Jethro threw back his head and laughed, the sound deep and comforting. Now that was a sound she didn’twant to leave.
It was too bad she understood the danger—this time—better than he did. Theman was right.
Evil really did exist.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Thursday morning Jethro finished his second cup of coffee as both Gemma and Trudy slept. He leaned back against the counter and relived the night before. While he should probably regret having slept with Gemma, he didn’t.
Not inthe slightest.
He wiped a hand across his brow and rolled his shoulders. Then he picked up his phone and called his former boss.
“Cecil Jones,” he answered. Jones was so nothis last name.
“It’s Jethro. The US feds have a video of Fletcher in a cell somewhere. What do you know about it?” Jethro turned and poured his third coffee into the mug.
Cecil was quiet for a moment. “Not a bloody thing. Is the video authentic?”
Jethro prodded a fresh bruise across his hipbone. “I don’t know. My guess is no because apparently Fletcher is leaving doctored videos all over the place. He has my face, DNA, and prints associated with two, most likely three, homicide victims.” Jethro took another drink of the thick coffee, watching the storm through the back window. “Do you have any idea what he’s up to?”
“No. Your brother is cattail crazy, and I can’t read him any better than you,” Cecil said. He’d managed both Hanson brothers, and he took the failure of Fletcher as hard as Jethro. “I want to bring you home.”
“Can’t leave,” Jethro said. “Besides, I like Fletcher on foreign soil better than at home. He has connections and funds here, but nothing like he’d have at home.” Plus, there was Gemma. Jethro hadn’t taken care of her problem yet. Both she and Trudy were in danger, and he wouldn’t move an inch if they needed cover. “Can youget the video?”
“I can try, but the Yanks don’t love to share. I’ll be in touch.” Cecil clicked off.
Jethrodialed Brigid.
“Hi, Jet,” the chipper woman said. “What’s up?”
“Did you have any luck requesting the videos of me from HDD?” Jethro asked. While most of the team worked for HDD, they weren’t exactly on the inside of the agency, even with Nari’s connections.
Brigid sighed. “Not yet. Because we’re in Oregon, I’m trying to go through official channels, but Rutherford is blocking me. I could just hack into the system, but I kinda promised I wouldn’t do that anymore. I don’t want to get fired. But if you want me todo it, I will.”
His chest settled. “Let’s hold off on breaking federal laws for now, but I appreciate the offer. How is it going in Oregon?”
Even her chuckle had an Irish brogue. “I’m not certain yet. We’ve gone through Monty Cameron’s life, and we’ve tracked down two ex-girlfriends. We just need to interview them. If he’s battered one woman, he’s hit several. Then I’ll seek out his current fiancée andfeel her out.”
Jethro shook his head. “I really appreciate this.”
“No problem. We need a good written case to use against Monty, and then we’ll attack from another side. I’m also looking into the medical practice for any complaints. So far nothing, but I just started digging.” She coughed. “It’s not as cold here as DC, but it’s wet. Really wet.”
Jethro put his cup on the counter. “I owe you one. Say hi to Raider for me, and please give me a call when you do obtain the videos.”He clicked off.
His phone buzzed. “Hanson.”
“Hey, it’s Angus. I’m trying to back up Brigid with the request for those videos, but we might need Scott to get all lawyerly with Rutherford. I tried to go over his head to Nari’s dad, and the stickler wants me to stay with official channels. Sometimes he’ssuch a dick.”
Jethro barked out a laugh. “Thanks for trying.”
Angus snorted. “I’d like to meet up tonight after work and profile your brother. To do that, I need to dig into your head.”
“It’s all yours, but I haven’t had any luck figuring him out or determining exactly what he’s up to besides making money and messing with me,” Jethro said. “But come over for dinner and we can talk afterward.” Had he just invited Force for dinner like they were double dating? Did they even have any food in the house?
“Sure.”
Jethro moved to the keypad by the garage door to make sure it was still active. “Are youat the office?”
