“Yeah, but that’s after the assignment is over,” Ozzie says.
“Part of my employment contract included a nondisclosure agreement. Reed covered all his bases because there was no way I wouldn’t see or hear what goes on. I know Durango was on an assignment to protect a senator’s wife and son. I don’t know any details beyond that. Yet.”
Durango and Ozzie stare at each other. Finally, Durango shrugs. “Axel was the one who found them. They’d been hiding in a motel. She’d been careful to use cash, but it turned out JB still had his phone and used it. Trip was able to find his location and send it to Axel.”
“JB and that damn phone,” Ozzie says.
“Have either of you ever met Trip?” I ask. “You talk about him a lot, but he never comes into the office.”
“No, but Thunder and Lightning have,” Durango says.
Ozzie shakes his head. “I still can’t believe he drove down for them.”
“Drove down?” I ask.
“Yeah, he lives up north somewhere. We should invite him out to lunch sometime.” Ozzie sits in the kitchen chair next to mine. “Back to Mrs. Walton and JB. Axel found them. Then what?”
“We took them both to Lightning’s cabin and took turns keeping watch. Thunder had a conversation with Chuck, the guy Ozzie shot in the leg. He helped convince him to tell the truth. He agreed, but only if he had protective custody as well. Mrs. Walton agreed to fund the extra coverage, but Reed couldn’t spare anyone, so CT flew over from Seattle to help us out.”
“Wait.” Ozzie holds up his hand. “Mrs. Walton is paying for protective custody of the man who was going to kill her?”
Durango nods. “She’s positive it was her husband behind this, and she said if this man can get her husband arrested, she’ll pay for it.”
Sounds like a horrible marriage. I’m glad she’s safe.
Ozzie frowns. “Wait, is it only CT watching Chuck?”
Durango nods. “I don’t know where they are, but I understand it’s a very secure location.”
“Well, it sounds like they are building a strong case against Senator Walton,” Ozzie says.
“Harding was in touch. The FBI field office in DC is working on it,” Durango says.
Neither one says anymore, so I take it the topic is done and finally ask the question that’s been burning in my mind. “How are we going to deal with John?” I ask.
Both men look at me. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m tired of having a babysitter with me at all times and being confined to this house or the office.”
“Well, until we know where he is, our options are limited,” Durango says.
“I could call him and ask to meet,” I say.
“No!” Durango says.
“Absolutely not,” Ozzie says.
“Well, we need to do something. Sitting inside buildings all day isn’t good for any of us.”
Ozzie nods. “She’s right. We do need to find a way to draw him out. Then we can end this.”
CHAPTER 32
Ozzie
“Should I call for a pizza?”Durango asks.
Piper groans. “Please, no more pizza. That’s all we ever have. Let’s go out to dinner.”
