Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(33)
Once the dishes were cleared and the dishwasher running, they returned to the table.
“What did you find in your search?” Brent asked Rowan.
“Weird stuff in Maxwell Imports’ background.”
“Explain.”
“Jay’s company started strong. I’m not sure what he imported, but he made a good profit. The economy tanked and his business suffered. Two years ago the company’s profits soared. Overnight, Jay’s company went from being in the red to operating in the black.”
“Interesting.”
“I started Coffee House at the same time and customers complained about how tough it was to turn a profit. I struggled in those early months. Not Jay, though. One week he’s in the red, the next he’s bucking up against the top of the profit chart.”
“Huh. Anything else?”
“Rumors that Jay was into something illegal. On the plus side, it seems his customers were very happy with his service. No complaints from anyone.”
“That’s strange in itself,” Zane muttered. “Even Fortress has complaints.”
“Exactly what I thought,” Rowan said.
“Anything new on your search, Zane?” Brent asked.
“All six of our militia leaders are where they’re supposed to be. One of them, however, is serving time in the state penitentiary for tax evasion.”
Brent snorted.
Zane chuckled. “Here’s what caught my attention. The Volunteer Militia has a new leader, Keith Phillips. Keith has been busy. He’s traveled a lot of miles recently, including several trips to Mexico.”
“Why Mexico?” Rowan asked.
“He’s not working on his tan,” Zane said.
“Do you know where he’s going?” Brent asked.
“Sorry, boss. Once he crossed the border, Phillips fell off the radar until he returned to the U.S. I can tell you he crossed the border at El Paso.”
“Chihuahua province. That isn’t what I wanted to hear.”
“What’s wrong with him going to Mexico?” From the look on Brent’s face, the information was significant.
“I want to know who Phillips did business with.”
Nice way to dodge the question. “You’re sure he’s up to no good.”
“As sure as the sun rises in the morning, babe.” Brent shifted his attention to his friend. “What assets do we have on the ground in Mexico?”
“None of our people. I checked while we talked to Adam. However, I consulted the DEA’s database. They have agents scattered throughout the country.”
Rowan’s eyebrows rose. Consulted, huh? Sounded like a fancy term for hacking. What was the penalty for hacking into a secured federal database? Jail, fines? Probably that and more. Rowan didn’t think the DEA had a sense of humor about security.
“Anyone we know?” Brent asked.
“Veronica Miles ring a bell for you?”
Brent whistled. “Can we get in touch with her?”
“I know someone who knows someone.”
“Get her a message. See if she’ll tap into her network.”
Zane sent him a pointed look. “We’ll owe her big time for this.”
“A favor. Any time, anywhere. My word on that.”
Rowan blinked. How much would this information cost Brent? From Zane’s grim expression, she guessed the price would be steep.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Brent watched the taillights of Zane’s truck fade from view, then stayed in the doorway. Someone lurked in the darkness, watching, waiting to make a move. He wanted to go hunting, couldn’t because it meant leaving Rowan alone. She’d been traumatized enough in the last two days.
“What’s wrong?” Rowan asked.
“You’re so sure something is wrong?”
“Brent.”
“I don’t want to scare you.”
“Too late. Spill.”
“Someone is watching the house.”
A soft hand landed on his forearm. “You’re sure it’s not your people?”
“Positive.” Only a fool would keep eyes on his place without his knowledge.
“What do you want to do?”
“Wait.”
Silence, then, “If you were here by yourself, would you wait?”
He didn’t say anything.
“Go, Brent. I’ll be fine. Invisible Man doesn’t know I’m here.”
Maybe not, but if the watcher was Carstairs, he wouldn’t hesitate to use Rowan for his own ends. Brent refused to allow her to be a pawn in Carstairs’ plan for revenge. However, he did have a way to protect her if she would stay in place.
He turned and, with the door still open, drew Rowan into his arms.
“Aren’t you going to close the door?”
“In a minute. I want to give the watcher something to think about.” Brent slowly bent to her. “Do you mind?”
Her gaze shifted from his mouth to his eyes. “Mind what?”
His lips curved as he captured her mouth. He took his time kissing her, hoping to give the impression that he would be distracted and an easy target once he closed the door. The irony was he did become distracted. Every time he touched Rowan Scott, he fought a losing battle to keep himself under control. She was the total package for him.