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Kissing her one last time, I head out the door, dialing Mrs. Coolson. There’s no time to run down to their house and explain, a phone call will have to do.
“Jackson? Did you all need something? I’ll be right over-“
I cut her off. “Mrs. C, I need you to listen to me. Something’s come up and we’re going to be leaving the B&B for a little while. Bennet said to check your email, you got a bonus, and he wants to send you on a vacation.”
“Jack-“
“Mrs. C, please don’t argue. It’s probably nothing, but we might be in some trouble. Bennet wants us all out, just as a precaution. You deserve a little vacay anyway. Please do this for me- for all of us.”
“But…”
“It’ll be fine. It’s all just a precaution. I’m sure Bennet has something great planned for you. Just please, follow through. I don’t want to have to worry about you if something does happen.” I hear some clicking on the other end.
“Oh! We’re being sent on a cruise?! I… it leaves TODAY!? Jackson!”
“Well, you better get packing then, Mrs. C.” I keep my voice light, not wanting her to worry. “Have fun. I love you.”
The truth is, I’m worried as hell. The look in Bennet’s eyes this morning told me he’s very aware of how much danger he is in. I know he’ll do whatever it takes to protect all of us, especially Six. But he needs to know we’ll do whatever it takes to protect him, too.
One big happy family.
I have a vague idea where The Adley Corporation building is, but I don’t know where the entrance to Adley’s office will be. Thankfully, Bennet’s SUV isn’t too far ahead of me, so I’m able to follow him from as far away as I can.
The parking lot is mostly empty, which makes my truck stand out like a sore thumb, but I pull into the back of the lot and watch as Bennet parks. He buttons his jacket and smoothes it down as he steps out of his vehicle, the picture of professional confidence. His eyes briefly lift in my direction, but he looks away without reacting or acknowledging me.
There are two suits waiting for him on either side of the entrance to the building. Watching Bennet closely, I notice his jaw tense, but he walks towards the door confidently. One of the guards opens the door, both following Bennet into the building.
The longer I sit there, my eyes trained on the door, the more I feel the prickles of worry. I’m waiting for Bennet to walk out, to get into his fancy SUV, to call and yell at me for not following his instructions. But nothing happens.
I wait for half an hour. Forty-five minutes. An hour. No one comes or goes from the building. Nothing happens.
The longer I wait, the more I worry. I’m seconds from giving up and going inside, Adley be damned, when a limo pulls up to the entrance. A familiar face climbs out of the limo to open the door- it’s the same guy from the photo on Six’s burner phone. Adley’s head of security.
I lean forward as one of the door guards walks out, looking around and holding the door open as Jackson Adley himself walks out, ducking into the limo. The trunk pops open.
The meeting must be over. I almost let out a breath of relief, but the other guard emerges with a limp Bennet thrown over his shoulder. He drops Bennet heavily into the trunk, closing it before hitting the side of the vehicle, signaling for the car to drive. He gets into a black Hummer, following behind the limo.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.
No. This isn’t happening. Was he dead? Bennet can’t be dead. This can’t be happening.
I open our group text, sending a text message as I crank the ignition and follow them out of the parking lot and onto the highway.
Jackson: GO. NOW.
My old Bronco isn’t exactly inconspicuous, so I stay back as far as I can. Still, I doubt they could miss they’re being followed. There are barely any other cars out.
My phone is pinging and ringing like crazy, but I don’t answer. I need to focus on where the cars ahead of me are going, staying as far behind as possible while still keeping them in sight.
We only drive for maybe ten minutes before they turn into a small, private airport. There is a small jet waiting in the middle of the tarmac, the stairs lowered and a staff member waiting diligently at the bottom of the steps.
The limo pulls up close to the stairs. The steward opens the door, ushering Adley into the plane. Halfway up the stairs, Adley turns around and gestures, possibly talking to someone in or near the limo. One of his guards passes the steward a briefcase and then lifts Bennet’s limp body from the trunk, throwing him over his shoulder like a well-dressed sack of potatoes.
I’m too far away to see Bennet’s features or be able to tell if he’s breathing. They wouldn’t take him with them if he were dead, would they?
Adley ascends the steps and disappears into the jet, the guard following behind with Bennet. The door closes and after a few short minutes, the jet starts rolling forward for takeoff, gathering speed before it lifts off the ground and disappears into the horizon.
I’m so focused on watching the movements of the plane I almost don’t notice the limo as it leaves the gate and pulls up next to my truck. For a moment I think I’m dead too, but the driver only lowers the tinted window and holds out a card.
