Gabe (In the Company of Snipers, #8)(57)

“Where’s our boy?”

Zack frowned. “Out taking videos. I thought he’d be back by now.”

“Out where?” Mark asked, but his cell phone rang. No wonder Alex was prone to throw the damned things. They were a mix of ball-and-chain and steady interruption. “Houston,” he answered, the pleasant scene in the other room already forgotten.


“Were you coming back to the office tonight?” David asked.

“Yes. Libby and the girls are visiting Kelsey right now. Why?”

“I’ve discovered something you need to see. It’s about Eagle Two.”

“On my way.” He signed off and faced Zack. “I’ve got to run. Where’s Gabe, damn it?”

“He took the dogs back to the river to prove once and for all who rescued Kelsey.”

“Don’t tell me she’s got you guys convinced Alex is still alive?”

Zack hedged. “Possibly. Why don’t you come back later and see what Gabe turns up? Face it. He’s right. One way or the other, we’ll know if Alex was on that riverbank.”

“I guess,” Mark agreed reluctantly, “David's certain he’s still alive, too. Hell, it seems everyone is. You’d think the dogs would’ve scented Alex when we had them out searching for Kelsey, though.”

“Not so. You and Harley told them to find Kelsey, not him. Dogs don’t do multiple choice.”

Damn. More logic. Mark lifted two fingers to his right temple. A migraine. Just like Alex used to get. “But what about you? Can you handle these two all by yourself?”

“You mean Kelsey and Shelby?” Zack asked, his brows lifted on his forehead.

Dumb question. Zack? Not able to handle two women?

“There is something else, now that you’re here.” He lowered his voice. “Gabe found a set of boot prints in the backyard this morning. I meant to call, but we’ve had our hands full keeping Kelsey cheered up.”

“Boot prints? Where? Never mind. It doesn’t matter. You guys are out of here. Gear up and get ready to move to a more secure location—wait. What do you mean, you’ve had your hands full keeping Kelsey cheered up? How did you guys make her sad?”

“Now hold on. Before you go all Alex on me, hear me out. Kelsey’s had a bad day. That’s all. She’s hanging on by a thread. Let’s see what Gabe turns up before we turn her world upside-down again.”

Mark closed his eyes and began counting to ten.

Around number three, he knew damned well he was right, and that Zack better snap to and follow orders.

Around seven, Kelsey started singing Over the Rainbow to his girls. His baby Faith giggled. Kelsey always did have a way with kids. She almost sounded like her old self.

Around eight, he reconsidered. Zack and Gabe were the best, even if one of the boneheads was not at his post at the moment. Around ten—aw, shit.

He caved. “One more incident, just one, and you guys are moving. Count on it.”

“Whatever you say, Boss.”

Yeah, right. Lip service, Lennox. Too little. Too damned late.

“Come on, girls,” Mark called to Libby and his daughters. “We’re leaving. Daddy’s got to go back to work.” Damn it.

Libby offered her usual understanding smile, but JayJay grumbled. “Aww. I wanna read more stories, Daddy.”

Libby gathered the girls, shushing their opinions of a short visit. “Aunt Kelsey needs to rest, but when she feels better, us girls are going to the zoo. Maybe Aunt Kelsey can come with us. Would you like that?”

“Yeah,” Faith blurted. Problem solved. She loved Kelsey and she loved the zoo. Her child-like enthusiasm almost made Mark smile. Almost. He owned another problem. Running the business took everything from him, even his precious little family time. Not good. He sounded more and more like Alex, too. Always swearing. Curt. Impatient.

Damn. I need a break.

He dropped Libby and the girls at home before he headed back to the office. The place felt as if it had barely opened for business, everyone busy and focused despite the late afternoon hour.

David already sat in the Sit Room, his findings spread on the table in front of him. Everyone was running on empty, but it seemed even the glare off David’s bald head was somehow subdued. He looked as tired as Mark felt, his eyes shadowed and his head in his hands.

“Whatcha got?”

David looked up. “Another puzzle. I couldn’t get Mother’s assistance with the encrypted file. She said she’s too busy with other things, but I’ve taken this as far as I can.”

“Tough encryption, huh? Ember’s good at that kind of stuff. Have you asked her?”

“She’s busy with Connor and Rory, but she said she’ll take a look as soon as she can.” David showed Mark what he’d discovered. “It looks like our FBI sniper is involved with our group of ten. Remember Ron Fallon? If what I’m seeing is correct, Mr. Becker is also part of Chaos Now. Look what I took off their website. This was taken at their national convention last month right here in D.C.”


Mark studied the screen print, a group of men dressed in camouflage pants and shirts. David had enhanced the photo enough that Sam Becker’s face was clearly visible while he talked with Ron Fallon. Both men carried assault rifles over their shoulders, as well as pistols at their hips. Fallon sported fully loaded bandoliers crisscrossing his chest. More concerning were the smiles on both men’s faces.