Bucked (The Invincibles 6)

“I doubt it, but I hadn’t thought about the fact that Ben would need something substantial.”

“It’ll mean so much to Holt.”

“When did he become a member of their band?”

“A couple of years ago. Until he knew whether they’d invite him to go on tour, he kept it quiet.”

I opened the door the rest of the way and walked into the front part of the cabin. “Did I hear something about going to see a band?”

“I’m trying to talk my overprotective brother into coming along and bringing you and Paxon with him.”

I looked at Buck, who appeared as indecisive as he’d sounded a minute ago.

“What if we ask some of the guys working on the security system to go along?” I asked, knowing that Flynn didn’t care if Buck and I went; it was Irish she wanted to go.

Buck stroked his beard. “That could work.”

“Please,” said Flynn, her hands clasped together.

“Let me talk to Rock first, and I’ll let you know.”

When Buck’s sister left the cabin, I stood by the window and watched her walk toward the one Irish was staying in.

“What do you think about Flynn and Irish?”

“She’s a kid,” Buck answered absentmindedly.

“She’s a woman.”

Buck looked up at me. “Irish is old enough to be her father.”

“That’s an exaggeration, and you know it.”

“Not by much.”

“Some women find older men attractive.”

“Women like you?”

I shrugged. “Not exclusively.”

“I’ll call Rock,” Buck snapped, walking out the front door.

I opened the refrigerator, surprised to find it well-stocked with food. None of it, though, looked like my usual “heat and serve” fare. I checked the cupboard, found a loaf of bread, plugged in the toaster that sat near the coffeemaker, and while it did its magic, went back to the fridge to look for butter and jam.

As I waited for my breakfast to pop up, I watched Buck outside, pacing like he had before when he went out to make a call.

He was usually so good-natured that when he wasn’t, it was jarring.

I sat down with my laptop to take another look at Barb’s emails and rubbed my temples. It wasn’t going to be easy to do the kind of research I needed to online, and I doubted very much Buck or Decker would see fit to provide security for me as I gallivanted around as I normally would with any other investigation.

No, my best bet would be if I could figure out where Barb kept her safe-deposit box. As her sole heir, the bank would be required to give me access, right? At least after I was able to show them a death certificate and a copy of her will.

I looked up from my computer when Buck came back inside. His sunny disposition hadn’t returned.

“Just say no.”

“What?”