Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(12)

“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t need anyone.”

He tried another tack, this one true as well. “Sweetheart, at the risk of sounding an unnecessary alarm, we don’t know what was behind the murder of your sister and brother-in-law. It didn’t look like a robbery gone wrong to me. My guess is Maxwell crossed the wrong person and paid with his life.”

“What does that have to do with you staying with me tonight?”

“We talked about the length Carstairs would go to for revenge. If Maxwell’s offense was severe enough, the man he wronged may try to make a statement by wiping out his whole family and that includes you. You shouldn’t be alone, Rowan, just in case.”

“What about Alexa? Surely this person wouldn’t hurt that sweet girl. She had nothing to do with whatever Jay was into.” Her fingers gripped his tighter. “She’s safe, isn’t she?”

Brent wanted to lie to her, couldn’t. He didn’t want to start any relationship off on that foot. If he and Rowan continued to spend time together, they would have to talk over what he could and couldn’t say about his past and current work. The nature of his job meant keeping secrets from those he cared about. Some of those secrets were for their own protection while others were a matter of national security. Brent had a lot of plans, none of which included spending time in prison for treason. Would Rowan be one of the few who understood the need for secrecy? Somehow he thought she just might understand and not resent him.

He dragged his attention back to her question. “I think you’re in more danger than she is at the moment.” Brent raised their clasped hands and kissed the back of hers. “We need to move fast to make sure she stays that way.”

Releasing her hand, he activated his Bluetooth again and called Taylor.

“Yeah, Taylor.”

“You’re on speaker. It’s Brent. We lost Heather.”

The Metro homicide detective sighed. “Not the news I wanted to hear. Rowan?”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry for your loss. I won’t rest until I nail these people and bring Alexa home.”

“Thanks,” she replied, voice thick.

“Hope you have better news to share, Brent.”

“You asking as a cop or a part-time operative?”

Taylor’s voice dropped. “Right now, as an operative. I want a direction. What do you have?”

“Z tapped into the security cams. Not much to go by except he confirmed the black van with racing stripes was involved. He caught the van parked in the drive for about five or six minutes. Two guys dressed in all black with ski masks broke into the house. One chased down Maxwell and shot him where we found him. The other must have shot Heather and grabbed Alexa. The footage showed the girl being carried from the house and taken to the van. She didn’t struggle, Cal. I think they drugged her with something.”

A growl from his friend. “I know that’s not all you have. What else did Z learn?”

“Van was stolen.”

“Of course.”

“The van disappeared on the back roads. No traffic cams.”

“Ah, man. Tell me Zane got a face for me.”

“He did. He’s running our facial recognition as we speak.”

“I want to know the minute he identifies the kidnapper. I’ll get the paperwork moving for the official channels and alert the ME about Heather. Anything else?”

“Yeah, not connected to the Maxwell case, though. A former PSI trainee tried to break into my house a few minutes ago.” His hands clenched tighter around the steering wheel. “Might have gotten inside by now for all I know.” The thought ticked him off. What did Carstairs hope to gain by this? If he’d been hoping for jail time, he’d get it. Brent had no problem pressing charges against the cretin. If he wanted to prove a point, he made it, but it was going to cost him, big time. When it came to matters of security, Brent wasn’t the forgiving sort.

“Did Zane call the cops?”

“They’re supposed to wait for me to arrive.”

“Let me know if I can help. What’s this guy’s problem?”

“Got kicked out of training for steroid use. I’m the guy to hate.”

“Stupid. Keep me posted, boss.”

“Copy that.”

“Why does he call you that?” Rowan asked. “He works for the police department.”

“Cal goes on Fortress missions occasionally. He’s one of the best.”

She frowned. “Why doesn’t he work for you full time?”

How much should he tell her? Brent didn’t want to scare Rowan off before she had a chance to really know him. “Black ops wears on you, baby. He and I saw more than our share of ugliness in the military. Cal goes on the occasional mission to keep his skills sharp and to make the world a safer place for his future family, but not so many that the darkness overwhelms him.”

“Admirable to give back when it reminds him of the darkness.” She sent him a knowing look. “And I suppose it has nothing to do with the adrenaline rush from saving innocents.”

Laughter burst out of him. “You are one smart lady, Rowan Scott. That adrenaline rush is part of the reason he goes. We’re all addicted to the mission high.”

“He served with you, didn’t he?”