Biding His Thyme: 4

by Shelley Munro

  “Interesting. The Rebel Brothers were into drugs and weapons when I worked in the city. I need to chat with a few of my contacts. Can you keep me posted?” Luke asked. “Keep a low profile. I’ve heard rumors about people disappearing after getting hooked up with this gang.”

  “I’ll try.” Jake hung up and tucked his phone away, double checking it wouldn’t fall from his pocket at an inopportune moment. The condom fiasco had taught him a valuable lesson.

  Jake hobbled into the dining room, keeping his head low and his shoulders slumped. He joined the line of people waiting to collect food, sneaking a peek at the visitors in his peripheral vision.

  They were loud, their guffaws ringing out in the large room. By contrast the cult members remained quiet, and Jake could feel the stench of fear and uncertainty wafting through the air. Frankly, he didn’t blame the brothers and sisters. The arrival of gang members at the compound didn’t bode well.

  With his meal in hand, Jake scanned the tables and limped over to one near the visitors in the hope of eavesdropping. Hopefully, he’d learn something of interest to help Luke work out why they were here and what it meant.

  “I’m waiting for one of the signatories to arrive back from holiday,” Brother Rick said in a calm voice. “I told you on the phone.”

  “And I’m fine with waiting,” the man sitting next to Brother Rick said.

  Jake knew the type. Big and rough in appearance, he relied on fear to keep challengers at bay.

  “We wanted to see the setup. No point in a partnership if the compound is crap.”

  “Partnership,” the woman sitting next to Jake muttered, horror coating her tone. “What partnership?”

  Jake got it. He wouldn’t slip into bed with any of these men. “Shush,” he murmured in warning. He didn’t want anyone to get hurt. “We can discuss this later.”

  Cattle rustling was the least of Luke’s problems.

  “How long are you intending to stay?” Brother Felix asked. “We’ll need to organize accommodation and food for you.”

  “And drinks,” one of the men said. “I deserve something stronger than lemonade to wash down my meal.”

  “Lemonade is for pussies,” another snarled.

  “There is a pub in town,” Brother Rick said.

  “Good. Organize some rum and a few beers,” the man who seemed to be the leader ordered.

  “Of course,” Brother Rick said without missing a beat. “You’re our guests. We want you to feel welcome.”

  “I wouldn’t mind a woman,” the man said, his gaze scanning the room.

  Jake tensed, his gut twisting with foreboding.

  “That, too, can be arranged,” Brother Rick said smoothly.

  Fuck. Not good. He was one man, and he didn’t have any weapons apart from his brain. He shoveled mashed potatoes into his mouth, swallowing automatically while he tried to shape a way out for the residents of Children of Nature. They were innocent and didn’t deserve the hell that’d just descended on them.

  * * * * *

  Jake hadn’t visited last night. Sorrel pushed herself out of bed, worried because he hadn’t arrived as he’d promised. She hurried through her shower, dressed in a new black miniskirt and a black and white top.

  “Have you seen Jake?” she asked Janaya as she entered the kitchen. The scent of coffee filled the air, and she helped herself to a cup. “Do you want me to pour one for you?”

  “Please,” Janaya said. “There’s been a development.”

  The tight note in Janaya’s voice made Sorrel’s stomach buck in alarm. “What sort of development?”

  “Ten gang members turned up there last night.”

  “A gang? At the compound? I don’t understand. Why? Children of Nature—stars, we—I mean, they—don’t have anything to do with gangs.”

  “Luke and Jake think Brother Rick has gang connections. They’re there because of him.”

  “Are the brothers and sisters in danger? Can Luke do something to help them?”

  Janaya shook her head. “The tests came back on the pills yesterday. They’re party pills, but they don’t contain any of the banned substances. Luke can’t do anything unless the law is broken.”

  “But Jake is still at the compound?”

  Janaya nodded. “Do you want some scrambled eggs?”

  “I…no, thank you. I don’t think I could eat right now. I can’t believe Brother Rick would do this. It’s like inviting the devil to dine. Do you know if Jake has had a chance to search the office yet?”

  “He told Luke the office has been occupied. They’re using it most of the day, and he hasn’t had access yet.”

  “I should march up there and demand my property back.”

  Janaya caught her arm as she paced past. “No. Please tell me you won’t go anywhere near the compound. It’s dangerous.” She frowned. “Luke told me not to tell you, but Jake heard Brother Rick offer to get the gang visitors alcohol and women. That’s a recipe for disaster, and I don’t want you caught in the middle.”

  “But the young girls at the compound…” Sorrel gripped the edge of the counter. “He wouldn’t. Please tell me…” She stared at Janaya in a beseeching glance. Every scrap of knowledge she had of Rick told her he’d dare anything if it meant saving his own skin. “He would. Stars, Luke has to help.”

  “Luke can’t do anything yet. Jake’s there, and he’s the best weapon the cops have to keep control over the situation. Luke’s working on identifying the gang members. If they have records, he’ll have a reason to enter the compound.”

  Sorrel nodded, the coffee she’d sipped swirling uneasily inside her belly. She swallowed rapidly, setting her mug down.

  “What are you doing today?” Janaya asked.

  “Alice has discovered another building for lease that’s right in the center of the town. She thinks it might be better because of the pedestrian traffic and it’s available right now. I’m going to view it with her this morning.” She glanced at the new watch she wore on her left wrist.

  “Where are you meeting Alice? I can drop you off when I take Luke his breakfast.”

  “Thanks, we’re meeting at Fancy Free. I’ll go and grab my stuff.”

  After Janaya dropped her off, Sorrel couldn’t stop thinking about the situation at the compound. Her new cell phone buzzed and Sorrel answered.

  “It’s Alice. I’m running late. Mr. Montgomery said he intended to go to a breakfast meeting at the cafe. Grab the key from him and go and look at the building. I’ll be at Fancy Free this afternoon. Let me know what you think of it and if we should take a lease on this one or wait until the end of the month to take over the one nearer to Fancy Free.”

  Despite her distraction, Sorrel felt a surge of pride because Alice trusted her to undertake the task. “No problem. I’ll see you this afternoon.” Sorrel hung up and set off for the cafe. She collected the key from Mr. Montgomery, and after grabbing a takeout coffee, she wandered across the street to the vacant building. She walked around the back and unlocked the door. Her boots echoed on the wooden floor as she walked into the empty building.

  The front of the shop, which overlooked the main street, was beautiful with two large windows perfect for displays. A gorgeous stained glass window above the door reflected a rainbow of colors over the plain white walls. She retraced her steps, pausing to sip her coffee.

  This was perfect, and they could move right in without worrying about redecorating. Out the back, there was plenty of storage room for stock. She set her coffee on a counter and pulled a notebook out of her handbag to scribble a few notes. She’d seen enough, could imagine the stock set out and the displays. With the airy spaciousness, this was much better for their purposes. She tucked the notebook away and picked up her coffee.

  An out of place creak brought a frown. Was that a footstep? She stilled, gazing in the direction of the sound.

  “Alice?”

  When she didn’t hear a reply or another sound, she chalked it up to imagination. Hummin
g under her breath, she headed for the rear door.

  Rough hands grabbed her from behind. Her coffee went flying, landing with a liquid splat against the wall.

  “What—”

  A cloth was pressed over her nose before she could protest further, the acrid fumes making her eyes water. She gasped in a breath, her mind growing hazy, and that was the last thing she remembered.

  * * * * *

  “Got her.” Felix dragged Sorrel’s sagging body to the truck and thrust her into the rear. He checked she was still unconscious and slammed the door shut before joining Rick in the front.

  “Good job,” Rick said. They’d done it. Now that she was under their control, he’d get her to sign over the money to him. He could replay his debt to the Rebel Brothers and then the sky was the limit.

  He pulled out from behind the vacant shop and headed for the compound.

  * * * * *

  “Have you seen Sorrel?” Alice asked.

  “Not since this morning,” her office assistant said. “She always pops her head around the corner and says good morning. Such a nice girl.”

  “She is,” Alice said. “We’re lucky she’s willing to join us. I’ve checked in the labs and on the office floor. No one has seen her since this morning.”

  Alice checked her electronic diary and picked up the phone. “Mr. Montgomery, did Sorrel pick up the key from you this morning? She did. Did she return the key? No. Okay. Thanks.” She hung up the phone. “She didn’t return the key.”

  “Have you checked the vacant shop? Maybe she’s fallen and hurt herself.”

  “I’ll go and check now,” Alice said.

  Five minutes later, Alice parked her vehicle behind the shop. From the driver’s seat, she could see the rear door was ajar. She picked up her phone and rang the police station.

  “Wait in your car,” Richard said, after she explained her fears. “Lock the doors and wait until I get there.”

  Luckily it didn’t take long for Richard to arrive. The police car pulled up beside her, and Alice climbed out.

  “Wait—”

  “Don’t tell me to wait here,” Alice broke in. “I want to know what’s going on. I don’t know Sorrel well, but it isn’t like her to disappear. She spends the afternoons in the lab.”

  “Keep behind me,” Richard said. “Don’t touch anything.”

  He pushed the door open. A black handbag lay on the floor. Farther inside a cardboard coffee cup sat upside down, its former contents splattered over the wall and floor. The black plastic lid had rolled across the floor and settled near the far wall.

  “Sorrel? Sorrel!”

  The two of them searched the shop. Sorrel wasn’t there.

  * * * * *

  After a night of alcohol and debauchery, the gang members were still asleep. Jake kept an eye on the situation without getting too close to attract attention. Brother Rick and Brother Felix had left the compound earlier.

  Jake worked in the garden near the office, frustrated because Brother John and Brother Tyrone were still laboring over ledgers in there. He had no idea what the hell they were doing. They scarcely left the place and on the rare occasions when they did, the door was firmly locked. He hadn’t been game to break in because their absences were half an hour at the most and not enough time for him to enter and do a search without getting caught.

  The sound of a vehicle dragged his attention to the gates. They swung open and Brother Rick drove the truck onto the compound.

  Instead of parking in the normal place, Brother Rick drove over to his quarters. Both he and Brother Felix climbed out. They opened the rear door and pulled out something.

  Jake squinted then stiffened.

  That wasn’t an object. That was a person.

  He sauntered through the garden to the far boundary, catching a glimpse of blonde hair. It was enough to make the back of his neck prickle.

  Brother Rick and Brother Felix entered Brother Rick’s quarters, closing the door after them.

  Jake frowned, checked over his shoulder and found one of the elderly brothers watching him. Cursing under his breath, Jake limped back to the row he was responsible for weeding. His hands worked automatically while he kept an eye on Brother Rick’s quarters.

  “Watch out,” the elderly brother said. “You’re pulling out seedlings. I thought you said you knew what you were doing.”

  “Sorry,” Jake said shortly. Damn, he was going to blow this and lose the perfect vantage point to spy on Brother Rick.

  “Use more care.”

  “I will,” Jake promised.

  The man grumbled under his breath as he ambled down the row of radishes.

  Jake went back to his weeding, taking more care this time. He finished, noting neither of the brothers had emerged from the quarters.

  At least he knew Sorrel was safe. It couldn’t be her, so who the hell was in there with them. Kidnapping? It seemed unlikely, yet he couldn’t rid himself of his disquiet.

  The lunch bell rang, calling everyone to dine. The brother supervising him set down his tools and lumbered off. “You coming?” he asked over his shoulder.

  “I’ll finish this row. There’ll be a queue anyway.”

  The elderly man nodded and continued his rush toward the dining hall. Jake moved a row closer to Brother Rick’s quarters and scanned the compound. He approached cautiously, freezing when the door to Brother Rick’s quarter flew open.

  “I shouldn’t have given her so much of the drug,” Brother Felix said. “What if she doesn’t come around?”

  “Then we’ll be guilty of murder as well as kidnapping,” Brother Rick snapped. “I’m sure she’ll regain consciousness soon. Go and have some lunch. We need to keep an eye on our visitors. Bring me back something to eat.”

  Brother Felix’s unhappiness didn’t clear from his expression. After swiping a hand over the top of his bald head, he gave a curt nod and stomped away. Brother Rick re-entered his quarters, shutting the door after him.

  Jake considered his options and decided to take the opportunity to call Luke before attempting to peek through the windows. He had Brother Rick’s confession of kidnapping already. Surely that was enough for Luke to investigate.

  He retreated to a private area where he could see anyone coming before they saw him. After a final scan of the vicinity, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and hit speed dial. “Luke, it’s Jake. Something’s up here. I overheard Brother Rick discussing a kidnapping. I saw them haul someone from their vehicle.”

  “Hell. Sorrel’s missing. She went to look at a vacant building on the main street. When Dad and Alice went to check they found her handbag on the floor and the remains of her coffee splattered over the wall and floor.”

  Fury tore through him. “Bastard.”

  “Jake.” Luke’s voice was urgent in his ear. “Don’t do anything rash. We need to make the charges stick. Are the Rebel Brothers still there?”

  “Yeah.” God, this was like history repeating itself. What if he was too late to help Sorrel?

  “Seen anything that might give us reason to arrest them too?” Luke jerked him from his sudden fear.

  Focus, dummy. “Caught a whiff of drugs last night. They took their choice of the women and hauled them off to bed for the evening. The women seemed willing enough, but I don’t know for sure.”

  “All right. Sit tight until we get there.”

  “How long?” Jake demanded. He wasn’t fuckin’ leaving Sorrel alone with that man. No telling what the sick fuck would do to her.

  “An hour before the search warrant is ready. I don’t want to botch this.”

  “Too long.”

  “Jake.”

  Jake dealt with Luke by ending the call. His first instinct was to turn the thing off so Luke couldn’t contact him, but he knew he’d need the cops. He shoved the phone into his pocket, taking extra seconds to make sure it wouldn’t bounce out if he needed to move fast. After a quick scan of the compound, he ran across the open ground and slipped
into the shadows shed by Brother Rick’s quarters. At a window, he paused to listen. Not a sound came from within.

  He rose on tiptoe to peek through the window. Brother Rick was still inside, pacing the open spaces, in ceaseless movement. Jake’s gaze went to the bed. Sorrel lay there, silent and still. The warrior in him snarled, ready for action.

  * * * * *

  Sorrel lay still, keeping her eyes closed. Anger pulsed through her, enticing her to jump to her feet and thump Brother Rick over the head. She reined in the impulse, needing a plan first.

  The footsteps came close again. “Why aren’t you waking up?”

  She could feel his fixed stare, his strange agitation. It was like a writhing beast filling the room with its tentacles, stroking along her arms and bare legs and leaving a slithery trail of goose bumps. Her mind was full of questions, and one reasonable answer presented itself. Brother Rick loathed her. He’d taken pleasure in expelling her from the compound, yet maybe the rest of Children of Nature members had censored him for his actions. It was the only thing that made sense.

  “Wake up, damn it.” He grasped her shoulder and shook violently.

  Enough! Sorrel bolted upright, flailing with her right arm and aiming for his face.

  He let out a roar when she walloped his nose. “Sister Bitter.”

  Sorrel rolled away and bounded off the bed, her eyes trained on him. She calculated the distance to the door and knew she wouldn’t make it. He was too close, and her head was swimming from whatever drug they’d used to subdue her.

  “Dammit, Bitter, you’ve made my nose bleed.”

  Her brows squeezed together. “My name is Sorrel.”

  “What are you wearing? It’s indecent.”

  “Not your problem,” she said sweetly, her hand reaching for the wall to hold her steady. “Why have you brought me here?”

  “Come and sit down. Help me stop my nose from bleeding.”