Page 31 of Spock’s Snare

Before he can respond, the door opens, allowing Alisa, Puma, and Chloe to enter.

“Look who I found enjoying the scenery,” Puma booms as he places his large paw on Chloe’s shoulder. “I invited her to join us for lunch. I see you’re all back from your missions. Did you learn anything?”

Viper and Chill update Puma on what they learned from their meetings. Puma nods as he takes his seat at the head of the table. Gramps and Hunter make several trips between the kitchen and the common room, delivering plates piled high with sandwiches to the table.

“What did you find at Sin City Construction?” Puma asks Wildcard.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing? You don’t think Elvis Munroe is responsible for the attacks on Chloe?” I ask.

Wildcard shakes his head. “I don’t know if he’s involved. We couldn’t find him. No one knows where he is. He hasn’t been seen since the day before yesterday. We talked to his foreman, Jack Hertz. He said that Monroe lost a bid for a big contract and didn’t take it well.”

“Another one, or was he talking about Inferno Ridge?” Chloe asks.

“Another one. He bid on a new strip mall that’s going in near a new housing development. He learned that afternoon he had lost the bid and went ballistic. Jack said that Monroe tore up the office, screamed about making someone pay for betraying him, and then took off. He hasn’t seen him since.”

“That was the night before someone attacked my father,” Chloe muses. “Do you think Monroe is the one who attacked him?”

I reach over and snag her hand, squeezing it. “I don’t think we know yet, but we’re going to find him and figure it out. I promise.”

“We will,” Puma agrees. “What about Red Rock Construction. What did you find out there?”

Rush fills everyone in on our activities as I watch Chloe’s reaction. Her eyes widen into saucers as Rush describes breaking into the office and removing information that Spark is now reviewing.

“We never claimed to be saints,” I tell her when she turns her eyes to me.

“I never thought you were, but what do you hope to glean from taking their client data? That’s what you stole, right? Their client data?”

I shrug. “We think so. We just want to know if they have any reason to go after you. Their entire setup is odd. They don’t function like you or the other construction companies. It’s like they’re hiding behind a curtain and playing some sort of game. Maybe it is just a different business model, but something feels off about them.”

“There is something off about them,” Spark says, entering the room.

CHAPTER TWELVE: CHLOE

I listen to the Demon Dawgs dissect my competitors' actions and words. Knowing someone bears enough of a grudge to attack my father physically scares me, but seeing how methodical the Demon Dawgs are about identifying that person removes the ball of fear from my stomach, leaving it empty and angry.

Spock taps the side of my plate, reminding me to eat.

I pick up one half of my turkey sandwich. “You know, I’m capable of eating without supervision.”

Spock doesn’t back down. “Never said you weren’t.”

“Then why are you watching me?”

“Like the view.”

Rush snorts.

Heat moves into my cheeks as I take a deliberately large bite, making it impossible to answer. Spock’s mouth curves into a satisfied grin.

Across the table, Alisa catches my eye and smiles. The warmth in her expression says she understands exactly what Spock is doing. It also says I shouldn’t expect any help from her.

“Don’t encourage him,” I mutter after swallowing.

“I didn’t say anything,” she points out.

“You didn’t have to.”