Gaby left and closed the door behind her. Good. She scanned the restroom. A window. Opened and big enough to get through. She went into the stall and waited until the waitress left. Sorry, Hallie, but I don’t want you to get hurt or worse, captured. Gaby crawled out the window and walked beneath a tree shadowed by crows.
Steele searched every inch of Becker’s home. Fuck. He took out his cell phone. He’d tried earlier contacting the warden, but she never returned his calls or texts. Finally, she picked up. “Hallie, where the hell are you and Gaby?”
“Prince Steele?”
“Yes. Put Gaby on.”
“Why?” Her voice was suspicious as it should be.
“Didn’t Rylee call you?”
“No.”
“A text then?”
“Let me check.”
He pressed his hand on his temple. “Yes, do it now.”
“Rylee put you in charge of Gaby. Wait, she wants me back at headquarters?”
“Come back to Becker’s home and the pilot will take you. How close are you?”
“We’re in Portland. Texting you our location.”
“Okay, on my way.”
“Gaby will be happy to hear that. I think.”
“Let me talk to her.”
“She just went to the bathroom.”
“Alone?”
“No werewolves around, sir.”
“Get her now.”
“Okay, chill.”
Steele paced. The background noise indicated a busy restaurant and crows. What the hell is taking her so long?
“She’s gone!”
The audible stress in Hallie’s voice didn’t bode well. He growled. “What?”
“Climbed out of the window. I’m following her scent.” The cackle of crows and wings flapping grew loud. Through the din, he heard Hallie snarling at what sounded like birds mobbing her.
“What the fuck is going on?”
Hallie answered seconds later. “Back inside. The crows are not letting me follow her scent.”
Gaby used her charm.
“Are you hurt?”
“No. They literally blocked my way.”