Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(48)

“Partly. Jay, Toby Minter, and Nolan White all had ties to a cartel in Mexico as well as the six militia groups here.”

Her mouth gaped. “What was the connection?”

“Drugs.”

“What kind of drugs?” Claire asked.

“Cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and Ketamine.”

Rowan pushed aside her empty glass. “That’s how Jay turned his company around so fast. I worked long hours and prayed like crazy that my business would attract loyal customers while my brother-in-law turned into a drug dealer?”

“Time line tracks to when you started Coffee House, baby.”

“And that’s when life for Heather worsened. Jay was more interested in wheeling and dealing than caring for his wife and daughter.” She scowled, her eyes sparking with fury. “How could he deal with those vipers?”

“You play with snakes, you’ll be bitten,” Zane said, his voice soft.

“My brother-in-law wouldn’t believe the danger applied to him. The man thought he was impervious to harm. He wasn’t the only one who paid the price. Jay’s drive for financial success through any means possible cost my sister her life. Now Alexa doesn’t have a mother.”

Ah, man. Brent turned in his seat and wrapped his arms around Rowan. “Alexa has you, sweetheart.”

“It’s not the same as having a parent.” Rowan’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“You love her, Rowan,” Claire said. “That makes her a very lucky girl. Without you, she would be in child protective services. Who knows what kind of living situation she’d have. Because you love her, Alexa will have the security of knowing someone is there for her. Unfortunately, not every child has that advantage.”

“Z, do you have an address on White?” Brent asked.

“Yep. Figured you’d be asking for it.”

“Send it to my cell. I’ll talk to him.”

“We’ll talk to him,” Rowan said, straightening in her seat. “He might be more willing to talk with me along.”

Perhaps. Whether he was willing or not, White would talk. Alexa’s life depended on it.





CHAPTER TWENTY


Rowan’s stomach knotted as Brent parked in Nolan White’s driveway. Her brother-in-law’s colleague might know or suspect something about Alexa’s disappearance. If there was a chance to find her niece faster, Rowan would gladly suppress the uneasiness she felt in Nolan’s presence. Couldn’t put her finger on why he bothered her. There was just something about the man that gave her the creeps.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Brent asked.

“We have to learn what he knows so we can find Alexa.”

“You don’t have to do this. I’ll get the information we need.”

She shook her head. “Alexa is mine now.”

“What do you know about White?”

She breathed easier knowing Brent wouldn’t force her to step aside. Rowan knew he wanted to place her in private protective custody. Not happening, though. She wouldn’t live her life hiding in safety while Alexa was in constant danger. “I didn’t spend much time with him.” She was grateful. Her brother-in-law had lousy taste in friends and business associates.

“I see.”

His voice told Rowan he saw too much. She sighed. Brent Maddox was a smart, intuitive man and she didn’t need him punching out Nolan for an imagined offense. He wouldn’t give information if Brent punched him out. “Nolan White is a slimy jerk. Unlike Jay, Nolan never laid a hand on me. He just makes me uncomfortable.”

A sharp nod. “Let’s go. We don’t have much time before we meet the feds.”

At the front door, Brent rang the bell. The large house was lit up with light shining from almost every room. The guy must not be too concerned about paying his light bill.

Finally, the door opened. Nolan White stared at Rowan as though having a hard time believing she stood on his front porch. “Rowan. I’m surprised to see you.” His glanced past her to scan over her shoulder.

Hmm. Nolan looked afraid. He didn’t fear her or know Brent. What made him uneasy? “We need to ask you some questions about Jay.”

His gaze shifted to Brent. “Who’s he?”

Rowan wasn’t sure how to introduce Brent. She didn’t want to compromise Brent’s safety, a necessity in his line of work. She had a feeling the less information about him that Nolan knew, the better. If the wrong people captured Nolan, he’d spill his guts. Brent’s anonymity aided Alexa’s. No matter how often Detective Taylor said the FBI would use every resource to finding her niece, Rowan knew Alexa’s best chance of rescue lay with Brent and his Fortress operatives.

Rowan decided on the simplest explanation and hoped Brent didn’t mind. “This is my boyfriend, Brent. May we come in for a few minutes? We have another appointment soon.”

Reluctantly, Nolan opened the door wider for them to enter.

Rowan glanced around, curious about his home. Perfect, she decided, beautiful. Everywhere she looked, sleek lines and neutral fabrics or wood were used in decorating the place. Camera ready.

“Have a seat,” Nolan rumbled as he dropped into an overstuffed chair. “What do you want?”

“You heard about Jay and Heather?”