Page 83 of Seven

“Sure,” Casey answered.

I looked to Ford and asked, “That good with you?”

Ford was hesitant to leave, but eventually, he nodded and followed Casey and Toby down the hall. It was rough watching him go. The kid had already gotten to me, and there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him. And that included bringing his mother back. Hell, I’d burn down the entire city if I had to.

Once he was gone, I stood and rushed towards the back door. I charged out of the bar and ignored the voices calling after me as I stormed out. We’d been sitting here trying to figure out our next move and trying to get information from Cotton and Rooks. It was a waste of fucking time. The answer had been right under our noses the whole damn time. The second the realization hit me, I didn’t think. I just moved.

The second I reached the playroom, I threw open the door so hard it banged against the wall. The driver jolted to attention. His eyes were wide with terror as he struggled against his restraints. He was a wiry bastard, mid-fifties with graying hair and a nose that looked like it had been broken more than once. He reeked of sweat and fear, and I fucking thrived on it. “No. No more.”

I grabbed the cattle prod and pressed it against his throat as I roared, “Where did they take the girl?”

“I know not.”

I squeezed harder. “Wrong answer.”

I pressed the button, and his body jerked against the ties as the current pulsed through his jaw. His face turned red, and hiseyes bulged like a damn fish out of water. I gave him a second, then growled, “Where were you supposed to take her!”

“To da boss,” he stammered.

“And where is the fucking boss?” When he didn’t immediately answer, I slammed my fist into his gut, and his chest heaved. “I’m getting tired of the bullshit, man. Real fucking tired. Don’t make me break out the sheers.”

He looked from me to Grim, who was now standing in the doorway with his arms crossed, watching. Waiting. Ready to step in and do whatever I couldn’t.

“Da house,” the driver finally gasped. “Boss is at da house.”

“That’s more like it.” I dropped the prod as I pushed. “Where’s the house?”

“Rahling Road.”

“What’s the number?”

“I know not. I just drive.”

“Shep can get the number,” Grim interjected.

I nodded, then followed Grim back to the bar. As soon as we walked in, I made my way over to Rooks and demanded, “I need the address to the house.”

“I know the area, but I’m not sure about the exact address. I’d need Dad’s ledger to find out for sure.”

“We got no ledger.”

“I don’t know what to tell ya.” Rooks shrugged. “I can’t do much without that ledger or having access to Dad’s computer.”

“Well, today’s your lucky day.” Shep stood and pushed his laptop across the table as he said, “There’s your access.”

Rooks looked down at Shep’s laptop, and after studying it a moment, he looked back at Shep and asked, “You did this?”

“With a little help from your sister.”

“But how?”

“The how doesn’t matter,” I snapped. “Goddamn it! Find the fucking address, so we can go get Tallie!”

“Okay. Okay. Just give me a minute.” Rooks starts hammering away at the keyboard, and it wasn’t long before he announced, “29 Rahling Road.”

“About fucking time.” I grabbed Rooks by the arm and pulled him to his feet. “Let’s move.”

“Hold on.” Rooks gave me a look. “Before we go flying out of here, how did you know they wanted to see me?”