“No.” He couldn’t hide the frustration that leaked around the word. “The sun wasn’t up, and we had no cover. I’m sure he was at the edge of the parking area, but I never saw him.”
“How many cars were there when you came back from your run?”
“Two. Mine and Zane’s.”
“Is that unusual? For no one else to be out there yet?”
“We run that trail almost every Monday. I would have expected to see a few cars in the lot by the time we left, but the absence of them didn’t strike me as odd. Although, we ran it faster than usual.”
“Faster?”
“We were both in a bad mood.”
“You run faster when you’re in a bad mood?”
He glared at her. “We did today.”
“When did you start?”
“Zane was running a few minutes late. We started warming up around five fifty, and we were running by six.”
“And you got back when?”
“Six seventeen.”
Faith did the math. They’d run a hair faster than a six-minute mile. Impressive. “Why were you in a bad mood?”
“I don’t think it’s pertinent to the case.”
“You’re pushing your luck with me, Agent Powell.” Faith unscrewed the lid of her drink. “I’ll decide if it’s pertinent. Why were you grouchy?” She took a swig and set it back on the ledge, then turned to him, waiting on his answer.
“Thad Baker was our running buddy. We were at his twins’ birthday party yesterday.”
“Ah.”
Faith continued to make her notes. She paused after a few moments, and her lips twisted as she stared at what she’d written. When she made eye contact again, her expression was thoughtful. “Thad Baker died eleven weeks ago. To the day.”
Luke hadn’t made the connection, but she was right.
“Two agents died today. Two almost died. The office was evacuated. Seems to me someone has a vendetta against the Raleigh office. What on earth have y’all been up to?”
Luke did not like where her comments were heading. “Our jobs.”
“No doubt. But your jobs have ticked somebody off. And by somebody, I mean the type of somebody depraved enough to lie in the weeds and shoot at you and Zane to herd you over to your cars so he, or she, could blow you to kingdom come. Then escape down the back road in time to blow Jared Smith’s condo to bits, and then get to the gym in time to take down Michael Weaver.”
Luke couldn’t force his brain and mouth to work at the same time. He couldn’t do anything but stare at her. Was she serious?
“I haven’t ruled out the possibility of three different attackers, but I lay in the spot your shooter did this morning. I saw the tire tracks out of sight of your vehicles. I left there and went straight to Jared’s, and then I drove to the gym and went inside. The timing doesn’t quite work with afternoon traffic, but I’ll drive it again in the morning. I’d be willing to give up Cherry Coke for the day if I’m wrong, but I think with early morning traffic and a well-planned strategy, we could be dealing with one very determined killer.” She flipped the cover over her iPad and slipped the pencil into its holder. “I may be reaching, but your attacker could be thesame one who blew up Thad Baker’s car. I’ve requested the full case file from the agent in charge of that investigation.”
She stood. “I am sorry for your losses, Luke. Truly. And I’m glad your injuries weren’t more serious. I’ll be in touch.”
And with that, she walked out the door.
“Wait!” He called after her, but if she heard him, she didn’t respond.
4
LUKE POWELL WASan arrogant, egotistical jerk.
