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“Tomorrow morning, you’ll go up against a group of enforcers.”
“Does that include the three men we took down earlier today?” Knight asked.
“It does.”
“They’ll want payback.”
“It’s up to you to show them the error of their ways.” He turned as Jillian approached with a loaded tray.
Marsh stood and took the tray from her. “Let me help,” he murmured.
Jillian blushed. She smiled at Marsh and handed out plates loaded with chicken casserole, green beans, and a salad. “Thank you for the help, sir.”
“Call me Andre.”
“I’m Jillian.” By the time she finished distributing the meals, Peters’ smile had faded, and he glowered at Marsh.
Interesting reaction. Was Jillian more than just a server to Peters? If so, she might be a source Marsh could pump for information since it looked as though she liked him.
Peters picked up his fork and dug in. “Eat. We have much to discuss, then I’ll let you rest. Tomorrow will be a big day for you.”
Teagan’s skin prickled at the implied threat.
Peters shifted his attention to Violet. “I assume Jerry took you to the clinic on your tour.”
“Yes, sir.”
“How did you find our facility?”
“Adequate.”
He blinked. “Adequate? Do you have suggestions for improvement?”
“I’ll make a list. I can already tell you the supply of stitch kits, antibiotics, numbing meds, and bandages, regular and compression, aren’t adequate for what you’re doing here. You also need a larger supply of pain meds that should be under lock and key. No medical facility worth its salt should be open for public access at all hours of the day and night. I have to know exactly what supplies are available at any time. If people come in to get medical supplies for scrapes and bruises without my knowledge, I won’t have what I need for more serious injuries, and that could cost a patient his life.”
Peters stared. “You’re correct. That’s an oversight on my part, one I’ll correct immediately. Thank you for pointing that out.”
“I’ll also need a key to lock the clinic. If you have other medics on staff, they should have one as well. If you put me in charge of the facility, the doors will be locked at the end of the workday. A paramedic or an EMT should handle any medical emergencies after hours.”
“That reminds me of something I meant to talk to you about,” Seth said. “I want six more copies of the key to our quarters. My teammates need access to our building.”
“We don’t lock doors in this compound except, apparently, the clinic.”
“You might not, Peters, but we do. Five of us were cops. We don’t trust people we don’t know. Period.”
Color stained the leader’s cheeks. “Very well. At some point, I hope your attitude will change about the trustworthiness of our fellow Brotherhood members. In the meantime, go to the machinist’s shop in the morning. He’ll make copies of keys for you.”
At the end of the meal, Jillian returned with a tray loaded with bowls of peach cobbler topped with ice cream. Once again, Marsh jumped to his feet to help the girl with the heavy tray and earned another sweet blush and shy smile.
Man, to be that innocent. Teagan studied Jillian’s face, wondering how young she was.
When the group finished their meal, Jillian returned to clear the table.
Peters caught her hand with his and kissed her knuckles. “Will I see you later, Jillian?”
She paled. “If you would like, sir.”
“I would.” He indicated the used dishes and cutlery. “Finish your duties and come to my quarters.”