Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(28)

She hated to ask the next question, but Rowan had to know how to plan the next few days. “Do you know when I’ll be able to hold a funeral for my sister and brother-in-law?”

“That I do know. The ME will release their bodies tomorrow.”

“What about their house?” she asked. “When will you be finished? I need clothes for Heather and Jay.” Her voice choked off. Brent’s strong arm drew her against his side.

“It will be a few days before I release the scene. I can escort you into the place to retrieve the clothes, but I can’t let you in there without me or another officer.”

Irritation rolled through her. She wouldn’t remove anything except the items she needed for Heather and Jay. And Alexa, she reminded herself. She also needed clothes for her niece when she brought Alexa home. “I understand. I’m grateful for whatever you can do.”

A nod, then Cal waved them to the chairs by his desk. “Have a seat.” He handed each of them a piece of paper. “Read your statements to make sure I didn’t miss anything. If there are no changes, sign them.”

Rowan scanned the paragraphs and thought again how skimpy the details were. Made her wonder if all assassins worked with a minimum of knowledge. Who was Invisible Man and why did he want her dead? Even more important, where was Alexa? Did Invisible Man have her? Would she ever see her again?

Resolve stiffened her spine. Rowan would find Alexa no matter who she had to go around or through. No one would keep her from the child’s side.

The possibility that Brent with his amazing security contacts wouldn’t be able to find her made Rowan’s heart hurt. Alexa must be so frightened.

Once they’d signed the statements, Brent stood and helped Rowan to her feet. “I know you need to sleep, Cal. Would you mind following us to the Maxwell place on your way home?”

A faint smile appeared. “Got your own agenda, boss?” he murmured.

Brent lifted one shoulder. “Takes one thing off Rowan’s shoulders. It’s a simple enough favor, Cal.”

“True. The Maxwell home isn’t far from mine, although my place is a lot more modest.” Cal stood. “Give me a minute to turn these in.” He returned a couple minutes later. “Let’s go.”

“Hold up.” Brent handed over the flash drive Adam had copied.

Cal frowned, stared at the black plastic. “What’s this?”

“Something Heather left at my coffee shop yesterday afternoon,” Rowan said. “She asked me to keep this safe in case something happened to her. Heather died six hours later.”

“What’s on it?” The detective’s gaze locked on Brent’s. “And don’t bother telling me you haven’t checked it,” he whispered.

“One file in code.”

A wince. “It’ll take forever for the computer techs to do anything with this. Who’s working on it from Fortress?”

“Adam Walker.”

“Ah. Good.” Satisfaction flowed in his eyes. “He’s magic with codes.”

“Agreed. Gives him a job to do while he’s waiting for clearance to go back on deployment.”

“I’ll drop this off with IT before we leave.”

Minutes later, they were following the detective to Heather’s house. The law enforcement vehicles were no longer parked in the driveway. Seeing the house brought back memories of the night before, memories of terror, blood, and death.

Rowan’s hand clenched. She couldn’t lose it now. Later, when she was alone with no one to watch her fall apart and time wasn’t of the essence in finding Alexa.

“Are you okay?” Brent asked as he turned off the engine.

“I will be.” She turned toward him. “I don’t have a choice if I want to help Alexa. I can’t fall apart. Heather entrusted her daughter to my care. I won’t let either of them down.”

They met Cal at the front of the Brent’s SUV. “Try not to touch anything,” Cal said as they walked to the front door. The detective held up his hand, frowning.

“What is it?” Rowan whispered.

“The law enforcement seal has been broken. Someone unauthorized has already been here.” He turned to stare at her and Brent, eyes narrowed.

“Don’t look at us.” Brent scowled. “Rowan’s been with me the entire time and none of my people are that careless.”

Cal drew his weapon as did Brent. “You follow my lead here, boss,” the detective murmured.

“Copy that.” Brent nudged Rowan behind his back. “Stay here, baby.”

“Forget it. I’m coming with you.”

“Rowan…”

“We’re wasting time,” she whispered and moved closer. “I’ll follow your orders.”

Brent sighed, then motioned for Cal to proceed. The detective opened the front door and froze. He blew out a breath, then stepped aside. “Take a look.”

Rowan stepped up beside Brent and peered through the doorway. Her breath caught. Every place she looked, chaos reigned. She doubted the crime scene techs had done this. That left the men who killed Heather and Jay.

But what was the point? She was afraid she knew what the men were after. The flash drive.





CHAPTER TWELVE