“If Bob’s boss finds out the FBI is after him, he may want to remove Bob from the organization before Bob gives up any information. Not saying that will happen here, but you never know.”
“Removed? You mean killed?”
“Yes.”
Bob might be killed? I hadn’t thought of that. Do I want that? I think back on all my memories with Bob. He hired me when I had no experience and trained me. I really thought one day I would take over the brokerage. If it weren’t for him, I’d still be working at that restaurant, taking orders. Instead, I have my own home, a large savings account, and skills I can take anywhere and be a successful agent. No, I don’t want him to die. I want to know why he would do this? He certainly made enough money selling commercial buildings. He didn’t need thecash. So why? That’s a question I might never get answered.
We continue north. I wonder where we are going, but I don’t ask. It doesn’t matter. I can’t stop thinking about what Hunter said.
“How do you know this? What criminals would do.”
He glances at me again. “It’s my job.”
Short answer. I have more questions, but I sense now is not the time to ask.
We drive in silence for an hour. Hunter exits the highway and stops at a diner. We get some lunch to go and head back out. Soon we are on an isolated road with a few houses on one side and forest on the other. He turns the car around so we are pointed toward the highway, and he puts it into park.
“Time to eat.”
“Where are we going? You keep heading north.”
“My boss has a place out this way. I’m waiting on his okay to use it.”
I take a bite of the patty melt and immediately moan. “Wow. This is the best one I’ve ever had.”
He grins. “House sauce. Ketchup, mayonnaise, and pickle juice.”
I scrunch my nose. “Really? That’s it?”
“Uh-huh.”
“So, your boss is debating whether to let us stay at his place?” I take another bite but this time hold back my moan.
He finishes chewing and wipes his mouth with a napkin. “No, I got his voicemail, and I texted Durango.Durango said Reed was taking a cooking class with his wife this morning.” He holds up his phone. “Hopefully, once I get service again, he’ll have said yes.”
“And if he says no?”
“He won’t.” He tosses all his garbage into the food bag and glances at me. “You okay if I start driving?”
“That’s fine.”
I’m almost finished, and fortunately, it’s not too messy. I finish before we get off the long, windy road we are on.
We curve around for another fifteen minutes in silence.
“I need to warn you. Reed’s cabin is a bit rustic.”
I’m a bit offended. “I don’t need the Ritz. I’m not a snob.”
He grins. “No, I don’t think you are. I just want to prepare you.”
“It’ll be fine.”
He chuckles but doesn’t say anything more. As we drive, I spot a glimpse of water through the trees. Maybe it will be an old cabin on a lake. That would be nice and peaceful.
He turns down a dirt road, and a shed pops into view. It’s small. Next to it is a small cabin. Hunter pulls the car around another outbuilding and parks with it facing the road.
“Here we are.” He gets out, and I follow.
