Chapter 48

CHAPTER

FORTY-EIGHT

Just as the sun began to rise the next morning, Kai's phone buzzed.

The phone was encrypted, and even though Larchmont had been able to track them through it, no one else should be able to. Kai wanted to keep in touch with the rest of his colleagues just in case something happened to them as well.

He prayed that wasn't the case, but he couldn't stop thinking about the possibility.

He'd been sitting with Stephen all night, and the man had been fast asleep. His fever was holding steady and not rising—something for which Kai was extremely grateful.

He glanced at his screen and saw that it was a text from . . . Alfie?

I might have some info on Landon.

The man definitely had Kai's attention now.

Kai texted back:

What kind of information?

They cleaned out his locker at the golf club. I happened to be nearby when they did. He had a cell phone stashed there, and I grabbed it before anyone saw me. This wasn't his everyday cell phone. I wonder if there's something on it that could help you figure out what happened to him. I can't stop thinking about how he was murdered. Whoever did it needs to be brought to justice.

Kai let that sink in for a minute. That cell phone could prove to be valuable.

But he still had some reservations.

Kai texted:

Why did you decide to tell me this?

I've seen your picture on the news. But my gut tells me you're not behind what happened to Landon. I want to know who did this. I'm no investigator, but I have a feeling you are. I hope you can figure something out.

Kai stared at the words a moment before texting back a thank-you.

He needed to find Gage and let him know about this update. Then they could decide whether or not they wanted to share this information with Larchmont.

Tori awoke after a restless night. She'd tried to sleep. When she couldn't, she'd found herself researching pacemakers and what was involved in either removing them or deactivating them.

Though she was armed with more knowledge now, she knew there was still very little she could do given the limitations here at the cabin and her lack of experience.

After getting dressed, she wandered into the kitchen to get some coffee just in time to overhear Kai and Gage talking. She didn't intend to eavesdrop, but she'd walked into the middle of it without realizing it.

They were talking about meeting Alfie, who apparently had some new information for them. That seemed like a terrible idea, all things considered.

"You two are leaving?" Panic tried to seize her at that thought.

The two of them were safer staying here out of sight, especially until Larchmont was closer to finding a surgery center that could remove their pacemakers. Didn't they know that? Especially after what had happened to Stephen yesterday?

Kai turned to her, a mug of coffee in his hand as he lingered near the pot. "This might be the only way that we can find answers."

"There has to be something else you can do." Her voice held an almost pleading sound. "Someone else that you can send."

"Unfortunately, we're the ones who know the most about this. We make the most sense."

Tori wanted to argue, but she couldn't. His words were true.

Instead, she propped her hip against the kitchen counter, afraid she might lose her balance. The thought of Kai leaving made her feel lightheaded.

"Larchmont is closer to finding a place to do our surgery," he told her. "We're going to get to the bottom of this."

"I hope so." She drew in a shaky breath, trying to hold herself together. "How's Stephen?"

"He's stable. Trevor is with him. But we're going to need you to stay with him."

"Who's going to meet Alfie?" She held her breath as she waited for his response.

"Just Gage and I. The fewer of us out there, the better."

Kai was right. Tori's best bet was to stay here and to keep an eye on Stephen to make sure he was okay.

Still, she worried about those two being out there—especially with the police and these other guys looking for them.

She knew that arguing with Kai would do no good. So she nodded.

Then she took it to the next level and began to pray.