Page 120 of Hot Puck
“No.”
“What?”
“I won’t keep you in the loop. You will know when we leave the hospital in New York and where we’re going but there will be no contact with anyone once she’s released into my care. That includes with her brother.”
“You’ll take Gannon, though, right? You can’t leave him behind.”
“Yes. Gannon and Shelby will stay together.”
I glance at Blake, get a nod, and return my eyes to Ray. “Okay. Make it happen. I’ll get Oakley and Walker on video call.”
“Use my phone.” Ray holds out a phone that looks like any other, but I know it can’t be. He wouldn’t be insisting on me using it if it was.
Taking it, I turn to Blake. “Get Cami. And Pa. We can fill the men in later, but we’ll need Pa in on this call.”
“I’ll ask Mr. James to come in. I can talk with the men while you all get things rolling,” Amos offers. “I haven’t seen Micky in a while and I’m sure Sara would like an update on how he’s doing.”
“Thanks.”
When Amos leaves the room, Blake sighs and heads for one of the chairs in front of Pa’s desk. Flopping into she says, “I don’t give a shit what you say or think, Nat, I’m asking Amos to hunt this guy down.”
“I don’t think you have to ask that,” Ray answers.
“No?”
“No. He saw inside this guy’s trophy room.”
“I’m sorry?” “Trophy room?” Blake and I speak at once.
“Yeah.” He scrubs a hand over his face. “He hinted at it but I’m not sure either of you really took notice. Amos thinks Anton Banks is a serial killer.”
“A…” I shake my head. I have to. This can’t be real.
At the thought of Shelby Alcott, now Byrd, in the hands of—bile rises in my throat and I race for the trash can at the side of Pa’s desk.
“Ray, get everyone in here, including Amos. Ask Whitney, Cassidy, and Crystal to organize the little ones in the theater room to watch a movie.” Blake’s instructions are spoken above my head which is still over the trash can.
Pushing up, I draw in a deep breath. “I’m okay.”
“You are not. Sit your ass in the chair, Nat. I’ll grab you some water.”
Doing as I’m told, I lean back and close my eyes only to pop them back open again when my brain fills with horrible images. “How is this even happening to someone I know?”
“No idea.” Blake presses a cold glass of water into my hand. “Stay here. I’ll be back in a second.”
When my eyes focus on the room, I see I’m alone. Ray has obviously gone to do as Blake ordered. Blake is also gone to do whatever else she deems necessary.
How have we gone for the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in only a few days?
Forty-eight hours ago we were looking forward to a day with fans after winning the Cup in our first year competing in the NHL.
Now we’re faced with the possibility of a serial killer targeting one of our own.
Epilogue - Chase
Six weeks later…
I’ve watched my wife work her ass off on many occasions. But I’ve never seen her as tired as this.
