Page 64 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

This time, Lucas asked, “Who is that?”

“My source said he was a low-level paid shill for some powerful people.”

Ben was confused, “What would he have that they would pull strings to get him released? To my understanding, Melvin wasn’t a big-time crime boss. He wasn’t even big-time in the city of New York.”

Wyatt nodded, “No, he wasn’t. He worked for shady people and mostly followed orders. Men like him should never see the outside of a prison cell.”

Ben agreed, “Or, a grave.”

Wyatt didn’t want to drop this last bit of information on him but had no choice. “They don’t want Melvin. They want Dillyn. He’s the key to get to her.”

As much as Ben hated to admit it, Wyatt was right, “I know.”

Wyatt was matter of fact. “I need to talk to her.”

Ben shook his head no. “She not in any shape to have this conversation tonight.”

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that you two are fighting, but this is bigger than any disagreement you might have. We’re trying to save lives.”

Ben snapped, “I know that!”

Wyatt dropped another bomb, “One of the men in the video was ID’d. He was also seen at Frank’s grand re-opening with Melvin.”

Ben’s head snapped up. “What? He’s here. In Summer?”

“Yeah. My guess is he’s one of the men we haven’t been able to identify. He fits the physical description. You gotta know, at some point, he will try to make contact.”

Ben would move heaven and earth to keep Melvin from getting anywhere near Dillyn. All these years later, the mere thought of him gave her panic attacks, “Wyatt . . . we’re missing something. Think about it. If Melvin is looking for Dillyn because she has something someone wants, then who tampered with the cars? That would mean someone else wants her silenced.”

Wyatt was hoping Ben didn’t come to the same conclusion he had already come to. He glanced around at all the anxious faces waiting for him to respond, “I know. We’re dealing with two competing interests.”

Ben and Wyatt turned at the loud commotion coming up the stairs. It was Mike and a couple of men from his team.

There weren’t any niceties exchanged. Mike got to the point. “We’ve had another security breach.”

Ben was close to losing it. “You’re supposed to be the best!”

“This one came from inside the house,” Mike said.

Ben and Wyatt exchanged a confused glance.

“Security was down for approximately thirty minutes.”

Ben didn’t wait for Mike to finish. He knew who could take it down if the breach came from inside the house. He didn’t waste a second before bursting into Dillyn’s bedroom, finding it completely empty.

“Dammit!She hacked it!” This day couldn’t get any worse. “Search the house from top to bottom.”

“She’s not here.”

Everyone turned around at the sound of Selah’s voice.

Selah repeated herself. “Dillyn’s not here.” She looked nervous. “I should have said something earlier after she came to my room.”

“What are you talking about?” Ben asked.

Selah’s eyes were wide with fear, “Dillyn was dressed to leave when she asked to borrow my gun.”

“Your gun!” Ben yelled. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”

---