“It’s not going to happen without a warrant.” Addy thought about how she could make it happen, though it seemed to be a losing cause. “I doubt that Harris will approve such a thing when there’s nothing solid pointing to the senator’s involvement.”
“Yeah, but it’s our only real lead right now, so we have tofollow this up.” He paused. “A drone. We could fly one overhead with a camera on it.”
Really? He wants to pilot a drone?A big part of his PTSD revolved around having to fire from drones that killed innocent people. His suggestion showed how desperate he’d become with the investigation. She was thankful he would go the extra mile, willing to sacrifice his mental well-being like that. “We could do that if we had one,” she said.
“We’ll buy one.”
She glanced at her watch. “It’s almost eight o’clock.”
“I’m sure I can find a store that’s open. We don’t need an expensive drone, and many retailers sell them these days.” There was another pause. “I’m nearing the turnoff for the ranch. We’ll meet up, and I’ll lead the way to a store.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am,” he said resolutely.
She ended the call and waited on the deserted road. She felt the heavy weight of the sovereign-citizen threat on her shoulders. Sure, she wanted to find Razo and put the guy away. Always had since her investigation started, but now it was more about saving lives. Lives of people she could now picture in her mind. Put faces to.
Flashing headlights cut into her thoughts, and she got her vehicle going to fall in line behind Mack. She trailed him down dusty roads to a nearby strip mall that was clean and well-maintained. Not the kind of mall Noble would own. The neighborhood was too upscale.
She parked next to Mack’s SUV. He was out of it and at her door before she turned off the engine.
She pushed her door open, and he ran his gaze over her. “You really are okay?”
“I really am.”
He shook his head. “I lost ten years of my life when I listened to your voicemail.”
Her heart warmed over his concern for her, and yet she hated that he’d been so worried. “Sorry. I thought leaving a message was better than letting you show up to find a note at the hotel.”
“No matter how I got the news, I would’ve lost it.”
She looked at him. At this big, strong man with a tender heart basically telling her he loved her so much that he about fell apart just hearing she might have found herself in danger.
Would she react the same way for him? That was something she needed to search her heart to find out, although now wasn’t the time.
He gestured at the small electronics store. “We need to get moving.”
As they headed for the door, she looked at him, trying to find any sign of anxiety over the drone. “You sure you’re good to do this?”
“You mean the drone?”
She nodded.
“It’s only carrying a camera, so yeah, I should be fine.” He sounded sure, but his expression darkened a little when he said it.
She squeezed his arm, and he placed his hand over hers for a brief moment, smiling at her. She felt his touch deep in her soul. Probably in the place where she knew she loved him. Because if anything had become clear to her regarding Mack, it was that if her memory returned, she would learn she was madly in love with him. And that thought sat just fine right now. She wouldn’t think of all their problems. Of their separation. She would just enjoy getting to know him and falling for him again.
He removed his hand and opened the door to the store. The place was filled with shelves loaded with electronics, a full wall in the rear holding only drones. She hung back and watched Mack talk technical details with the skinny salesperson. The guy had a goatee and long hair bound in a ponytail at his neck. He fidgeted with the ponytail and kept reminding Mack thathis name was Jeff. Addy figured the guy was on commission and wanted to be sure to get his cut of any sale. But he was the only salesperson in the store so maybe he didn’t think Mack was ready to buy or Jeff was counting on repeat business. They finally settled on what Addy considered a pricey drone. Jeff beamed with happiness over the sale.
Mack paid for the drone and joined her.
She looked at him. “If you think that thing is inexpensive, then we have a far different definition of the word.”
He chuckled all the way to the door. “This one’s not cheap, but I decided it would be good to have greater range to provide more anonymity.”
“Makes sense.” She held the door open for him since he was carrying a big box. “Let’s hope this will do the trick and we find where Razo is staging his guns.”
His smile fell. “It’s a long shot, but the only thing we’ve got right now.”
