And we’re back into promising territory.
“Must be the money drop location,” I surmise.
“That’s the theory.”
“Did McBride and Romero check the video from inside the gas station?”
“Not yet. The only other person inside was the clerk. So the gal either stashed the money somewhere inside for it to be picked up later, or she gave it to him directly.”
I jump to the point, surmising, “And if the clerk is involved, the FBI asking for surveillance video would tip off the crime ring.”
“Exactly. They snapped a shit load of pictures from the car.”
“McBride and Romero made a good call then. We can’t let these fuckers know we’re getting close until after Lila gets the meeting with Silas.”
He reclines his seat and yawnsagain. “I think that was about it on the updates. Given how damn late we finished, I bet the team will be as tired as I am.” He arches a suspicious brow at me. “Speaking of which. Why are you so chipper?”
Smirking, I respond, “One day closer to catching these fuckers and saving my girl.”
Andrews sleepily pats my upper arm twice. “Glad to see you happy. You deserve a good woman like her.”
I’m glad his eyes are likely closed so he can’t see how big my damn smile is. Whether deserving or not, I’m never letting Lila go.
When we arriveat the jetty, I park behind a row of police squad cars. “This must be the place.” After I toss the keys back to Andrews, I jump out of the car.
He exits a few seconds after me, languidly stretching his arms over his head. While he does that, I mentally prepare for whatever I’m about to see.
Tugging a swell of salty sea air into my lungs, I visualize that protective vapor brushing through me.Same as always, when I open my eyes, I feel lighter.
Falling in step with me, Andrews points out two FBI vans among the cluster of law enforcement vehicles. “ERT beat us here.”
“Cowboy did too,” I add, my eyes catching on Agent McBride standing with his back to us, hat and all.
A uniformed officer lifts the yellow caution tape, allowing us to pass. “Morning, gentlemen.”
As I bend under the tape, I smile and thank her, drawing a bemused look from Andrews.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing at all,” he says through a knowing grin.
McBride sees our approach and waves us over. “It’s ‘bout damn time.”
“We had to wait for a protection detail for Lila,” Andrews explains.
I’m such a shit. He’s covering for me while I was about to blame his old man bladder for the two additional stops we made on the drive across the state.
Luke casts a smirk at me. “You still smilin’ today, rook?”
“Fuck off,” I toss without venom.
With the obligatory bullshitting out of the way, Luke gets us up to speed. “911 call came in around three this morning. Some lovers taking a moonlit stroll found a body washed up on the beach. When the cops arrived, they fanned out and found a second victim.”
I survey the area, noting a group of ERT techs erecting a pop-up tent at the base of the fishing pier. “I take it one of the bodies is over there.”
“That’s the one the cops found when they arrived. Caucasian female washed up on the rocks. Throat was slit. ”
“Where’s the other vic?” Andrews asks, head on a swivel.
