Rock: Be at your house in ten.
“Thank fuck.”
Charlotte’s phone dings.
“It’s Merlin!” she yells.
I reach her in two steps, my hand out. “Give it to me.”
She nods and slides the phone into my hand.
“Hello?”
“Figured you’d answer her phone,” he answers.
“What’s going on?” This better not be a fucking social call.
“You tell me,” he says slowly. Highway noises muddy up the background.
“I’m not in the mood to fuck around with you.”
He coughs a few times. “You missing anyone important?”
“Yes,” I grind out through my teeth.
“Thought so. I got a call. Not sure why they think I give a shit.”
“Are you fucking serious?” I stalk into the house, slamming the kitchen door. “Charlotte’s beside herself.”
“Yeah? And what about you?”
“I’m getting him back with or without your help. But I’d rather have you tell me what I’m dealing with. Where are you?”
“Close by.”
“How close?”
“Near Empire. Ain’t exactly like I know your address.”
I give him the information, and he says he’ll be here in an hour.
“What’d that asshole say?” Charlotte asks.
“A whole lot of nothing.”
A tear leaks from the corner of her eye. “We have to find my brother.”
“I will, Sunshine. I promise.”
Someone throws a fist against the front door, then opens it before we answer. Rock’s heavy footsteps thud over the floorboards, and into the kitchen. “What do we know?”
“Nothing. I just heard from Merlin. He’s on his way here.” I squeeze Charlotte’s shoulder. “I think he knows more than he wanted to say over the phone.”
“You’re also inclined to not trust him,” he points out.
“True.”
“The cops want me to come in and answer questions.” Charlotte glances from me to Rock. “I don’t see the point though.”