“I did retire. I’ll be a civilian over there.”
“You didn’t think you should tell me?”
Owl scooted his chair back. “Justice, didn’t you say we had some work to tend to outside?”
“I did. We better get to it.” The two men were gone in record speed.
Novah stood, needing some space between her and Egan.
“Novah…”
“Don’t! You made out to me that you were ready to settle down, for Finley’s sake. Did you lie?” She braced her hands on the edge of the counter.
“No. I didn’t lie. I am ready to settle down, but I was offered the contract and I couldn’t turn it down.” The creases around his eyes deepened. “It’s only for a month.”
“Oh? You couldn’t? Because ‘no’ is impossible?”
“Because helping to decrease the number of soldiers’ lives lost due to IEDs means something to me.”
She turned and looked out the window above the sink, seeing Finley in the yard playing with a cat who could only be Chestnut. She looked so content that it ripped through Novah. “So who will explain to our daughter that her father will be gone again?” She turned back around, nailing him with what she hoped was a serious expression.
“A month, Novah.”
“I’ve heard that before.” Rubbing her forehead, she inhaled and exhaled slowly. “You know what, it doesn’t matter. We’re divorced. You can do what you want, as long as you explain the details to Finley.”
His brawny shoulders slumped. His skin paled. “Novah—” His phone beeped from his pocket which halted his words.
She turned to watch out the window again as he answered, barely listening to his gruff words and instead focusing on her happy girl playing on a tire swing.
Novah blinked back tears. Why was she so emotional?
Because I’m scared.
When he hung up, she asked, “Who was that?”
“Mike Gammon. He says he needs to speak to us.”
“To us? He works for Langley, right?” She pushed away from the counter, feeling a heaviness over her chest.
“Something isn’t right, but if I talk to him maybe I can get some answers.” Egan stood.
“What did he say?”
“That Langley had no clue that he was calling. He just wanted to talk.”
“Can you take him at his word?”
“I need to go, Novah.” He met her gaze. “Stay here with Finley and your mother. I’ll come back soon.”
“He said he wanted to speak to the both of us.”
“I’m not taking you along.”
“I’m going.” She lifted her chin.
“Novah—”
“Stop. I won’t be left behind again while you scurry off on another mission. This has as much to do with me as it does you.”
He must have sensed her determination because he nodded. “Can you be ready in five minutes?”
“Give me three.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
EGAN DIDN’T LIKE having Novah with him but how could he have denied her? One of the things he admired most was her stubborn character.
He followed the address Gammon had given him and parked in front of the quiet cabin. Egan looked over at Novah who hadn’t said more than two words to him since they left Justice’s. “You stay.”
“I’m going with you.”
“Oh, Novah! Are you trying to drive me crazy?”
“I won’t say a word. I promise.”
Opening the driver’s door, he slid out and said to her, “If you say one word you’re coming back to sit,” he warned. Then he closed the door and made his way up the rickety porch and knocked on the screen door with her following. “Hello?”
After several knocks and no response, he opened the door and stepped inside the shadows of the cluttered house. Toys loitered most of the living room and the kitchen was cluttered with pizza boxes, empty beer bottles, and other containers. The place was eerily quiet like the family had just walked away from what they were doing.
“He’s not here, Egan,” Novah said.
Crossing the kitchen to the back door, he looked through the screen door. There were a few small buildings in the back. Egan stepped out and held the door for her.
“Glad you both came.” Mike was sitting under a tree with a metal box on his lap.
Novah grabbed Egan’s elbow. “What, Novah?”
“That’s him. He was one of them men who kidnapped Lindsay.”
Egan nodded. “Where’s your wife and kids, Gammon?”
“She’s gone.”
Egan watched Gammon open the box and take out what looked like a controller. The hairs on the back of Egan’s neck lifted. “What do you mean she’s gone?”
“Gone as in she asked for a divorce. Can’t say I blame her.” Gammon looked tired, and drunk.
“She’ll be back. I’m sure.” Egan took a small step, focusing on the metal box in curiosity.
“No, she won’t. She said I’ll never see her or the kids again, not after she found out what I’ve done.” With his free hand he rubbed his sweaty brow.
“What did you do, buddy?”
Gammon brought his red-rimmed gaze up. “I fucked ShyAnne. Repeatedly.”
Egan swallowed hard. So it was Gammon that ShyAnne met by the pool. What had the man been thinking? He had a wife, kids, a new one on the way… “People get angry and they say things. There’s still a chance for you two. To talk things through.” One more small step and Egan saw the light on the controller and the wires connected to the box. Shit! “Gammon? What the hell are you doing?”
“Don’t come any closer, Banks. I just felt I needed the truth to be told.”
“Listen, is this because of your wife and kids? People have problems, you might even get a divorce but trust me, your kids still need you.”
His laugh was cold and full of acid. “She made me so mad. She’d used me all along.”
“Your wife?” Egan visually inspected the wiring
