Game of Fear (Montgomery Justice #3)(84)

She pulled out a folder. “I’m here for Shannon, and for Ashley. I have an investigation to complete. If we can work together, that’s fine. If not, tell me now and we’ll end our association in Winslow.”

Gabe brought out some notes. “Ashley is my top priority, and we want justice for Shannon.”

Whitney nodded. “Okay then.”

“What’s in Winslow, sis?” He tacked on the moniker at the last minute. Damn if he didn’t like and respect this woman more and more as he got to know her. There was a lot of hurt under that prickly exterior and he’d caused a good part of it.

“Look, I’m not an expert on how shell companies are created and used.” Whitney’s voice had thickened, revealing she wasn’t as unaffected by their acceptance as she wanted them to believe. “But according to my contact, one has popped up on the radar recently at the FBI Organized Crime Program. Hundreds of millions of dollars have filtered through EOP.”

“EOP?”

“The name of the company. The FBI has traced it back to the Gasmerati family. Here’s the kicker. EOP has the exact same address as Intelligent Solutions, the company that sent Deb the game. EOP also owns a warehouse outside of Winslow, Arizona.”

“Isn’t Winslow, Arizona, one of the locations of Gasmerati’s top secret construction projects?” Deb asked, her voice eager. “Could Ashley be in Winslow?”

“I can’t be sure, but if my sister were missing, I’d want to know exactly what was going on in Winslow at EOP,” Whitney said. “And I’d also be interested that EOP is P.O.E. spelled backward.”




The flight hadn’t lasted long, but by the time Zach touched down the plane with ease, Deb had nearly scratched a hole in her pants. Her leg bounced, nerves wound tight.

Gabe tugged her fingers apart from his seat next to her.

Thankful he’d pulled her to the back row for the flight, she glanced over at him.

“I’m okay,” she muttered under her breath. “Is this almost over?” Please God, let it be almost over. Let Ashley be safe.

Deb wouldn’t allow herself to consider the alternative.

“I hope so,” he said.

When Zach brought the plane to a halt, Gabe rose from his seat and checked his holster and ammo supply. “We make this simple, people. Find Gasmerati’s warehouse and get Ashley out.”

Whitney pulled out a slip of paper. “I arranged for a car. We’re looking for Rural Route 2, just south of the Navajo Reservation.”

“We go in quiet,” Gabe added, Deb standing at his side. “Whoever took Ashley doesn’t want her found.”

“What about the cops or Feds or something?” Deb asked.

Gabe shook his head. “We can’t trust them. Not after what’s happened in Denver with Tower.” He looked over at Whitney. “How about you?”

Whitney shifted, her entire body uncomfortable for the first time since Deb had met her. “I’m on my own on this one. I owe one huge favor to the guy who gave me the Gasmerati information as it is. I don’t have enough for a warrant.”

They really were on their own. Deb palmed the weapon Gabe had given her. “I’m ready,” she said. “Let’s find my sister.”

“I’m coming with,” Zach said, his face intent. “And I’m bringing a few toys. You guys draw more small metallic objects than a magnet. I want to survive to see my baby born.”

They exited the plane.

“How did Jenna take the fact that you weren’t coming right back from Angel Fire like you said?” Gabe asked his brother.

“For a completely hormonal pregnant woman, I think she took it pretty well.” Zach rubbed the nape of his neck. “As long as you guys bring me home safe, she’ll forgive me. Eventually.”

Gabe winced in sympathy. “You didn’t tell her we were shot at in Angel Fire, did you?” He shifted his arm. Deb had insisted he get the graze treated. A little antibiotic ointment and a bandage worked wonders. He could barely feel it.

“Hell, no. I’m not stupid.” Zach tugged out a high-tech gadget that looked like it came off a Hollywood futuristic set. Or at least out of the Transformers movie’s prop room. “So, we need to find a warehouse? This baby could locate the space station.”

Deb’s brow peaked. “Where did you get that tracker? Those are . . . rare.”

AKA classified.

“I know people.” Zach shrugged. “Besides, I’m not holding one advantage back until we find Ashley.”

“Thank you,” Deb said.

Gabe squeezed her arm. “Well find her.”

They piled into the waiting vehicle, stowing guns and ammunition in the back.

Gabe slipped into the driver’s side. “Where to?”

“Head north,” Whitney said from the passenger seat. She laid a map out on the dash. “It should be a large warehouse. Easy enough to spot.”

Deb sat behind Gabe, peering intently right, then left. She leaned forward and placed her hands on the back of Gabe’s seat. “How far?”

Five miles later, Whitney took another look at the map. “How could we miss it? It’s a huge building.”

Zach tapped the coordinates into his gadget again. “You sure about that address?”