“One of the agents who helped you with Fowler’s investigation.”
Reid nodded. “I had him check into a few things for me. He learned that Fowler’s release record shows him living in Portland.”
“So he really has no business being here.” She rubbed her neck. “He talked to the gas station attendant like he was an old friend.”
Helpful information. “Did you catch the attendant’s name?”
“Fowler might’ve said it, but I don’t remember. Is it important?”
Reid shrugged to play it down so she didn’t feel bad about not remembering, when knowing this name could help them locate Fowler. “Could be important if this guy does indeed have a record. Fowler’s terms of release will prohibit him from consorting with a known felon unless an exception was made.”
“The friend said something about that, and he didn’t sound like he really wanted to meet with Fowler. So if Fowler’s caught with this other guy, is that enough to send him back to prison?” A flicker of hope lit in her eyes.
“Possibly.” Reid didn’t want to go into details about how a supervised release was specific to each individual and nothing was cut and dried. Exceptions could be made in having contact with other felons. “Jack is checking into Fowler’s judgment order, and hopefully he’ll call soon with the details.”
“Can you also tell him Fowler is meeting this guy at PJ’s Sports Bar at eight?”
Too bad that didn’t narrow down where they might be meeting to a singular location. Not when PJ’s operated several pubs in the city. Unless… “They say which location?”
“No.” She tilted her head. “I’m guessing it’s the one closest to here. Do you think Jack can go over there? Maybe catch Fowler with this guy and report him for violating his order?”
If only.“Jack’s in Portland. He would never make it here on time for their meeting.” Reid hated to douse her flame of hope, but he had to be realistic. “Besides, it’s a long shot to assume they’ll go to the closest pub. They could be meeting in an area of town where they live or have lived in the past.”
“Is there any way someone could still check out the bar near here? Just to see if he shows up.” She looked at him with the same confidence in his abilities as she’d had when he’d helped her through her testimony.
He couldn’t let her down. “I’ll have one of the guys from our team head over there. And another one stake out Fowler’s motel in case he shows there.”
“Team?” she asked.
“My business in Shadow Lake.”
“You have a business now.” She blinked at him. “How did that happen?”
He didn’t want to get into personal details more than needed, but he also didn’t want to be rude. “My parents owned and operated a resort there. Valley View. I think I told you about it.”
“I remember.” She crossed her arms. “You were so proud of it and said you were going to show it to me.”
“I’m sorry about that,” he said sincerely, but his cheeks burned under the guilt of failing her in so many ways. “They wanted to retire and none of us wanted to run a resort, so they closed the business but held onto the property. That was before my wife passed away.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.
Her gentle tone made his chest hurt, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. He looked deep into the pale blue of her eyes. Eyes he’d once thought would blend well with his sharper blue to create a child with amazing color. He’d ruined all of that. Still, a connection remained, but instead of fresh young love, they shared pain in seeing a loved one suffer.
“Thank you,” he finally managed to get out. “That’s when I decided to bring Jessie back to Shadow Lake to live, and my parents sold Valley View to me so I could start Shadow Lake Survival with my brothers. The business is thriving, and we had to hire three other guys to keep up with it.”
She arched a brow. “What exactly do you do?”
“We train people in survival skills and ways to live off-grid.”
She kept her eyes on him. “Sounds like something you’d like to do.”
“If I can’t be an agent, it’s the next best choice.”
“But you’d rather be an agent?”
“I would, but Jessie comes first, and right now that means living near family.”
She frowned. “And I’m taking you away from her.”
