“We definitely know, like Ashton reported, that there was a second gunman at the scene.Interestingly, he did not use a rifle to shoot through the window.The casing forensics found was from a .357 mag revolver.”
Ashton wasn’t surprised by that news.“Good thing for me.If he’d been using a rifle and had any accuracy at all, I’d probably be dead.”
“It was pretty risky of him to shoot through the window since his partner was inside wrestling with you.He could’ve just as easily hit Harper,” Lillian pointed out.
“If they both only had handguns, it would’ve made more sense for them to go inside the house together.”Ashton leaned back in his chair.“Or at least for the guy to have rushed in once he realized Harper had trouble.”
But thank goodness the second guy hadn’t, because if he had, both Ashton and Summer would probably be dead right now.
“We think this unknown guy is calling the shots.A puppet master of sorts,” Jon continued.“That maybe he’s the one who got Curtis Harper riled up enough to try to kill Ashton.”
“I wondered about that,” Ashton said.“Why would Harper suddenly decide to come after me four years after his father’s death?It didn’t make any sense to me.But someone egging him on?That makes more sense.”
Steve Drackett, head of the Critical Response Division, walked in.“We’re going to continue to search for the identity of this man.In the meantime, there’s still an APB out for Curtis Harper.All locals are looking for him.We’re also starting to use nonofficial channels.”
Omega Sector had resources—both computerized and human—that most law enforcement agencies didn’t have.When Curtis Harper had started shooting at Ashton in the middle of a crowded city street, he’d become someone Omega would use all their resources to find and apprehend.
“By all reports, Harper isn’t a criminal mastermind.Or mastermind of any sort,” Brandon said.He tapped the screen at the picture of the unknown man.“This man is key.I know it.He’s manipulating Harper.Using him to do his dirty work but staying clean himself.”
“If it’s true, that’s a pretty elaborate scheme,” Lillian said.“Most people don’t sit around creating henchmen to eliminate law enforcement personnel.”
Brandon smiled, unoffended.“You’re right, of course.Creating henchmen, as you put it, takes time.Of course, Curtis Harper was already a henchman.He just needed someone to bring it out.”The profiler studied the picture more carefully.“There’s something familiar about this guy.I don’t know what it is.But it’s something.”
Brandon was the most brilliant agent any of them knew.If he said this unknown guy was important, everyone would listen.
“We also have an update on the training facility accident,” Steve said.“Except I can’t call it an accident.Turns out it was definitely sabotage.”
Ashton cursed under his breath.“Is it possible that Harper was able to manipulate the training facility in some way?Trying to take me out?”
Steve shook his head.“No.Definitely not.This was an inside job.The problem is, we don’t know inside where.”
Ashton sat up straighter.“So maybe not inside Omega Sector.”
Steve shook his head.“I sure as hell hope not.There were a number of different individuals, even whole firms in some cases, who were involved in the creation of the simulation vests.Not to mention the programmers and the electricians.Any one of them could’ve been bought off to sabotage it.”
“Great,” Roman murmured.“Fitzy’s got enemies crawling out of the woodwork.”
“Actually, it doesn’t look like Ashton was the intended target.He just happened to choose the sensor suit that had been tampered with.”
Ashton rubbed his temples against the headache brewing there.“Well, that seems par for the course with my luck this week.”The worst of it having little to do with people trying to kill him and everything to do with one petite woman who had every reason to hate him.
“Sorry about that, Ashton.”Steve’s glance was sympathetic.“The training facility will remain shut down until we figure out what’s going on, which may be weeks.Like Dr.Parker said, if it had been someone else who’d put on those sensors—someone with not as much body mass as you—we’d be at a funeral now.We can’t take any chances.”
The thought sobered everyone even further.
“Alright, people, it’s late.”Steve closed the file in front of him.“Time to head on home—get some rest.I’ll keep everyone posted if we hear anything about Harper or our mystery man.”
The team got up and began dispersing.Steve was right.The best thing they could do now was be ready when they needed to move.That meant allowing themselves some downtime while they could get it.
“You heading to the safe house?”Roman asked as they walked toward the locker room.
“No, I don’t think I’m welcome there.”
“Really?I thought you and Summer were a thing now.Looked that way when she was here yesterday morning.”
“Yeah, that was before she found out that I had the shot that could’ve saved her husband two years ago.”
Roman whistled through his teeth.“She blames you?”
