“I think it’s in our best interest to inform Governor Greenwood,” Reese told Brantley when they stepped into the barn.
“We don’t have any proof that was Dante’s finger.”
“No, we don’t. But we’re inclined to believe it is. And if this is a K and R, he should be receivin’ a ransom call. We need to be there if and when that happens.”
“And if it doesn’t happen?”
Reese sighed because he knew Brantley was playing devil’s advocate.
“Okay, say we wait. What’s the governor gonna say when he realizes we knew about this and didn’t tell him? Hell, he’ll likely hear about the explosion from someone. Then he’ll be callin’. Wouldn’t you rather we reach out first?”
Brantley’s eyes were narrowed. “I’d prefer you don’t make so much damn sense.”
Reese smiled, couldn’t help it. “You didn’t fall in love with a dumb ass. What can I say?”
“No, I certainly did not,” Brantley muttered. “I just hate to give them anything more to worry about. Not until we’re positive somethin’s happened to Dante.” Brantley peered over at him. “They went through so much with Corinne.”
Reese understood Brantley’s reasoning. After what the Greenwoods had gone through when their daughter had been abducted a few months back, he didn’t like the idea of making them worry again, either.
“We have to tell them,” Reese stated. “You know it’s the only way to do this.”
Brantley stared back at him for a few long seconds before he blew out a lengthy breath. “Fine. But we go to him. I can’t do this over the phone.”
The chime from the alarm sounded, signaling someone had arrived.
Reese peered over at the monitor on the wall, saw Trey’s truck and another parking in the driveway.
“That’s Luca,” Brantley informed him. “He brought Holly. Said they’d do whatever we need them to do.”
“You know JJ’s gonna go apeshit when she realizes you’ve replaced her,” Reese told him.
“No one’s bein’ replaced,” Brantley grumbled. “He’s fillin’ in temporarily.”
“Temporarily, my ass,” Reese countered. “I know how your brain works. This is an unofficial job interview.”
He could see the truth on Brantley’s face. “Okay, maybe you don’t tell JJ that part.”
Oh, he wouldn’t. Reese knew there was more than enough work for them to bring on another with JJ’s skill set, but he seriously doubted JJ would see it that way. Not in her current predicament. She’d simply think they were bringing someone on to take her place.
While they waited for the others to join them, Reese went into the kitchen, scrounged through the cabinets until he found the bottle of aspirin. He popped two pills in his mouth, downed them with water. As it was, the cut on his head was burning like the fires of hell, and he figured while he didn’t have a headache yet, why risk it?
Reese was returning to the main room when his cell phone rang.
Snatching his phone from his pocket, he glanced at the screen, saw Baz’s number.
“Hey,” he answered quickly. “How’s JJ doin’?”
“Better. And you? I heard you took a hard hit.”
Reese peered at Brantley, who was walking to the door to open it for their new arrivals.
“It’s nothin’. Just a scratch. About to head over to the governor’s mansion, let them know what’s goin’ on.”
“You’ve got confirmation the blood and the finger belonged to Dante?”
“No, unfortunately. But I think it’s safe to say somethin’ happened to him from what little we do know.”
“And the crime scene…? Gone, huh?”
