Carbon bumped me with his good arm. “You’re champing at the bit. It’s understandable. You don’t have to hide it or feel bad about it.”
“I’m what?”
“Champing at the bit,” he repeated.
“You mean chomping,” I corrected.
“No, I mean champing. It’s a common mistake.”
“I’ve always heard chomping. What’s the difference?”
“More or less, the intent to swallow,” he said with a grin.
“You’re fucking with me.”
“I’m not,” he insisted. “Look it up.”
I did, after I took my seat in church. “I’ll be damned,” I mumbled.
“Told you,” Carbon laughed.
“How in the hell did you know that?”
“I saw it on Edge’s word of the day calendar.”
Phoenix banged his gavel on the table and called the meeting to order. “We all know why we’re here, so I’ll get right to the point. We know two of the people connected to the events of this morning. We know where they live, and we have a vehicle that belongs to one of them. I was thinking we could have someone watch the residences. Once they return home, we can pick them up and bring them in for a chat. Anyone have any other suggestions?”
As much as I hated to have yet another wait-and-see scenario, I couldn’t think of any other options. Apparently, neither could anyone else.
“All right. We may have to rotate shifts, depending on how long they stay away from home. Diesel and Falcon are staying at Daphne’s house, Flint’s going to work with Daphne, and Mason’s out for at least a few days. So, any volunteers?”
“Duke and I will watch Lewis’s house,” Dash said.
“Me and Edge can watch the girl’s house,” Ink said.
“Thanks,” Phoenix said. “Let me be clear. Just watch. Call me when you have eyes on them. I don’t want a repeat of today, so we’re not going to give them a chance to notify anyone.”
“Do we know how they pulled that off?” I asked.
“Leah called someone when she was locked in the basement. The number goes to a burner. It’s still in service, but the voicemail isn’t set up, and no one answers when we call. I hate to say it, but it looks like they knew what they were doing to some extent.”
“Even if I have to do it one-handed, I’ll be happy to show them the error of their ways,” Carbon said.
“There was never any doubt,” Phoenix replied dryly, eliciting a few chuckles from the guys. “If no one has anything else, I think we’re finished.” He paused for a few beats to see if anyone spoke up. When no one did, he continued, “Enjoy the rest of your afternoon. Church dismissed.”
“What are you going to do for the rest of the afternoon?” Ink asked.
“I was going to head back to the garage and try to get some work done until Daphne gets off work. What about you?”
“I guess I’ll head over there, too. I should probably try to take a nap, but I’m not the slightest bit sleepy.”
“I appreciate you volunteering for the stakeout.”
“I wanted the guy’s house, but Dash beat me to it. I should’ve expected it with Mason being Duke’s nephew and all.”
“It’s not like you can do anything anyway,” I reminded him.
“That’s a good point. I can definitely keep myself in check with the chick, but I don’t know if I could have minded my manners, so to speak, with Lewis. I consider Daphne a friend, and I don’t like what he tried to do to my friend,” Ink said vehemently.