Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten #2)(9)

“Preach, brother,” Tag said. “Bud is not smart about the fuckers. They get him every time. I swear there’s a family of them living on our property and they’ve got a bet on how many times they can spray my dog. They only got Kala once. We had to go to family therapy after that.”

“What’s her financial situation like?” Fain asked, clearly ready to get the meeting back on track.

“The family is wealthy, but it was earned through white-collar jobs, not generational money,” Nina replied. “She received scholarships to pay for her schooling. Her education was unconventional, to say the least. She graduated from high school at the age of twelve. College by the time she was fifteen. She went to medical school from there.”

He glanced back at the photo. How hard had it been to always be the youngest person in class? To stand out in such a way? “What about her relationships with men? The basic info says she was married at some point.”

“Yes, but it didn’t last three years. He was a doctor, too,” Nina explained.

Dante uncharacteristically showed some interest. He was staring down at his folder like he gave a damn for once. “Why did they divorce?”

“I believe he left because he couldn’t handle her success,” Ariel explained. “She won her first Wolf Foundation Prize and when she accepted a prestigious position with the Huisman Foundation, they divorced. Her research is funded by the Huisman Foundation primarily and various pharmaceutical companies who have an interest. The Huismans are an old, venerable family here in Canada. From what I can tell, they fund everything she asks them to. She works closely with the son, Paul. He’s a neurologist as well.”

“She worked with McDonald before she joined the foundation?” Owen asked.

Big Tag nodded. “Dr. Walsh worked closely with McDonald at Kronberg Pharmaceuticals. She was brought in to assist with a project. The nature of their true relationship is unclear. It’s something I’m interested in learning more about. But I’m also interested in Walsh’s other job. How the hell does that fit into her profile?”

Ariel grinned. “Like I said, it proves she’s got a sense of humor.”

Fain hit a key on his computer and the picture of Walsh changed from a sedate doctor to…a woman in spandex and a cape. Gone were the glasses and professional bun. In its place was a superhero costume that clung to her every curve. Yep, the white jacket had hidden a nice set of breasts, and that smile on her face, so controlled before, was now wide and warm and inviting.

“Meet Captain Neuro,” Nina said with a chuckle. “She goes into elementary schools and teaches kids about brain health. She’s been doing it for about a year now, and every school in Toronto wants her to come in. There’s talk of her doing a local kid’s show about science.”

He’d sat up in his chair because he hadn’t expected that. He’d only read about her many accolades, all her intellectual awards. Somehow on paper she’d seemed cold, probably aloof, but this woman had a glint in her eyes. This woman practically glowed with something he didn’t understand.

She was beautiful. Which woman was she in real life?

Big Tag sighed. “Don’t tell my girls we’re going after a female superhero. They’re all about Wonder Woman right now. Do we think her side project offers us a way into her work world?”

Ariel flipped it back to the first picture, and Owen was surprised at how disappointed he was. “No, I just thought it was fun. And we should remember that she’s the kind of woman who spends her time helping kids. She’s not merely ambitious. She’s kind, too.”

“Or it’s good cover.” He couldn’t help himself. It didn’t make sense, that smile of hers. She’d lost so much, grown up far too fast. The smile had to be the cover. The smile hid the real woman underneath.

“Cynical,” Tag said with a nod. “I like it. Keep that healthy suspicion up, Shaw, and you’ll do fine. Still, it doesn’t hurt to know how she spends her time. Does she have a foundation she works through, or is her volunteer work done through Huisman?”

Nina glanced down at her notes. “She set up one in her mother’s name. The Sonja Project. Her father helped her but she runs it.”

Fain nodded Taggart’s way. “Jax will start looking into the financials. His cover is he’s working for an investment firm anyway. Hopefully we can get her talking if everything goes our way. I don’t know how much Dr. Walsh knew about what McDonald was really working on. That’s something I’m hoping Tucker can uncover. He’s interning with the foundation. He won’t be working directly with Dr. Walsh, but I’m hoping he can get close enough to some of the employees that he’s a part of the rumor mill.”

“I’ve already met a nice doctor lady,” Tucker assured them all.

“And by met her, he means he slept with her,” Jax added helpfully.

“I’m not cleaning that up,” Dante huffed as he sat back. “Next time you will all be janitors. I hate this job. Sasha is not good at it at all. He will get us fired.”

Tucker’s eyes widened and he held up his hands as though surrendering as he looked Big Tag’s way. “I double wrapped. I promise.”

“See that you continue to do so,” Big Tag said sagely. “Condoms for everyone. Well, except Robert and Owen. Unless you’re planning on experimenting. Or really getting into your role as a couple.” He leaned forward. “I know you can’t get pregnant, you two, but I still advise wearing condoms until you’re absolutely certain you’re willing to commit to each other.”