“Using these two photographs, I ran them in facial recognition software and got a match on this man. Another photo appeared on the monitor of a man in a US Army combat uniform, standing in a desert. He held an M4A1 rifle with the upgrades typical of Special Forces.
“His name is Sean Sanders,” Dmytro said. “He’s a former Delta Force operator who left the military after the botched Afghanistan withdrawal. He joined a black ops mercenary group for a while, then went indie as a gun for hire.”
“The doctor reported that the driver, Herr Sanders, has a head injury and is unconscious.” Inspector Brandt tucked her phone in her pocket as she joined them in front of the monitor. “They will notify me when he regains consciousness.”
“And Calloway?” Darco asked.
“Concussion. Heavy bruising, minor lacerations. No broken bones,” Brandt reported. “He has come in and out of consciousness. I will go to the hospital soon to question Herr Calloway.”
“I’m going as well,” Cate said. “When I spoke with him on the street, he seemed adamant that the real threat was from someone other than the local law enforcement, the FBI or even me. He was nervous, looking all around, like he was anticipating trouble.”
“Which found him,” Draco said, his lips tightening into a thin line. “And it nearly found you.”
She gave him a brief nod. “I’m fine, which is more than I can say for Calloway and Sanders. Now that they’re in custody, they might be more willing to give us answers.”
“Ready to go get them?” Draco asked.
Cate exchanged a glance with Inspector Brandt. “I’d like to be the one to question him.”
The inspector nodded. “As long as I’m there,” she held up an electronic device, “and recording, I have no issue.”
“Then let’s go,” Cate said and led the way to the building’s exit.
Draco moved ahead to the car Hammer had waiting for them and checked the driver’s identification. Once satisfied, he held the door for Cate and Brandt to enter, poised to leap in should the driver take off without him. He’d have PTSD where taxis were concerned for a long time after seeing Cate taken away in one without him.
They entered the hospital minutes later.
The scent of antiseptic permeated the air, reminding Draco why he didn’t like hospitals. He’d had his share of injuries during his time with the Navy SEALS and Stealth Operations Specialists. He’d had friends who’d gone in broken and come out in a body bag. No, hospitals were depressing for the most part.
A man walked beside a wheelchair, carrying a baby’s car seat, his face both anxious and joyous at the same time. In the chair, pushed by a hospital attendant, was a young woman with a newborn infant in her arms, swaddled in a soft pink blanket.
In that moment, Draco amended his thoughts on hospitals. Sometimes, they weren’t depressing.
He noted Cate’s head turning to follow the young family, a soft smile on her lips.
She’d make a good mom.
They took the elevator to the third floor and stepped out to find Crusher and Fearghas leaning against the walls outside two rooms.
When they spotted them, they straightened.
“Did you come to take over the shift?” Crusher asked.
“Sorry, man, I’ve got my own body to guard.” He gripped Crusher’s arm and pulled him in for a quick hug. “How has it been? Can we get you anything?”
“It’s been quiet. Marta came by earlier with food for both of us. We’re good for now. Calloway is awake, based on the amount of curse words I keep hearing. He doesn’t like being handcuffed to a hospital bed and keeps demanding a lawyer or for someone to press charges or let him go.”
“Good,” Cate said. “Let him stew. He’ll get a little taste of what it feels like to be held in custody.” Her gaze shifted to Brandt and then Draco. “Ready?”
The inspector nodded, switched her recording device on, and slipped it into her pocket.
Draco led the way into the room to make certain that the injured Marcus was the only other occupant and that he was tethered to the bedrail with handcuffs. Then he allowed the ladies to enter.
Marcus Calloway lay on an elevated mattress with a pillow behind his head, a bandage on his temple and a bruise on his jawline. The steady beep of a heart monitor was the only sound.
Draco crossed the room to stand at a window overlooking the parking lot below. He turned and stood with his back to the window, his focus on Cate.
Cate approached the bed.
