“Your wife?” Matt frowned. “I didn’t think you were married.”
“I’m not.” The formidable man’s face fell slightly. “Not anymore.”
Matt blinked and took a step back. “Shit, Gabe. I’m…sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Not many people do.”
“What happened?” Kole asked as he stood in the kitchen entryway finishing what was left of his sandwich.
Gabe sighed, resting his hands on his hips. “It was a long time ago. I was away on an op. It went flawlessly, and on the plane ride back, we made plans to celebrate.” He shook his head and let out a humorless laugh. “We were halfway over the Atlantic Ocean when my commander called me on the sat phone. Said the bank where my wife worked at the time was being robbed. Guys had automatic rifles. They’d already taken out the bank manager, the security guard, and two customers.”
“Ah, shit.”
Their team leader nodded. “Those were my first words to him when he called. Later, when I asked why he didn’t wait until we were home to tell me, he said he made the call because, if it were his wife, he’d want to know.”
After several seconds of silence, Matt swallowed and started to ask the hard question. “Did they…”
“Swat breached before they could hurt anyone else. Ellena made it out unharmed. Physically, anyway.”
The other men’s relief was palpable. “That’s good.”
“Very good.” Gabe smiled sadly. “Elle survived, but unfortunately our marriage didn’t.” He looked around the room. “I only shared that with you, so you’d understand I do know what you’re going through. Maybe not the exact same scenario, but—”
“Close enough.” Matt gave his friend an apologetic look. “Sorry, man. I’m going out of my mind sitting around, waiting for something new to pop up.”
“It just did!” Derek announced excitedly.
All heads turned in his direction.
“What is it?” Matt rushed over. “Did you find Walker?”
“No, but I found the next best thing. Remember I told you I’ve been working trying to locate the holder of the account that Todd Kennedy’s payoffs originated from?”
He nodded, his excitement matching the other man’s. “You found the guy?”
“Took a hell of a lot longer than I thought it would. Whoever set this account up was good. Like, almost better than me, good. They knew how to encrypt and reroute…I’ve been chasin’ my tail for days tryin’ to—”
“Derek!” Matt purposely raised his voice. “Who’s name is on the account?”
With a sly grin, Derek turned his computer around for Matt to see. “Sloane Anderson.”
“Kat’s boss?” Kole asked from behind Matt’s shoulder.
“And her former father-in-law.” Matt nodded. “That son of a bitch.”
“Wait.” Kole sat his paper plate down onto the table. “Why would the guy steal from his own company? Wouldn’t that destroy his business?”
“Wouldn’t matter,” Derek explained. “I’ve seen his company’s financials. Selling that formula to the right people would make him a hell of a lot more money than he’s making now.”
“What about the government contract?” Gabe asked.
Derek snorted. “You know how our government works. They’re not going to pay any more than they have to. Another country’s a different story.”
Matt agreed, “Especially if that country hates the U.S. and plans to use the serum to have stronger forces against us. Countries like that have almost zero regulations when it comes to spending. Even if they didn’t, they’ll fork over the money if it means taking down our military.”
“Anderson must be slated to make fucking bank on this deal,” Kole surmised.
Derek nodded. “That’s my guess.”
