Micha couldn’t agree more, but… “Obviously we can’t do that. But we need to make sure Ryan is informed. Buck could be carrying and dangerous.”
Ava looked at Colin. “Did you find any connection to Layne?”
Colin shook his head. “Which is probably good. Buck seems unhinged, and if Layne has him coming after you, who knows what the guy might do.”
“Sounds like he could go rogue and enjoy it,” Micha said.
Ava shuddered.
Micha didn’t care if Colin was sitting across from them, he squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
She looked at him with a boatload of trust, churning his gut.
“Guess I should get connected to the call, so I’m ready when the others are.” Colin opened his computer.
Micha’s computer dinged and he looked at the screen. Colin successfully accessed the meeting Micha had set up. Another ding.
“Yo.” Rubbing his eyes, Dev came on the screen below Colin. “I was just going to hit the hay.”
Micha shared his screen with Ava and wasted no time explaining their situation to Dev. “You arrange that appointment with the ME?”
“I did you one better.” He grinned. “Just finalized you for eight a.m. with the assistant I know. Guy’s name is Toby Wetzler.”
Say what? “How could an assistant be better than the big honcho?”
“He’s a college buddy of mine, and he’s more likely to give you the info you need than the ME, who I think you’ll strike out with.”
Reid joined the group on screen, looking alert as usual. “Problem?”
Micha told them about the weapon’s stash, and Colin chimed in, explaining his dark web discovery for Buck.
“And you should also know we found a tripwire at Jamal’s front door,” Micha added. “Could simply be set up to tell him someone has been there or could be for explosives. I didn’t stick around to find out but got Ava out of there.”
“As I would want you to do.” Reid flexed his jaw muscles. “I don’t like the sound of those two and don’t want to risk them out in the wilderness with Ryan or the other participants.”
“You want to cancel the class?” Micha asked, as he’d never seen Reid do that, but then they’d never had a dire situation like this before either.
Reid nodded. “But I hate to. Especially when participants often make arrangements months in advance and take time off work. But it’s too high of a risk to have these guys on site. I’ll get on the phone to Ryan so he knows what he’s dealing with and have him bring the group back to the compound first thing in the morning. Then we’ll help them clear out their cabins and escort them off the property.”
“I get your reasoning,” Micha said. “But from a protection standpoint for Ava, if one of themisthe guy after her, knowing where they are at all times has been a good thing.”
“Sorry, Ava.” Reid cast her an apologetic look. “But I have to think of the greater good, and this now involves other people. Others could get hurt if one of those guys lost it out there.”
“I completely understand and would have you do nothing less.” She smiled at Reid.
Micha didn’t have such an agreeable attitude, but he would get there. He had to. Besides, once Reid made up his mind, there was no changing it. Time to move on. “Can someone search their vehicles before they return?”
Reid nodded. “Odds are good they have vehicle alarms, but we can try.”
“Thanks,” Micha said. “And what about the weapon stash? Any idea on what to do about that? I didn’t feel good about leaving it behind, but now that we know Buck’s a little unhinged, I like it even less.”
“We have to figure out a way to get the authorities out there without implicating any of us.” Reid tipped up a water bottle.
Ava moved closer to the laptop. “And how do you suggest we do that?”
“Make them think he’s hoarding illegal weapons,” Dev said.
Colin’s gaze flashed to his brother. “We don’t know that theyareillegal.”
