She said, “What about the others who were in Mexico?”Steve would know she was referring to the time she’d spent therewhen Will was killed and not anything else. “If Zimmerman went tothe hospital because that kid’s father was connected, then maybehe’ll try again with a different one of the menwho were in Mexico. Use one of them to send anothermessage.”
Steve said, “Good idea. I’ll find out where theyare.”
If anyone could do it, it was Steve. “Thanks.” Shehardly wanted to end up face to face with any of them. But if itgot them answers, she would do it.
Steve said, “Walker, do you have anything from theFBI about Zimmerman’s family?”
“They’re investigating the family’s disappearance asa kidnapping. But considering the lengths gone in order to cover itup, I wonder if they’ll find anything at all. None of these peoplehave made a misstep. Only Zimmerman, trying to pass that flashdrive to Megan. And the blackmailer got men there to intercept andsteal it. They were pros. If it’s the same people who tookZimmerman’s wife and children, then it’s going to be a hardtask.”
Steve took a second to absorb that. The man neverreacted straight away. He thought things through, and his slownessinfuriated Megan at times, but he was right.
Finally, Steve said, “He’s killed a child alreadytoday.”
Megan nodded, trying not to think of Sofía andJosé.
“I’ll follow up with the FBI on that, if you want,”Bradley offered. “Make sure we do everything to see they’refound—no more victims.”
Megan broke the seal on her prayer life and askedthat they be found alive. She didn’t want to see any more childrenkilled because of this blackmailer.
On the screen, Mint nodded. Emma leaned against hisshoulder, as though being right there was precisely where shewanted to be. Megan could appreciate that. It was nice havingAdrian beside her.
Emma had talked to Megan about doing accounting for anonprofit that helped victims of violence. It was a great idea, butthey were all waiting until this was over before they made moveslike that. Took different career paths. It was why Mint and Emmahadn’t gotten engaged yet. Or so Megan figured.
Not wanting to make major life changes when thethreat against them all was still very real.
Bradley’s history with Alexis, and having known eachother for years, meant he hadn’t wanted to waste time. They’dgotten married weeks ago. Megan had always thought she wanted tomake a fuss for her own wedding. After all, the idea was to only doit once. Right?
Someone chuckled. She focused on the screen and sawthem all smiling.
“Yep,” Bradley said, a smile on his face.“Drifting.”
“I’m fine,” Megan argued.
“Good.” Steve nodded. “Because you’ll be needed soonenough. I have a feeling that think tank was just the beginning ofwhat he has planned.”
**
Adrian stayed still while Megan bristled—mostlybecause he was trying not to bump up against her wound. Healso seriously doubted she wanted him to coddle her when the menwere acting protective. They probably thought nothing of it, butshe was tense.
“I have an idea on that,” Megan said. “My friend whoset up this system. If anyone can figure out how all this isconnected, it’s her.”
Mint said, “Can she hack top secret files?”
Bradley nodded. “Because Zimmerman could hit the nexttarget before this ‘contact’ of yoursfigures it out.”
“Maybe you should have a little faith in the people Iknow, okay?” Megan shrugged her good shoulder. “Aren’t you alwaystelling everyone to trust God?”
Bradley’s eyes narrowed, but Adrian spotted a gleamof humor there. “Yes.”
“Then don’t make a stink when I want to trysomething,” she said. “We need the help.”
“It’s a good idea,” Steve said. “We know she’s good,so why not call on her since we need all the resources we canget.”
Megan shifted and smirked for a second before herface blanked. On the computer screen, Emma smiled.
Adrian didn’t envy Steve his job. Seemed like itmight be more like babysitting at times, or settling squabblesbetween siblings.
“Then I’ll get on it.” Megan shifted her finger tohover over the End Call button on the screen. “Talk soon?”
Everyone nodded. Megan tapped the screen on herlaptop, then leaned back on the bed. An audible groan spilled fromher mouth. Tears filled her eyes.
“Whoa, are you okay?”
“That hurt. A lot.”
“Your arm.”
She nodded. “And my hip from the other day. I thinkwhatever you gave me last night wore off in the middle of theconversation.” Her stomach rumbled.
He smiled and stood, looking for where he’d put hiscell phone. “And evidently you need food.”
Megan pursed her lips and blew out a breath. Then shetouched her arm below the injury, cradling it to her. Face pale.Hair splayed out around her on the comforter.
“You really don’t look well. Do you have a fever?” Hewandered over and planted his hands on either side of her head. Heleaned down toward her forehead to check for a fever.
Her head tilted up.
Did she think…?
“I’m not going to kiss you.”
“Back up.” Her face hardened.
Adrian stood. “I’m trying to check for a fever.”
“With your face? What’s wrong with just putting yourhand on my forehead?”
“It’s not as accurate.” But he stepped back,realizing why she might be weirded out. “My mom always used totouch her lips to my forehead. It’s more accurate,” he repeated. “Iwasn’t making a move on you. Not when you’re hurt.”
She gave him a look he couldn’t decipher. Did shewant him to make a move on her if she wasn’thurt?
He moved away and grabbed the key card. “That isn’twhy we’re in a hotel room.”
“I know.” She sounded mad, but he didn’t know who shewas mad at. Him. Herself. Both.
“I’ll go get us some food.” Surely there was arestaurant of some kind nearby.
“And coffee. Something with four hundred calories ofdairy and sugar and four shots. No, six.”
Adrian shot her a look.
“Unless you want me to continue being hangry.”
“Will you be okay while I’m gone?”
Megan sat up and winced, then returned his look. “Areyou sure you’re here to find Zimmerman, not just to look after mewhile I try to find him?”
“That might be…part of it.” And why not? She neededsomeone there with her.
Her eyes narrowed. “Get out.”
“Megan.”
“No.” She bit the word
