Chapter 8 #3
A few minutes later, the detective responded.
“After Mr. Morgan, the tavern owner, briefed us on what happened, we canvassed the area. Some people reported seeing a white van. We viewed videos from security cameras in the area. Several showed the van passing by. None of the images captured the faces of the driver or his partner. We found the van behind an abandoned house on the outskirts of the city. The license plate had been removed. We traced the VIN to a used car dealership in Butte. They hadn’t known it was missing from their lot until we called them about it. ”
“Were you able to lift any prints?”
“We did, but we couldn’t find a match on the Automated Fingerprint Identification System. The perps have yet to be caught performing a crime.”
“I have Breely Brantt with me. If you discover anything pertaining to the case, please call me at this number.” Moe gave the detective his cell phone number, thanked him and ended the call.
Breely looked up at him. “Nothing?”
“They found the white van on the edge of town. They lifted fingerprints but didn’t find a match on the database.”
She sighed. “I’d have felt a whole lot better if I knew those two were behind bars.”
“Me, too.” Moe took her hand. “Let’s get this over with and move on.”
She gave him a determined smile. “Deal.”
As he drove out of the airport, Moe kept watching in all directions. If those guys were serious about kidnapping Breely, they’d make another attempt. Hopefully, not in full daylight.
Then again, having failed their first attempt, they might be more desperate and take bigger risks on their next crack at it.
Moe glanced in the rearview mirror what felt like a hundred times between the airport and Breely’s apartment complex.
At every traffic light, he stared into the cars that pulled up beside him and behind him.
He didn’t want to be trapped between vehicles and have Breely yanked out of her seat and stolen away.
They made it to her complex without incident. After a quick search inside, Moe determined the apartment was clear of intruders. He stood guard at the door with the broken lock while Breely picked through the disaster that had been her home for the past couple of months.
Since her suitcase had been ripped apart, she found a box of trash bags in the bottom of the pantry and filled two with the clothes that had escaped damage. She glanced into the bathroom, shook her head and joined Moe at the door.
“Got everything?” he asked.
“Everything worth getting.” She looked once more at the living room, pressed her lips together and turned. “Do you think the manager is going to refund my deposit?”
He tipped her chin up. “Is that humor, I hear?”
“Sarcasm is as good as it gets.” She gave him a weak smile. “I hate leaving it a mess.”
“I’ll ask Hank if he can get someone to make it right.”
“I’ll pay him back as soon as I get another job. God, I hate being in debt.” She stepped out into the hall. “For that matter, I’m not sure I can afford to pay for a bodyguard.”
“Hank would be the first to tell you not to worry about it.” Moe closed the apartment door and took one of the bags from Breely. “They take on cases whether the client can afford to pay or not.”
They left the building and carried the bags to the loaner vehicle, stowing them in the back.
Moe held the passenger door open for Breely.
As she slid into the seat, she shook her head. “How can Hank afford to run a business like that?”
“Those who can pay, do. And business is booming from what he’s told me.
” Moe closed her door, rounded the front of the vehicle and slipped into the driver’s seat.
“Not to mention, Hank’s married to Sadie McClain.
She’s one of his biggest fans. Hank saved her from someone who tried to kill her.
She knows what it’s like to be targeted and believes in the protection services he and his team provide. ”
Breely’s eyes widened. “Wait. What? Sadie McClain? The movie star?”
Moe grinned. “That’s the one. After what Sadie went through, Hank realized others might have a need for what people like him can provide.
Highly trained, disciplined combat veterans who have performed some of the most dangerous missions and lived to tell about it.
” Moe started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot onto the street.
“He only brings on board the best of the best.” Moe glanced her way. “Tumbleweed Tavern?”
She nodded. “I let Stan know I wouldn’t be in this week. I’d rather tell him in person that I won’t be coming back and why. He deserves to know the truth after all he’s done for me.”
Moe drove the short distance to the Tumbleweed Tavern and parked in front of the building.
Though it hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since the last time he’d been there, it felt like days had passed.
At this same time yesterday, he’d sat at a table with Hank, talking about the job, the team and his future with the Brotherhood Protectors.
As he helped Breely out of the car, he was amazed at how quickly things had changed. From admiring the red-haired waitress to having spent the best night of his life making love to her…
Everything had happened so fast. Would they wake up and realize none of it was real? That what they felt was because of an adrenaline rush, and they’d eventually go their separate ways?
Maybe. Only time would tell.
Until then, he had a job to do.
Protect Breely Brantt, daughter of one of the richest men in the world.
That thought alone should have had Moe shaking in his boots.