“That is equally profound and terrifying to know,” Nixon commented. “I would never have guessed that you had that side to you, but I suppose we all have our secrets.”
“So, what do we do now?” Oscar asked. “If we know Yoram is the one behind it and we can’t get to her father today then how do we proceed?”
“Alton,” I answered. “We need to speak with him, and he will show you what he’s discovered so far. Then form a plan of attack, while searching for whatever properties Yoram owns that he’d keep Cambrie at. My gut tells me he didn’t take her to a Care Center. That would be the first place we’d look, and if he’s purposefully hiding her to fuck us, he’d do a good job of it.”
“Not just Yoram,” Bodhi interjected. “If I was gonna hide something, it wouldn’t be someplace you’d think to ever look. It seemed like Frederick and Willem would be more than willing to offer up a place to stash an Omega. Those two are as big of a problem as Yoram himself.”
“You make a really good point, Bodhi. While we know that Yoram is the leader, we can’t discount his loyal soldiers either,” I agreed. “Everyone eat up, we’re going to need all our strength and wits about us for this battle.”
Marla greeted us all with hugs when we arrived, even Oscar and Bodhi who she hadn’t met yet.
“Oh, ever since you came around last week, Alton’s been in such a better mood,” she gushed, clapping her hands. “Now you brought the whole pack. This is just so good for him. The other Officials just sent gift baskets with his favorite tea and other things to help him get well. Hmph, like they even mean that,” Marla grumbled as she led us to the library where I met with Alton last time.
Bodhi leaned in and whispered to Spencer. “Is she always this chipper?”
Nixon snorted and covered it up with a cough, pounding his fist on his chest to add to the effect.
“Marla is like Jekyll and Hyde, you never know who you’re going to get or when,” Spencer answered. “Just stay out of her way and smile and nod.”
When we entered, I found Alton sitting on the couch with Phillip, their pack’s Omega, both reading the same book.
“Alton,” Phillip scolded in his soft voice. “I wasn’t done reading that page. You know I can’t read as fast as you do. My eyes are getting worse, and you keep this room like a cave. You know there is a sun outside that will light up this room.”
“I keep telling you to get them checked but you won’t,” Alton chided. “There is nothing wrong with admitting you need a pair of reading glasses.”
Marla cleared her throat, drawing the attention of the men. “Alton, look who’s back and brought others with him this time.”
“Oh, Marius,” Alton greeted, a smile appearing on his face. “You brought the rest of your pack with you. What did I do to owe this honor?”
“It’s actually pertaining to the topic we chatted about last time. It was so helpful to me I thought the others should hear it,” I answered, trying not to spill secrets his pack members might not know about.
“Of course, of course,” Alton nodded and patted Phillip's thigh. “I’m sorry Phil, but this is going to cover some Official business, and I know you don’t enjoy listening to that.”
“It’s fine, I needed a break from that dry legalistic nonsense we were reading anyway,” Phillip said, getting to his feet and holding out his arm for Marla. “Come, my love, let us go for a stroll in the sun. I’ve been in here so long I’ve forgotten what it looks like.”
I had to hold back a laugh as the two left the room leaving a muttering Alton behind with us. “Doesn’t matter how old he gets, that Omega is a cheeky one. Never would guess he’s gonna be sixty this year, would you?”
“Can’t say I would,” I admitted before the smile fell from my face. “Would you mind if I turned on the same music as last time? It was such a good record and Oscar and Bodhi are both music buffs.”
“By all means, let them pick what they like from the collection. I’ve got some rare ones,” Alton offered as he stood, giving me a look of understanding.
I walked over to the record player, picked one at random and placed it on the turntable. The room was soon filled with the old sound of traditional big band numbers. Brass horns and trombones, and many more I couldn’t pick out like I knew Oscar could. It was the perfect cover as we talked in his secret room behind the bookcase. The guys looked stunned when Alton revealed it and motioned for them to enter. They looked at me and with a nod, then followed. Once we were all in the small room I slid the door shut, cutting off the sound of the music.
“Does someone want to tell me what just happened?” Spencer asked. “Are you a spy or something, covering as an Official?”
A huff of laughter from Alton had them regarding him inquiringly. “If I were really a spy then I wouldn't be sitting at home wasting away. I would have done that snake in years ago, but looking at this room I might see how you’d think that. Ever since I realized things were crooked in the CoF I started to find a way to bring it all down and start again.” Alton’s attention shifted to me. “What happened? Must have been something big to bring all of them.”
“They took her, stole her right out of our house. On top of that, they made it clear if anything happened to her we would be held responsible,” I explained.
Alton glowered. “What’s the deadline he gave you?”
“Monday,” I answered.
“Roll up your sleeves boys, we have a hell of a lot of work to do,” Alton announced and put us to work.
Chapter 3
Thestackofpapersseemed never ending, as I answered question after question. Part of me was thrilled that I knew the majority but there were some that I had no clue what it was asking me. Math was never my strength but I muddled through it, using the back of the completed sheets to work out my problems.