“Come on, Trev. Throw me a fucking bone, here. Olivia’s chompin’ at the bit to find out more. She swears you’re planning to propose tomorrow. She thinks that’s the reason for the all-day date ending in a romantic picnic at sunset.”
“I planned to do all that stuff with her tomorrow because she’s worked the past two days. Plus, with all the shit that’s been going on, she and I haven’t had the chance to really go out as a couple.” Jake gave him an understanding look. “And what, you get married and suddenly you have to start gathering intel to take back to your wife?”
Jake shrugged, unashamed. “What can I say? I bring home the goods on you and your girl, and she...delivers payment.”
“I get it.” Trevor put up a hand. “Olivia’s like a sister to me, so please...spare me the details. Speaking of your wife, any word from Mike?”
Mike Bradshaw, Olivia’s brother, had recently ended a ten-year stint doing deep undercover work. He came back for Jake and Olivia’s wedding, but Trevor hadn’t seen or heard from him since.
“He calls Liv about once a week. Doesn’t want her thinking he’s gone under again.” Trevor inhaled deeply. “I was hoping to convince him to be Bravo Team’s leader, once we figure out which of these guys we want.”
“But?”
Jake shrugged. “Says he’s not ready. Can’t say I blame him. The guy’s more than earned some downtime. Anyway”—Jake closed the file in front of him—“all joking aside, I’m happy for you, man. Lexi seems great. And you”—he gave Trevor an assessing look—“well, you seem happier than I think I’ve ever seen you. ’Course, it’s amazing what having the right woman in your life can do for you.”
Just then, Derek came sauntering in. “Geez, I can practically feel my ovaries growin’ from all the estrogen in this room.”
Jake laughed. “I thought you left.”
D shook his head, “Nah, I was checkin’ on a possible lead on Lockwood.” Then, too serious for Trevor’s liking, he added, “You’re not gonna like what I found.”
This had both men sitting up straight. Trevor’s heart beat a little faster than before. “What is it? Did you find him?”
“I did, but...”
“Well, where is he? Did he get picked up?”
“In a manner of speakin’, yes. He’s currently a patient at a hospital in San Diego. Turns out he didn’t take the whole don’t drink and drive thing too seriously.”
“He was in a wreck?” Trevor asked.
Derek handed Trevor a printout of the accident report. “Single vehicle crash off highway one sixty-three.”
“Did you alert the authorities on the charges here?” Jake asked.
“They would’ve popped up when they ran him. But, Trevor, listen—”
Trevor ran a hand through his hair and sighed loudly. “Thank God. Lexi will be so relieved.” He turned to Jake and tilted his chin to the folders on Jake’s desk. “Can we finish this later? I want to go to the diner and let her know he’s no longer a threat.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you, man.” Derek was getting agitated. “Robert Lockwood never was the threat.”
The relief Trevor felt quickly began to vanish. “What? What the hell do you mean? He attacked her.”
“At the grocery store, sure. But Trev, Lockwood wrecked his car seven days ago. He’s been in a coma ever since. He’s on life support, and according to the doc’s notes, they’re not expecting him to wake up anytime soon...if ever.”
The realization of his friend’s words began to set in. “If he’s been in the hospital for the last week, then...”
“He wasn’t the one in Lexi’s house,” Jake finished the terrifying thought.
Fear and worry churned in his gut. “I have to go.”
Practically ran from Jake’s office, Trevor had just made it to R.I.S.C.’s reception area when Derek came running down the hall, shouting for him to stop.
“Trevor, wait!”
Irritated, Trevor turned and saw both Derek and Jake running toward him. “Ican’twait. I need to get to her, D. If Lockwood isn’t our guy, then someone else is after her. He could be anyone. I need to get to the diner. Now.”
He reached for the door, but Derek’s next words stopped him cold. “The diner’s gonna be gone before you get there.”
