Even though he spent the entire day yesterday with Donna, Ryan had watched Sissie out of the corner of his eye. She had a smile on her face, but he wasn’t buying it. Something had changed. For him to find out, they were going to need time alone. Time away from here.
Ryan tried calling Jack, but it went directly to voicemail. The scuttlebutt around town was he went up north hunting. For the people of Honeywell, that sounded as though he was taking a much-needed vacation. With everything going on, Ryan knew Jack didn’t go anywhere. What happened to him is a different story.
As he left the hotel, he debated heading right to the Wild Sass and confronting Sissie before Donna awoke. It wasn’t only that she was keeping something from him, but she needed him. She looked tired. He knew he was partly to blame for that since they’d spent the entire prior night talking, but this wasn’t just physical exhaustion. I never should’ve involved her in all this.
Standing in the middle of the road, he turned toward the sheriff’s office. It wasn’t going to get him the truth, but he hoped he could sort through some of the lies.
When he opened the door, he found one of Mark’s men sitting behind the desk dressed in a deputy’s uniform. Ryan shut the door behind him, walked over, and took a seat. “I could call Collins, but I’m hoping you can shed some light. Where’s Jack?”
“He was killed with one of our SEAL team.”
Ryan could only imagine what the impact of losing someone like Jack Bullard would have on Honeywell. They were a tight-knit community. Actually he was envious of what this place had. It was something special and definitely something worth fighting to keep. He wasn’t sure that would be possible when they found out about Jack. From what he’d observed, the man knew everyone, and they all leaned on and trusted him. His thoughts rushed to Sissie. He knew she and Jack were good friends. She was a strong woman, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to be there for her. She must be so shocked at what was happening to her sweet little town. “Where did it go down? Here in town?”
“No. Outside of the Nash ranch.”
Ryan didn’t want anyone to be in harm’s way, but these guys knew the risk. And some paid the price. “What’s Mark’s take on this?”
“He’ll be returning later today.”
“And what about what they were working on?” When he’d left the bunker, it was apparent the research needed to continue. He hoped it wasn’t going to stop now. If it did, Janet died for nothing.
“I don’t know what they’re doing, but his brother is staying. That’s all I can say.”
Ryan believed that. Collins wasn’t very forthcoming with information. Not even with his closest team members. Seemed to be the one who knew the most around here was Lou. He’s not much of a talker either.
“Why’s Mark coming here? Are things heating up?” That sounded like a stupid question since two men just lost their lives.
“They’re searching for something. He’s coming to ensure they don’t find it.”
Something or someone? Ryan couldn’t afford to stay in Honeywell any longer. He was in a hotel that was nearly impossible to secure. Of course, when they built it they probably never thought a terrorist group would invade their town. The Wild Sass had even less security. People were in and out all times of the day.
“Collins knows how to reach me, but I’m out of here today.”
The deputy nodded. “Let Lou know, and he’ll make sure you get off safely.”
Ryan wasn’t sure Lou held that power anymore. If these guys wanted him or Donna, he believed they’d do anything to get what they wanted.
He got up and headed for the Sass. Before talking to Lou, he needed to have a discussion with Sissie. Leaving her behind wasn’t an option, but forcing her to go wasn’t likely to happen either. She was stubborn and independent. He needed to charm her not force her. Charming isn’t what I’m known for.
When he entered the saloon, Lou was standing behind the bar. Even from a distance, Ryan could see a gun on the counter. If he had any doubt about what he was about to do, it vanished that moment. Shit was about to go down, and he needed to ensure Donna and Sissie weren’t caught in the crossfire. Dammit. Where is it safe?
Before he made it through the door to Sissie’s stairway, Lou called out, “It’s not that easy.”
Ryan stopped and turned around. Lou had something to say, but Ryan already knew it was going to be like speaking to Collins. He figured the deputy had already talked to Lou and delivered the news.
“Getting the ladies up?” Ryan joked, hoping to avoid a lecture from him. Why they bother when I’m not going to listen anyway is beyond me.
“They’re up.”
“Good so what’s the problem?”
“They’re not here.”
Ryan’s heart stopped. In just a few strides, he cleared the distance and was face to face with Lou. “Who the hell let them leave?”
Lou must’ve been used to being yelled at because he didn’t blink an eye. “I did.”
“Do you have a damn death wish? Because if anything happens to either of them, your ass is mine.” Ryan didn’t care if Lou was a SEAL or not. Nothing and no one would be able to stop him. Not even Collins.
“They’re safe.”
“And you know this how?” Ryan’s fists clenched, waiting to strike.
“It’s what I do.”
“How did that work out for Jack?” Ryan knew that was a low blow, but he needed to make his point.
Ryan saw Lou’s jaw twitch ever so slightly before he answered. “Like the rest of us, we know the risk.”
It was something they all seemed to say so easily. Ryan tried to equate it to how he handled business, but the loss of life made that impossible. “That’s not what Donna and Sissie signed up for. They’re—”
“Safe. Trust me. My men will not let anything happen to either of them.”
Ryan understood. Sissie was one you couldn’t hold down. But Donna leaving early didn’t make any sense. What did you talk her into, Sissie?
Donna was a lot of things, but she’d never been a morning person. “Where did they go?” Ryan couldn’t think of anything that important for either of them to leave. Not after what I told them yesterday.
“To the Nash ranch.”
The baby. “Was there a problem?”
“Casey’s father. Guess the baby was crying, and he tried to get up to check on her. He fell and needed to be rushed to the hospital.”
Ryan never met Greg Collins, but he knew that ALS was a disease that didn’t discriminate. From what Donna had told him, Greg’s health had deteriorated quickly over the past year. From a man who was up and active to someone confined to a wheelchair and needing oxygen. Even with all that, he still wanted to take care of his family. His new granddaughter.
He understood why the ladies needed to go to the ranch, but he didn’t like it. Lou said they were safe, but no one could guarantee that. Ryan wanted to be with them, hold that control, yet deep in his gut he knew the tighter he held, the less control he’d have.
“You should’ve told me before they left,” Ryan said sternly.
“They asked me not to.”
Ryan shook his head. “I don’t give a damn what they want. Neither of them understands the magnitude of this situation.”
“And we’d like to keep it that way.”
“How is that with your guys guarding them?” Ryan knew Sissie would question that immediately. Donna didn’t know everyone here, so it was easier to keep her in the dark.
“A local guy took them,” Lou responded.
Ryan wasn’t keen on that. Jack was one of the only local men he trusted. Even that was too strong of a word. “Who?”
“McLean.”
That name meant nothing to him. Which was just another red flag, as far as Ryan was concerned. “Who the hell is that?”
“He’s Nash’s foreman.”
“And he came here to pick up the ladies?” That didn’t sound right. He knew there was more to the story.
“Nope. He spent the night here last night. Drank a bit too much, so Sissie had him sleep it off on the cot in the back room. Derrick called really early, requesting McLean return right away. Sissie was already up and heard their conversation. The rest is history.”
That sounds just like Sissie. Can anyone contain that woman?
He couldn’t tell if Lou was intentionally trying to stress him out more than he already was, but he couldn’t have done a better job. The last thing Ryan wanted was his daughter out with some half-baked ranch hand. Come hell or high water, nothing will stop me if Donna gets hurt.
“I need to talk to Collins,” Ryan barked. He was done dealing with Mark’s men. Collins might have faith in their ability, but he didn’t. There’s no way Collins would’ve let them leave. Not without one hell of an escort.
“He’s at the ranch.”
That was news to him. At least with Donna and Sissie there, he knew they were safe. For now. “When did he get back?”
“About ten minutes ago.”
“Because of his father?”
“That too.”
Ryan felt better knowing Collins was taking over, but as far as he was concerned, their location had already been compromised. It wasn’t safe for them any longer. The bunker isn’t an option either. He was going to need to pull some strings and find someplace their hand can’t reach. If that’s possible anymore.
This was going to take some planning. His security team was reporting to Lou and Mark so there would need to be some reshuffling of resources. Ryan couldn’t leave Honeywell unprotected either. He knew Collins would do everything he could to protect them, but Ryan knew he’d protect his family first. With Jack gone, he wasn’t sure who would be thinking of Honeywell first and foremost. The only one I can think of is Sissie, and I sure as heck ain’t leaving her here alone.
He’d planned on speaking to Sissie first. Now he figured it’d be best not to give her so much information. Keeping things from her would eventually bite him in the ass. He enjoyed the Southern sass, but she was a firecracker, and he had a feeling when she blew, it was going to be a big bang. There wasn’t anything he was going to be able to say to get her to leave. I might have more leverage with Donna.
He hated manipulating Donna to intercede on his behalf. Even though Donna had only known Sissie for a few days, he wasn’t blind to their connection. It was more than Sissie taking Donna under her wing. They were building a friendship, and he was going to use that friendship for his benefit. He already knew neither of them was going to leave without the other. And they sure as hell aren’t going to do it because I said so.
Ryan never went to anyone for help; he needed someplace that would be enticing to both women and still meet the need for security. “I have some calls to make. If they’re going to leave the ranch for any reason, I want to know about it before it happens. Understood?” he warned.
Lou nodded before Ryan turned away. There was nothing for him to do here at the Sass but there weren’t many places to sit and think. He opted for the porch as it provided the privacy he needed.
Ryan scrolled through his phone. He knew a lot of people in power, that wasn’t the problem. He couldn’t forget the warning Collins had given. Corruption hit the highest levels. If a US general was so deep he had Janet killed, who can I trust?
It wasn’t fear of who was after them. He’d dealt with some unscrupulous characters in the past. In big business one makes enemies. The power in fighting back was in the understanding of what you were fighting over. Ryan never went into a business meeting unprepared. He prided himself on anticipating a competitor’s concerns and/or weakness, so he wouldn’t leave the room without the result he wanted. He was cognizant of the players, the rules, and how to win. Collins provided little information, and that left Ryan blind as to what the best course of action was. Collins handled all the moving parts. That might work on a battlefield, but this wasn’t soldiers in the trenches. This was his daughter and a woman he cared about. To protect them they needed to keep them in the dark. But leaving them blind to the actual threat left them defenseless if attacked. What the hell should I do?
Ryan’s eyes were wide open to the greed that plagued this country. He was sick and angry that he hadn’t noticed it before. I’m not going to be ignorant any longer.
Lou wasn’t going to shed any more light on what was going on than he already had. He was Mark’s second-in-command for a reason. He appreciated loyalty and trust. But in this situation, it wasn’t working for him. He needed answers now, and with Collins being pulled in even more directions, talking with him wasn’t the answer either.
Why didn’t I think of this before? Kevin was still at the bunker. That’s his turf. He had the right to know what was going on there and show up anytime he chose. Of course, I pretty much turned it over to Collins. Although Mark and Kevin were brothers, Ryan picked up on their differences immediately. He hoped he’d be more forthcoming with information.
There was only one problem. He didn’t have any way to contact Kevin or Marina. Mark sure as hell wasn’t going to give him the number. He needed it, and getting it meant going to the Nash ranch. He dashed off the porch and leaped into the Jeep Jack had provided when he arrived.
“Where are you going?” Lou shouted.
“To get the answers.”
Lou was by the driver’s side of the Jeep when he said, “You have all the information you need.”
Ryan turned toward him and said angrily, “I have what you want me to know, not what I need.” Lou didn’t say anything, but he wasn’t happy with Ryan’s comment. Good, ’cause I ain’t happy either.
It wasn’t as though he could back out of the situation. Whether he wanted to or not, he was involved. What he needed was the others to recognize that.
“You can’t go there,” Lou finally said.
Ryan shut off the engine and asked sarcastically, “Do you think you can stop me?” He knew it was stupid. Ryan was about to turn fifty-five, and this guy might be in his early thirties. Besides being a highly trained weapon. Ryan didn’t back down from anything or anyone. Physically he’d probably get his butt handed to him on a plate, but he wasn’t going to lose.
Opening the door, he got out of the Jeep and stood, challenging him to make a move. Lou glared at him and Ryan swore he noticed his hands clench. “Well?”
“You’re an ass, Watson.”
“And your point?”
“You have no idea what we’re up against.”
Lou was right, and that only ticked Ryan off more. “That’s my point. I need to rectify that.”
“Collins has his reason for what he does. You need to trust that.”
Ryan turned to get back into the Jeep. Lou was a waste of time. Lou must’ve read his mind.
“I’ll tell you what I can.”
“How about answer my questions?” Ryan asked.
Lou nodded. “Agreed, but not out here.” Ryan headed back to the Sass. “Not there either. Follow me.”
Ryan couldn’t see anyone around at all. At this time of day, the stores were closed, and ranchers were doing their jobs. They were the only ones on the street. Since he wanted to hear whatever Lou was about to say, he followed.
It looked as though they were headed to the sheriff’s office, but they walked past it. “Where are we going?”
Lou didn’t answer. He turned down an alley and went to the back of what he thought was a clothing shop. He knocked twice, waited, then knocked once more. The door opened, and Lou waved Ryan to join him.
This better be good. He entered, and Lou shut the door behind them. Looking around, he realized it was a storage area filled with boxes of clothing and accessories. “Not in the mood for shopping, Lou,” he said snidely.
Lou walked over to the far wall and turned on what looked like a light switch. Instead, the wall slid open, and a new room appeared. It was a high-tech surveillance room. When Lou entered the men stiffened to attention.
“At ease.” They did as Lou commanded. He pointed to the monitors, each with several different screens. “This is our command center. As you can see we have strategically placed cameras throughout Honeywell as well as the surrounding area. Anyone coming or going triggers a warning, which is routed here.” Lou walked over and tapped one of the men on the shoulder and told him to get up. Then he turned to the other men and said, “Give us five minutes alone.”
The soldiers looked at Ryan, but one by one they got up and exited the room. Once he and Lou were alone, Lou sat down at the computer and keyed in some type of code. Ryan pulled up the seat next to him. It was obvious what Lou was showing him wasn’t information that was known to many.
It took him a moment before he realized what he was reading. It was a list of known deaths associated with this group. There weren’t just a few either. Then he flipped to another file which showed pictures of people. “Who are they?” Ryan asked.
“These are people on our watch list.”
He’d pictured many times what they’d look like. Some fit the mold, but others didn’t. They looked like people he’d pass on the street right here in the United States. “They’re . . .”
“Closer than any of us want to admit.”
This wasn’t what he expected when Lou sat down at the computer. He figured it would have to do with some strategic plan of attack. That wasn’t the case at all. There were just names and faces. Too many faces.
He came across a few that were in black and white with dates. “What does this symbolize?”
“The ones who have been eliminated.”
The tone in Lou’s voice spoke volumes. He noticed some dates were extremely recent. Yesterday? “Are these the ones that—?”
“Yes.”
It was comforting to know Jack’s killers didn’t get off scot-free. Doesn’t make up for what they did. It didn’t take long to see what Jack meant to Honeywell. He was the sheriff, and one would expect respect for the position. But everyone here were friends, and he knew it was going to be a major blow to them when the truth came out and they realized he wasn’t returning.
It dawned on Ryan that he’d never asked the name of the SEAL who’d been killed. He was tempted to do so now, but this was his one opportunity to gain pertinent information. He also knew if they wanted him to know the name, they’d have given it.
For now, he needed to focus on what Lou was sharing with him. Turing his attention back to the photos, he took a closer look, trying to memorize their faces. He wanted to make sure if they ever crossed his path, it would be their last. Page after page he etched them into his mind. Then his heart almost stopped. It was a face he knew too damn well. He actually remembered interviewing him a few years back. What the hell? He shot Lou a look as though he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“Now you understand,” Lou said.
He looked back at the photo. Ryan was filled with both rage and fear. This man held a position in his company that gave him access to a lot of personal and financial information. That was worrisome all by itself. What troubled him most was he had been around Donna when she came to see him in the office.
Ryan flashed back to the holiday office party. As usual, he kept a close eye on his daughter but recalled seeing Donna laughing while sipping champagne and talking with Carl. He’d figured Carl was flirting with the boss’s daughter. He’d pulled him aside the next day and gave him a warning about mixing business with pleasure and how it wouldn’t be tolerated. Carl apologized and said he wasn’t comfortable in social situations, and Donna was being kind to him. He’d sworn it wouldn’t happen again. Knowing that was all a lie and what his intentions actually were made Ryan want to strangle every last breath out of him. Carl, you bastard. “Lou, I—”
“I know. You can’t. He doesn’t know that we know.”
Fuck. That didn’t remove his desire to hop on his chopper and confront Carl. Just knowing these bastards had infiltrated his company made him livid. Donna was here with him, so she was out of Carl’s reach. What control he thought he’d had seemed to be quickly slipping through his fingers. If Carl contacted Donna and said he needed to meet with her about something business related, she would automatically trust Carl. And that’s how they win. He needed to regain control before all was lost. Lou was right; this wasn’t just about him and Donna. Not the Collins family either. This was growing into something he could barely wrap his mind around.
Ryan had left his office with one thought: Donna. Never had he pictured needing to ensure the safety of his staff as well. They had no idea who they were working with. Who I hired. Collins and his team might be thinking about the entire world, Ryan couldn’t forget his employees. To do so, he needed to understand why the asshole was there in the first place. “What the hell is he doing working for me?”
“Looking for what you’ve been keeping safe in that bunker.”
Janet’s specimens? That didn’t add up. Why would Carl wait all this time and not make a move? “It has to be something else. It’s been seven years, and no one has made a move or approached me for it.”
“None of this happened overnight. It’s been years in the planning. He’s been there waiting and watching. When you let Wyatt and Maggie utilize the bunker as a safe house, we believe that was what they were waiting for.”
“That’s was almost six months ago. Carl’s still there like nothing happened.”
“Exactly. Until they have their hands on it, that’s what he’ll do.”
“Collins has that now. So let’s take that fucker out.” He wasn’t one who sat back and waited for someone to make the first move. He’d learned young that if you hesitate, all might be lost.
“Tipping our hand now could endanger others. You’re not the only company who’s in this situation.”
“You mean that they’ve infiltrated?”
“They’re trying. We’re one step ahead of them. If you or anyone does something to tip them off, they might make a move we’re not ready for.”
“Meaning?”
“What happened to your late wife could happen to others,” Lou said.
Shit. He’d never thought about that. If Janet didn’t see it coming, and she was in the medical field, there was no way people in his office would. “You’re serious? You think they’d actually infect others?”
“We know they would. Janet wasn’t the first. She wasn’t the last. What is different about her is she knew it. She took the time to document what was happening each step of the way. It’s not if they’ll use it again. It’s about when they will.”
Lou called it when he chose this time and information to share. It was the eye-opener he needed. It didn’t change what he was feeling inside. Ryan looked at the photo of Carl. He had never hated anyone. All his frustration was put on this one man. It didn’t make any sense, yet nothing had in a long time. “You can’t ask me to sit back and do nothing.”
“We’re not. We need you to go back to your office.”
That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. He’d rather be given a gun and asked to pick up patrol duty where Jack had left off. Being dismissed and brushed aside wasn’t working. “And do what? Forget everything I know, because that ain’t gonna happen,” Ryan said firmly.
“Run your business like you normally do. And don’t let Carl or anyone else know what I’ve told you.”
He could do that, if it meant when Collins gave the all clear to move, Carl was his. Ryan remembered why he was in Honeywell in the first place. “I can’t leave them here.”
“Them?”
“Donna and Sissie. There’s no way I’m taking them with me, but there’s no way I can leave them here either.” Lou looked at him as though contemplating what Ryan should do. But it wasn’t up to Lou what he should do.
“Agreed. There’s a safe place. I can make arrangements for them to be taken there.”
Once again Lou was trying to pull control away from Ryan. There were things he was willing to relinquish, but when it came to Donna and Sissie, he drew the line. “Where?” Ryan asked.
Lou shrugged. “I don’t know the location.”
If the subject hadn’t been so damn serious he’d burst out laughing. Lou actually asked him to blindly trust him with the two people who meant the most to him. That’s not happening. “You know it’s safe how?”
“Kevin and Marina have been there. If they couldn’t be located, Donna and Sissie will be safe there.”
Collins had mentioned how sought-after Marina had been. Yet Mark considered it safe enough for his own brother, and that made Ryan consider the offer. That didn’t mean he was turning Donna and Sissie over to Lou and taking off because that’s what he’d been told to do. We’re doing this my way or not at all.
“There is no way in hell I’m letting them out of my sight until I see for myself that they’re safe.”
“It’s better if you just let me—”
“Listen, Lou, tell Collins I’ll play along and make sure Carl thinks we’re ignorant to their movements. And no matter how bad I want Carl’s ass, I want them safe even more.” Ryan meant every word. If he lost either of them, Ryan didn’t give a damn what happened to the rest of the world. As far as he was concerned, he’d have nothing left.
“I don’t like this, Watson, but I can put you in contact with the person who has the secure location. Even with this person, what you’ve been told mustn’t be repeated.”
He’d gotten that message loud and clear the first few times Lou said it. “This person is part of your team?”
Lou shook his head. “No. But we’ve worked together in the past.”
Ryan wanted to ask what exactly that meant, but there was no time for long stories that were going to waste time. “Make it happen.”
Lou picked up one of the SAT phones and dialed. He put it on speakerphone, so Ryan could hear as well.
“What do you need?” a man asked.
“Farrell. We have guests in need of accommodations.” Lou made it sound as though it was a vacation instead of a life or death situation.
“How long?” Farrell asked.
Lou looked at Ryan and then said, “Undetermined at this time.”
“One of those? Is this for Kevin and Marina again?”
“Don, you know better than to ask,” Lou warned.
Don laughed. “And you know I’m not the property of the good ole USA. So how many guests will I be hosting this time?”
“Two,” Lou said.
“Three,” Ryan corrected.
“Sounds like someone doesn’t have his facts straight, Lou. Do I need to call Mark to get the story straight or are you going to tell me?” Don asked.
“Farrell, you know that I—”
“Listen Lou, you’re the one calling me for the favor. I have no problem with that location being utilized again. I’ve never said no to one of Mark’s request before. What concerns me is that Mark isn’t the one reaching out. My gut tells me he’s not privy to this plan. Am I right?”
Ryan was interested in hearing that answer as well.
“He’s not available at the moment,” Lou replied.
“Don’t fuck with me, Lou. If Mark’s not aware of what’s going on, then my offer will be retracted,” Don barked.
“Collins has been called away, regarding a family emergency.”
“Hannah?” Don asked. Ryan heard the concern in his voice.
“No. His father,” Lou answered.
“Shit. What happened? Bailey came back after the baby shower, and Casey went into labor. Nothing about Greg.”
“I don’t have any details. All I know is Greg needed to be rushed to the hospital, and Collins accompanied him and his mother.”
Ryan didn’t know how Mark was holding it all together with everything else going on. Any other time, and he’d have no problem letting this conversation continue. Right now he needed to know Donna and Sissie would be in a secure location and then get his ass back to the office. So I can be there if Carl decides to fuck with anyone.
“Maybe we can continue this conversation after the ladies are safe?” Ryan asked firmly.
“Ladies?” Don asked.
“My daughter, Donna, and my . . . friend, Sissie.” Ryan didn’t know how to describe her any other way. They hadn’t dated, only spent time together. Although he’d opened up to her more than he had any other person in many years, it didn’t mean they were anything other than friends. If we make it through this, maybe one day we can be more.
“Sissie from the Wild Sass?” Don asked.
Ryan didn’t know how they knew each other, but he hoped it was a good thing. With Sissie, he wasn’t sure. You either loved or hated her. What he liked about her was she didn’t care. She wasn’t changing for anyone. What you see is what you get. “That’s the one.”
“Lou, what the hell’s going on in Honeywell? Sissie’s not one I’d have thought would be . . . at risk,” Don said.
She probably wouldn’t be if it hadn’t been for me. And it seems I’ve endangered someone else’s life who means something to me.
Lou answered in his normal manner of not giving much of anything. “Things changed.”
“No shit! Unless you want me calling Mark, tell me what the fuck changed,” Don ordered.
“We took another hit.”
“Damn. First Johnson and now another SEAL. Collins must fucking want blood,” Don added. He knew he’d be setting out for retaliation if it was him.
“Part of the job.”
Ryan hated hearing that statement again and again. This is life. One that is lost forever. He respected what they do. God knows it took a special breed to be able to handle what these men faced on a daily basis. He wasn’t sure he could do it, but he knew he not only could but would do anything to protect the ones he loved. He thought about what he wanted to do to Carl. Guess I’m not as different after all.
“Anyone else?”
Ryan wanted to say Jack, but he waited for Lou to respond. Unfortunately, he let that question slip by unanswered. “So you see why we need accommodations.”
“Lou, you should’ve told me who it was for and cut through all this bullshit.”
“Tell me where, and I’ll get them there.” Ryan wanted to keep this thing moving. The faster he got them out of Honeywell, the better.
“What’s your name?” Don asked.
Ryan knew there weren’t any introductions, and that was okay with him. It seemed everyone knew each other, and he was the odd man out. “Ryan Watson.”
“And how are you involved in all this?” Don asked.
“Don’t answer that,” Lou interjected.
Don snorted. “Damn. Please don’t tell me you’re a SEAL. Heck, not a Marine either. I’ve had my fill with arrogant SOBs thinking they can tell me what to do.”
Ryan fit half that bill. “I’m not in the military.”
“Okay. So this is how it goes. I send my chopper to retrieve the ladies. They will be brought to an undisclosed location which only my pilot and I know. You either take it or not. What do you say?”
He wanted to tell Don he was just as much of an SOB as the rest of these guys, but for Donna and Sissie, he bit his tongue. “I’m going, too. I won’t be staying, but they go nowhere unless I deem it safe. Understood?”
“Sissie’s friend?” Don asked.
“Is that a problem?” Ryan asked. He had no idea why he was questioning that again.
“Just makes me want to meet you.”
For the first time, he saw Lou chuckle. Ryan didn’t find it one bit humorous. “What the hell are you laughing at?”
Lou shrugged. “Nothing. Not one thing.”
“I was asking Farrell,” Ryan stated angrily.
Don said, “I know who you are, and I know Sissie. I can’t picture the two of you together.”
“Meaning?”
“It means we’ll pick you up around midnight. Better pack some warm clothes ’cause they had some snow over the weekend,” Don informed him.
“Snow? Where the hell are you taking us, Siberia?” Ryan asked.
“Leaving the heat of Texas, it’ll feel like it,” Don said before he disconnected the call.
Ryan was questioning his judgment. I was thinking someplace tropical, not ice age. It was too late to come up with an alternate plan. Knowing Kevin felt it was safe enough for him and Marina did help ease his mind. Slightly.
Now all Ryan needed to do was deliver the news to Donna and Sissie. He knew he could talk Donna into going. Sissie was an entirely different story. Honeywell was her home, and if she knew about Jack being killed, he’d have a heck of a time getting her to leave. Sissie believed she was safe in Honeywell. And if she knew one of her own was killed, she’d never simply step away from it. As a vital part of the community, she would want to be there to be a part of the funeral. In fact, everyone would be incredibly surprised if Sissie wasn’t there planning everything. From what he knew, people leaned on her so much more than a bar owner. She was their friend. Getting her to even consider leaving was going to need to be handled delicately.
“You want me to tell them?” Lou offered.
“You might be a damn good soldier, but I’m not sure you’re good with the ladies.”
Lou pushed his chair away from the desk and smiled as he headed back out of the secret room. “Guess we finally found something we have in common.”
“I’ll tell you what you can do: get Sissie back to the Wild Sass. I need to talk to her alone.”
“Yeah. Thought you needed to,” Lou said as he nodded to the men to return to their jobs.
Don’t get used to it. He pulled his phone out of his pocket.
“I thought you wanted me to handle this,” Lou said as they entered the main street again.
“You get Sissie here,” Ryan said as he headed back to the hotel, leaving Lou alone in the street.
He knew he couldn’t return to the office today, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t run shit from here. At least until I’m off the grid.
His secretary answered the phone. That surprised him as it was barely eight A.M. “Is there a problem, Connie?”
She stammered. “I . . . well . . . we’ve had an issue.”
Normally, she’d have called him right away. This was out of character for her. “What type of issue, Connie?”
“It’s Henri. He’s . . . missing.”
Henri was Ryan’s go-to man and handled everything while he was away. There was no way he’d just up and leave while Ryan wasn’t in the office. He didn’t want to connect the dots to what was going on with Carl and here in Honeywell, but how couldn’t he? I don’t believe in coincidences.
“What makes you think he’s MIA?”
“He didn’t show up at the office yesterday, and when I called his home, his wife said she thought he was here. There’s no answer on his cell phone either, and he never went home last night. His wife called the police, but they said it’s too early to file a missing person report. Can you believe it? They actually asked if he was dating anyone. He’s married for goodness’ sake, and they asked his poor wife if Henri could’ve run off with some . . . floozy.”
Henri was as straight laced as they come. In all the years he worked for Ryan he never so much as looked at another woman, never mind flirted. He was all about his wife and family. There was no way he ran away with anyone. That didn’t explain why no one called him. There’s still a business to run. “Connie, why are you there right now?”
“Well, Carl asked me to come in.”
Carl? What the fuck does Carl have to do with this? He was afraid to ask. “Did Carl give you a reason why?”
“No. But he was here all day yesterday and stayed the night. He’s very worried about Henri. I’ve never seen him like this. But he stepped right up and said he’d handle everything until you come back. Isn’t that nice of him?” An hour ago I would have thought the same thing and felt thankful Carl had such good business sense. Now I want to kill the man. Thank fuck for Lou trusting me enough to arm me with the right information.
His blood boiled, and it took everything in him not to tell Connie to transfer the call to Carl so that he could tell him the fuck off. Instead, he needed to keep a level head. Lou was right about one thing, tipping their hand would endanger others. What the hell did you see, Henri, that made you disappear?
“Yeah, Connie. Carl’s a real stand-up guy.”
“Did you want to talk to him? He’s in your office now working on some contract he said needed attention.”
“No. Actually, can you do me a favor?”
“Of course, Mr. Watson.”
“Don’t tell anyone we spoke.”
“Okay. Is there a problem?” she asked.
He needed to sell this one big. “No. I just don’t want Carl to think I’m checking up on him. You know, it might shoot down his confidence.”
He could tell by the tone of Connie’s voice that she agreed. “Mr. Watson, I think you’re right. I won’t say a word to anyone.”
Good. But I plan to. Hanging up the phone Ryan sent a text to Lou and Collins on the SAT phone. He provided all the information he just learned. Don, you better be right about that place.
He didn’t expect much in a response from those two, but a bit more would’ve been nice. Just a one-word text. “Roger.” Translation. We’re not telling you what we’re doing. Although these guys were nearly impossible to deal with, he knew they were probably his only hope for any of them making it out alive.