“Alex Grant.” He returned the handshake. “What brings you here, Major?”
“I work with Nick on base. I came to offer any assistance that I could to the investigation.”
“The major is a program analyst,” Colin informed Alex still watching Major Diesel.
“Head of actually,” the major said smugly.
“Wow, so you must have worked with Nick closely.”
The major nodded in easy agreement. “Very close. I’ve known him for many years. I was devastated when I heard about his accident.”
Alex wasn’t convinced. The man didn’t look devastated. “How did you hear about the accident?”
The major blinked slowly, reminding him of an owl. “When he didn’t arrive at work this morning, I became concerned and called. When there wasn’t an answer, I contacted Payton, his daughter. She informed me.”
“Payton,” Alex squeaked her name, shocked. He hadn’t seen that coming. “You’re friends with Nick’s daughter?” He didn’t know why that fact should upset him. She could be friends with whoever she wanted.
Diesel’s grin widened, showing off his porcelain white teeth that Alex longed to knock out of his head. “Yes, we are. She’s a remarkable woman. Great sense of humor.” He leaned closer to whisper, “And between you and me, an amazing body.”
Alex was seething. He’d never been so close to wanting to pummel a man. He may not have a claim on her, but no one should be talking about her body with such a familiar tone.
Colin must have recognized the murderous intent in his eyes, stepping next to him and jostling him in the shoulder. “Well, we’ll let you be. Good luck with the investigation.” Colin turned and gave Alex a pointed look.
Right. The flash drive. He needed a computer to access what was on it. “Nice to meet you, Major,” Alex said between clenched teeth.
The major’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pants pocket and read it before putting it back. “I actually need to head out as well. I’ll walk out with you.”
~
“If you can’t get Nick to talk within the next twenty-fours, kill him,” Wallace’s boss ordered.
Jonas gulped then winced. His whole body, mainly his face, hurt after he was attacked by those two idiots at the colonel’s house. There shouldn’t have been anyone there. Wallace should have been able to dispose of them, but the men were military-trained and took down the damn giant. Next time Jonas saw them, he was putting a bullet in each one. “Wallace is close to breaking him.” He wasn’t, but he wanted to give his boss some good news.
“He’d better be. Police and military are looking for him. The sooner this is done, we can dump the body.”
Jonas scarcely breathed. “I’ll check on Wallace and help him. We’ll get the codes before you know it.”
“Forget that for now. I have a different task for you.”
His boss explained what he wanted. “Understood.” He wouldn’t fail this time.
Chapter 8
Payton stopped at the red light and looked out the windshield without seeing what was in front of her. Her mind was on her father’s letter. She could see the envelope in the seat next to her out of her peripheral vision. Taunting her with Alex’s name scrawled on the front of it. Trust Alex, her father said. Ha! That was a laugh.
She tried blocking it out and focusing on the traffic light. The light was still red. Why wouldn’t it change already? Her gaze slide to the envelope again. Tearing it open, she reread it again as if the words would somehow change.
Payton,
If you’re reading this, it means something happened, and I’m sorry I’m not there to guide you. You’ve always been strong and resilient. I’m so proud of you, Payton. Don’t lose hope. Never give up. I know you’re not a quitter. Things will get tough. Trust Alex to help you. The road will be long and twisty. Up the great mountain and down into the valley. Dark and full of dangers, but think of her, and she will guide you. Like a lighthouse to a ship, it will guide you in the right direction. I love you, Payton. Never forget that.
Your father.
Why would he put this in the envelope with the flash drive? It was sweet that he told her he loved her and was proud of her, but she’d hoped there might be a clue as to who was after him or even why. Not talking about twisty roads and beacons. She’d never taken her father for the philosophical type.
A car laid on their horn behind her, startling her into dropping the letter. The light had turned green. It couldn’t have been for more than a few seconds. Impatient jerk. Payton eased off the brake. She needed to get her mind off the letter and focus on the case.
She eased into the intersection when a vehicle from the left rammed into the back half of her car, spinning it around twice. Payton clung to the wheel with both hands as the car spun. The seatbelt locked, keeping her upright.