Reed whistles. “Coff, I really hope you’re wrong, but I know for you to say that about your brother means you must have overheard something serious.”
I’ve always spoken highly of my brother, and over the years, he’s used Reed Hawthorne Security for many cases he’s needed help with. And it pains me to even think he could be working with the other side.
“Coff, what did he say?” Reed asks.
“It was more than what he said. We went to Delaney’s house to stop Duke from killing Nelson. But when we got there, we were ambushed by three armed men. They called out to Duke, looking for him. The only people who knew Duke was on his way to that house were you, Ozzie, Delaney, myself, and my brother.”
Laughter erupts in the background, and then a door clicks shut. “Sorry about that. Are you saying your brother tipped off these men?”
I take a deep breath. “It’s a possibility. One I hope I’m wrong about. But then, he got upset when he recognized one of the men. He then called someone he referred to as Ruiz.”
“Ruiz? The man who was coming after Duke and Delaney?”
I lean against the wall of the building. “Yes. And my brother was angry that man had been sent because he was killed, and according to my brother, that guy was the only one the cartel trusts.”
Reed groans. “Did you saycartel?”
“I did.”
Reed sighs. “That’s not what we signed up for. I’ll ask Trip—”
“Already done that. I’m waiting to hear back from him.”
Reed is silent for a moment, and I know he’s thinking everything through. “First, I really hope you’re wrong about your brother.”
I hope I’m wrong, too.
“Second, once Duke is released, the three of you and Ozzie need to fly back to New York.”
“There’s more.”
A couple walks past, laughing about something, and I wait until they are out of earshot.
“We overheard some things Duke said to someone else, and Delaney doesn’t want to be around him now.”
Reed laughs. “They are essentially running for their lives. She needs to put aside petty grievances.”
I sigh. “It’s more than that. Trust me. I think it would be best if Duke stayed with Stormy’s guy.”
“Splitting them up would cost double the manpower since both you and Fox would need backup,” Reed says. “I doubt the FBI will foot the bill for that.”
He’s right. “Then I’ll take vacation so no one is paying for my time. And I won’t ask for backup.”
The familiar pop of a soda can opening comes through the phone, and I can see Reed taking a drink as he does every morning.
“You want to take vacation time?”
“I will. Yes.”
He sighs. “You told me you could be objective despite your personal history with Delaney. I have to say I’m not so sure about that right now.”
“I can be. Please don’t pull me off.”
“Why not?”
For the next five minutes, I spew our entire history and how I can’t let her go again. I’m sure this is not doing anything to convince him I can be objective, but dammit, he has to know I can’t walk away.
He’s silent, and I wonder if we were disconnected.
