replied. Oooh, a puppy?
“Yes, he left a puppy and a duffle of clothes. But that’s not what worried Tad.
Apparently, Candy from the Titty Tank called and said Hale’s truck was in the parking lot when she got off her shift, but Hale had left hours ago.
Not sure why my brother was at a strip club, but Tad was a little freaked out, and I admit, it’s weird.
Especially if you expected him home and can’t get a hold of him.
According to Tad, Candy said the whole thing felt off,” Mercy added.
“He works as a bouncer at the strip club. He was resigning,” Carlos said.
“I didn’t know it was called the Titty Tank?” I replied. “That sounds like he was kidnapped from the strip club parking lot.”
“Out of all the strip clubs he could work at, he works at the Titty Tank? I thought he worked in the campus cafeteria. You’re right, this is starting to feel like a Hale-napping.
Now, I have seen too many movies, but does my brother owe anyone money?
Or maybe he shorted someone drugs?” Mercy asked.
“I’m not sure why anyone would kidnap my brother otherwise? ”
I thought for a moment. “Some guy named Clegg was mad because Hale’s selling his drug formula. Clegg wanted to buy more, and Hale didn’t want to sell it to him.”
“Oh, and he did say he was going to get his stash because Grace needs it,” Carlos added.
“Not sure who Clegg is, but that doesn’t sound good,” Mercy agreed. “Grace bought his drug? Good for him.”
“Did he say anything else about Clegg?” Dusty added.
“Um, there are no contracts. Hale gave it to him wholesale and Clegg sold it with moonshine,” I added.
“Fucking shit, Hale did not get involved with the moonshiners,” Mercy swore. “He’s an idiot.”
“But he’s our idiot. Can you track his phone?” I asked, the need to find him growing.
“Oh, maybe? Let me see if he turned his tracking back on. He shut it off when he went to Switzerland,” she said. “Got it. I’ll send it to you. My team is about to play a game. Do you need me to leave and join you? I will miss my game. This is my brother we’re talking about.”
“Mercy, don’t miss your game. We’ve got this and the moment we don’t, we’ll call you. If we need you in the middle of the game, who can we contact?” Carlos asked.
“Yeah, do that. It’s a home game. Hopefully it’s nothing, but I’ll text you who to call if you need me,” she added.
Dusty thought for a moment. “Should we call the local police?”
“Probably,” Mercy replied. “They don’t like Hale much, though.”
I shook my head. “No police. Thank you, Mercy. We’ll go get him back and call you if we need you. We appreciate you being willing to miss your game.”
“You’re welcome and anytime. I’ll call you after my game if I don’t hear from you.” She ended the call. Carlos’ phone beeped with Hale’s location.
“We could use her help,” I added, curious as to why he didn’t want her to come.
“Yes, but are we ready to explain you and Saoirse?” Carlos replied. “We’ll call her if we need her. But hopefully this isn’t anything we can’t handle.”
“I mean, of course we can handle it. It’s just that local intel is always useful,” I added. “Mercy would take our jobs in stride, but you’re right, Saoirse doesn’t like people knowing.”
Saoirse came back in. “I’m checking, but it’s doubtful that he was kidnapped because of us.”
“Good. We think we know what happened.” I filled her in.
Dusty looked at us. “We’re going to get him ourselves? I think we should call the police.”
“No police.” Saoirse held out her hand to Dusty. “Come on, Mo Ghrá. We’re a pack now. It’s time Fiona and I teach you how we take care of our own.”
I grinned. “Let’s go, Pumpkin. Time to get Hale back from whoever was dumb enough to take him.”