James had purposely refrained from asking questions at the onset, wanting the men to trust him before he blindsided them with invasive queries. The more time he spent with them, the more guilt set in.
This wasn’t right. These men were veterans, for crying out loud. There had to be something else they could do here. Blankets, coats, and food were fine and dandy – but they weren’t a solution.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Jake said, stepping up next to James.
James raised an eyebrow briefly. “You do?”
“You’re trying to figure out a solution to all of this,” Jake said. “I’ve been there.”
“And you don’t think there’s a solution?”
“Not one that will make you happy,” Jake replied. “You can’t save everyone.”
“I’m not trying to save everyone,” James said. “I’m trying to save these men. That shouldn’t be some insurmountable feat.”
“It shouldn’t,” Jake agreed. “You’re going to be disappointed if you try to fix everything, though, because everything can’t be fixed. Only some things can be fixed. What you’ve done here today, that stuff is going to make life better for these guys for a long while.”
“I guess.”
Jake patted James on the shoulder. “You can only do it in steps, man.”
James nodded. “I guess you’d know better. Have you heard anything?”
“I’ve asked around about Cole,” Jake said. “As far as I can tell, no one has seen him in a few days.”
“I don’t like it,” James said. “There can’t be a lot of places a guy like him can go to hide.”
“No,” Jake agreed. “I’m worried, too. I’m worried that, if he really was involved in this, someone did something to him to shut him up.”
James grimaced, tugging a hand through his hair. The thought had already occurred to him. “I hate to say it, but maybe someone should make a call to the medical examiner’s office.”
Grady, who had been passing out blankets, straightened up and faced his brother. “I was thinking that, too. I’ll text Sophie. She’ll do it.”
Jake furrowed his brow, confusion washing across his face. “Why would she call them?”
“She’s a reporter for the Daily Tribune,” Grady explained. “She’s got a working relationship with the people over there.”
“I knew she looked familiar,” Jake mused. “She was the reporter who took down John Madison, wasn’t she?”
“Do you know Madison?”
“I knew his kid,” Jake said. “He’s a scum-sucking little weasel.”
Grady barked out a laugh. “Well, I’m betting he’s someone special’s scum-sucking little weasel in prison these days.”
Jake smirked. “We can only hope.”
Finn finished stacking cases of water bottles and joined the other three men. “I don’t think this Cole Gordon is here,” he said.
“We don’t either,” James agreed.
“We could keep someone out here, just in case,” Finn said.
“Are you volunteering?”
“I will if I have to,” Finn replied, shrugging. “I don’t think Emma will like it, but it’s not like it will be forever.”
“I think that’s going to be a waste of time,” James said. “I don’t think he’s coming back here.”
“So, what’s our next move?” Grady asked.
“I say we order some pizza and go back to my place to brainstorm,” James said, turning to Jake. “What do you like on your pizza?”
Jake looked surprised. “You want me to come with you?”
“You’re part of the group now,” James said. “I’d like to hear what you think about the situation.”
Jake nodded mutely, his face unreadable.
The phone in James’ pocket dinged, signifying an incoming text. He pulled it out of his pocket, letting loose with a string of curses as he read it.
“What’s wrong?” Finn asked.
“It’s Mandy,” James said. “She just wanted to tell me Ally is picking her up, and they’ll meet us at home.”
“Why is that a problem?” Jake asked.
“I dearly love my sister,” James said. “I do. And I love Mandy with my whole heart. When they get together, though … I just want to … .” James mimed throttling an invisible person.
“They grew up together,” Grady explained. “They kind of get immature and obnoxious when they get together.”
“Oh, you all grew up together,” Jake said. “I didn’t realize that. I guess you’ve been with Mandy a long time.”