Chapter 4
A gentleman is simply a patient wolf. ~Lana Turner
Axel
When Lucky joins me outside, I stare at the fading taillights and scratch my chin’s stubble. “Do you think she knows?”
His wife, no doubt, has biased his judgment. “Did you see her face? I felt like I kicked a puppy. I tell you, mate, she’s no traitor.”
Because I like and trust the Patten Security man, I catch his gaze and temper my tone. “You’ve seen the evidence.”
“She’s family. Talk to her. I’m sure she has a valid explanation.” He’s so invested, I decide to change the subject.
“Are Callie and the rest of the team safe?”
At the mention of his spouse, his fists unclench. “Yeah, some of my best mates are with them. How long do they have to be underground? My little roos need their mum.” It’s odd to hear the lethal man’s softer side which only strengthens my resolve to nail the traitorous bitch.
“Until we figure out what the fuck is going on. Henry’s heart attack was no accident. I’m ninety-nine percent sure Bear saw a weapon.” Closing my eyes, I envision the evening, and wish I had stayed closer.
“Exactly what happened, Wulf?” His tone holds the edge of a former military man, someone I have learned to respect.
Stifling a yawn, I glance down at my phone, and sigh at the light in the eastern sky over the parking lot. The sun will soon rise, and I have miles to drive before I sleep. “Here’s what I know so far. Henry went out for air. The guy’s a loner, so no surprise, there. Gwen followed, and I thought to myself, this is it. Not wanting to be seen, Bear and I jogged along the shoreline. Without warning, a tall thin man appeared from behind the dunes on the opposite side of the beach. When he got close to the couple, my dog rapid-fire barked, so I gave him the command to disarm.”
Lucky purses his lips. “I’m surprised the bloke survived.”
“He wouldn’t’ve if I hadn’t called off my hound. Miss McGee claimed she saw a gun but get this. There was no blood. You know what that means.”
Lucky’s eyes widen. “Well, fuck me dead.”
“I’d rather not.” My dry tone makes him grin and lightens the moment.
“Gwen and I performed CPR until the doctor arrived. One shock of the defibrillator started his heart. After the paramedics were on scene I drove your girl here. Listen, I need to get on the road. I’ll keep you in the loop.”
“Why didn’t you drive her to DC yourself? Why the secrecy?” His piercing gaze reads my face, and I dare not lie.
“I didn’t tell her who I am. I want her to sweat.” Hopefully, he’ll let it drop there. I’d rather not confess to how my cock reacts to her. I’m a fucking professional, and shit like that doesn’t happen to me.
“Wot? Are you going to shock her into a confession? Fair dinkum?” His Aussie slang means that, for now, I passed the test.
“Serious as a heart attack. Too soon?” I quirk up one eyebrow.
When he shakes his head, we’re friends again. “Go do whatever you Feddies do. I need to call Henry’s family and give the hospital admin his insur-o.”
“Right. One more question. Has your wife’s team successfully tested a personal RF gun?”
He shrugs. “I couldn’t tell you, even if I knew, which I don’t. You’re the one with the damn doctorate and the clear-o. You tell me.”
Rubbing my eyes, I stare at the horizon, brightening more by the second. “Hypothetically, it could be done, but I still must talk to your wife.”
“No can do. Rememb-ah? They’re underground. You made the order, mate.” Brows raised, he shoots me an annoying smirk.
Not used to being challenged by anyone but my boss, I pull out my phone. “Fine. I’ll call her then.”
His grin widens. “Nope. They’re on security lockdown. Protocol.”
“Shit. Who makes up these stupid rules?” As the words come out of my mouth, I groan, but it’s too late.
The giant guffaws, eyes merry. “As I recall, you did.”
Lack of sleep has affected my ability to see humor in the situation. “Well, then I can damn well rescind them.”
His eyes narrow. A former SEAL, he can be scary as fuck when he wants. “Not without an act of congress, or God, or going through me.”
I punch his shoulder. “I hear ya. You okay now?”
“Yeah. Sorry. Sometimes I wish mah wife was a school teach-ah. Anything other than a mad scientist.” Because his life can’t be easy, I cut him all the slack I can.
“We’ll get this sorted in no time. Hang tight.”
“Do you really think Gwen’s been selling secrets? It doesn’t sound at all like her.”
“Our profilers say she’s the weakest link.”
“So, they shot and almost killed Henry to frighten her? Is that what you’re going with?”
“It’s one possible scenario. The other is, those two were in cahoots. One other thing, which didn’t make sense. She got a text from her ex. What’s your take on him?”
“He’s a turd of the worst type. No physical abuse but gaslighting. He made her think she was nutso-wacko. It didn’t go over well with the female judge in their divorce case. He tried for sole custody and lost. Now, they try to get along for the sake of their kid.”
“Would he hurt the child to get to her?”
“From what I saw, he was a doting father, but who knows what goes on behind closed doors. I’ve seen too much horrific shit to say. Howev-ah, there is no way Gwen would leave her daughter with Farid if she thought Abbie was in danger. She’d flee the country first.”
I glance at the time again and sigh. “Thanks. I need to get on the road. Open a new burner and call me when Henry wakes up. Stay safe.”
“You’re the one exposed, mate. I’ll be underground.”