“We have a problem.” The agent Doogan rarely saw in Eli snapped into place with a suddenness Doogan hadn’t expected as he eased the truck, lights out, along the back alley leading to Ray’s Garage and Motorcycle Repair.
“The truck isn’t here,” Doogan murmured while confirming the location of Billy’s phone. “Billy Ray’s inside.”
At least his phone was. Eli was certain Billy never left without his phone.
Flipping the truck’s lights on, Eli accelerated out of the alley onto the street at the end of the block and into the next narrow lane across from it.
“Would Natches have taken the truck?” Doogan questioned him, pulling the phone free of his mission pants.
“No way. They’d let their fists discuss the matter with his head and leave it there,” Elijah answered.
Know Billy Ray’s truck? Doogan texted quickly.
Just pulled in the lot.
Stolen.
“I’m calling Billy.” Eli had his phone in hand as he drove quickly through the back streets.
“The truck just pulled in at the store across from Zoey’s,” Doogan stated.
“Dude, what’s your truck doing at O’Riley’s?” Eli snapped. “And Natches will rip your ass for trying to run Zoey down earlier.”
Frantic shouts could be heard coming across the line.
“Not you?” Eli laughed; the amused sound was a sharp contradiction to his expressions. “Hell, son, you better collect that truck and get with Natches right real fast, you feel me? Looks like you’re gettin’ a hard-on for his niece that has nothin’ to do with the happy-happy.”
A second later Elijah disconnected the call.
“Billy just woke big brother.” Eli grimaced. “Not good.”
“In what way?” Doogan pulled his weapon, checked the clip, and snapped it back into place before chambering the first round.
“Big brother?” Elijah snorted. “Billy’s stepbrother is Jack Clay, a big-assed tattooed biker Zoey rides with from time to time. Badass.”
Doogan snorted as a text lit up the screen of his phone.
“Two men just exited the truck. Driver and passenger,” Doogan told Elijah.
Eli accelerated, sped through another alley, then turned quickly onto a silent residential street.
“We’re close, how do you want me to go in?” Eli questioned. “Billy Ray, Jack, and God knows who else will be about a minute behind us.”
“Pull onto the street next to Zoey’s,” Doogan ordered. “No doubt Dawg and the others will be there before long. I need to hide my presence there before they go searching the place.”
“Won’t happen, but I’ll go in and make sure Zoey stays put.” Eli breathed out roughly. “They’ll check on her, but they won’t check the place.”
“I would,” Doogan growled. There wouldn’t have been a chance in hell he would leave without checking the entire building, just to be certain.
“Trust me.” Eli grinned. “Better yet, bet me. I’m broke. Hundred bucks says they check on Zoey, period. They won’t search the place.”
The confidence in the younger agent’s tone had Doogan’s brows arching in doubt.
“They catch me there, you’ll be out of a job. How’s that?” Doogan countered as the truck turned onto the street he’d used earlier.
Grabbing the rifle from the back, Doogan moved from the vehicle as Eli slowed the truck. Using the trees as cover, he ducked and moved for the apartment. Slinging the rifle over his back as he ran, Doogan pulled his Glock from the holster and headed to the back of the warehouse.
He was slipping up the stairs at the back of the apartment after doing a quick check of the garage, when a heavy, booming knock began sounding at the front door, echoing into the earbud he wore.