looks like they’re separated. She changed her address to her mother’s residence four months ago. He has the warehouse you raided, so I doubt he would be there. He also owns a storage building on a lot near the hospital. I don’t think it would be able to hold all the missing shifters. Jai also searched through Mrs. Phenix’s records. Get this, she inherited a rundown manor from her grandmother. I don’t know how rundown it is, but it would be large enough to hold a dozen or so shifters.” Ethan’s voice had hope.
“Thanks Ethan. Send me the addresses of the storage building and the manor. I’ll get a team together and head out there now.” Xeon was already running a plan in his mind. He had a lead and by God he wasn’t going to fail Trina and Mara.
“Let me know if I can help with anything else.”
“Will do,” Xeon hung up and looked at Kale.
“Good news?” He looked optimistic.
“I hope so.” Xeon clapped Kale on the back. “Ethan is sending some addresses over.”
“What can I do?” Raul’s large body filled the open doorway. “After finding out about your two missing today, I decided to come back and lend a hand.”
“We have some leads. I’m keeping the guys on the lookout. We can put together a small team to go to the storage building. I’m not holding much hope out for that one. The doctor has access to a rundown building. I think we should go there. Ethan is sending me the addresses.” Right on time, his phone dinged with an incoming message.
“I’ll go anywhere you need me to. Jonah is waiting outside with Vlan,” Raul informed him.
“Good, Ryder is on his way up here. Let Vlan go with Ryder to the storage building. You and Jonah can come with us to the manor.” Xeon forwarded the addresses on his phone to the others.
Once Ryder arrived, Xeon sent him the address of the storage building. Ryder promised to call if anyone showed up. Though he had full confidence in Ryder, he didn’t want them going into another trap with a pissed off bear waiting. After everyone had their directions, they all filed out of the meeting house. Ryder and Vlan jumped in Ryder’s truck and headed out to the storage building. Kyro and Jonah got in the back seat of Xeon’s SUV while Xeon drove, and Raul rode in the front passenger seat.
Anticipation built the closer they got to the manor. With luck, they would get there before nightfall. Though the cover of darkness would help conceal them. Xeon didn’t want Mara in there any longer than she already had been.
“This is the driveway to the manor. There’s no way to drive by and scope it out. We’ll be going in blind,” Xeon told them.
“If our people are in there, it’s worth the risk,” Raul stated, looking down the driveway when they passed.
“Agreed,” Xeon and Kyro said in unison.
“What’s that on the right?” Raul pointed to an old building.
“Looks like a rundown gas station. We can park behind it, out of sight.” Xeon pulled into the deserted parking lot.
Weeds had grown in the cracks of the pavement. Unrepaired potholes had Xeon weaving through the obstacle course. He parked far enough behind the building that it couldn’t be seen from the road. Trees lined two sides of the lot, and the tall weeds gave them partial cover in the rear. The sun was setting. Darkness would give added cover.
Everyone climbed out of the SUV and eased their doors shut. Xeon left the keys under the bumper in case someone had to flee before he got out. They trekked through the woods between the gas station and the manor. Everyone kept a lookout for cameras and security. When the tree line broke away, they had a full view of the old manor. Darkness took over. Lights were on both upstairs and down.
Xeon slipped behind a tree. He watched the manor and observed the surroundings. He saw movement on the other side of the building. A man dressed in black patrolled outside. They watched the man walk around the front of the manor. He had an AR-15 tucked tightly against his chest and a pistol strapped against his thigh. In silence, they studied his movements. He didn’t venture far from the building itself. He never even glanced in their direction.
“I got this,” Raul whispered.
Before Xeon commanded him to wait, Raul slipped off into the woods. The guard hadn’t noticed Raul sneak down