Page 23 of By The Moon

“The alley where Louis first saw them. I know it’s been a couple of days, but have a look around. I’ll get Minho to go by later too.” Gray drummed his fingers on the table. “We need to track him down. He’s the weak link we can exploit. Shit, I hate saying that, but let’s be practical about it. We find the human, we find the son, then we find Maxim.”

“We’ll pop over there. There are no cameras, obviously, given the fact they used that location.” Louis looked at Hugo and willed himself to the location where he’d seen the two meet. Within seconds, Hugo stood next to him. They both walked up and down the alley, not seeing very much.

“Like you said. Good location. No cameras, no windows in the buildings on either side of the alley, and plenty of places to hide away and not be noticed. I’d choose this place in their position.”

Louis squatted on the ground where he’d seen them standing. There was nothing to see, and he sighed as he stood. “We should put a camera up so we can watch this area.”

“Gray’s already on it. Should be in place in the next couple of hours.” Hugo turned slowly on the spot. “I wonder if there are more places like this around here?”

“What shops are close by?”

“A coffee shop.”

Louis spun around, seeing Minho standing behind them. “A warning would be nice, and how do you know about the shop?”

“I’ve been in a few times. It stays open late. There are a few shops around here that do that. People walking past.” Louis watched the entry, seeing a steady stream of people walking past even at the late hour. “I wouldn’t meet here unless there was a specific reason why.”

“We need to find out what it is, then. It was luck I was here and spotted him.”

Louis.

Hey babe. You home yet?

Hurt.

Louis held a hand up, then pointed to his head.Have you had an accident? Where are you?

I thought he was a friend.

“What?”What?

“What’s happening?” Minho stood in front of him. “Your mate?” Louis nodded. “In danger?” He nodded again, trying to reach Jerome, but there was nothing.

“Nothing. He said he’s hurt and he thought he was a friend and now nothing.”

“Head back to Gray and have them pull up CCTV in and around the university. We’ll find him and track him from there.”

“Shit.” Louis nodded, and as soon as he appeared next to Gray, he said, “Jerome’s hurt, and I can’t reach him now. Said he thought he was a friend.” The words came out in a rush, Louis’ heart racing at the thought of something happening to Jerome.

“Slow down and breathe.” Gray pointed to a chair. “Sit and tell me where your mate should be right now.”

Louis did and waited as Key accessed the university’s CCTV. It took several minutes before Key located Jerome and then tracked him as he attended lectures, met friends, and went to the library. After thirty minutes of following Jerome, Louis was beginning to lose patience when Key muttered something.

“What?”

“Jerome met Skylar. I didn’t know they’d become friends.”

Louis watched the monitor, seeing Jerome leave with Skylar. “It’s daytime as well. Notice how he stands in the shadows.” Key tracked their movements until they entered a room and didn’t come out. “They only met at the party we had the other night. Why would he be there?”

“They go in but don’t come out, so I’m guessing Skylar moved them somewhere, but where?” Key glanced at him then back to the monitor. “What did Jerome say to you?”

“That he was hurt and that he thought he was a friend.” Louis bit his bottom lip, staring at the monitor. “Why would he go with him?”

“Maybe Skylar said something to him? Something he wouldn’t think to question?”

Louis tapped the side of his head. “He could have reached out to me.”

“Not if he assumes he’s your friend, and he has no reason to think he isn’t.” Gray swung around and glanced at the monitor then at Louis. “He was at the party you held. He would have no reason to think he was being anything other than a friend. Why would he reach out to you?”

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