“You don’t know?”
“No. But he’s about five-nine to five-eleven. Medium build.” At least he could give a height approximation from the man’s clothing.
“Well, if he’s on the teams that should narrow it down, but it might be a trick to find out where he’s stationed, slim to none I can get any intel on his location if he’s on a mission.”
“I was afraid of that.”
“Said slim to noneIcould. Lemme get Costello and Gina on this too, that’s all right with you?”
Kyle hesitated. He really didn’t like the idea of Gina, who co-owned Watchdog, knowing his private business. Of course, she was former CIA, so she might not bat an eye at looking someone up. Really, he had no choice.
“Kyle?”
“Yeah. Yeah, go ahead and loop them in. Be ideal if I could talk directly to the guy, but at the least, I just need to get a message to him, like yesterday.”
“On it. And brother?”
Shit. “Yeah?”
“What kinda trouble y’all in, you gotta call a SEAL?” Nash said it like he’d just asked his mama for a glass of lemonade.
“Not sure yet. And I got two problems, not connected. Well, kinda connected.”
“You need back-up, brother?” All the Southern charm had drained out of his voice
“Negative. No way you can get to Colorado anyway, not with this storm system. I’m staying about half a mile from the address I gave you.”
“Yeah, they’re calling it Blizzardgeddon or some shit. Bet Gina could get us there though.”
“Get me intel on those two guys and you’ve done me enough of a solid.”
“Copy that.” Nash hesitated, sounding like he wanted to say something else.
“Spit it out, Nash.” Kyle bit out the words, then regretted his tone.
“Y’all gonna spend Christmas out there? You got…somebody?”
Kyle grinned. “I’m staying at Arden Volker’s ranch until the storms pass and the airlines get their shit sorted. It’s…complicated.”
Nash chuckled. “Think I’m starting to see the picture.”
“Probably not.”
“Well, y’all take care. I’ll get back to you ASAP.”
“Thanks, Nash.” Then he added, “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, brother.”
* * *
Kyle moved through the dark night, his light sweeping over the ground in front of him, Camo at his side. The unfamiliar terrain felt hostile, as if the very ground beneath him wished him dead. He clicked off the light as they neared their target. The outbuildings were just ahead, dark shapes against the horizon but lighter than the mountains in the distance. His belly filled with foreboding as he heard a woman’s voice coming from one of the windows. She was crying, pleading.Jesus, it’s Arden! How?
A voice whispered in his ear:Let her do the last part.
He knew the distant rumble would come before he heard it.No. No! Not again!And the night lit up with fire raining from the sky.
“No!” Kyle sat bolt upright in bed with no idea where he was. Cold sweat covered his bare chest as he panted and looked around.
