Chapter 50

CHAPTER

FIFTY

Kai nodded at Alfie. Though the man appeared to be helpful, Kai needed to be careful not to trust anyone too much. Not given these circumstances.

If Alfie was telling the truth, then this cell phone he'd obtained could be pivotal to finding answers. But the mere fact that Alfie trusted them so easily and wanted to help also raised red flags.

He and Gage would need to be on guard.

"Thanks for coming." Alfie paused in front of them, wearing khakis and a button-up shirt. He looked as if he'd just come from another day of peddling meds at doctor's offices across Atlanta. "I wasn't sure if you'd show up."

"We weren't sure you'd show up either." Kai's muscles remained stiff. "But we appreciate you coming to us with this information you discovered. It was risky for you to take Landon's phone."

"I know." Alfie shrugged. "But it seemed as if it might be worth it."

"This could be the smoking gun we're looking for," Gage said. "Do you have it with you?"

Alfie reached into his pocket and handed over a basic black cell phone. "Hopefully, you guys can get it unlocked. Doing that is above my skill level."

"We have people who can help us," Kai said. "I hope we can find something on it. Have you tried to unlock it?"

A frown twisted Alfie's lips. "I have to admit I did try one code just for fun. I used Landon's best golfing score—he bragged about it all the time. 0069. I thought it might be worth a shot, but I had no luck."

"Thanks again." Kai raised the phone and took a step back. He didn't want to waste any more time, especially considering the severity of the situation. "We need to run."

"What are you going to do now?" Alfie remained in the parking lot as if he wanted more information.

"We'll do our best to unlock this," Kai told him. "We'll see what kind of information we might be able to find on it. Maybe text messages or phone numbers or even internet searches. It's hard to say. But maybe something on it will lead us to the person who killed Landon."

"That's all I want." Alfie's face tightened with determination. "I just want justice for my friend. Will you let me know what happens?"

"We'll do our best," Gage said. "But it might take a while. Our first priority is finding whoever did this. We also need to keep our heads down so the police don't find us. Because if they find us before we know who's guilty, then we're going to end up behind bars."

Alfie's gaze remained serious. "I hope that doesn't happen."

"So do we." Kai took another step back. "Now we need to see what we can do to find those answers. But thank you again. If you could not tell anyone that you saw us . . . that would be fantastic."

"Of course," he said. "Best of luck."

Kai and Gage walked back to the SUV. Kai watched Alfie climb back into his car and drive away before turning back to the cell phone.

Gage plugged in a device that helped them to determine what codes were used to unlock phones. In situations like this, using technology was much easier than trying to take random guesses, only to end up totally locked out.

But it would also take some time—and time was something that they didn't have.

As they waited, Kai glanced at his phone. No updates.

Then he squinted. He didn't have a signal.

Strange. Rest stops usually had service.

Kai glanced at Gage. "Do you have any bars on your phone?"

Gage glanced at his own screen and shook his head. "No, I don't."

Kai didn't like that realization. Didn't like the thought that other people might not be able to get in touch with him right now if they needed to.

But soon enough, he hoped they would have some answers.

Knowing the truth might give them all a little more peace of mind.

Tori called Kai's number one more time, but nothing happened.

Anxiety stirred inside her.

Something was wrong. She was certain of it.

She raced through the house looking for Larchmont. She found him sitting at the dining room table with a computer in front of him.

"I keep trying to get through to Kai and Gage," she started, her words coming out too fast. "I think they're being set up. Stephen recognized Alfie's picture. Said his name wasn't Alfie but some guy named Rocky."

Larchmont's eyes widened. "Rocky Velasquez?"

"He didn't say a last name."

"Let me see the picture."

She found it on her phone and showed it to him.

His face went paler. "That's one of Rafferty's guys. This whole time he was pretending to be someone he wasn't. I wish I'd seen this earlier . . ."

Her pulse surged. "I'm trying to warn Kai, but no one is answering."

"Rocky is probably using some type of jammer on their numbers."

"So how can we help them?"

Larchmont stood. "Trevor and I will track them down at the rest area."

"I want to go too. They may need my help."

"I need you to stay with Stephen."

"I'll be fine." A deep voice cut into their conversation.

Tori looked up and saw that Stephen had followed her into the dining room.

He looked pale and his eyes dull, but he still looked so much better than he had earlier.

She prayed the worst was over for him.

But what had she been thinking? She couldn't leave him here.

It wasn't smart.

"I won't be any help out on the battlefield." He leaned against the wall, still weak. "But I can hold my own for a little bit while you're gone."

She glanced at Larchmont who gave a brief nod.

"I have mixed feelings about you coming with us," Larchmont finally said. "But you're right. We might need you. Grab the first aid kit and the defibrillator, just in case."

Relief swept through her, followed by a wave of anxiety.

This could be terrifying.

But if Kai needed help, Tori wanted to be there. For Gage too.

She had pulled them into this mess. She would help them get out of it.

Even if it meant risking her life.