Page 35 of Missing Marcus

“Oh, a hot shower sounds heavenly.” She sighed.

Kassie walked into the bathroom and turned on the water. When she returned, she grabbed Gabby’s clothing. “I’ll help you into the shower chair. Don’t stand on your own. I’ll call someone to have the cabin ready. If you want, I’ll charge your phone.”

“Thank you. I’m happy Bryanna came in, but I don’t feel comfortable putting her in the middle.”

“I understand. Let me help you take off these dirty clothes. We’ll cover your arm with this plastic sleeve. Then, I’ll return to help you dress.” Kassie smiled.

Once Gabby undressed, Kassie helped her to the chair and she let the warmth hit her. The soap smelled citrusy and she relaxed for the first time in days. Hopefully, by the time she finished, Jackie will havereturned her call.

Thirty minutes later, a newly clean and renewed Gabby emerged. Knight stood impatiently in the hallway. When he saw her approaching with Kassie, he scanned her from head to toe, warming Gabby. Yet she refused to acknowledge any feelings she experienced when around him. She carried a child who depended on her to make decisions for their future and Marcus Hutchins no longer held a space in it.

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Saint approached her in the hallway. “How about I take you to your cabin? The team can ask you questions there while you rest. I ordered you a hot meal and the kitchen’s stocked with snacks, and fruit.”

“Thank you, Saint. I appreciate it,” she murmured as she took his arm. She felt the heat of Knight’s stare as he followed them outside. Saint helped her into Bryanna’s car and they drove the short distance to the log cabin.

Saint helped her out as the team arrived and walked her to the door. “You’ll feel comfortable here. Miss Kassie built these to give the residents a sense of peace and when you wake in the morning, you’ll discover a stunning view of the mountains.”

“I can’t wait,” she said as Saint opened the door, guiding her to the sofa. A few minutes later the fireplace held a cozy fire, two pillows rested behind her head and a soft blanket covered her while she sat with her legs up on the couch. The large men filled all the available space and Knight sat on the couch’s arm.

Their leader spoke first. “Gabby, I’m Leo. You know Saint’s part of my team. Let me introduce the rest of my men.” He pointed to each of them as he spoke. “Matthew’s my tech expert. Then we have Shadow, Taco, Patch, Whiskey and Ragu. Doc runs the hospital with Kassie, but you may see him with us from time to time and Michael lives in town and has a pediatric practice. If you’re searching for a good pediatrician, he’s the man to speak with. We have friends on the mountain who speak Russian, and a few Irish men for added security. No one gets on this mountain without our knowledge. You can rest assured you’re safe. Can you tell us who wants to harm you?”

Gabby watched as Knight’s fists clenched and his gaze met hers.

“I received a transfer to Seattle a few months ago. Two months in, they promoted me when one of their managers experienced a heart attack and died a couple days later. I handle high-profile accounts as the senior accountant. I took over the former manager’s clients and discovered the last two accounts didn’t balance correctly in the books. I worked on it for days and discovered a small symbol in one of the ledgers, matching the one in the computer. When I opened the file, I discovered a ledger of human trafficking. It listed orders for men, women and children, along with the amounts paid for them. They listed them according to race, hair color, sizes and age,” she faltered. Saint leaned over and lent her his hand for strength.

Gabby flashed him a small smile. “I shut it down and returned home. The following day, I left early for a doctor’s appointment. I don’t know the extent of the involvement in the accounting office. It might just be the former manager or the entire office. Jackie, my assistant, is the only one I trust. I didn’t tell her anything. I planned to return to the office after hours and pick up the paper files and ledgers after my appointment. On my way home, I stopped for tacos.” Gabby blushed as she caressed her swollen tummy. “I crave them all the time.”

The men chuckled as if she said something funny. One of the men, Taco smiled widely. “Don’t you worry, Gabrielle, I have a direct hook up to the best tacos you’ve ever eaten. I’ll bring you some tomorrow,” he offered.

“Thank you. It’s sometimes all I can keep down for some reason,” she chuckled.

“The kid’s got good taste,” Taco quipped as the men chuckled.

Gabby smiled. “I pulled out of the drive thru and when I turned onto my exit, the car in front of me slowed and the one behind me pushed me over the edge. I only spoke to two people at the office before I left. Mr. Wilkinson requested a meeting with me. He asked how I fared with the accounts. Then Jackie insisted I eat.” Gabby sipped on her water. “When Marcus drove me home, we discovered someone ransacked my apartment. I downloaded the files to my personal computer but I need the paper ledger to compare the records. I hid my computer for safe keeping, but I need the ledger for the codes. After you brought me here, I called Jackie and informed her about my accident and asked if she might retrieve my files as I planned to work from home.”

“Do you have your computer with you?” Matthew asked.

Gabby nodded. “It’s in the bags. I hoped Jackie would bring the files with the ledgers, but she didn’t show up. It’s unlike her,” she gazed at the men worriedly.

“May I search through your records?” Matthew asked as he brought the computer to her. “Can you write down your password? I’ll download this to my files for safekeeping and return your computer. I promise I’ll only search the files you show me.”

“I made a backup. It’s in my coat pocket. I didn’t want itin my computer bag in case someone caught on I knew about it. What do I do about my job? I can use the excuse I’m on bedrest for a while, but I can’t afford to stay off work indefinitely when I don’t know if the entire firm’s involved or only the deceased manager,” she stressed.

“You don’t need to worry about the job. Concentrate on your health and the baby’s. I’ll take care of your needs,” Knight softly ordered.

Gabby’s gaze met his. “Thank you. It’s very generous of you, but you’ve made it clear how you felt and I don’t intend to take anything of yours,” she replied icily.

Leo abruptly stood, signaling his men to rise. “PITA will send someone to check your BP, but she made it clear you can’t stay alone.”

“I’m staying with her,” Knight interjected as he stood.

Leo sent him a warning scowl. “We’ll rotate someone to stay with you. It’s your choice. We’ll head back to the facility and see if we can locate your assistant and search the files. Someone will return in an hour.”

Knight shifted from one foot to the other and shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat. Saint glanced at him, conveying they expected him to leave.

“I want a word with my wife,” he gritted out.

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