Worth Your While

by Connie Suttle

  "Who are we looking for?" Zach asked, lifting a thermal mug of coffee to his lips.

  "You're probably going to like half of this assignment," I offered him a grin. "We're tailing Gorham and Franks, in addition to Dalton and Morton King. There's a good chance they could be together for the moment."

  "Partners in crime?" Zach's left eyebrow elevated, and there was a glint of speculation in his eye.

  "Got it in one," I said. "I guess you heard about the Douglasville Pack?"

  "Yeah. Knew a couple of them, too. These four involved in that?"

  "Up to their eyebrows. As was the former Prince of Alabama. But you didn't hear that from me."

  "Already gone, eh? As in permanently?"

  "Yep."

  "Somebody didn't waste any time, then."

  "That somebody was the Chancellor. I wasn't there, but I got a firsthand report after."

  "I'll dig into the records right away, then," Zach promised. "I'll have property records for you first, and then vehicle registrations after."

  "We've got someone else on that already," I said. "They're also tracking credit card usage. If there's a recent real estate purchase made by Gorham or Franks, that's the information we'll want from you, first thing. If you can talk to anybody who may have been involved in those purchases, including former owners, I'd like all the info you can get for me."

  "Got it. You gonna be in the state for a while?"

  "Maybe for another day or so. I'll let you know when I head home."

  "All right. I'll have something for you in three days at the latest."

  "Thanks, Zach." I stood and offered my hand. We shook on the deal; I pulled a check from my pocket and handed it over. "I'm good for anything over that, too," I said.

  "I never worry about the bill if I'm working for you, Cliff."

  "Makes for good business all around." I nodded to him and then walked toward the door, with Jerry right behind me.

  "That didn't take long," Kent said as Jerry and I climbed into the car.

  "That means we get lunch sooner," I teased and shut my door.

  Cassie

  Doctor Chalmers didn't say a word about what I did to get away from Ross Diablo. I was worried he'd tell me I should have gone to the police or the Chancellor or somebody else. Instead, he listened carefully while I told him about that particular episode.

  I wasn't asked to explain anything regarding how many people Ross had under his thumb, or that my main objective was getting Destiny to safety. I was afraid Ross would use her against me, and he'd ended up doing just that.

  That confession would wait for another visit, because my hour was up.

  "Are you having anxiety or depression now?" Doctor Chalmers asked as he set down his notepad.

  "I don't think so; I'm just having major trust issues."

  "That's understandable. Cliff knows how to get in touch with me personally, so let him know if there's anything you need between now and our next appointment. I also think keeping a journal of your thoughts, feelings and memories may be a good idea. You can share those with me or not, but it often helps just putting them down on paper."

  "I'll consider that," I agreed. After all, what would it hurt?

  "Good. I'll see you next week, then," he said.

  "Thank you for seeing me, Doctor Chalmers."

  "No problem. I'm here if you need me."

  "Cliff is about five minutes away, and wants to take us to lunch," Rob reported when I walked back to the waiting area.

  "Lunch sounds good," I said. "I was afraid to eat much at breakfast—I didn't think the doctor would like me nervous-barfing in his office."

  "Always a downer," Rob drawled.

  I wanted to snicker. A small one may have escaped anyway, but there was still a wide gulf between Rob and me, as much as he wanted it to be smaller.

  Cliff pulled into the parking lot in less than five minutes; Rob and Yosuke followed me out the door. Yosuke gripped my arm the moment I felt an uncomfortable tingle tighten my shoulders.

  Someone is watching, Yosuke informed me. Into the vehicle. Quickly, now.

  Ducking my head, I allowed Rob to step in front of me. Yosuke took the position behind. We may have broken a record for getting into the Escalade and shutting the door.

  "Problem?" Cliff frowned as he backed up.

  "Someone is watching us," Yosuke explained. "I cannot determine who without staying longer, and we should not stay longer."

  "Yeah," I agreed. "I feel—itchy and worried at the same time." It was the closest description to the uncomfortable feeling I had. Yosuke's eyes may have narrowed slightly at me, but he didn't remark on my statement.

  "Let me know if they follow us to the restaurant. I'll fight somebody over that," Cliff declared and slid out of the parking lot into traffic.

  The uncomfortable feeling faded the farther from Doctor Chalmers' office we drove, and Yosuke gave the go-ahead to Cliff when we stopped at the Buckhead Diner. Outside, it looked like a classic fifties-style diner, with a chrome exterior. Inside, it held a nice, fully-stocked bar and waitstaff who wore white gloves.

  "The food is amazing," Cliff said after checking in with the front desk.

  "I second that," Rob said softly. That meant they'd been here together in the past. "Matthews Cafeteria is awesome, too, but that's farther away," Rob added.

  "Matthews Cafeteria is just a small building next to train tracks in Tucker," Cliff explained. "Everything is down-home southern and amazing."

  "Then maybe we could go, sometime," I said. Talking about food made me hungrier by the second, and my stomach growled in response.

  "Right this way," a smiling waiter arrived to take us to our table. We were led to a round table near the back windows, with enough chairs to accommodate us. Water was poured and menus were distributed.

  "The mac and cheese tots are good as an appetizer," Rob grinned over his menu.

  "Want to share?" I asked him.

  "Oh, yeah."

  "We'll get three orders for the table," Cliff agreed. "That'll keep us busy until the rest of our food comes out."

  "These are addictive," I said, stuffing another mac and cheese tot in my mouth. "If the rest of the food is this good, this is a keeper, for sure."

  When I tasted the meatloaf not long after, I knew I'd want to come back. Cliff grinned when I made my yum sound; he'd ordered the same thing.

  Rob wouldn't let Cliff pay at the end; he pulled out his wallet and plunked down cash, including a generous tip.

  I suspected he didn't want to leave a credit card trail, in case whoever was watching earlier went looking for that information. I wanted to shiver as that thought crossed my mind. I didn't appreciate anyone knowing anything about us being here.

  Are you on your way back? Parke sent as we loaded into the Escalade.

  Just now. Is there something you need?

  Just to talk. I've gotten permission from the Mountain Clan to go ahead with our plan, with a couple of adjustments.

  What kind of adjustments?

  I'll explain when you and Cliff get here. It's nothing you won't want, so don't worry about it.

  All right. We'll be there soon.

  How was lunch?

  Parke, I really want to bring you to this restaurant. You'll love it.

  Then we'll go sometime.

  With Destiny and your mom.

  Even better.

  "I have a name for you to use, and they're sending two rock demons to guard you, so it'll appear more authentic," Parke informed Cliff and me. "They're scheduled to arrive at the Birmingham Airport in two days, so we can pick them up on our way back. We don't have a new location, yet, but I figure we'll have something soon enough."

  "Will it be in the Tuscaloosa area, or somewhere else?" Cliff asked.

  "I don't care where it is," Parke said. "As long as our requirements are met."

  "Averill may have found something," Rob tapped on the open door.

  "We were just talking about that. What
do you have?" Parke asked.

  "There's new construction on Sandpiper Lagoon in Gulf Tides. It's comparable to the house outside Tuscaloosa. The owner had it built just before his tech stocks tanked, so he's looking to sell quick. Averill and the other sprite kingdoms have offered to buy the property if you find it suitable."

  "Easily defensible?" Cliff demanded.

  "Yes. The property is enclosed in an eight-foot wall on three sides, with an electronic gate just off the street. The back side is open to the water, of course, and has a private dock. Ten bedrooms, plus a separate guest cottage with four bedrooms and a kitchen," Rob described the property. "Nearly twenty-thousand square feet, total."

  "How much?"

  "The price isn't a problem; we only have to approve the property. If it isn't suitable, we'll find something else."

  "Do you have pictures?" I asked.

  "I have pictures," Rob said, grinning. "Want to see?" he held up his phone.

  "Yes," I said, feeling more excited than I probably should. "Gimme." I held out my hand for his phone. He walked in and handed it to me. There, already pulled up on the screen, was the exterior image of a neo-Victorian beauty, with pointed-roof turrets on each front corner.

  Built in a creamy stone, with gold and brown accents, it was any princess' dream.

  "Did Averill go looking for a castle on purpose?" Parke blinked at Rob after studying the photo.

  "I believe he went looking for what fit your requirements," Rob said dryly. "This is the closest he could get."

  I swiped the screen to get to the next image, which was a grand entryway beyond a wide, double front door. "Do you know how nice this would look decorated for Christmas?" It was my turn to look up at Rob.

  "That's your holiday, not mine, but I have been known to participate from time to time." His eyes held a gleam of mischief as he told me that.

  "He likes eggnog and pumpkin pie," Cliff snorted.

  "Spiked eggnog," Rob amended.

  "I'll raise a glass with you at Christmas if this house is still standing," I breathed as the next photo showed a massive kitchen. "This is a cook's dream."

  "He didn't cut any corners, that's for sure," Rob agreed. "Princess Cassie of Alabama, does this house meet with your approval?"

  "It has my approval, but Cliff and Parke have the final say."

  "I say we take it," Cliff nodded as I kept swiping through pictures. "Being built of stone is a big plus in my book. A high wall is another plus. We may have room for everybody there, too," he breathed as I reached the photos of the wine cellar. It wasn't really in a cellar, I learned, but in an interior room with locks and safeguards all around it.

  "People don't build basements in Alabama as a general rule," Cliff explained as he studied the wine cellar closely. "The soil is generally too wet, or has too much clay in it, or both. This close to the gulf, it will definitely be wet soil."

  "As long as Trey and the others can lock themselves in, they'll be okay with this," Parke said, peering over my shoulder. "They made a good choice, building the walls of the wine cellar in stone."

  "Parke?" I looked up at him.

  "What?"

  "I have a feeling we ought to take Beverly and Gemma with us. I don't think anybody is safe here after Yosuke and I got rid of that spy yesterday."

  Parke frowned as he considered my request. "You may be right," he agreed. "We've already paid the lease on this place for six months; I doubt the owners will grumble, as long as we arrange for a grounds crew that lives off the property to maintain the outside and clean up the inside before we officially vacate in six months. We've already paid everybody's salary anyway—it's included in the lease price."

  "I think I can find a reliable service to tend the lawns and flowerbeds, and there's already a contract with the pool cleaners," Cliff said.

  "I'll get to work on the sale, and convince the owner that we need immediate occupancy, since this is a cash sale," Rob said, taking his phone back. "I'll keep you updated, Princess." He strode out of Parke's temporary office, looking happier than when he walked in.

  "Rob will be one of my assistants—I don't think anybody else would be better at the job," I sighed.

  "But forgiveness is still a way off," Cliff nodded.

  "Yeah."

  Chapter 8

  Lilith Sloane

  "The Escalade drove up to the building. Five people went in, but one stayed with the car. Two walked back out. I figured they'd be back after a while, so I waited at a coffee shop across the street," Jinx told me over pizza.

  We'd chosen a Mellow Mushroom not far from my apartment to talk about everything he'd seen. "So how long was the Escalade gone?" I asked.

  "More than an hour, and three people walked out and got in the car in a hurry." Jinx lifted a fresh slice of pepperoni and took a big bite of it.

  "All men?" I asked.

  Jinx shook his head and held up five fingers.

  "Five men and one woman?"

  He nodded, still chewing.

  "Did you get a good look at any of them?"

  A slight shake of his head. He didn't want them to know he was there, so he hadn't gotten closer than the coffee shop.

  "Was the woman Gemma?"

  Another shake of his head.

  "What business did they go into, do you know?"

  A shrug, this time.

  Well, there were only three businesses in the building. Had to be one of those. That meant they were either visiting the realtor, the shrink or the accountant. Drumming my fingers on the tabletop, I struggled to come up with a way to find out where they'd gone and who to put pressure on to get information.

  Maybe running down the tag would help, and somebody was already working on that for me. I'd told Jinx not to follow the Escalade, but was glad he'd ignored my instructions. He had information we didn't have before, and I wondered whether I ought to drive by the house again on my way home or ask Jinx to do it.

  "You want to run by the house on Alys Drive on your way home tonight?" I asked Jinx.

  "Sure, but I'm stopping by Pit's house, first." He took another bite of pizza.

  "Good. Call me when you get home. Let me know if you saw anything."

  Parke

  "They didn't take any flights, public or private. There are no hits on credit cards, either, so our quarry's using cash, wherever they're going," Trey told me after sundown. "We've got the FBI looking, along with state police all around us, but so far, nothing's come up."

  "They didn't hitch a ride on a crop duster, even?" I asked.

  "Unless it's an unregistered plane, they're on the ground somewhere. May even be taking back roads when possible, because they know we're after them by now."

  "What about friends, neighbors or other connections? Chances are they know somebody who knows somebody who can hide them for a while."

  "We're looking into that, along with any movements in the past—vacation spots, whatever and wherever. It's a no-brainer that they'll want to be as comfortable as possible while they're hiding. These aren't your normal, camping-in-a-tent-in-the-backwoods kind of guys."

  "Our profilers say the same thing. The general opinion is that if the Kings are with them, they'll be used as a shield by Gorham and Franks."

  "I wonder if the Kings have figured that out, yet."

  "Want to know what I think?"

  "Yeah."

  "I think it'll be a toss up on which pair survives. Dalton and Morton don't have a merciful bone in their bodies, and Gorham and Franks are all about the money. Too bad nobody will be filming any of this for our review later."

  "What do you have on the car Cassie and Yosuke destroyed—along with the man inside it?"

  "Private Investigator who lost his license for less than legal practices," Trey said. "I sent the images from the camera to the experts; he was certainly interested in this house and what was going on around it."

  "Cliff says that Yosuke felt someone watching them when they left the doctor's office earlier today. You th
ink the PI had some help on this case?"

  "It's possible—that camera was brand new and worth a lot. To me, that spells a big retainer off the books."

  "I can't imagine anyone staking out this house except to spy on us," I began.

  "That's the logical supposition," Trey agreed. "What we really need is to see who comes to claim the body, and then start tracking backward."

  "You think we'll find Shakkor Agdah at the end of that path?"

  "I don't know. It would make sense, but why hire a human? Why not send their own? They can certainly hide themselves better than the one we caught."

  "You think he was a decoy?"

  "Grim and the others are out there now, sniffing around with a couple of wolves. If they find the slightest scent of the enemy, we'll know soon enough."

  "And if it's not connected to Black Myth?"

  "Then we have another mystery on our hands. Just as well we're relocating, I'd say. The new location is more than three hundred fifty miles away from here."

  "Too many questions and not enough answers," I growled.

  "I will say this—the old tag is still on that motor home. How much trouble would it be to drive it out of here and rendezvous with the other vehicles elsewhere?"

  "You know—that's a good idea," I pointed a finger at Trey. "Maybe the best idea I've heard in a while. Since the sprites are footing the bill for our next home, we can afford to lease a few cars and trucks."

  "I can arrange to have them listed under false identities," Trey nodded. "Grim is good with that sort of thing."

  "Cliff will have to leave his Escalade here, but it should be safe enough, unless the Kings find it, of course."

  "Or Shakkor Agdah decides to reveal themselves and torch the place, but they're not that fond of fire. Or so I've heard."

  "Enough reason to take everyone who's staying here away with us, don't you think?"

  "We'll hide our tracks as well as we can."

  "Good enough. Let's get the ball rolling, shall we?"

  "Right behind you all the way, Chancellor."