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Jack frowned. “Slim. Possible, but slim. I’d bundle them.”
“Yeah. So did Dewey have a load last week there, same time as me?”
He shook his head.
“We need to get back to the yard. I need to talk to Dewey.”
Jack glanced at his watch. “He’s already gone. Loaded up an hour ago.”
“Where’s he headed?”
“I’d have to look on the manifest. I did fifteen loads today. I can’t remember who got which one.”
“That’s at the office?”
“Yeah. We could call him.”
“He ain’t going to talk on the phone. He only told me what he did to taunt me.”
“Yeah.” Jack grinned. “He did get to you.” At Morgan’s glare, the grin disappeared from Jack’s face. Instead of saying anything more, Jack pulled a smooth U-turn. “You owe me a pizza. A big one. Thick crust. The Works from Giovanni’s.”
“Yeah. Whatever.”
The buildings whizzed by as Jack drove the way they’d come. “Who is she?” Jack asked softly.
“Tara?”
“That her name?”
“Yeah.” Morgan pictured her in his mind, missing her more than he’d ever missed Sylvie. “I met her in Haskins Corners. I’m not going into details now, but—” He wasn’t sure how to begin to explain. “But I’m not stupid. I can’t get involved with her, or anyone, until I get Brooke back. Sylvie is screwing up enough for the both of us.”
“How does this Tara feel about your situation?”
“She doesn’t know.” He speared Jack with a glare. “She’s a good woman. Runs her own business. She’s an amazing chef. She doesn’t need any of my garbage messin’ up her world.”
Jack rolled his eyes but he didn’t say anything. For once, Morgan didn’t push him. They didn’t have time.
The yard was dark except for the security lights that spilled pools of white light around the lot. Only two trucks were parked inside the chain-link-and-razor-wire fence. Jack’s seldom-used white hauler and Morgan’s blue baby. The rest of the team was on the road. Earning the money.
The gates pulled open once Jack hit the remote. He parked, then hustled up the steps into the office. “Where is it?” Morgan asked as he flipped the light switch.
“Let me get it. You’ll make a mess of my filing system.”
“Thought it would be on the computer.”
“It is. But I keep a paper backup.”
“And you say I’m the old-fashioned one?”
“Funny.” Jack pulled open the second drawer of the file cabinet and lifted out a binder. He set it on the desk and flipped pages. “Here it is.” He read silently, Morgan trying to read over his shoulder.
“Where’s he at?”
“Right now, between here and Austin. He’s heading to Rose Creek.”
“That’s just past Haskins Corners. Is he going through there?”
“Yeah. Probably.”
They looked at each other. “I’m going. Now.”
Jack filed the book again, pausing before he faced Morgan. “Why? Are you going after Sylvie or to see this Tara?”
Morgan wanted to answer his brother honestly. They’d always been that way with each other, a bargain they’d made when they were kids in reaction to their father’s endless lies. “I don’t know.” Morgan stared at his hands, clenching and unclenching his fists. “Both?”
“You taking the rig?”
“Yeah. Sylvie would know the pickup.”
“Fair enough.” Jack nodded. “I don’t have a load, but if you can get Brooke, it’s worth it.”
“Thanks, bro.” Morgan headed to the door. “If you get me one on the way back, I’ll gladly take it.” Morgan stepped out into the night, heading toward his truck.
“Hey, order my pizza,” Jack called.
“Get whatever you want. On my account.” Morgan jogged toward his truck.
“You have an account at the pizza joint?”
“Yeah. How do you think I keep my girlish figure?”
Jack’s laughter faded as Morgan pulled open the door to his rig and climbed in.
