Page 53 of Echoes of Obsession
“In the meantime,” I add. “I want everyone who…”
“Uhm, Ghost, a fax just came through for you. You might want to read this.”
“A fax?” I ask as Knox hands me a paper.
“I didn’t even know we had a fax machine,” Reynolds says.
“What does it say?” Sophie asks.
I think I’ve given you ample time to notice that your lady friend is gone. Now that I have your attention, I want you to stick close to your phone. Not your cell phone, but the good old landline inside your clubhouse. I will call you in five hours with some information you’re going to want. Until then, I think I’ll spend that time getting to know your new friend. And, Ghost, it better be you on the other end of the line when I call.
-Firecracker
“Firecracker? Who the hell is that?”
My ears buzz with anger coursing through my body.
“Why does his name sound so familiar?” Reynolds asks.
“He’s that fucking kid that Hunter let fight last weekend,” Venom tells them. “The seventeen-year-old boy who wanted revenge on the man who raped his sister. I watched him fight, Ghost. He’s small, fast, and fucking strong. Matches the description of the man Snow’s neighbor saw.”
Not wasting another second, I call Hunter.
“Ghost, hey, I was just about to call you,” he greets.
“No time,” I say. “I need…”
“I want to apologize for the way I acted before,” he interrupts. “I was drunk and fucking stupid. I want to make it up to you. How about I bring some steaks to grill out for the club? I’ll even let your Pops take over if he wants. I know he’s the grill master and all.”
“Hunter,” I growl. “I need your help.”
“Of course,” he says. “Anything.”
“That little shit teenager that you let fight last weekend kidnapped Snow,” I explain. “I need to know where he would have taken her and why.”
“Nathan, the Firecracker?” he asks. “No way, Ghost. That kid is as clean as it comes. I even asked if he wanted to train for future fights, and he said he got what he wanted. Why do you think he took your woman?”
“Where can I find him?” I growl into the phone.
“Listen, you’re wrong about him. But I’ll text you his home address. I’m sure he’s at home with his folks. Whoever took your woman wasn’t Nathan. No way. No how. Bet my life on it.”
The text comes through, and I immediately forward it to Knox.
“Thanks,” I say before ending the call.
“Hunter doesn’t think it’s the kid,” I tell the room.
“Found his parent’s number,” Knox says. “Who’s calling?”
“I will,” Sophie answers. “It might be better coming from a girl. One of you would probably scare them to death.”
She’s not wrong.
“Hello, may I speak to Nathan McAllister, please? Oh, my name is Sophia. Really? Do you know when he’ll be back? That might be too late. I’ll just call him tomorrow. Actually, do you happen to know his cell number? We had talked last week about a job opportunity and this was the number he had set for an emergency contact. Somehow, the Ink smeared over his cell number and social security number. Oh, no, that’s okay. He can just fill it back out when he comes, but I was hoping to see if he could come in today before it’s too late… That would be wonderful. I really appreciate it. I’m ready… Oh, that was an eight. I could just make out the last digit, and I thought it was a six. Thanks again. Bye now.”
“And that is why she called and not any of you,” Knox laughs. “What did they say?”
“His mom said that he went out to help his uncle move some cattle,” Sophie answers. “He won’t be home until later tonight.”