“I just heard from Ethan. The Twisted Bull got broken into tonight. David Northup called him when both your cell numbers rolled to voice mail this evening, and he went by to check on things. The back door was left wide open.”
Quinten grabbed their phones from the counter where they’d been charging and muttered, “Shit. No rest for the weary around here.” All three cell phones had voice mail notifications.
Ben nodded in agreement. “Was there damage?”
Hank took a deep breath. “That’s what has me concerned. I went out to see when Ethan called me, and it looks like none of the club construction was messed with at all, which is odd, because y’all are nearing completion on the interior and there was some valuable stuff in there. Things the run-of-the-mill thief would take to sell. They didn’t even touch what was in the bottle storage room.”
That shocked Quinten. It wasn’t much, but they’d received one small delivery already, which was all still in cases in the storage room, ready to be unpacked and put on the shelves.
Ben nodded and said, “What aren’t you telling us?”
“Camilla’s office was tossed. Just like her house and her car.”
“Shit.”
Hank shook his head and wearily rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t like this. I’ll tell you what…I’m getting damn sick and tired of the women I know and care about being victimized. I’ve seen so much of it lately. I hate feeling out of control.”
Ben nodded, looking like he was gritting his teeth. “I know exactly what you mean, Hank.”
Hank drained his mug and refilled it. Quinten got up from the chair and went into the kitchen, returning with a bottle of Irish whiskey. He uncapped it and poured a healthy dollop in his mug and then offered it to Hank, who smiled and took it. “Don’t mind if I do.” He poured a little in his fresh cup of coffee and sighed as he drank it.
Quinten capped the bottle and returned to his seat. “What’s your suggestion, Hank?”
Hank chuckled wryly. “Wrap her in cotton and keep her in your pocket.”
“She won’t be too happy about that. She already grouses with Cody, Heath, and Spencer hovering over her.”
Quinten said, “Hank, she has at least two of them with her at all times. What do you think is going on?”
“My guess is that they’re searching for something. They went through her house very thoroughly. Same with her car. Damn shame about the insurance company totaling it, by the way. Whoever it is has discovered that she’s opening The Twisted Bull and Chantilly’s, and they’re narrowing their search. I have a really bad feeling. If they didn’t find what they wanted today, they’ll be escalating before long. Has she remembered anything since the last time we talked?”
“The ashes,” Quinten said with a nod.
“Ashes?”
“Her mom’s ashes. They were in a sealed box left on her bed when the house was searched. They tore through her drawers and her possessions but left the sealed box on the bed unopened.”
Hank rested his elbow on the table and rubbed his temple, thinking about that for a second. “Did she tell you who knew about that?”
Quinten filled him in, and Hank took down the names. “I’ll check with them, to see if they might’ve talked with anyone else about it. I’m not buying the squeamish burglar story. Someone knows something.”
“Did you ever find anything out about that guy she dated who went to prison? Tyler Anderson?”
Hank nodded. “Yes. He was paroled a couple of months back. Time off for good behavior. He was living in Kerrville and had a job, but he didn’t show up for his last meeting with his parole officer. They’ve issued a warrant for him.”
Ben softly cursed at that news and then said, “Let us know if we can do anything on our end. Ace Webster and Kemp Whittier may have some sources.”
Hank nodded and refilled his cup as he rubbed his head like it hurt. “I’ll contact him. I’ll be damned if I’m letting any more women get hurt on my watch.”
“We’ll have to tell her when she wakes up.” Quinten dreaded the thought, too. She had enough on her plate as it was.
Speaking his mind, Ben said, “This is the last thing she needs right now. We have inspectors coming next week to look the place over.”
Hank grimaced. “You have my sympathies. Just keep an eye on her.” Hank grinned at them both. “Rumor has it that she’s expectin’.” He chuckled when they both sat up straight in their chairs and grinned. “I’ll take that as a yes. Well, congratulations are in order. And for the love of Mike, let’s keep her safe.”