“That makes sense. I think you’re right. If Ashley told King, this might be where he’s at, trying to find Sawyer.” Colton speculated.
“She said he left right after she told him.” Vida turned off her computer, packing it back in the bag. Standing up, she saw the men all staring at her.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Colton questioned her.
“They have a concert the day after tomorrow. I plan to be there.”
“Okay. Reverend, take Vida back to the apartment. Vida, pack us enough clothes to last a week. Carlito, you stay here. I’m going to go see my parole officer, that will give me a week until I have to report again. You’ll have to run the shop while I’m gone. I’ll cancel all my appointments until I get back.”
“You’re not going with me.” Vida was determined to put a stop to his plans.
“Yes, I am. There’s no way you’re going by yourself. Not only is King probably headed there, but also Digger. That concert is one big cluster fuck waiting to happen,” Colton predicted.
“You’re not going. I won’t take a chance on you breaking you’re parole. I won’t be the reason you’re sent back to prison,” Vida argued back.
“You don’t have a choice. I’m going. In fact, I’d like it better if you stayed here. Ice can watch over you until I get back.”
“Stop it, Colton.” Vida sank back down in the chair. “Neither of us will go, I’ll call Seth.”
“After everything you’ve gone through, you’re going to give up? You stripped on stage to keep her safe, why would you give up now?”
“I’m not giving up. I just won’t jeopardize you going back to jail. I love Sawyer, but I love you, too.” A sound in the doorway had everyone turning. Tessa stood, listening to them with the open door in her hand.
“I need to get my machine, and a few other things. Is that all right?” Tessa asked. Vida felt her sympathy stir. Tessa looked like she hadn’t slept since the argument with Colton.
“Go ahead, Tessa,” Colton said, turning his back on her. Tessa didn’t try to talk to the other two men as she went on back to her room. Vida felt Colton’s gaze on her the whole time. The door opened again and clients began coming in.
“Go to work, Colton. I’ll call Seth as soon as I get everyone checked in and let him know what’s going on. The room was bugged that night; they probably are already moving to get Sawyer back, maybe that’s why Seth hasn’t called me.”
“All right, but come to me as soon as you talk to him.”
“I will,” Vida agreed.
The men got to work with their appointments. Tessa came into the lobby, pausing beside the counter. Vida looked back at her, waiting for the nastiness to spill out of her.
“I’m sorry for the other day,” Tessa said.
Shocked was an understatement to what Vida felt when she heard Tessa’s words.
“I understand, Tessa. I don’t think I would take it well if I lost Colton, either.”
“I lost Colton because I couldn’t admit I had a problem. I went to rehab, went through all the steps, yet I never apologized to Colton and he was the one I hurt the most.”
“It’s not too late, Tessa.”
“Yes, it is.” Vida watched as Tessa walked out the front door, not taking the opportunity to go back and apologize to Colton. Vida had hoped that Tessa would try to make amends, but she had been wrong.
Vida kept trying to get Seth on the phone, using the number he’d given her. His message box was full. She was beginning to get angry with him. The least he could do was keep her informed after what she had done.
Determined to get in touch with him, she called the FBI’s main office for the State of Texas. It took several phone calls and being redirected several times before she was connected to a nearby office. in which Seth had been assigned.
“Hello?” Vida had asked for Seth and had met silence on the other end. “Hello? Are you still there?”
“Yes, Ms.--. I’m afraid I have some bad news about your friend. Seth Redman was killed on duty. I’m afraid that’s all the information that can be released at this time.”
Vida disconnected the call, sitting stunned.
“Are you all right?” Carlito asked, picking up the appointment book.
“Yes.” Vida cleared her throat. “I need some coffee and some food. I’m going to go across the street. I’ll be back in a little while.”
“Cool, I don’t have another customer for an hour. Take your time.”
“Thanks.” Vida packed up her computer, placing it into her backpack.