Deadline

by Judy McDonough

It took nearly the entire six weeks for Cade's buddies to get him the information he needed. And Tony didn't want to discuss over the phone what he’d found. Said Callahan was low and mixed up with some nasty people. He overnighted an envelope with everything Cade needed. Tony wasn't kidding. It was big.

  Cade rushed through the door and found Eddie diving into a shrimp po'boy sandwich.

  "Beau, what's up? You look like you just ran a marathon. You all right?"

  "Yes, sir. I'm okay, but I have something important I need to show you."

  "Sure, what's going on?"

  Cade slid the manila folder on the table and sat down with Eddie. "KC Real Estate Investors is owned by Kenneth Callahan. Trevor's father."

  The lines on Eddie's face intensified. "Really? That's interesting. Do you have any idea why he would be interested in owning my property?"

  "Yes, sir. He's the one who bought all the surrounding properties, as well. Mr. Fontenot, we can't let Caroline marry Trevor. I don't want to hurt her, but if she marries him, she will be hurt worse in the long run."

  Eddie skimmed the papers Cade set in front of him. "Beau, I know you have feelings for Caroline, but crashing her wedding is not the way to win her heart."

  "I understand that, sir, but winning her heart is not my intention at the moment. Protecting her is. And protecting you."

  Eddie's eyes flashed up to his. "Why would I need protecting?"

  Cade flipped to the last page in the folder. "Read this, sir. It's very important we stop that wedding."

  Eddie read the information and his eyes enlarged when he got to the end. His serious expression confirmed his understanding.

  "Where did you get this information? Is this fact or assumption?"

  "One of my good friends is a private detective, and I asked him to do some digging for me about Kenneth Callahan. I received this in the mail this morning. I also got a call from him confirming the severity of this news."

  "Is Trevor involved?"

  "I'm not sure, but it's possible. After seeing the way he treated Caroline, I wouldn't put it past him."

  "Yeah, I met the little prick, too. I wasn't impressed. But the Mafia? Really? He didn't seem that threatening to me."

  "No, but his dad may be."

  "What do you suggest we do?"

  Cade smiled. "I was hoping you'd ask me that." He filled Eddie in on the details of his plan and Eddie left is half-eaten sandwich to immediatey go upstairs and pack. Cade's bags were already loaded in Caroline's Jeep as he jumped in and hit the road.

  He headed for Chicago with his manila folder full of valuable information in the front seat beside him and a smile on his face.

  Thirty-Eight