When Randi left the cemetery, she headed directly for the hotel. If saying goodbye to Johnson hadn’t been stressful enough, seeing McVeigh had finished her off. The entire night her head pounded, and nothing she did alleviated it.
Giving up on any sleep, she dragged herself from the bed, slipped on a pair of baggy sweats, and pulled out her laptop. She intended to stay in town a few days and do some sightseeing since this was her first trip to Hawaii. No matter how beautiful the place was, Randi felt an urgency to get out of there. Even though there’s nothing waiting for me back in Florida, it’s the closest thing I have to home.
Florida was Maggie’s home, not hers. If she had her way, she’d be back in Virginia, sitting on her porch in her favorite rocking chair, reading a good book. It was the place she spent all her time when she wasn’t on assignment with Homeland Security. She’d thought being an agent for DHS was tough. It wasn’t anything compared to what she’d faced walking in Maggie’s shoes. Shoes, boots, and fatigues. Yeah, Maggie, you were one tough Marine. I can wear your shoes, but I’ll never fill them like you did.
However, Randi didn’t have a job, a home, or a life to return to. She’d said goodbye to it all the day she declared herself dead. It was bad enough she’d lost her sister, but she’d also lost all her friends. She hadn’t thought about their heartache until sympathy cards arrived at Maggie’s. “Sorry to hear about the loss of your sister.” Several came with lengthy notes about times they’d spent with her. Randi had a life. Keyword: had. Now all I have are memories.
What scared her the most was becoming complacent about living as Maggie. Years ago she’d struggled to maintain her sister’s image for even a few minutes. Now pretending to be Maggie was second nature. In some ways, it was easier to be Maggie than herself. I’ve become so good at fooling others I have to watch out that I don’t fool myself. Maggie can’t be my new normal. She shook off the thought. I must’ve been crazy to think for one minute I would be able to go back to my old life. Randi wasn’t even sure what normal was any longer. If I’m not the same person, why would I think anything else would be the same?
It was settled; all there was left for her was being Maggie. As sick as it made her feel, she needed to return to Maggie’s home, her job, and her friends. This façade needed to continue for a bit longer. And maybe forever. But God, I hope not. It’s not fair to me, to Maggie, or to everyone who has been drawn into this tangled web of lies.
Before worrying about the lies, she needed to change her flight and get off this island today. Florida might not be her first choice, but it sure as hell was better than having to face Wyatt again.
Randi thought it’d take a few simple clicks then she could pack and leave. Unfortunately, the website said there were no seats available on any earlier flights. When she called the airlines directly, they confirmed what the website showed. She tried begging and pleading and even tried to use her active duty status, but received the same answer. Refusing to give up, she tried a different airline, not caring if she had to pay double the cost. Still nothing. The travel agent informed her there was a huge convention ending that day, and she was lucky to have a flight at all this week. The airlines were overbooked and people were getting bumped or having their flights canceled. Great, now I need to worry about getting bumped off my flight in a few days, never mind finding an earlier one.
Filled with frustration, she closed the laptop, got off the bed, grabbed her room key and headed down to the lobby. If I’m stuck here, it sure isn’t going to be without coffee.
The lobby was practically empty. That was the first stroke of luck she’d had since she arrived. She stopped at the breakfast nook, poured herself a cup of coffee, and headed back to her room. She’d never enjoyed solitude before. Over the past few years, she’d begun to crave it.
Randi entered the elevator and pressed the number to her floor. Her cell phone rang as the doors began to close. As she reached to pull it out of her pocket to check the caller ID, the coffee tipped forward, spilling the entire contents down the front of her sweatshirt. Really? Is there anything more that can go wrong?
She should’ve been thankful not to have been burned by the hot liquid. Her clothes had absorbed most of it. Randi rode the elevator back to her floor but didn’t get off. With the lobby empty, she wasn’t going to waste time changing. I need the coffee more than a change of clothes.
Pushing the button for the lobby, she started the process over. Normally she skipped breakfast, including coffee. Today she needed it desperately, and breakfast was not cooperating one bit.
When the doors opened, she was glad to see the lobby was still empty. She tossed her empty Styrofoam coffee cup into the trash before looking at her phone. One missed call. Mark. She tried his number but it went directly to voice mail. I’m sure if it’s important, he’ll find me. Somehow he always does.
There were times she questioned how Mark always knew what was going on with her. She wasn’t part of his team, but even then it made no sense for him to keep such close tabs on her. Someone having my back isn’t a bad thing, as long as it’s for the right reasons. Mark never had given her any indication that it was for anything other than her own wellbeing.
Scurrying to the nook, she quickly poured another cup and was about to head right back up when she saw a Belgium waffle maker. Rumbling in her stomach reminded her she’d locked herself away in her room last night without eating dinner.
Although there were many things Randi missed about being herself, being reclusive wasn’t one of them. Maggie had been the outgoing one. First to approach a stranger and strike up a conversation and first to make new friends. There was no way the real Maggie would’ve spent the night sitting in a hotel room. She’d have been out amongst the locals. Especially in a place as beautiful and friendly as Hawaii. Randi could force herself to do it, but not comfortably.
Maggie had been relentless and teased her all the time that if she didn’t put herself out there she’d end up an old spinster. Growing up, Randi had ignored Maggie’s comments and stuck her nose back in a book. Maggie had said Randi should listen to her older sister. That always drove Randi crazy as Maggie was only three minutes older, but that hadn’t stopped Maggie from trying to play the big sister role.
If it hadn’t been part of the job requirement to travel, Randi would’ve spent every night doing the same thing and not getting bored. Reading had been her escape. Now she couldn’t remember the last time she’d picked up a book and read for pleasure. I could’ve used the distraction last night instead of staring at the ceiling all night.
She might not want to socialize with anyone, but she couldn’t spend another minute sitting in that room. Looking around, she noticed how cozy this place was. There were several tables where guests could sit to enjoy a bite to eat. That didn’t appeal to her, but she saw what did. There were glass sliding doors leading out to a patio with more tables and chairs. She noticed there were even rocking chairs outside. It was so inviting that she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sit and wait for the sunrise. From the look of the sky, that should happen shortly. The only good thing about being up so early, I get to enjoy this all by myself without any interruptions.
Figuring she had a couple minutes before sunrise, Randi decided a waffle was worth the carbs. She could always go for a run later and burn it off. Laughing softly to herself, she poured the batter into the hot waffle iron. As soon as she closed the lid, she realized she’d used way too much batter. As the top pressed down harder the sticky batter began to ooze out the sides. Am I really this out of practice?
Randi went to lift the lid so the mess didn’t go any farther. Like the rest of her morning, what started out as a small mishap became a disaster. The sleeve of her shirt caught on the handle and spun the waffle maker upside down with the lid up. The batter now wasn’t just oozing, but splattering all over the counter and the floor. “Oh shit!”
Quickly, she reached out for the paper napkins trying to contain the spill. Thankfully she was able to clean it all up, so no one would ever be the wiser. Throwing the last of the paper towels into the trash, she picked up her coffee and took a sip only to find it was now cold. At this point, she didn’t care. Caffeine was all she was concerned about. Downing the contents she walked over to the trash can and tossed in the empty cup.
She could see the sun just starting to rise through the glass door. Even that seemed to have lost its luster for her. Letting out a heavy sigh, her shoulders sagged in defeat. Randi had thought that once the person responsible for Maggie’s death had been dealt with, her life could go back to normal. Unfortunately, my life is a hot mess just like my morning has been. Probably worse.
Never had she thought it could get worse, but the last twenty-four hours had proved differently. Over the years Randi had met up with many people from Maggie’s past. It had been a regular occurrence, as her sister was more popular than Randi had even guessed. Thankfully she’d been able to bluff her way through most conversations. When things got difficult, she used the excuse of deploying in the morning and needing to pack. No one ever questioned that line.
As she watched the sun slowly creep up into the sky, the view hidden by darkness now became clear. That’s how she felt on the inside, a dark empty shell of who she used to be. She always knew she wasn’t Maggie, but now she didn’t feel like she was Randi either. Somehow through all this, she’d lost her own identity.
Mark had made it very clear she couldn’t return to her old life. Although she hadn’t let him know, his statement didn’t come as a surprise. Not for the reasons he’d provided, but for one much deeper.
When her sister had been murdered, a piece of Randi died with her. Searching for her killer had given her a purpose to go on. Being driven, even by something as horrible as searching for her killer, had seemed to keep Maggie alive. Actually, pretending to be her for six years seemed to have done that too.
Meeting up with Wyatt yesterday had shaken her to the core. It wasn’t just that he’d approached her at the worst time possible but, as far as Randi knew, Wyatt was the one and only man Maggie had ever said she loved. Even then, Maggie hadn’t said much.
For as outgoing as Maggie was, she could be tightlipped. Because Maggie hadn’t shared much about Wyatt, Randi knew it had been serious. Just one text, saying McVeigh was the one and she couldn’t picture her life without him.
Randi had asked Maggie to send her a picture so she could check out this love of hers. Yet both Randi and Maggie hated to have their pictures taken so when Maggie said she didn’t have any, it came as no surprise. What did blow her mind was the one-eighty Maggie did a week later. In yet another text Maggie said she broke it off with McVeigh. When Randi asked, all Maggie would say was it was for his sake, nothing more.
Randi had asked her point blank what was wrong. Obviously it was breaking Maggie’s heart, but it was a subject she wouldn’t discuss. She’d spent sleepless nights worrying about her sister. When Randi received a package with an untraceable burn phone inside, her fears escalated. There was only one number stored inside. The number to Maggie’s burn phone! Obviously meant for only us to use to communicate.
That was the beginning of what would become the most painful time of her life. And now I have to face the one man you loved and pretend to be you. Only to break his heart a second time.
She wished Wyatt was a jerk. It’d make it so much easier. But Maggie wouldn’t have loved him, given him up to protect him, if he was. Randi could tell even from the brief encounter that he was different from anyone she’d met before. Wyatt carried himself with a confident manner that was sexy as hell. It didn’t hurt that he also was tall, dark, and handsome. There was only one thing wrong. He was Maggie’s.
Randi might not be as attuned to reading people as Mark was, but she’d still felt a mix of emotions from Wyatt as he’d looked at her. He didn’t seem surprised to see her even though they hadn’t seen each other in six years. He did hug me, but it wasn’t the type of hug I would’ve expected from an old lover. More like . . . a kid sister hug.
She was trying not to read too much into it because it was a one-time, chance meeting. His feelings, or lack of them, should mean nothing to her. Somehow that troubled her. Randi didn’t want him to be in pain and suffering, yet she would’ve liked him to have more feelings than he’d expressed. I should be happy he wasn’t irate or bitter about the breakup. Maybe he didn’t love Maggie as much as she’d loved him.
Randi knew that’s what kept her up all night. People who actually thought Maggie was alive and well meant Randi was left alone to mourn. It’s a weight I carry and I wish there was someone else who knew what I was going through. Someone else who missed her laughter, her smile, and her endless chatter.
Closing her eyes, Randi fought back the tears. She missed her twin more than she thought humanly possible. Although assuming Maggie’s identity was what needed to be done, the constant reminder of her tragic death was like a knife to her heart. Not even the man you gave up to protect knows you’re gone. I wonder if he knows what he meant to you.
Randi resented him for something he wasn’t even aware of. It made no sense at all, but she couldn’t control the emotion. I wonder if Wyatt could have stopped her if he knew what Maggie was going to do. God knows I tried and couldn’t.
She realized it wasn’t Wyatt she was angry with, but herself. Randi felt she’d failed Maggie. Although she’d followed through on the request to protect Marina Brimlow from General Floyd, she hadn’t been able to protect the one person who meant everything to her, Maggie. If only you would’ve listened to me. There had to be another way to save the world.
Randi wasn’t ignorant to the difficulties one could face in any branch of the government. She’d been working with Homeland Security long enough to have faced her own issues. There were so many levels of bogus bureaucracy that many times serious matters slipped through the cracks and were never addressed until it was too late. You knew it, too, Maggie. Otherwise, you’d never have tried taking on someone like Floyd and the bastards he was working for all by yourself.
Randi wasn’t any less foolish as she followed in Maggie’s footsteps. I got lucky and survived. Not everyone was as lucky as me.
Maggie was only one causality out of so many she knew of. It had taken years to bring the nightmare to an end. Was it possible that it was over? No more senseless deaths?
Her heart ached as she thought back to Maggie. They say time heals all wounds. You begin to forget. How could that be when they were identical twins, and each time she looked in the mirror all she saw was her sister? But you’re not here anymore. The face in the mirror isn’t yours and, sometimes, I’m not sure it’s even mine.
For the first time in many years, Randi broke down, overwhelmed with sorrow. Her body shook as the sobs ripped through her. She’d buried them so long they now felt like hot lava erupting and running down her cheeks. Knowing she still had to pretend to be Maggie was ripping her apart. There was no moving forward for her. Her sister couldn’t be laid to rest, and she could never return to being Randi.
Even now, years later, each text message that had been sent between the two replayed in her mind. Written words never expressed how dire the situation had been. Had Maggie intentionally downplayed it, knowing damn well that Randi never would’ve let her do this alone? I should’ve gotten on a plane to North Carolina the moment I received that burn phone. She was the strongest, bravest woman I’ve ever known, but I should’ve been there with her. If I’d only known.
Somehow, deep inside, she knew her sister wasn’t telling the entire story. Unlike Maggie, Randi never thought it would’ve ended this way. She’d encountered many evil people in her own job, but she never could’ve imagined how evil those terrorists were. Nothing was sacred. Not their lives or anyone else’s. It was so much bigger than Maggie realized. Surprisingly, General Floyd wasn’t the biggest predator in the jungle. I just hope we got them all because I’m not sure I can do this anymore. It’s . . . slowly killing me.
Randi realized just how empty and alone she truly was. The Collins family was kind and supportive, but they were not hers. At the end of the day, she was just as she’d started, alone. And this is how it’s always going to be.
Everything she’d done had been her choice. Randi, no different from Maggie, gave all she had. A shudder rippled through her as she realized there was nothing else for her, no purpose in her life. She wished she could disappear, wipe the slate clean, and start a new, fresh life. Not as Randi but definitely not as Maggie either. It was time to say goodbye to them both. Who will I become?
Her life seemed twisted in a sailor’s knot, unable to give or slip, but with one right move, it would come loose. All she needed to do was find the way to untangle the mess she was in. Mark was working on it from his end, but she couldn’t sit back and let anyone control her life, even if his intentions were honorable. A change had to be made and, as soon as she was off this island, she was going to initiate it.
I need you so much right now, Sis. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. The person she trusted with her life, the one she would’ve reached out to at a time like this, couldn’t answer her. “Oh, Maggie, I miss you.” Her voice was barely a whisper as she choked back her sobs.
In her own sorrows, Randi lost track of her surroundings, something she couldn’t afford to do. When she felt a hand touch her shoulder firmly, she almost jumped out of her own skin. Her body tensed, ready for action. Ducking down, she spun around while bringing one arm up to protect her face with the other ready to strike. Maggie had died with a bullet to the back of her head. If Randi was about to die, she wanted to face her attacker, and she wasn’t going down without a fight.
He’d anticipated her maneuver, grabbing her wrist to prevent her fist from making contact. She wasn’t any match for his brute strength, and with one quick tug, Randi fell toward him, crashing against his rock-hard body. She had never felt so petite and defenseless. If he was out to harm her, he could have. She barely had time to register that this man wasn’t a total stranger. Without meeting his eyes, she knew by his scent it was Wyatt.
Although they’d only met briefly yesterday, it was one of the things that lingered with her long after they’d departed. She couldn’t even describe it. Not musky, but masculine as all heck, and it pulled at her in a way she’d never experienced before. It was as though he was familiar to her even though he wasn’t. They had no connection and never would, so whatever this was, she knew what it wasn’t. It’s not real.
Randi couldn’t allow herself to enjoy even one more second of being in his arms. She had questions that needed to be answered. Like how long have you been standing there and what the hell are you doing at my hotel?
She was afraid she knew the answer. For the last six years, Randi had looked over her shoulder, waiting for someone to figure out the truth. Wyatt didn’t appear to be an ignorant man. If anyone was going to pick up on her deception, it was him.
This wasn’t the first time she’d been filled with panic. Every time someone called her Master Sargent Graham she felt the knot in her stomach. The feeling with Wyatt was totally different, more intense. Maybe it was the tender way he was holding her. It had been so long since she felt this way. Safe. Randi wished she could keep her eyes closed and never leave his embrace. That wasn’t reality, and she had her fill with living a lie. Starting another one, especially with this man, was a huge mistake.
Although she wanted to pull herself away, her body betrayed her by melting into his arms. A slice of heaven even for a moment might be the only solace I get from this hell I’ve been living. No matter how lovely it felt, it was bittersweet as she reminded herself why Wyatt was here. He was holding his old love, Maggie. One who loved him too.
Randi felt sick to her stomach. She loved her sister so much yet here she was attracted to her ex. It didn’t matter that Maggie had broken it off with Wyatt. Randi knew the reason why. It wasn’t because they didn’t connect. Not because they’d had issues. The only reason Maggie stopped seeing Wyatt was because she loved him so much she couldn’t bring herself to tell him what danger was heading her way. Maggie didn’t want anyone she loved getting hurt. Problem is, dear sister, we’re all still hurting without you.
Part of Randi felt angry at Wyatt for holding her in such a personal way. If he had any inclination of who she truly was, that wouldn’t be happening.
This charade has to stop. Slowly pulling herself out of his arms, she continued to avoid meeting his gaze as she asked softly, “What are you doing here?”
She didn’t need to look up to know he was staring at her. His eyes seemed to burn right into her. Randi didn’t want to see the desire. It was bad enough she could feel it in his body. It’s not me you want.
“I’m staying here.” Wyatt’s voice was even deeper than she remembered it.
Oh, of course. Of all the hotels on this island why wouldn’t you be staying at the same one as me? Because, that’s just my luck. She hadn’t seen him before, but then again she hadn’t been in the right frame of mind. The only thing she’d been thinking of for days was getting through Johnson’s funeral. Thinking her stress level would reduce after that was wishful thinking now.
“I didn’t realize that,” Randi said flatly. Coincidence. That’s all this is.
“Nate’s staying here too.”
The last thing she needed was another person joining them when she was so off her game. “Nate?” I guess I’m supposed to know who that is. Shame I don’t know him any more than I do you. She had no choice but to look him square in the eyes. Her fears were confirmed. His expression was more shock than surprise. It was obvious whoever Nate was he and Wyatt were close, and he expected her to have remembered him. A friend? A coworker? Shit, this is getting too complicated. This is why I don’t lie. But that seems to be all I’ve done since Maggie died. You’d think after all this time it wouldn’t bother me anymore. But lying to Wyatt bothers me more than I can say, and I don’t know why.
Wyatt peered at her for a long moment before asking gruffly, “Are you telling me you totally forgot my brother?”
Right along with you. Randi knew he wasn’t happy with her. There was no reason why that should bother her one stinking bit. He meant nothing to her. So why do I feel like shit? Oh, because he’s innocent in all this and seems like such a nice guy. He doesn’t deserve this.
“No. Of course not. Just . . .” she stammered trying to think of a plausible excuse why Maggie wouldn’t remember his brother. How about, I didn’t remember your name, and I’m Maggie’s sister? “I’ve had a lot on my mind and didn’t sleep well. How is Nate doing?”
Wyatt looked at her long and hard, then softened a bit as though he accepted her answer. Becoming proficient at lying wasn’t something she was proud of. A necessary evil, but evil all the same.
“He’s joining us for breakfast so you can ask him yourself.”
And I thought breakfast couldn’t get any worse. She didn’t even know if Maggie and Nate had ever met in person. For all Randi knew they were almost complete strangers. Then again, Maggie was so outgoing it wouldn’t surprise me if she and Wyatt double dated with Nate and his girl. If that was the case, she was about to enter into a casual breakfast that’d feel more like a firing squad.
She watched as Wyatt looked down at his T-shirt then at her sweatshirt. “I think we both need to change first.”
Randi couldn’t believe her eyes. White waffle batter clung to the front of his wrinkle-free blue shirt. How she missed it in the first place was beyond her. It was not a small spot. More like someone intentionally threw it at him. Looking down at her sweatshirt, it became clear how it had come to be all over his shirt. She’d taken the time to clean up the counters, never noticing what a hot mess she was. Catching a look at herself in a mirror hanging on the wall next to her, she was shocked to see batter even in her hair. Lovely. Whether it was out of sheer exhaustion or mere irony, Randi burst out laughing. Not only did she smell like coffee, but she looked like she’d been in a food fight and lost. Holding the sticky strands in the air, she said, “Looks like we’re taking our breakfast to go.”
Wyatt lightened up, and his deep husky laugh joined hers. Shaking his head, he said before walking away, “I’ll tell Nate we’ll be doing lunch instead.”
Wyatt didn’t believe in luck or coincidences. Doing so could get a man killed in his line of work, and he’d seen enough of that already. Yesterday wasn’t the first funeral he’d attended where the cause of death was vague. Government protected its own interests no matter whose life was left in shambles.
That’s why he chose to leave the Army four years ago. He’d come across highly sensitive information regarding a Blackhawk chopper crash. It hadn’t been shot down by friendly fire as all the news stations had stated. It was actually sabotage. Someone had planted an IED inside the chopper. When he brought the report to his commanding officer, he was told, “Drop it. You never saw this.” He tried pushing the subject but was threatened with a court-martial. From that day on, he understood truth didn’t matter in a world driven by corruption and greed.
Eight men had died in that so-called accident. All he could think about was their families. As soon as his tour was up, he decided not to re-enlist. Nate had been a police detective in Florida at that time. When Wyatt told him why he didn’t re-up, Nate chose to follow his lead, saying he was tired of enforcing rules that protected the guilty while innocent people suffered.
Wyatt wasn’t sure that was the only reason Nate left the force when he did. Something told him it had more to do with Maggie suddenly breaking it off. Nate wanted out of Florida. The timing of it all left him with a question he couldn’t ask for fear Nate would tell him to fuck off. At least, that’d be my answer if someone asked me.
That didn’t mean Wyatt didn’t like working with his brother. Hell, the two of them made one powerful team. If Nate had been in the Army, he’d have wanted him to cover his ass. The man didn’t miss much. He could look at a person and assess within seconds if they were hiding something. The man is a fucking walking lie detector. I just hope his judgment isn’t clouded when it comes to Maggie.
There was something wrong with the entire situation. Maggie had been involved with his kid brother, but when she’d fallen into his arms earlier, she didn’t look like she wanted it to end. Hell, if I would’ve tried to kiss her, she would’ve let me. That’s fucking wrong.
He knew Maggie had been an outgoing and outspoken woman when she was dating Nate. She’d never given any indication that she wanted him nor had he ever been attracted to her. So what changed? Something sure as hell has. If the way she looked at him and reacted to him wasn’t bad enough, he needed to fight his own desire. You felt too damn good in my arms. That can’t . . . won’t happen again.
Seeing Maggie or asking her to join him for a bite to eat sure as hell hadn’t been part of the agenda when he booked this trip. She was becoming a distraction he didn’t need right now. Hell, not ever.
His attendance at Johnson’s funeral had a deeper purpose than honoring a fallen hero. From everything he’d learned, Lionel’s death could’ve been avoided. No one should’ve known about the safe house or the rendezvous point, yet both had been compromised. That meant only one thing: there was a mole closely woven into the mix.
Wyatt figured it was someone the SEAL team knew and trusted, so they’d probably show up at Johnson’s funeral. Cocky bastards usually do. Killing someone wasn’t enough. They needed to know they’ve gotten away with it.
Wyatt had scanned the crowd thoroughly, watching for anyone who seemed to be avoiding detection. No one person jumped out at him. The only one who seemed to be trying to read him was Mark Collins. That didn’t make any sense, but he was definitely in the position to make shit happen. Not only was Collins calling all the shots, but he also had his team out on a mission without government approval. Collins wasn’t just teetering on the line, he’d crossed it so many times Wyatt wasn’t sure he knew where the lines were anymore.
Would he have gone so far as to let his second in command get killed? What would he gain by doing so? Whatever they were doing, everyone involved is tight-lipped. There aren’t any official documents, sealed or not, to say what went down.
As far as Wyatt was concerned, that meant every member of Collins’s SEAL team was a suspect, including Collins himself. That funeral was the one place they were all together where he could watch each of them without being observed. These men were the elite and never let down their guard. Yesterday was as close as he was ever going to get to seeing them vulnerable.
He’d had every intention of making his way over to them and striking up a conversation. But the plan changed when he saw Maggie. He scanned the crowd, but each time he’d stop on her. She, out of all the service personnel in attendance, was barely keeping it together. It was apparent this was something personal to her. That confused him as there didn’t seem to be a connection between Johnson and Graham. Nothing that was official anyway. Could they have been lovers and no one knew? Those tears in her eyes said they shared more than just service to the United States.
Wyatt didn’t need to chase after Johnson’s lovers to find a mole. Yet, when Collins came over and spoke to Maggie, he knew something was wrong. She didn’t seem surprised one bit by Mark’s interruption and was too comfortable walking away with him. That was when Wyatt moved her from insignificant to suspect. He wasn’t sure what she knew, but he’d bet his life that she knew plenty.
He normally would bring Nate up to date right away, but Wyatt knew his judgment was clouded right now. Was he targeting her because she was guilty or was it because of his fucked up attraction to her? Either way, this wasn’t something he was willing to share with Nate yet. Things were complicated enough. Nate was coming into this with a fresh set of eyes. All Wyatt could do was set up the meeting, back off, and see where it took them. He hoped for Nate’s sake that he was wrong about Maggie. The last thing he needed was his kid brother falling for her all over again if she was, in fact, the mole they were looking for.
He needed to trust his brother to stay focused. That was going to be easier said than done. Something about Maggie right now was so fucking alluring. If he was having a difficult time resisting, he could only imagine what Nate was going to feel.
Once again he felt that stab in his gut. There was a bro code that couldn’t be broken. So Wyatt needed to keep reminding himself she might be the reason Johnson was dead, then any craving he had for her would be snuffed out. If Nate says she’s innocent, I’ve got a different set of problems on my hands.
There was a knock on his hotel room door. He didn’t need to ask who it was. Since they were kids, Nate always had a certain way of knocking. Almost more a rolling his knuckles on the door than an actual knock. It drove him crazy back then, but now it was as close to a secret handshake as one could get.
He opened the door and found Nate holding his duffel bag. “The least you could’ve done was make sure I had a room when I arrived.” Nate brushed past Wyatt and tossed his bag on the bed. “Why are we at this hotel again? I thought you’d want one by the ocean.”
“Maggie’s staying at this one.”
Nate turned, arched a brow, and asked, “And you’re keeping an eye on her why?”
Damn it, Nate. Don’t pull that bullshit on me. I’m not the one hiding something. That wasn’t entirely true, but it was something he could handle. Right after lunch Wyatt was heading back to the mainland. He had leads to follow up on. Normally he’d delegate that task. Right now it was where he wanted to be. Anywhere but here.
“Figured it was easier since we’re meeting for lunch.”
Nate walked to a chair by the window, plopped himself down, and asked, “What happened to breakfast?”
Even though Nate was playing it cool, Wyatt knew this was the first time they’d see each other since their breakup. Nate wasn’t still in love with Maggie, but he was sure he had mixed feelings about seeing her again. If there’d been any other way, he never would’ve involved Nate. This mission is too important to fuck up. You’re the one person that’ll see what I’m missing. “I had a run-in with waffle batter.”
Wyatt pulled off his soiled T-shirt and tossed it across the room roughly, the frustration from the encounter with Maggie lingering. One meal. One hour tops. Simple.
“Once again, why are we staying here? I like my food brought to me, not thrown at me.” Nate laughed, but Wyatt didn’t find any humor in it.
He was glad Nate was lighthearted about all this. What Nate didn’t know was how quickly that was about to change. No doubt once you start talking to her, you’ll see what I have seen. She’s not the same person. As far as Wyatt was concerned, the change was for the better. That didn’t mean Nate was going to agree.
“Since we have a few hours to kill, why don’t we review the police report?”
Nate shrugged. “We can look at it a hundred times if you like. I’m telling you, what it says does not match what happened. We need to speak to someone who was actually on site when Johnson was killed. Hell, it doesn’t even mention Johnson, but we both know he was there.”
The only way they knew that to be true was the DNA he’d left behind in a pool of blood at the scene. Since Johnson’s DNA wasn’t in the system, they had nothing to link it to. However, Wyatt was able to obtain that from Johnson’s parents. We know where he died, and it wasn’t overseas as his parents were told. What he was doing there and why Collins is covering it up are the two facts we need to blow the lid off this pile of lies.
“There’s something we’re missing.”
“The only way to find it is by going to Providence and talking to the cops directly.” Wyatt arched a brow at Nate. “Trust me, Wyatt, there’s always someone who will cave and give you the information you want. You just need to find their price.”
He wished Nate was joking, but time and time again, they used that exact tactic to obtain what they wanted. One problem. We have no idea what they were given or threatened with to shut their mouths in the first place.
Nate reached into the briefcase he’d rested against the chair. Pulling out several files, he tossed some photos to Wyatt.
Wyatt looked at the satellite photos of the crime scene. He could make out two choppers on the ground. One seemed to have a person outside, and the other seemed empty.
“When was this taken?” he asked as he continued to flip through the pictures.
“Since no one had an exact time of the shootout, I’d say within an hour of Johnson getting killed.”
Wyatt looked up and asked, “Nothing from the actual shooting?”
Nate shook his head. “I’m still working on that piece.”
This puzzled Wyatt. These weren’t choppers for hire. They were US military property. It explained Johnson being there but that’s all. Was this a meeting gone wrong? And why two choppers? Who else was there besides Johnson? These pictures only added more questions to the list. Each time he thought something lined up, he was thrown a curveball.
Closing his eyes, he tried to recall everything they’d learned so far about that shooting. He already knew Johnson hadn’t been alone because someone had taken his body. It couldn’t be the pilot because he would have flown the other chopper out of there. Who was the other person there? Whoever it was, they knew how to pilot a chopper. Based on the rounds found on the ground, there were multiple weapons. Johnson sure as hell wasn’t carrying only one. There weren’t any guns found on the dead men there either, so someone took the time to collect them.
This thorough cleanup had Mark Collins written all over it. Every detail said major covert op. Was it possible this was a mission, and people were once again being told a boatload of lies? It sure as hell wouldn’t surprise me.
Something still nagged at him. Mark hadn’t approached Maggie for no reason. He was warning her about something. Was it not to talk to him? That’d be a wise move in Mark’s eyes, but Maggie, if you’re working for them and part of this cover-up, trust me, you’ll go down with them.
Wyatt passed the pictures back to Nate and said, “I’m heading to Rhode Island right after lunch. I’ll need you to keep an eye on Maggie until further notice.”
“I was a cop, Wyatt. I should be there, not you.”
That was true, but he wasn’t going to be the one staying behind with Maggie. This wasn’t just about getting the job done. He needed distance from her, not tomorrow, but today. His tone was sharper than he’d meant when he answered. “I call the shots. I’m going.”
Nate got up and headed toward the door. “You’re right. This bad decision is all on you.”
He wasn’t going to argue with Nate. Staying was a far worse choice. “Where are you going?”
Nate didn’t even turn. “I didn’t fly all night just to sit in a hotel. I’m heading to the beach and catching some waves while I can.”
Before the door shut, Wyatt called out, “Lobby at noon.”
He could tell Nate was pissed. Probably thinks I don’t trust you. You’re wrong, Brother. It’s me I don’t trust. Not here. Not with her.