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“But there is a need,” said Grace. “We didn’t realize how difficult all this hiding was for them. Maybe we need to find a way to help them participate but still remain hidden and safe.”
“I think that sounds like a Christmas miracle they might want and need.” Matthew walked around the table of women, kissing their foreheads. Faith turned, seeing the empty tables behind them.
“They’re gone,” she said, turning to speak to Matthew again. “Damn. He’s gone!”
“Why do I feel like something else is going on here?” asked Marie.
“Is something wrong, Aunt Marie?” asked Luke.
“No, not really. Do you know what your uncles are doing? What’s going on with all the seniors that they’re being so secretive?” Luke shrugged his shoulders, kissing his aunt’s cheek.
“No clue. Love y’all.”
“Are we being selfish?” asked Kat. “I mean, I feel like I’ve really been riding Whiskey lately to do some things around the cabin, but he always says he’ll do it, and it doesn’t get it done. Maybe I’ve been pushing him too hard.”
“I think, for now, we let them have their secrets,” said Alexandra. “We know what kind of men they are. Good men. The best. Let’s let them be who they are.”
“Agreed,” said Lena. Lissa and the others all nodded. As they left the cafeteria, Faith couldn’t help but say one last thing.
“Although I sure am curious as to what they’re doing.”
CHAPTER NINE
“I think the wives are getting seriously nosy about what we’re doing,” said Whiskey. “I’ve been trying to avoid Kat and her questions, but she’s a fucking lawyer! I’m being scrutinized in everything I do.”
“Just hold on a little longer. We’ve got the wedding for JB and Dana coming up on Christmas Eve, so maybe they’ll keep busy with that,” said Rafe.
“Well, I need something to keep Kat off my back about the shit that needs to be done around the cabin. I don’t want to miss the deadline for these kids.”
“We won’t miss it,” said Rafe. “Believe me, none of us wants to miss anything. Help me get the shit into the storage unit.”
Whiskey nodded, lifting one of the boxes as Rafe moved toward their numbered locker. He stood in front of it, staring at the lock, then backed up.
“What’s wrong? This shit is heavy. Open the door.”
“I think someone already has,” said Rafe. “The lock looks like it’s been picked. Do you have gloves in the truck?”
“Always.” Whiskey set the box down and ran back toward the truck, grabbing several latex gloves. Rafe stared at the lock as he donned the gloves, then opened it up. Both men gasped.
“It’s gone. All of it is gone,” he whispered. “Open the other one.”
Whiskey opened the second locker, discovering the same thing. Everything was gone. Taking out his phone, he texted the team then tapped his earpiece.
“We have a problem.”
Thirty men stared at the empty storage units as if hoping they could fill them again with their minds. Sly and Code worked the locks, lifting fingerprints from them.
“Anything on the cameras?” asked Nine.
“Apparently, they aren’t working,” said Hiro. “We were told they had their own system, but they neglected to tell us the cameras weren’t operating.”
“They took it all, Dad. All of it. There’s absolutely nothing left for those poor kids. What do you want to do?” asked Luke.
Luke stared at his father, wanting to cry for the first time in many, many years. All the toys they’d purchased for the orphans, the clothes, the new bedding, the bikes, all of it was gone.
“Damn,” muttered Gaspar. “Who the fuck would be stupid enough to do this?”
“Someone inexperienced,” said Cam. “The lock was picked, but it must have taken them an hour to do it. As Hiro said, the cameras don’t work at that place. We should have just had our own unit on the property.”
