“One, who said you have to stay hidden away?” Seth asked. “Just because you are laying low doesn’t mean you can’t go after those girls yourself. If your men aren’t getting the job done, and that is what it sounds like is happening from what you are telling me, then it sounds like it is time to step up and do the job yourself. If I need to come over there to help I will. My operation is running smoothly right now. You say the word and I’m there.”
“You’d do that?” Leland asked.
“In a minute,” Seth said. “Second, just because the Brotherhood Protectors are on the job doesn’t mean that you aren’t able to get to those girls. I’ve heard of them, but we’ve got unlimited resources. Do they?”
“I have no idea who is backing their operation. I just know they seem to be everywhere these days,” Leland said.
There was a pause. “The more I think about it, the more I think I do need to come to Colorado with a few of my men. I’ll be there in two days. Will that be soon enough? I need to wrap up a few things and put in a chain of command for the current operation I have going on and then I’ll be there. I’ll reach out when I arrive.”
“I’ll be waiting to hear from you,” Leland said. “And thank you for your support.”
He hung up and wiped the sweat from his brow. There definitely was something wrong with the AC unit. The thermostat was still set on sixty-eight, but it was not that cool in here.
He grabbed a baseball cap and dark sunglasses and went outside to check the unit, but it appeared to be working fine. So was his generator. He scratched his chin and looked around at the many parked RVs in the storage area. Nothing looked suspicious or out of the ordinary and he eventually went back inside. He decided to adjust the temperature by upping it to seventy degrees to see if that would change the interior temp for a while before he lowered it back to sixty-eight degrees. If that didn’t work, he’d have to resort to contacting an air-condition repair shop because it was pushing ninety-degrees outside. Which was unseasonably hot for this time of year.
In the meantime, he got comfortable. He changed into casual shorts and a t-shirt to keep cool. It wasn’t like he was expecting to do business with anyone today. He didn’t even anticipate one of his minions showing their faces out here after what had been going down.
That thought hadn’t left his mind when a knock came at the door. He swore under his breath, went to the nearest curtained window to peep out, before he stomped over to answer it.
“Drake, get in here before someone sees you,” he barked. “What brings you by?”
“Is this a bad time, boss?” Minchin asked.
“Of course, it is. Every day is bad anymore. But obviously you had a reason for coming so spill it,” he ordered. “There is something up with the AC.”
“Maybe you need something to drink to cool off? You want a beer or something?” Minchin asked, going to the little kitchen.
“This isn’t a time to be social,” Leland barked.”
“Of course not, but it’s obvious you need to replenish your fluids.
He frowned. “Alright, then. I’ll have one.”
Minchin returned with two long necks and handed him one.
“So?” Leland prodded, popping the top off the bottle before taking a swig.
“I wanted to apologize for getting arrested. I thought if I could get the dog it would allow us to get closer to getting the girl. I didn’t think the process through. I never thought I’d be the one getting carted off to jail.”
Leland nodded. “That was clear by the result of your action.”
“Is that all you have to say?” Minchin asked.
“What more can I? It won’t change that you failed or that you now have this mark on your record.” Leland took a long drink from his longneck then set the almost empty bottle on the table by his chair. “I’ve had to use my resources to bail not only you but Norman and Boggs out of jail. At least you aren’t having to stand trial for what you did. You can thank your lucky stars you weren’t charged with more than trying to steal that dog.”
Minchin nodded. “Is there anything I can do to make amends for my inability to succeed?”
Leland steepled his fingers and thought for a moment. He slowly nodded. “You can find Dan. Forget about looking for the girls. I want you, Jennings, and Evans to focus on finding him. Bring him to me. Unharmed. I want answers for where he has been since June. Is that clear?”
Minchin sat up. “Sure boss. We can do that. We’ll find him.”
“That means keeping your noses clean and staying out of jail this time,” Leland reminded him. “I’ve already told Landry if anyone of you land in jail again I won’t bail you out. You can rot for all I care.”
“Understood,” Minchin said.
“Also, you should know Masters and a few of his men will be here in two days. It would be good if you find Dan by then. No pressure. But it would make me look good if we had him in hand by then.”
“Right, boss. On it, boss,” Minchin said and headed toward the door. He stopped halfway there and turned back and looked at him. “Why are they coming?”
