Chapter 2
Tayla tried to keep as still as possible.
Reviewing the security footage Jason assigned to her was a simple task. But her desk chair protested every micro-movement with ferocious squeaks. The hand-painted tiles covering the floor and walls in the security office did nothing to muffle the screams from her bad-tempered chair.
She tried to concentrate on the images in front of her—of all the comings and goings around the hotel’s main entrance—and not on all the questions pin-balling in her head.
About Leland. About Jason.
And there were so many questions.
Why had Leland lied to her? Why hadn’t she pressed when his explanations about his job sounded weak? He’d obviously been lying to her for a long time. But Jason acted like this situation was different. What kind of danger was Leland in? What would those men do if they found him first? And why?
After everything she’d been through . . . if she lost Leland . . .
Emotion tightened her throat.
She was scared. And angry. As soon as they found him, she was going to hug him. Then yell at him. Then hug him again.
And why did Jason, and his warm, brown eyes, make her feel . . . safe? They’d just met. It didn’t make sense. She knew better than that—knew what it was to pay dearly for misplaced trust.
Still, something deeply reassuring about Leland’s tall, broad-shouldered co-worker assuaged her anxiety. He did look fit. And strong. But it was his quiet confidence that calmed her soul.
She refocused on the screen in front of her just in time to see a familiar image exiting the front doors. “Jason,” she swiveled to her right, prompting a screeching tantrum from her chair.
“Did you find something?”
She tried to keep her irritation in check. “Any chance the ‘other matter’ you’re here about has something to do with Gus Branch?”
That got his attention. He flew out of his chair and hovered over her, looking at her screen. “Is that the last time he shows up at the front entrance? One o’clock yesterday?”
“You are looking for Gus! Why didn’t—” Her chair drowned out her words as she twisted to face him. She stood and shoved the intolerable piece of furniture away from the desk. “Why didn’t you tell me you were looking for Gus?”
“You know Gus too?”
“Yes, I know Gus. He and Leland are friends. I know him better than Eric. I’ve only met Eric twice. Gus comes over to Leland’s sometimes. He spent Thanksgiving with us last year. Is that why you’re here? Gus is missing too?”
“Yes. And before you ask, yes, I think the disappearances are connected.”
At least he was being more straight-forward with her now. Not that he really had a choice.
Gus and Leland both missing? She felt weak. And nauseous. What is going on? She needed to breathe. Breathe. Focus.
Jason’s deep, calm voice pulled her concentration back to the screen.
“I’m going to look at the parking lot cameras around that time to see which direction he went.
Keep looking for your uncle. Good work. Here,” he pulled his desk chair over to her, “this one is a little quieter.” He walked across the room to retrieve a folding chair for himself.
He was being nice. Which was totally throwing her off. Because she was about to complain about his lack of communication before he offered his chair. She proceeded with a more subdued tone. “Is there anyone else you’re looking for? Anything else I should know?”
“To my knowledge, there is no one else from WhiteRock on this island.” A question furrowed his brow. “How many people do you know from WhiteRock?”
“Oh. Good point. I really just know Gus. Barely Eric. Leland doesn’t mention anyone else.” She cocked her head. “He’s definitely never mentioned you.”
The corner of his mouth drew up. “Well, I’ve worked with Leland a few times, but we don’t hang out. He and Gus are of a whole different generation of agents. They could’ve retired twenty years ago, but they didn’t. I doubt they ever will.”
“Agents.”
“What?”
“That’s the first time you’ve used the word ‘agents.’ I’m still trying to figure out what you do.”
He looked amused, then a little sad. “Focus on finding Leland. Keep looking.” He pointed to her screen.
She ignored the command creeping back into his tone. Because she agreed. She absolutely needed to refocus on finding her uncle—so she could tell him how worried she’s been. And that she was furious with him for putting her through this emotional rollercoaster. And that she loved him.
She debated on what she would say first. And prayed she’d have the chance to say it.
She’d prayed a lot the past couple of days. Worrying about Leland had sent her mind spiraling in all directions, drudging up all kinds of fears. Fears she’d pretended were permanently resolved.
A new thought shifted something inside her. She wondered if Jason was an answer to some of her prayers. God frequently answered her prayers in ways she couldn’t have predicted. And she definitely didn’t predict Jason.
“Got him.”
She jumped when Jason’s voice broke the silence that had settled in the room. “Leland? You found him?” She squinted toward his screen, but he was already up and walking to the door.
He motioned for her to follow. “Yes, come on. He was talking to a valet on the front drive a few hours ago. We’ll check it out.”
Tayla had trouble keeping up with Jason’s long strides across the lobby.
She guessed his height at about six foot two.
He looked like a football player. Or a Marine.
Or a Marine who played football in college.
Her petite legs took two steps for every one of his.
Until he stopped, and she ran into the back of him—erasing any doubt that he was a wall of muscle.
“Oof! What are you doing?” she asked.
Until she saw his face, she didn’t know it was possible for someone to look irritated and relieved at the same time. He placed his hands on her shoulders and pivoted her focus to the bank of elevators.
“Leland!” She ran to her uncle—her living, breathing, all-in-one-piece uncle—ignoring stares from startled guests in the lobby. Just before she hugged him, she registered the shock on his face.
Hands on her upper arms, Leland pulled her back. His mouth literally dropped open. “What? Tayla, what are you doing here?”
“That’s a question for upstairs,” Jason answered, ushering both of them into a waiting elevator.
As the door closed, Tayla hugged her uncle again, then stood back and punched his arm. “You worried me to death! Why aren’t you answering your phone!?”
She watched Leland’s baffled expression turn from her to Jason. “What is she doing here? Are you out of your mind?”
Jason leaned his back against the elevator wall and hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “Don’t look at me, Faraday. She came on her own. Talk to her. We just met an hour ago.”
The elevator doors opened, and all conversation paused. Walking down the hall, Tayla realized she wasn’t sure where they were going. Jason must have read her mind because he pointed up ahead and said, “My room, three twenty-four.”
Moments later, they were standing in Jason’s suite and Leland was staring at her with more anger and worry than she’d ever seen on his face. She could relate.
“Tayla, what are you doing on Isadora Island?”
She took a deep breath before explaining the events that led to her abrupt trip. She took another breath and circled back to the detail worrying her the most. “They had guns, Leland. And they were looking for you.”
Her gaze bounced from Leland to Jason, and back to Leland. Both men’s body language told a clear story—armed men looking for them wasn’t as disturbing as it would be for normal people. The only thing that seemed to shock Leland was that Tayla was involved.
“Tayla, I’m so sorry. I should’ve thought about them possibly going to the house.
But I had no idea you would be there.” He looked at Jason.
“I suspected they hacked my cell.” She could tell Jason wanted to say something, but when his eyes flitted to her, he apparently changed his mind.
Leland turned to Tayla again. “That’s why I wasn’t answering my phone.
” He took her hands in his. “Are you sure you’re alright?
Are you sure they didn’t see you at the house? ”
“Yes, yes. I’m fine.” She released his hands and collapsed in an overstuffed chair. “Leland, did you come here looking for Gus? I know Eric Kitts didn’t send you. Is Gus in trouble? Are you? What’s going on?”
That’s when Leland’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He laser-focused on Jason, the telltale vein in his neck throbbing.
Jason didn’t look rattled. He simply raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t look at me like that. She called Kitts.
And she recognized Gus in the security footage while she was looking for you.
Your niece is very intelligent, Faraday.
She figured most things out on her own.“ His mouth remained neutral, but his eyes smiled—clearly entertained by Leland’s underestimation of her.
Her uncle was still glaring at Jason, but the neck vein settled back into a reasonable rhythm. “Tayla, could you give us a moment?”
Was she being dismissed? That didn’t sit well. But she knew they both wanted to say things they weren’t voicing. She could give them some space—whatever they needed to resolve this, find Gus, and keep her uncle out of danger.
“I’ll be on the balcony.”
Leland’s smile looked forced. “Thank you, Tayla.”
Jason’s nod to her response included a look . . . that lasted one second too long. Only one second. And it was probably her imagination. But those deep brown eyes made her feel safe all over again. Even if it was only her imagination.
“I have questions, Leland,” Jason said. “But you can start.” He walked to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “You want some water?” He asked, holding up a water bottle.
“No.” Leland looked like he was grinding his teeth. His lean, six foot tall frame stalked through the living area. Jason guessed Leland was about thirty years his senior, but he knew the tough as nails agent could be the most intimidating person in the room—any room—when he wanted to be.
Leland jerked his jacket off and threw it on a nearby couch. “I have plenty of questions for you, too. First, I assume neither you nor Kitts have heard from Gus yet?”
“No.”
Leland ran a hand through his short, gray hair.
“I figured.” He paced while Jason chugged half the water bottle.
“He’s in trouble, Bridger. I got here as soon as I could, but I haven’t located him.
I know he was doing a threat assessment on Drakos.
He didn’t think it was serious at first. He agreed with Eric that Drakos was simply paranoid.
But then, I got another call. He said he was being surveilled.
Told me to destroy my cell he’d called me on.
He’d found something he needed to check out.
He said he’d call me back in an hour on a burner number I gave him months ago. ”
“He didn’t tell Eric that. He never called back?”
“No.”
“And you don’t know what he found?”
“No.”
“So, we’re assuming whoever is surveilling Gus sent goons to your house to find out what you knew? They couldn’t have traveled from Isadora that quickly.”
“No. I’m sure they were just local muscle. If there’s one thing most people on Isadora have, it’s money. Lots of money. If they want someone to knock on a door on the other side of the world in five minutes, they can make it happen.”
Jason finished his water bottle and tossed it in a recycling bin. “Okay, I get that. But why was Gus talking to you in the first place? And why didn’t you call Eric when you thought something was wrong? Gus goes missing, and you hop a plane to come find him without calling Eric. Why?”
“I knew Eric would send someone soon after Gus missed his check-in. I didn’t know who he’d send, and I wanted to get here first.”
Jason massaged his temples, hoping to mitigate his growing frustration with the senior agent. “Leland, just tell me whatever it is you’re not telling me.”
Leland stilled. And stared at him for a long moment. “Jason, you’re a smart one. You’re one of the best I’ve ever worked with. Think through what I’m about to say. And keep it to yourself for as long as possible.”
Leland’s tone raised the hairs on Jason’s neck. This isn’t good. “Okay. What’s going on?”
“Gus and I think Kitts is up to something here in Morghana. We don’t know if it concerns Isadora Island specifically or with Drakos at all, but there are too many unanswered questions about Kitt’s connections in this country.
So, when he sent Gus to check out Drakos’s claims, Gus called me.
He wanted someone outside of Kitt’s knowledge knowing where he was and what he was doing. ”
Leland’s comments siphoned the air from Jason’s lungs. He’s serious. This is insane. Except Jason knew Leland Faraday was an excellent agent. And not insane.
Jason’s next question paused on his tongue when Leland held up a hand.
“I know. You have questions. I’m not going to discuss everything right now.
I need your help finding Gus. I just wanted you to have a larger perspective before you check in with Eric.
” He pointed at the refrigerator. “And hand me one of those water bottles.”
Jason obeyed, trying to process Leland’s obscure bombshell. “You should know, Eric is sending Knox and Rowan to assistant me in finding Gus and looking into the Drakos situation. They’ll be here in a few hours.”
Leland’s eyebrows shot up. “Rowan? The new kid?” He scowled. “He doesn’t have much field experience. He’s young enough to be my son.”
Jason respected Leland, but he wasn’t about to let that comment slide. “Seriously? Leland, I’m young enough to be your son. Rowan is young enough to be your grandson or great-grandson. You’re good, but you’re old.”
Leland ignored the comment and took a sip from his water bottle. “Knox is good. You two did some nice work in Rome last month.”
“Thanks.”
“Now, I have questions,” Leland said after another sip. “what was all that about?” He jabbed a thumb toward the balcony windows. Tayla stood near the railing with her back to them, her long dark hair swirling in the breeze.
“All what?”
Leland grunted. “You. And Tayla.”
“What are you talking about? I told you, I met her an hour ago.”
He grunted again. “I know what I saw.”
Both men tensed when Tayla burst into the suite, eyes wide. “I know where Gus is.”