Page 61 of Echoes of Fear

“Mayor Robert,” Donavan Wood greets. “Mr. Mercer. So glad you two could join me.”

“Where’s Connie?” I ask, referring to Donavan’s partner.

“She’s currently indisposed,” he smiles creepily.

“Then this meeting needs to be rescheduled,” Bobby says. “I’ve told you twice that I won’t start negotiations without both shareholders, Mr. Wood. You are wasting my time when it is needed in many other places.”

The difference between Little Bobby and Mayor Robert are miles apart.

“This isn’t about the land, Mr. Mayor,” Wood says in that creepy tone he always uses. He’s always smiling as if he has some devious plan no one else is aware of.

I wouldn’t doubt it if he did.

“I have no interest in anything else you have to offer, Mr. Wood,” Bobby says.

I’m discreetly trying to pin a location on this man. Something’s off, and I’m hitting brick walls. I’ve never had this issue when tagging his location before.

Bobby has been wanting to buy a piece of land he and his cousin own to build a nursing home on, but they have fought us for months now.

Something never sat right with this man.

“I think you might this time,” he says. “Come here, sweetheart.”

I watch as a young female, maybe nine or ten years old, comes over and stands beside Wood. He pulls her onto his lap.

She looks terrified. But I don’t let him know that I’m affected.

“Meet my daughter, Dee,” he says.

“You don’t have a daughter,” I remind him.

I know for a fact he doesn’t because I spent weeks doing extensive research on the man before I so much as let him have a phone conversation with Bobby. I’ve talked to every woman he’s ever been with, and there was no mention of a child. There are no records with his name indicating he’s someone's father.

Taylor looks concerned and I can tell he wants to come over here, but I raise my fingers where only he can see.

Please understand, Taylor.

I can see him nod from the corner of my eyes, but I don’t dare look at him.

“How about that,” Donavan laughs. “It appears I do now.”

“What’s your name, honey?” I ask.

“DeeDee,” she answers with a wobbly voice.

“Hi, DeeDee, my name is Knox. Are you okay?”

“She’s fine, Mercer,” Donavon snarls.

“What’s going on, Mr. Wood?” Bobby asks.

“You see, Mayor, I’m in a bit of a conundrum, and you’re going to help me get out of it.”

Without looking away from the computer, I grab my phone and text Bobby.

Don’t act too interested. Shake your head after you read this, so he thinks you’re frustrated.

Bobby glances down for a few seconds before sighing and shaking his head.