by Allie Adams
“We were in position.” Spencer nodded around them. “I got a feeling. I can't really explain it. And I knew. We were being watched. Salazar kept the cabin dark. He paced like he was nervous. The more I thought about it, the more sense it made. They knew we were watching and just waited until the right time. A single gunshot sent us into action.”
“Four hours,” Weber pointed out, that hard look resting on Spencer. “The sniper had four hours to pick you off, yet waited. Why?”
Spencer wasn't about to throw McKoy to the wolves. “I wasn't the only one watching the hillside. Lyons noticed it, as did McKoy. The son of a bitch got them both.”
“But not you.”
“No, sir.” He should be dead. They were his team. His to protect. And he'd failed. Spencer rubbed the grit out of his eyes before running his fingers through his hair. He couldn't get Lyons' image out of his head. Probably never would. A few of his favorite curses rolled from his lips.
Weber's tone softened as he quipped, “You look like shit, Allen.”
“Yeah,” was all he replied.
“I'll bring in another team to relieve yours.”
“No,” Spencer snapped. “No way am I letting anyone else take this. Lyons was one of us.”
“He was one of all of us.”
“That's not the same fucking thing and you know it. Gabe may have been TREX, but he was our brother. We've all been together as a team for seven years. Seven fucking years we've bled together, sweated or frozen our asses off together, and stayed up for days at a time on a find together. McKoy just joined the team, but that doesn't make him any less of our brother. Let us see this through. We owe it to them both.”
Weber studied him in silence. He then traced their surroundings before settling his attention on the cabin. “Let's step inside. Maybe it's a degree or two warmer. There are a few things you need to know.”
Why did he have a nauseous churning in his gut? Spencer followed Weber inside the cabin and waited as he closed the door. Nope. It wasn't any warmer inside than outside. It could have something to do with the way Weber had those icy blue eyes resting on him. He signaled for radio silence. Spencer clicked both his receiver and transmitter off, as did Weber.
“Listen, Allen. I've had intel working on this ever since you mentioned mercs on the Miller search. What is said inside the cabin never leaves this cabin. Your ears only. Understood?”
“Understood.”
“You don't hire mercenaries to kidnap a kid and then only ask for a tenth of what you should have in ransom.” Weber wiped a hand over his face as he started to pace. Both tells that he was already agitated. “Miller is worth billions. His family is so deep in Texas oil that his blood runs brown. Any merc worth his weight knows how to dig that shit up.” He stopped pacing long enough to add, “You know what that tells me?”
“His kidnapping wasn't for the ransom.”
“You got it.” He resumed pacing. “So why kidnap the grandkid of not only a billionaire with a lot of friends in high places, but who is also on the board at a covert agency. They had to have known he'd get TREX involved.”
Spencer put the pieces together. “They wanted us involved.”
“That's exactly what Gessler said. So I ran with that and had intel check for chatter on the agents Miller asked me to assign to his grandkid's find.”
“He can do that?”
“When you're on the board, you can do pretty much anything you want. He requested my two units. Why? Why request Seattle-based units on a search two hours south?”
“Because we're the closest.”
“No.” Weber shook his head. “Because of you.”
His chest pinched. As if he didn't have enough guilt. “Me?”
“Your relationship with Kat Davis. Miller is no moron. He knew we'd call in K-SAR. He knew she'd find Tommy. That's why he wanted us in the first place.”
“Great,” Spencer growled, pissed he never saw this angle. “So we got played by Salazar and by Miller. Fucking great. And we are no closer to who masterminding this whole thing.”
“A carefully placed pawn is more destructive than any other player.”
Spencer nodded. “Words right out of the playbook from Gahanna.”
“Or anyone who knows how to play chess,” Weber countered. “You need to know I called in K-SAR.”
He clenched his jaw so hard it popped. “I'm aware of that.”
“And I can see you aren't happy about it.”
“Why the hell would I be happy that you're purposely putting her in danger.”
Weber rolled his eyes. “She's not in any danger.”
Spencer charged and didn't stop until he was face-to-face with Weber. “It wasn't more than three weeks ago that you told me you intercepted a death threat, so don't tell me she's not in any danger! She's not a part of this.”
Weber didn't back down. “She made herself a part of this when she talked to Salazar.”
Fear and dread battled for domination inside him. Without her by his side, he couldn't protect her. TREX wasn't any closer at identifying the bastard who'd sent the threat to Kathryn than they were the day they'd intercepted the email. He would not fail in protecting her, not as a member of the agency sworn to covertly protect the world, not as the man who's duty it was to keep her safe.
Maybe he should let Weber bring another team in for support. Spencer could monitor their progress while staying by Kathryn's side and keeping her safe.
“I know that look,” Weber said, watching Spencer. “You are not going to base camp.”
“Weber—”
“No, goddamn it. After that speech you just gave me about letting your team finish this?”
“But she's in danger.”
“So are you if you go against a direct order. Again. I'll put someone else on her. You are not to go to base camp. I need your total focus. I need hers, too. That doesn't happen when the two of you are together. You owe it to your fallen brothers. Stay away from her on this search. That's an order.” Weber eyed him as he went to the door. “I'll give you a minute to make up your mind. I'm telling you right now, Allen. You walk out of this cabin, you'd better have your fucking head on straight. I'm not having this conversation with you again. Are we clear?”
His gut wretched in painful uncertainty. If he went against Weber, he'd be fired for sure. If he didn't, Kathryn could be in trouble. He didn't trust anyone else to protect her. “Yes, sir.”
Weber slammed the door behind him.
As Spencer contemplated his decision, he conjured up the sound of Kathryn's voice when he called her. Every feeling of anguish, every ounce of despair he'd had bottled up in him from the events of the night dissipated the moment he heard that melodic, soothing voice. She'd been there for him and even backed down when he couldn't talk about them, and that meant everything to him.
He was such a fucking coward. He loved her more than anything, and he knew she loved him. So why couldn't he just move past his fear of the inevitable and take her as his wife? Why dwell on what might be? Why not focus on the present? Losing Lyons, at first, solidified his belief that he should be alone for the remainder of his days on this rock. Alone he'd never put another person through the anguish his mother had suffered at losing her husband. Alone he'd never force a thirteen-year-old boy to grow up without a father. Alone he'd never put another person through the hell he and his mother went through.
But then he thought about all the years Gabe and Mary had together. Twenty-four years. They had three gorgeous kids. Whenever that son of a bitch talked about his family life, Spencer would picture him and Kathryn. He wanted that life. He needed that life. A life he could be proud of. A legacy he'd leave behind should the inevitable happen. He'd provide a good life for Kathryn and their children. He would love his family unconditionally and make sure they knew that each and every day.
Just in case she ever received that knock on the door that would forever change her life.
He stopped, wishing it were that sim
ple. There would always be that other thing.
Would she find it in her heart to forgive him if she knew his true role in the Haynes search? If she knew he'd altered the outcome behind her back and then said nothing as she blamed herself, it would destroy her. Was their love strong enough to withstand something like that? Was anything strong enough?
It didn't matter. He had to at least try. They both deserved a happily ever after.
* * * *
As Kat pulled up to the flat before Capital Peak, her phone rang. “Kat Davis.”
“Ms. Davis, this is Damon Salazar.”
She almost slammed on her brakes at the shock of hearing from him.
“Mr. Salazar,” she greeted, trying not to sound too shocked. “I didn't expect to hear from you again.”
“I owe you an apology,” his voice slithered through the line like a slimy snake. God, this guy creeped her out.
“And why's that?” She pulled in next to the Com Van and parked. Swallowing what she really wanted to say to this man, she masked her hatred for him by playing the flirty chick card. Again. Would he really be stupid enough to fall for it twice? “Or are you using that as an excuse to call me?”
He chuckled and disgust ripped up her spine.
“You are quite a woman.”
“You have no idea.”
“I'd like to.”
Gross. The man still thought he had a chance with her. “Let me ask you a question. Did you really have something to do with Tommy's disappearance?”
“I think we both know the answer to that. I knew about it, but I did nothing to put that boy in harm's way.”
“I believe you,” she lied to get him to open up more.
“I wish your TREX friends did.”
“Are you there with them now?”
“No. They released me.”
“They did?” That surprised her at first. But, the more she thought about it, the more sense it made. They'd probably gotten all they could out of him and turned him over to the police. Being a lawyer, he knew what to say and what not to say to get the judge to release him on bail. “So, what can I do for you, Mr. Salazar?”
“I was up at the Peak with a friend and got separated. I really need your help to find him.”
“You returned to the Peak?” That made no sense. Her suspicions jumped to attention. “After everything that's happened? Why?”
“I needed to clear my head. Riding does that.”
“I'm assuming snow mobiles since it's the middle of winter with two feet of snow on the ground in the mountains.”
“Yes.”
“Why don't you come meet me at base camp? It's at the flat before the Peak.” That way she could watch him in case he knew more than he let on.
“I would love to see you again, but if TREX saw me, they'd think I had something to do with Sam's disappearance and would focus on yet another bullshit interrogation than on finding my friend. I apologize for my language.”
She'd heard worse when Spencer stubbed his toe. Hell, the man could cuss for ten minutes straight and never repeat a word. “Are you asking me to not let TREX know you're in contact with me?”
“I hope that's not too much to ask. I really want Sam found and I know you can do it. I just don't trust those men-in-black. They keep too many secrets.”
Didn't she know it.
Still, she didn't feel right keeping something like this from TREX. “I'm sorry, Mr. Salazar. I can't help you.”
“He's injured,” he suddenly declared, desperation causing his voice to shake. “And he doesn't know this area. He needs your help. Please.”
“I'm sorry. I don't have the resources to spare.” The instant she said the words, she sucked in a breath. She did not just use the same excuse with him that fueled her each and every day to help everyone else. This guy may be a complete dick, but did his friend deserve to die simply because she didn't like the man asking for her help?
No. No! Damn it. Regardless the circumstances of the loss, it was her job to find the subject. With a resigned sigh, she agreed to help him. “Actually, I will help you, Mr. Salazar.”
“Good. I was hoping you'd say that.” Salazar sounded relieved and even oddly calm for having a friend lost somewhere out in the wilderness.
She stepped out of her vehicle as Travis rounded the Com Van. He saw her, gave her a slight wave, and knelt down in front of one of the compartments holding the power cords for the halogens they used to illuminate base camp after dark.
“What can you tell me about the subject?” She didn't want to talk to Salazar, but without any details, she couldn't even pin the tail on the donkey, let alone find a person lost in the Capital Forest of the Black Hills.
She glanced over at Travis still playing with that latch. Kat brought her attention back to Salazar as he spoke.
“His name is Sam Green.”
“When did you two get separated?”
“This morning on our ride. We were on the switchbacks.”
She stilled and switched ears. “Why were you on the switchbacks? They're gated.”
“Better riding conditions. No traffic. Total privacy.”
She didn't believe him for a minute. They had to have been up here looking for something from Tommy's search. Which meant Sam Green was more than a friend to Damon Salazar. He was an accomplice. She tucked that away until she could talk to Spencer. TREX would need to know that.
“And?”
“And what? That's it.”
Evasive son of a bitch.
“I'm sorry, Mr. Salazar. If I don't have more to go on, I can't help you.”
He growled through the line. “I need Sam back and can't do that without your help.”
Kat held her triumphant smile under wraps. “Then how about you stop trying to hide something and tell me what I need to know to help you.”
He sighed and growled at the same time. Now they'd get somewhere. “Tell me what you need to know.”
“Let's start with the subject's full name,” she said as she jumped into her Com Van and grabbed an Informant Questionnaire Sheet to write down his answers. The IQS served as the bible on any search.
“As I've told you, his name is Sam Green.”
“Can you describe Mr. Green?”
“Dark hair. Brown eyes. Built much like me.”
Her mind conjured up the image of Damon Salazar standing in the wall tent. In shape. Trim physique. Average height and looks. No one she would have ever given a second glance. “Age?”
“Mid-thirties, I believe.”
“Do you have an address for Mr. Green?”
“I do not.”
She stopped writing. “I need an address.”
Irritation seeped into his tone. “What good would that do? He isn't home.”
She sighed to ward off the headache growing behind her temples from the way she clenched her teeth to stop herself from unleashing her silver tongue on this asshat. “If Mr. Green found his way home, I need to know that.”
“I can make a few calls.”
“Do that. What sort of health is Mr. Green in?”
“Generally good health.”
“Do you know of any medical conditions?”
Salazar cleared his throat. “Such as?”
“Diabetic? Bipolar? Asthmatic? Anything? You said he was injured.”
“He may be,” he corrected. The sleazy son of a bitch. “And I'm not aware of any medical conditions.”
That didn't mean he didn't have them. “What about habits or hobbies? Interests?”
“He's a survivalist. He adapts to any situation.”
Kat paused, her guard up and internal alarms screaming. What are you hiding? “Then why wouldn't he just turn up when he was good and ready?”
“I need him found before that.”
She set her IQS aside and grabbed a record sheet. She filled in the information she could and made it half way down the page. “What are the circumstances of the loss?”
“Circumstances?” he
asked cautiously.
“How did you two get separated?”
“When we started our ride, he was behind me. When I stopped at the midway point and turned back, he was gone. I waited for quite some time but he never came down.”
“Did you ever go back up to look for him?”
Salazar cleared his throat and swallowed. “I'm afraid that wasn't possible.”
“Because?”
“We were being chased.”
She stopped writing, her heart suddenly beating wildly. “By what?”
“Animals. We heard them and decided it would be in our best interest to get the hell out of there.”
“What sort of animals?”
The look in his eyes bordered on maniacal. “The worst kind.”
“That doesn't answer my question.”
“Wolves,” he responded and nodded for her to write it down. “Predatory. Hungry. They travel in packs and prey on weakness.”
Kat wanted him to expound on his cryptic message but decided his friend's return meant more to her than understanding the bullshit Salazar fed her. “Do you ride up here a lot?”
“We both do.”
Her irritation grew. “What do you think happened?”
“I think he decided to take a different path.”
“A different path? You mean like another route?”
“Yes,” he answered quickly, almost before she had the entire question out. Her suspicions went into high alert. “I'm sorry if I'm acting a bit off, Ms. Davis. I'm just worried about Sam. What else do you need to know before you search for him?”
Kat thought about that. She couldn't come up with anything else. “Stay by your phone. I have your number in my cell in case I need anything else.”
“Kat?”
She really didn't like him calling her by her first name. “Yes?”
“Thank you.”
Not able to bring herself to say you're welcome, she answered instead, “It's my job.”
And then she went to work.
NINETEEN
Spencer approached the outskirts of base camp and hesitated in the shadows of the trees. He thought about sneaking around to the backside and just watching.