They talked a while longer, exploring other possibilities. Taggart asked if there was any chance Saldana and Whitmore could have had a mutual enemy, someone in the marines.
“I don’t think so,” Josh said. “Both of them were well liked, in and out of the military.”
Taggart downed the last of his lemonade. “If you think of anything, I’d appreciate a call.”
Taggart rose from his chair and handed Josh a business card. “Keep your eyes open, Josh. You’ve got the training and the experience. Word in town is you have two other marines working on the ranch who could be of help. Be watchful. With any luck, we’ll figure this out and have the guy in custody before much longer.”
“I appreciate your coming, Agent Taggart,” Josh said, also rising.
“Unless we’re somewhere official, it’s just Quinn.”
Josh extended a hand. “Thanks.”
He walked Taggart out on the porch. As soon as the SUV disappeared down the road, Tory came out on the porch and Cole and Noah walked out of the barn.
“Looked like a cop,” Noah said.
“FBI Agent Quinn Taggart,” Josh said. “He’s a friend of Linc’s.”
He set a hand on Tory’s waist, keeping her close even as he scanned their surroundings for anything out of place: colors, movement, shapes, sizes. Watching for trouble still came as naturally to him as breathing. Now he was glad.
“Was Taggart here about the murders?” Cole asked.
He nodded. “Looks like Pete and Coy were killed by the same guy. Could be he’s a terrorist.”
“Whoa. Say that again.” Noah wiped the sweat off his forehead with an elbow.
“Remember the airport bombing?” Josh said. “FBI thinks the guy who planned it got away. There’s a chance he’s responsible for killing Pete and Coy. Might have something to do with us fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.”
“Us?” Cole stepped forward. “I don’t think I like the sound of that.”
“Not if two parts of thatusare dead,” Noah added.
“They’re still investigating,” Josh said. “Could be something else altogether, but it’d be a good idea if all of us kept an eye out. Taggart thinks it shouldn’t be long before they’ll have the guy in custody.”
Cole’s jaw hardened. “We’re already on the lookout for Bridger. What’s one more asswipe?”
On that note, the men walked back into the barn. The sound of hammers and the buzz of a saw replaced the unpleasant conversation.
“So I guess we don’t get to go for our ride,” Tory said glumly.
“Darlin’, I’d really like to take you, but it’s probably not a good idea. Maybe the FBI will get lucky and catch this guy right away.”
“Sure, then all we’ll have to worry about is Damon.” She sighed. “When do our lives get back to normal?”
Since it didn’t look like it was going to happen anytime soon, Josh made no reply.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“I’m not staying in the house,” Tory said. “I have things I need to do. I’m not going to hide out for God knows how long until they catch the killer—if they ever do.”
She propped a hand on her hip. “Who’s to say he won’t just disappear somewhere in the country or head back to Afghanistan or whatever hellhole he came from?”
The corner of Josh’s mouth kicked up. “He won’t be able to get through the airports.”
“Yeah? Well, he got in somehow. Which means he knows how to get back out. Are you going to stay in the house? Because if you recall,youcould be a target—not me.”
His blue eyes pinned her, but they held a trace of humor. “I’m supposed to be your boss, remember?”
