Commando Cowboys Entice Their Beauty [Wyoming Warriors 6] (17 page)

“No. I’ll search down here. Aleron, go upstairs, and you and Phillip check inside and outside the house.”

Aleron nodded. He hurried down the hall. They might be close to beating the enemy, but their opponent wasn’t going down easily. He sent Raoul a telepathic message.

“Stay at the hospital with Jewel. This isn’t over yet.”

“I just arrived. She’s still in surgery. Her parents are here waiting for any news and I’m not going anywhere,”
Raoul answered.

Phillip was nowhere to be seen when Aleron got out of the elevator. In the kitchen, Tessa and her new helper were busy cooking. Aleron strode down the hall toward Mitch’s office. Phillip came out the door, their empty cups in his hands.

“We need to search the premises inside and out,” Aleron said. “Mitch’s orders.”

“I’ll be right back. Let me take these cups to the kitchen.”

“I’m going to start in the back part of the house,” Aleron said.

Phillip nodded and hurried by him. But Aleron hesitated. He opened the door to Mitch’s study. Everything looked in place. The map was rolled up and sat in the corner. He started out then looked again. His perception was telling him something was different. He walked completely inside and slowly surveyed the room.

A faint scent hung in the air. He’d smelled it when the birds attacked him that day. He studied the map again. Mitch had rolled it loosely and laid it against that corner, and the faint letters on the edge of the outside were at the bottom.

Aleron walked closer and knelt to be sure. Yes, there were only letters at one end. They were at the top now. Who else had been in here beside him, Mitch, and Phillip?

He hurried out and down the back hall. Phillip came out of the study.

“This room is clear. Where were you?”

“Checking the rooms along the hall where Mitch’s office is located. They’re clear.” Aleron caught a whiff of the scent he’d noticed in Mitch’s office. His skin tingled. Phillip was staring at him and his hands were opening and closing. All his senses went on alert warning him to be wary. But Phillip was a trusted friend of Mitch’s and Daren’s. He’d have to gather rock-solid evidence before they would believe their trusted friend might not be so trustworthy.

“The rest of the areas behind me are private quarters for the family.” Phillip stood where he partially blocked the way to the back hall.

“There’s no privacy today,” Aleron said as he went around Phillip and opened the first door.

They quickly checked the leader’s rooms and returned to the main room by the front door. Aleron glanced toward the kitchen. “There is someone new up here, Tessa’s assistant.”

“I can vouch for her, and so can a number of people. She’s been on the ranch since she was born,” Phillip said.

“Then I guess whoever or whatever shook up Mother Aileen must have left the premises. Mitch would have called us if he’d found anyone. I’m going back downstairs.”

“I’ll stay up here and keep a lookout for anything unusual,” Phillip said.

Aleron had smelled the strange odor again when Phillip stood near him. He planned to keep a close eye on the man, and as soon as he had enough evidence to convince Mitch and Daren, he’d share his suspicions. In the meantime he’d send Garth a telepathic message. His people would believe him and be on the alert.

When the elevator stopped he closed his eyes and quickly contacted Garth.
“I don’t know if you’ve heard but your mother had a strong feeling of evil in the house. Phillip and I searched the upstairs and I think he may be our man. Phillip has an odor similar to the black birds I fought, and he definitely appeared nervous several times. Mitch and Daren won’t believe me until I find some definitive evidence. But we need to be prepared for our plans to already be in the hands of the ones off the ranch
.”

* * * *

Garth met Aleron outside the conference room. “Luckily I was with Mother and not in the conference room, so I got your message.”

Mitch came to the door. “We’re ready to start. We need you two in here now. Mitch began to discuss their attack plans as soon as they were seated.

“But what the hell can we do without talking with Mitch and Daren?”
Garth asked Aleron telepathically. The plan Mitch was outlining was built on the enemy being surprised. If Aleron was right, they’d be armed and ready for them.

Garth interrupted Mitch. “Excuse me, but I’d like to have a meeting with only the leaders and Aleron, Nanna, and my mother.”

Mitch looked perplexed. “Is it really necessary? We need to strike soon.”

“Yes, Daren just got back, and he hasn’t had a chance to catch up on what’s happening.”

“He’ll be in here in a minute. He’s locking Nate in a cell with a guard outside the door. We can’t trust Nate yet, no matter what he says. His parents are being checked by our doctors. But I can update Daren on everything,” Mitch said.

“Please do as I asked,” Garth reiterated. He and Mitch stared eye to eye for several seconds.

“All right.” Mitch agreed and sent his warriors to check on the others living downstairs. “Don’t go upstairs. I’ll call you back in, in a minute.” His men started out the door. Mitch directed the last one to bring Nanna and Mother Aileen to the conference room. “What’s this all about?” he asked Garth.

“I’ll explain after the others get here.”

Daren came in first and gave them a quick rundown of the takedown at Nate’s parents’ home. “The little boy is upset and bewildered, and his grandparents, although not hurt, are shaken, but they’ll be all right. They’re keeping their grandson by their side. Nate didn’t put up a fight. I think when she died her hold on him was released. He wants to talk with you and me.”

“We’ll see him later. Ah, here are my two favorite ladies other than Sara of course.” Mitch winked at Nanna and smiled to welcome Mother Aileen.

“Garth has requested this meeting. I’ll let him start.”

“Mother, have you had any more feelings of evil in the house?”

“Yes, but not as strong. Did you find anyone?” she turned and asked Aleron.

“The usual people, Phillip, Tessa, and her helper.”

“They’ve all been here forever with us. I can’t understand,” Mitch said. “Maybe you are getting sick. Shall we have the doctors check you?”

“No,” Nanna said. “She is right. I’ve picked up the feeling of darkness around us also.” She looked right at Mitch and Daren. “Let me go upstairs. I’ll pretend to be hungry for a sweet. Everyone knows I have a sweet tooth for Tessa’s baking. I’ll see what I can sense. Aleron will go with me. No one else.”

She smiled at Aleron. “He’s very handsome and quite makes my old heart pitter-patter. But I’m an old lady and can’t challenge his beauty for him. The best I can do is get him for my escort.”

Aleron turned bright red, and the rest of them had a good laugh. “I’d be honored, my lady.” He put out his arm.

“We’ll wait for your return,” Garth said.

* * * *

After the elevator started moving, Nanna whispered, “Can you stop this thing before we get upstairs?” Aleron pushed the stop button and looked at her inquiringly.

“You suspect someone already in the house.” It wasn’t a question. “Don’t tell me who it is. I’ll see if I can tell which one. If we both agree, then I’ll support your trying to convince Mitch and Daren.”

“You are one smart lady.” He pulled the stop button out and the elevator continued to the main floor. He held onto Nanna’s arm and walked with her to the kitchen.

“Nanna, how good to see you. I’ve been so busy cooking lately I’ve missed our talks.” Tessa hugged the older woman, then stepped back to introduce her helper. “Do you remember Gala? She offered to help me with all the meals and baking. She’s been a wonderful assistant. I’m going to talk Mitch into letting me keep her after this is over.”

Nanna put out her hand to the younger woman. “I do remember you, Gala. Thank you for taking care of us. I begged Aleron to bring me upstairs so I could see what you’re baking. My sweet tooth is hungry.”

“We just finished a chocolate cake with chocolate icing,” Tessa said. “Sit in the alcove and I’ll bring you both a big piece and a cup of coffee.”

Aleron hated all the niceties, but he knew it was necessary to keep up the disguise of why they were visiting. “Would you three excuse me for a minute? I want to check on my friend at the hospital. I’ll be right back.”

He slipped out the door and sent Raoul a message. “
How is Jewel? Is the surgery over?”

“She’s in ICU. Jack said she lost a lot of blood, which we knew, but they’ve repaired all the damage, and she has remarkable recuperative powers. They’re going to send her to a regular room soon. She’s awake and holding my hand and her mother’s. I tried to send you a message.”

“It was probably when I was in the conference room. I have to get back. See you later.”

His coffee and cake were waiting. Nanna had hers half-finished. He sat across from her.

“It’s delicious. I told you you’d get a reward for bringing me here.”

Tessa stood beside them beaming. Gala had gone back to mixing something in a pot. Tessa saw him glance at Gala.

“She’s quiet but a good, efficient worker,” Tessa said in a lowered voice. “I’m noisy enough for both of us.”

Finally, they finished and walked down the hall from the kitchen. “Where to next?” Aleron asked.

“Take me to Mitch’s office.”

He escorted her along the opposite hall and into Mitch’s private workplace. Aleron watched her from the door. Nanna wandered around the room touching certain items and sniffing the air. She stopped at the map and stood with her hand on the top of it for several minutes.

Aleron glanced down the hall. The place was quiet and felt empty. Where was Phillip?

“That’s enough. Take me back downstairs,” Nanna said.

“I want to walk around the rest of the house briefly. Can you wait a moment here in the main room?” Aleron asked.

“Certainly. I’ll sit in this chair until you return.”

He stepped lightly down the hall toward the leader’s quarters. He peeked in the study, but it was dark and empty. As he started in the door to Mitch’s bedroom, he stopped. The back door was opening. Swiftly, he ran back toward the main room then slowed and walked to Nanna, who’d already stood when she saw him rushing to her.

Leaning down, he took her arm. “Have you enjoyed looking outside long enough? Mitch will wonder where I’ve taken you.”

When he turned, Phillip was a short distance behind him.

“Hello, Phillip. Nanna wanted a piece of cake and to see the outdoors. She hates being cooped up, as she says.” He smiled at Nanna. “She bribed me to bring her upstairs and let her see out and have her sweet. Of course, then my prize for the bribe was a big piece of chocolate cake.”

Nanna patted his cheek. “He’s a good boy. How are you, Phillip?”

“I’m fine, Nanna. I stepped outside to check around the house.”

More likely to send messages to your cohorts.
“It is a good idea to check inside and out. Did you see anything or anyone suspicious?”

“No. No one was around.”

Aleron took Nanna’s arm and started to the elevator.

“Good-bye, Phillip.” Nanna waved as she got in the elevator. Once the door closed, she faced Aleron.

“Who do you think is our enemy?” Aleron asked.

“Phillip. I smelled a strange odor in Mitch’s office, and the same scent clung to him. Also someone has handled Mitch’s map since him.”

“I agree with you. It’s Phillip.” The door opened and they stepped out but stood in the hall.

“It will be very difficult to convince Mitch and Daren without more evidence. I have an idea. Support what I say,” Nanna said.

“Always.” Aleron grinned and kissed her hand.

“Ah, you are a wonderful, charming, crafty warrior. Your lady is very lucky.”

He took her arm as they walked to the conference room. “No, Raoul and I are the lucky ones.”

“Spoken like a true gentleman.”

“But maybe you could tell her she’s lucky.” He grinned. “We can use all the help we can get.”

* * * *

Garth motioned Aleron to the seat by him and Lann. Mitch held a chair back for Nanna.

“Did you succeed in convincing Nanna of your belief?” Garth asked quietly.

“She figured it out on her own. Follow her plan.” Aleron faced Mitch.

“Nanna, what did you discover on your outing?” Mitch smiled at her.

“There is evil in this house, and I believe it may lurk upstairs and down. Scrap any plans you have. I am going to write my suggestion. Give me a pen and paper.” Mitch handed her a pad and his pen.

Garth glanced at Aleron then back at the front. Aleron had an idea of where Nanna was going with this. His admiration for her increased. She, like Garth’s mother, was truly gifted.

Mitch took the paper Nanna handed him and read it. He looked across at Nanna and Aleron, then reread what she’d wrote.

“You’re sure this is necessary?” Mitch asked.