Page 71 of Grayson’s Challenge

“The guy is overbearing,” Isabelle said when he was gone.

“He means well,” Delilah said and put her hand on Isabelle’s arm.

“Uhm, Grayson,” William said, motioning to him. “You mentioned a tracker. What kind of tracker?”

“The council employs trackers to apprehend escaped VCONs. I know one of them. I should have thought about him earlier.” Grayson took a breath. “Monique, do you wanna stay here with your mom?”

“Where’re you going?” Monique asked.

“Gotta speak to Luther to connect me with the tracker. I’m heading back to HQ.”

“I’m coming with you.” She pulled Faye into a hug. “Hang in there, Mom, we’re making progress.”

Together they left the house and got back into Grayson’s car. He pulled into traffic, then made a phone call.

“Grayson?”

“Hey, Luther. I need a favor. Can you put me in touch with Striker Reed? I need him to track somebody down for me.”

“Great minds think alike,” Luther said with a chuckle. “I was about to call you. I hired Striker yesterday. His price is exorbitant as always, but he’s worth it.”

“I don’t care what it costs.”

“Good. Striker is tracking down some of Rufus’s prison buddies. He just figured out the whereabouts of one of them, Cesar Menendez. Striker is on his way there.”

Grayson exchanged a look with Monique. “Leave Cesar to me. Send me his location, and Monique and I will talk to him. Striker’s time is better used to find somebody else for me. Call Thomas, and ask him to forward you the photo of Alexander Brechtenz. According to Orlando, he goes by the name Matt Smith. Faye recognized him as one of the kidnappers.”

“Okay, I’ll get right on that. I’m texting you Cesar’s location now.”

“Thanks, Luther.”

“You bet.”

The call disconnected, and a chiming sound indicated that Luther had sent the text message. Grayson looked at the address and made a U-turn.

“I should have thought of getting a tracker on this much earlier,” Grayson said, disappointed in himself.

“Don’t second-guess yourself,” Monique said and put a hand on his. “We’re all stressed out and sometimes it just takes a while for all possibilities to become clear. That’s why you’re not working alone.”

“But a real leader would have known what to do right away.”

Shaking her head lightly, she said, “A real leader takes input and inspiration from others to make the best decisions. He doesn’t have to know it all. He just needs to surround himself with the brightest people in their field and draw on their expertise.”

“Then I’m very lucky.” He smiled at her. “’Cause you’re by my side.”

“And you by mine.”

At the next red light, he leaned over to her and kissed her.

The ringing of a cell phone interrupted them.

“Mine,” Monique said and looked at the display, before tapping on it to accept the call. “Delphine?” Her eyes lit up. “Thanks so much for calling me back.”

Grayson concentrated on the traffic, while listening in on Monique’s conversation. He realized instantly that she was talking to the voodoo practitioner she’d contacted for a location spell.

“Do you think you can try that?” Monique asked, her voice sounding hopeful. There was a brief pause, then she added, “Yes, the witch I mentioned is actually at the palace right now. If you can go there, I’ll tell him to expect you, and then the two of you can work on this together.”

Monique nodded to herself, while listening to Delphine’s answer. “I don’t know how to thank you. Yes, I’ll call Wesley right now. He’ll be expecting you. Thank you, Delphine.”