"What do you mean my chef can''t make fish soup?" Drake was confused.


    Then he realized that Kale must be behind this. His face darkened as he called


    out, "Kale,e in."


    Kale knew he couldn''t keep this a secret for long, but he hadn''t expected it to be


    exposed so quickly.


    With his head down, he entered the room. "Boss."


    "What''s going on with this fish soup?" Drake demanded.


    "I saw how you craved the soup, so I asked Mrs. Houston to make it."


    "And you used my name?"


    "Yes."


    Drake wanted to curse, but with Debra still around, he held back.


    "Get out."


    Kale turned to leave when Drake called out again, "You too."


    Debra was speechless, but she hadn''t nned to stay anyway.


    Watching her go, Drake felt a heaviness in his chest. Kale, already at the door,


    tried to reason, "Boss, actually..."


    "Shut up and get out!"


    Kale quietly closed the study door behind him.


    Suddenly, an angry voice rang out. "Where is he? Drake, show yourself!"


    Liza stormed in, followed by Gand, who cautiously nced back every few


    steps.


    Liza''s shouting freaked him out, and he hurriedly covered her mouth. "For


    heaven''s sake, keep it down."


    This was Drake''s territory. If he got angry, they could be in serious trouble.


    Liza pushed his hand away. "What are you doing? If we don''t make some noise,


    how will Drakee out?"


    Before Gand could respond, Drake appeared on the second floor, his gaze cold


    and piercing.


    He sensed trouble and demanded, "What brings you two here?"


    Gand was frightened, but Liza raised her chin. "Where are you hiding Debra


    and Marion? Hand them over!"


    Gand gasped, regretting ever


    there would be no one to im their


    bodies.


    "They are here," Drake admitted, "but


    they came of their own will. If you


    want them to leave with you, you''ll


    have to convince them first."


    "Free will?" Liza was taken aback.


    She had assumed they were being held against their will.


    "Um, I don''t think Debra and Marion


    were forced," Gand interjected


    nervously. "Maybe we made a


    mistake. You see, we''ve been in


    Orkgate for so long. Even Randy and


    Erica have returned to Seamar City.


    Maybe it''s time for us to go too."