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“I’m pretty sure he arranged it. We got a call about kids smoking dope. No kids to be found, but Mason was there.”

“Why didn’t you call me immediately?”

“For what?”

“So that I can protect you?” He frowned. “It’s hard enough worrying about Cate. I can’t let him get his grubby paws on you, too.”

“Nobody is getting their paws on me. And I’m quite capable of taking care of myself.”

“Were you alone when you went out there?”

“I was.”

“Can’t you see that it was his way of demonstrating to you how easy it would be for him to make you disappear just like he did to Cate and Emmaline?”

Chapter Thirty-One

Thetelevisionwasonmute and Gavin was catching up on emails while he waited for Wade to return his call. They needed to come up with a plan on how to infiltrate the Continental Alliance. He looked up from his computer. “Must you do that?”

“What?” Gray asked.

“Click your pen. You may not realize you’re doing it, but it’s driving me crazy.”

“Sorry.”

“What’s the matter? I mean other than the obvious.”

“This is dragging on too long. We have responsibilities. I’m trying to keep things running from here, but I’m distracted. Cate is a strong, capable woman, but I’m scared, Gavin. For all we know, they already did something to her.”

“Don’t go there. We have to keep our heads on straight, and we won’t be able to do that if we think worst case scenarios.” Gavin clenched and unclenched his fists as he tried to remove the images of what might have happened from his head.

“I know, but this is hard. Samantha’s uncle has been missing for how many years? And between the book and his personal items, we know he was affiliated with the Continental Alliance in some way. Most likely as a member. If these two cases really are connected, the Continental Alliance knows how to make a person disappear.”

“He’s been gone for five years. But if he was one of them, why would they harm one of their own?” Gavin asked.

“Maybe they didn’t. Maybe he’s involved in some kind of human smuggling situation with them. They could’ve simply moved him. Thought he’d be safer somewhere else. For all we know, he could be alive and well and facilitating a trafficking ring.”

“Whatever you do, don’t say any of that to Samantha.” Gavin frowned. The last thing he needed was for Sam to think he was trying to pin Cate’s disappearance on her uncle. That’d cause her to blow a gasket. She was already annoyed with him for wanting to keep her out of harm’s way.

Grayson tossed Gavin his phone and Gavin read the text on the screen. “Dad’s coming here?”

“That’s what it says.”

Gavin closed his eyes. He loved his father, but once he arrived, he would wrest control from his sons and order them to do his bidding. Not that he blamed his dad for wanting his finger in the investigation, but nothing was going to stop Gavin from doing what needed to be done to bring Cate home.

Judge Swisher’s face came on the television screen, so Gavin reached for the remote to turn on the volume. “This is it. Now that George has gone public, the feds will be involved, so maybe answers will be forthcoming.”

“Doubt it. The slow moving bureaucracy that is our federal government isn’t likely to expedite anything. Let’s hope Wade’s boss, Lieutenant McGinley, gets something done for us before the feds get in the way.”

Gavin narrowed his eyes. “Great attitude, bro.”

“Just keeping it real.”

Masoncalledthemeetingto order and got right down to business.

“Before we get started, I want to remind everyone that we have a wedding with a reception to follow on Saturday. Your attendance will be required. The bride and groom will honeymoon in Spain before heading back to the groom’s home in France. The Lord has blessed our endeavors to arrange marriages that are beyond reproach, so we’ll continue to supply that needful service for our members.”

Cheers went up around room.