Chapter 24: Byte

BYTE

Ileft Gabby and Keegan in the common room and went to Phoenix's office. I wasn't surprised to find Shaker already there, filling him in. When Shaker got to the part about Lawrence's visitor using an ID with my name, I opened up my laptop and showed him the screen. "Meet Chad."

"This little shit is really starting to piss me off," Phoenix said. "Basically, we know what he looks like but have nothing new to help us find him, correct?"

I nodded. "Pretty much. We could have somebody keep an eye on Lawrence's hospital room in case he tries to visit him."

"Might as well. We've got eyes on Gabby's house and Lauren's hospital room. Can you think of anywhere else he might show up?" Phoenix asked.

"Maybe my house, if he thinks Gabby's there," I suggested.

Phoenix nodded. "Shaker, you and Ranger hang out at Byte's place today. Take his truck so it looks like he's there."

I frowned but held out my keys for Shaker. I understood why Phoenix didn't send me to watch over my own house, but I still didn't like it.

Shaker took my keys and clapped me on the shoulder. "Take care of my girls."

"Of course," I said and turned back to Phoenix. "Was the detective able to get anything out of Lauren?"

Phoenix shook his head. "No. Apparently, she isn't as stupid as we'd hoped. He said she started saying ‘lawyer' through her closed teeth the second he entered the room."

"Maybe Carbon should try to talk to her," I suggested, only half kidding.

Phoenix laughed. "I'm sure he'd be happy to give it a shot, but I'd prefer it be somewhere with less of an audience."

"What about Lawrence? Any chance we could get someone to talk to him?"

"I'm sure Luke could get in to see him. Do you think he knows something?"

"He has to. He called Gabby six times yesterday right after Chad visited him. I doubt he suddenly had the urge to say hello after all these years. She said she didn't want to know what he had to say, but I think it's worth checking into."

"I agree," he said and reached for his phone. "I'll give Luke a call. Anything else?"

"Is anybody free to hang out at the diner?" I asked. "I know there's a slim chance he'll show up there, but I'd like for Irene to have some help in case he does."

He nodded. "I'll send one of the guys at Gabby's house to the diner."

"Thanks, Prez," I said and got to my feet. "I'm going to keep digging. I'll let you know if I find anything."

"Are you going to be here all day?" he asked.

"Well, since you sent Shaker and Ranger away in my truck, I don't really have a choice in that."

"Oh, right," he laughed. "I'll find you after I hear from Luke."

I stopped by the common room on the way to my room to find Keegan heading for the front door with her keys in her hand and her purse on her shoulder. "Where are you going?" I asked.

"To pick up the bidet that I ordered for your bathroom."

I shook my head. "Send someone else."

"Are you serious?"

"Shaker asked me to watch out for you and Gabby while he's gone. This is me doing that," I said.

"Fine," she huffed.

"I'll go," Flint volunteered.

"Thanks, man," I said.

After Flint left, I joined Keegan and Gabby at their table. Gabby was still working on her breakfast, and I could tell she was frustrated. It took her longer to eat, but she was managing better than I expected.

"Have you had anything to eat?" Keegan asked.

"I'm about to," I said and started for the kitchen.

"Will you refill my coffee?" Gabby asked.

I picked up her mug that was half full and looked at her in confusion.

"It's cold," she grumbled.

"Can't I just reheat it?" I asked.

Keegan's eyes widened like I had said something sacrilegious in the middle of church.

"I'd rather have a fresh cup," Gabby said politely.

Keegan looked at her and pretended to be shocked. "You're not going to give him your dissertation on the horrors of reheated coffee?"

Gabby narrowed her eyes as if willing her sister to shut up. "I'm trying not to be too picky when I'm being waited on."

"I'll get you a fresh cup," I said and headed for the kitchen before their pending argument could escalate.

When I returned, I placed a stainless steel insulated mug full of fresh coffee in front of Gabby. "It should stay warm for hours in this. I dropped a few ice cubes in it so you can drink it right away without scalding your mouth."

"Thank you," she beamed.

We were finished with breakfast but still sitting in the common room when Flint returned with the bidet.

"You want to help me install it?" I asked.

"I'm not very familiar with plumbing, but I can try," he said.

By the time we were finished, it was well after lunch, and I never wanted to see another bidet again.

"I thought that would be easier," Flint said.

"It was the first time I did it," I grumbled. "I'm not sure why this one was such a pain in the ass."

"At least I know why plumbers are so expensive now," Flint joked as we headed to the common room for lunch.

We were just finishing up when Phoenix joined us. "I spoke with Luke. He's going to send someone to talk to Lawrence. It'll probably be sometime tomorrow."

"Thanks, Prez," I said and tried to hide my disappointment, or perhaps frustration. I was tired of waiting for something to happen. I just wanted the situation to be done and over with.

"Flint, I want you to head over to Byte's place after dinner and spend the night there with Shaker and Ranger. Check in with them and see if they want you to bring anything over before you go," Phoenix said and got to his feet.

"Will do," Flint replied and stood to leave with his dad.

Keegan dropped into Flint's vacated seat and propped her chin on her hands. "Want to build a robot?"