Page 43 of The Last Call Home (The Timberbridge Brothers #5)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Mal:I can’t get in touch with Keir.

Cass:And we’re concerned because . . .?

Mal:We were on a call. He was pushing to sell Old Birchwood Timber—again. He thinks I don’t understand. Then suddenly, the call dropped, and since then my calls aren’t getting through. It’s not even like he’s not answering my phones. They’re just not going through. It’s weird.

Cass:You have to tell him about the syndicate, Mal. He needs to know who’s trying to buy it. Perhaps we should consider getting him a bodyguard or two. Remember what happened to that guy—Stinson, was it?

Mal:The guy who tried to take Galeana’s inheritance and sell Maple Haven to the Syndicate?

Cass: Yeah. He was found in the trunk of a rental car. Unrecognizable. It was brutal. Then let’s start looking for your brother. If he’s talked to the buyer, we might be able to use that to track them.

Mal:Should we ask CQS for help?

Cass:I’m already messaging Gil and Farrow. They need to be looped in anyway. I’m sure they’ll give me the green light to move agents. When was the call?

Mal:Yesterday.

Cass: Let me handle the crowd at the bar, and then I’ll head upstairs. I’ll start digging right away. I might be able to track him with the CCTV. Send me his address. Where’s Lilah?

Mal:Last I checked, she was closing up at The Honey Drop.

Cass:How’s she handling the attention? I still can’t believe they saw the two of you kissing yesterday morning. What part of ‘be fucking careful’ did you not understand?

Mal: She insists she’s fine.Rosalinda, on the other hand, is ready to interrogate me about my intentions with her daughter.

Cass:Should I stay away? Let you two be a couple?

Mal:I’ll remind you what she said this morning—if we’re making it official, we all are making it official.

Cass:Then we need to get our shit in order. Starting with figuring out who Desmond Draven’s heir is.

Mal:Are we sure there even is an heir?

Cass:Yes. We were told they were born and raised here in Birchwood Springs. That’s why the Hollow Syndicate wants this town. We’re also conveniently close to the Canadian border—and Maine’s close enough and perfect for moving cargo.

Mal:What if the heir is a spy? Fuck, we haven’t been looking into that.

Cass:We have a mole? Why didn’t I think of that? We should get Lilah into safety. More so after people think you two might be together.

Mal:Tomorrow—we’ll get her a bodyguard. Tomorrow.

Cass:Good idea.