Page 86 of Dash

“Monique?” Dash asked. “Paolo? Jorge Rivera?”

“Yes, I mean, it’s possible, but this could also be a dead end. I can’t imagine that Monique, Paolo, or Jorge are behind this. I just… can’t.”

“You’re a good person,” Dash offered. “But I have to imagine it in order to get us a clear answer.”

“What about loyalty?” I asked. “What about friendship? I’ve worked with these people for a long time. Monique worked for my father for over thirty years. I hired Paolo myself, and Jorge has been looking after us since when were kids.”

“Loyalty’s a rare commodity and friendship is a loosely used term.” Dash lifted a brawny shoulder. “We need to deepen our investigation into your staff.”

“Dash, don’t do anything illegal,” I cautioned.

He gave me his “you know better” look. “When legal doesn’t give you answers, you still gotta get them.”

Mina raised her hand in the air and cheerfully agreed. “I second that motion.”

I sighed. Things were only going to get worse before they got better.

Dash returned his attention to Mina. “Anything else I need to know?”

“Yes, one more thing, boss.” Mina crossed her forearms over the desk. “I don’t know where the Astor sisters are yet, and I won’t bore you guys with the technical details of my search, but I believe I’m getting closer to finding at least one of them, perhaps two.”

“Mina!” I clasped my hands together. “This is what I really needed to hear.”

“When will you have specifics?” Dash demanded.

“Soon, I hope, but this is delicate, highly technical work and we need to be careful. We don’t wanna give the fucker looking for them any clues as to their whereabouts. Also, by all accounts, these women are very smart. If they get wind we’re looking for them, they’ll go further into hiding, or worse, go on the run, which could put them on Mr. Evil’s radar.”

“Mr. Evil.” I considered the term. “It fits. Simple but accurate.”

“We do need to be very delicate in our search,” Dash agreed. “This has to stay between us. From here on, info goes out on a need-to-know basis only.”

“You got it, boss.”

I placed a hand on my chest and tried very hard not to cry. After such a grim report, an inkling of hope restored some breath to my lungs. Perhaps I would get to see my sisters again. Maybe this was the breakthrough we needed so that we could bring them home.

I closed my eyes and fought for composure. I couldn’t wait to hold them in my arms, tell them how I’d missed them, listen to their stories, and share in their laughter. This house was now full of people and yet it still felt empty without my sisters in it.

“You okay?” Dash reached over and took a hold of my hand.

“Coping.” I flashed him a teary smile before I met Mina’s gaze. “Thanks, Mina, for all the work you’re doing to help us. I can see why Trev chose you. He’s a very wise man.”

Mina grinned. “Can’t disagree with truth.”

“You’re brilliant. You’ll find my sisters, all of them.”

“You know what?” Mina shook her head, sending her long curls tumbling over her shoulder. “I wasn’t sure we were gonna jive. You and I are very different people, coming from very different places, who love the same jerks, although indifferent ways. But…” Mina’s Cheshire grin blinded me with her brightness. “I think Goddess and Wizard are gonna get along just fine. After all, we both like gummy bears.” She cocked her head and lifted a finger in the air. “Do you hear that?”

I frowned. “What?”

“Tick-tock, tick-tock.” She marked the pace of an imaginary clock by waving her index from side to side. “That’s the sound of our final countdown to finding your sisters.”

Chapter Twenty-four

Dash

Perched high on Astor House’s roof, I lay on my back, looking up at the night sky, enjoying the warmth and seclusion of what had once upon a time been where Thena and I secretly met, our private spot. The milky way was on full display tonight, millions of stars wrapped in a radiant veil. The light of the stars made my flashlight unnecessary. A chilly breeze rustled through the trees and provoked the lake into small waves that lapped the shore. This had been the sound that preceded bliss once Thena had come of age.

Long ago, we’d discovered that the roof was covered by a state-of-the-art heating system to prevent snow and ice from accumulating atop the mansion. Tiles covered the silicone heat mat in most sections, but since this particular spot was not visible from any angle, no tiles had been wasted on it. Instead, a smooth, flat surface created a heated, cozy space.

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