Just Bob (Assassins Inc. #1)(24)

Stryker had gone to see some of his contacts. The hope was that someone had seen or heard something, somewhere. There had to be some clue to follow, some minuscule crumb that would lead me to Bob.

When Stryker shook his head, my heart sank even more. “Someone has to know something.”

“Are you sure Bob didn’t leave on his own?”

I growled at the man, trying to keep my claws sheathed. “I’m sure.”

Stryker must have seen the rage in my eyes. He quickly stepped back, holding up his hands. “Just asking, man.”

“Well, don’t. Bob wouldn’t leave me or Mustachio without a good reason.”

“What if he did have a good reason?” Stryker asked.

“Like what?”

What possible reason could Bob have for leaving me?

I wanted to grab Stryker and shake him when he shrugged.

“Maybe he doesn’t like shifters.”

I considered Stryker’s words for about half a second before shaking my head. “Once he got over his fear, he was all questions. That is not a man who doesn’t like shifters.”

Besides, I really couldn’t see Bob hating anyone. He was just too sweet.

“What about the guy who took the contract out on him?” Stryker asked. “Any lead on him?”

“No, but I both think it had something to do with his work. He was fired the day the contract was put out on him.”

“That seems a little suspicious.”

“That’s what I thought, too. Bob seems to believe his job is so low level that there would be no reason for anyone to want him dead.”

“Junior accountant, right?”

Apparently, Stryker had gotten the same file on Bob that I had.

I nodded. “He inputs numbers into a software program so they can make sure all the numbers match the paperwork filed with the IRS.”

Stryker swallowed hard, grimacing, as if something nasty had floated up into his mouth. “I’d shoot myself inside of a week.”

I chuckled, because I totally understood that sentiment. I couldn’t imagine sitting behind a desk all day long. I’d go insane and it wouldn’t take a week. I wasn’t made to be a desk jockey. I could barely stand to be indoors.

I also never wanted to find myself working for someone else. I guess technically I worked for the council, but it was on a contract by contract basis. Ultimately, I got to pick and choose which contracts I took. I still answered to the council when I accepted a contract, and I wasn’t allowed to take outside contracts while working for the council unless pre-approved.

I still made enough that I would never have to work a day in my life if I didn’t want to. I certainly made enough to keep Mustachio in kitty treats. Now that I was mated to Bob, he would never have to work again either. We hadn’t gotten to that discussion yet. There just hadn’t been time. There would be.

I just had to find my mate first.

“I’m going to head over to his work,” I told Stryker. “I want to talk to a few people there. Maybe someone knows something.”

“Good idea. You want me to tag along?”

As much as I wanted to say no, I knew I might need the help. I had no idea what I was walking into. It could be something totally innocent or it could be Armageddon. I would know until I got there and started nosing around.

“I’ll just go tell Stone where we’re headed. Someone needs to stay here in case Bob comes back.” I didn’t think that was going to happen, but I could hope.

I didn’t wait for Stryker to reply before heading toward the kitchen. I mean, what could he say? Bob wasn’t coming back on his own? I pretty much already knew that. If he could come back, he would have.

“Hey,” I said when I walked into the kitchen. Stone was busy typing away on his laptop. I had no idea what he was doing, but it probably had something to do with Sinclair. They were both into computers. “Stryker and I are going to head over to where Bob was working before he got fired, see if we can pick up any clues.”

Stone nodded without looking up. “Check out a Mrs. Staudemeyer. She was his boss.”

“Why?” I asked as I stepped closer. “Do you think she had something to do with his disappearance?”

“I’m not sure. Probably not, but there’s just something fishy about her. From everything I’m finding, Bob’s work made her look good. There is no reason for her to fire him.”

“Unless she had a reason we don’t know about.”

Stone glanced up. “Exactly.”

My anger turned toward the unknown supervisor. If she had anything to do with Bob’s disappearance or the hit taken out on him, I would rip her into tiny little pieces.

I clenched my hands, letting them dangle at my sides. I wondered if I had the control not to kill her when I saw her. “I’ll call you if I find anything.”

“I’ll do the same,” I told Stone.

The man nodded absently, his attention already turning back to his computer. I didn’t understand half of the things he did on the damn thing, but then I wasn’t into computers like Stone or Sinclair, although Sinclair took it to the extreme. I was pretty sure the man was born speaking code.

I walked out of the kitchen, grabbed my jacket off the back of the couch, and then headed for the door. I was equipped with enough firepower to start a war in a third world country. I just didn’t see any reason to broadcast that fact. Over the years, I had learned the fine art of discretion. It kept my ass out of hot water and a prison cell.