I look from Doc to West to Austin. “They’ve been running drugs forfifteen years?” I ask.
“Maybe more. A few of us in senior command suspected, but we never had any proof. Not when we could do something about it. But now…” Austin grins. “I have resources I never dreamed of when I was at JSOC. What say we make a case against them and wrap it up in a pretty little bow? We do that, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice will put an end to all of them.”
Ryker helps Wyattout to his SUV. Ripper is talking to Austin’s tech genius, Zephyr. Something about following the money. The two Army Captains and the Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel all have offshore bank accounts, and at least one of them—Captain Bishop’s—has more than ten million in it.
I lean against Doc, my head on his shoulder. Raelynn said she’d take us back to the apartment in a few minutes, but she and West are in the middle of an intense discussion about purchasing an old helicopter she found online.
“How did they find your house so quickly? Ryker said it would be at least two days. Maybe four.”
He links our fingers and brushes a kiss to my knuckles. “Bastian sent someone to see Clancy.”
“Oh, God. Did they hurt him?” I can’t believe no one thought to tell me. Panic claws its way up my throat. I start to shake, but Doc takes me by the shoulders.
“West had someone check on him. Apparently, the guy Bastian sent chatted him up for an hour or so, trying to rent Campsite Four. He’s fine, baby.”
I press my hand to my chest, trying to calm my racing heart. “I lied to him—told him I needed a week off for a family emergency. I knew I’d never be able to go back, but…he’s going to hate me when he figures it out. Just like Gladys.”
“Who’s Gladys?” West asks.
I jerk around, shocked he’s suddenly right behind me. The man moves with a lethal silence I haven’t encountered since my days in the army.
“She’s a friend. My…only friend. She lives on the other side of the resort.”
Doc clears his throat. “She’s also eighty-three years old, swears more than McCa—Ryker, and decided the first day she met me that Natasha and I were supposed to be together.”
“We need to get someone on her. If you’re close, chances are Bastian’s gonna figure that out.” West looks around the warehouse and frowns. “I don’t have enough goddamn people to cover SeattleandBlakely. Not with Wyatt out of commission for the next two weeks. Need to make some calls.”
“Gladys is in Seattle,” I say. “I convinced her to stay here with her niece for at least another few days.”
West blows out a breath. “Well, that’s something. Do you know the niece’s address?”
“No. But I can get it. Can I see her? Gladys?” I don’t want to face my friend. But I need to say goodbye before I run. To give her one last hug and tell her I love her.
“Don’t see why not. Call her. If we can leave in a few minutes, Graham and I will follow you and Raelynn. The kid can keep an eye on her until I get some private security in place.”
I pull out the new cell phone and dial. But four rings later, the call goes to voicemail. Bella doesn’t answer either. “Maybe they’re dress shopping?” I check my watch. “Are department stores even open at 10:00 a.m.?”
“You know her niece’s last name?” West is on full alert now, and I shift closer to Doc, needing his steady strength to ground me.
“Cavalli. Annabella Glory Cavalli.”
“Rip? Annabella Glory Cavalli. Need an address!” he calls before turning his attention back to me. “Does Clancy know about Gladys? Would he have any reason to talk about her? And her niece?”
The panic returns with a vengeance. I grip Doc’s arm, my fingers digging into the corded muscle. “He knows who she is. They’re close.”
“Got it,” Ripper says. “Sending to your phones now. Ry’s going to be closest. He could be there in fifteen, tops. Think he’d give the woman a heart attack if he knocked on her door?”
“Bella isn’t easily intimidated. She’s a lawyer.” Doc gives my hand a squeeze. “Take a breath, baby. I’m sure she’s fine. You’ll see it for yourself soon enough.”
I wish I could believe him.
“Send him,” West says. “We’re out of here in five minutes. Graham? Gear up for surveillance. I’m not taking any chances.”
As Raelynn pulls upto the small apartment building off Pike Street, her car’s display flashes with Ryker’s name.
“How close are you?” he asks before she can even say hello.
“I’m fixin’ to park. Why?” She glances over at me, and something’s very,verywrong.
