CHAPTER 15
BLUNT WAS READING over some intelligence reports about a potential situation brewing in Cuba when Hawk and Alex strolled into his office. He organized the papers in a file folder and then leaned back in his chair.
“So, how did it go?” he asked. “I’m assuming based on the lack of a phone call that you struck out.”
“That would be an accurate assessment, though that’s not the entire story,” Alex said. “There’s much more to it than just the end result.”
“Go on,” Blunt said.
“Well, we tracked down the one anomaly number that called the assassin and traced it to a payphone in Rock Creek Park,” Hawk said. “But when went to view the footage around the time the call was placed, there was nothing but static.”
Blunt furrowed his brow. “Was the camera still recording?”
“Believe it or not, it was,” Alex said. “In fact, we looked at the corresponding cameras focused on a different area of the park. The timestamps coincided before and after the missing footage—and even during the static. It was weird.”
“So, whoever did this was covering their ass to make sure they didn’t get caught,” Blunt said.
Hawk and Alex both nodded in agreement.
“That also means we’re not dealing with a simple murder here,” Blunt continued. “This one was calculated, even taking precaution down to the phone call that activated the assassin. Doesn’t sound like his usual handler.”
“It can’t be all some strange coincidence,” Alex said.
“But what about that technology?” Hawk asked. “Have you ever heard of such a thing?”
Blunt nodded. “I heard there were some things like that in development, but I didn’t know of any that had hit the market yet.”
“Do you know who was developing it?” Hawk asked.
Blunt huffed a laugh through his nose. “Who do you think?”
“Colton Industries?” Alex asked.
Blunt nodded. “Bingo. You are today’s grand prize winner.”
“It doesn’t take strong deduction skills to figure that out,” Alex said. “I just wish Mr. Colton would finally start playing by the rules if he’s going to be working with the federal government so much that he captures seventy-five percent of their available defense contracts.”
“That makes two of us,” Hawk said.
“Three of us,” Blunt chimed in.
“His inability to control who gets their hands on his tech might just be the death of us all,” Hawk said.
“So, what next?” Blunt asked, steering the conversation back on course. “Where do you see this investigation going from here? Your twenty-four hours with Thurman is dwindling quickly.”
“The guy that manages all the security cameras in Washington parks suggested we check out one of the bank cameras near the entrance to Rock Creek Park,” Hawk said. “We stopped by there on our way back to the office and asked them to forward all footage during the fifteen minutes before and fifteen minutes afterward to us. Alex is going to see if she can make heads or tails of it.”
“Good luck,” Blunt said. “It sounds like your last good lead is hanging by that thread. No pressure or anything, Alex.”
“I’ll do my best, sir,” she said.
* * *
A LITTLE OVER A HALF HOUR later, Blunt was startled by the appearance of Alex at his door. Her hair was a matted mess, appearing as though she’d been napping on a counter. She tied her hair, bunching it up before stretching a rubber band around it in a taut ponytail. Holding a pencil, she stuffed it into the tight strands. But her smile belied her disheveled looks.
“What is it, Alex?” Blunt asked.
“I found something,” she said, quietly clapping the tips of her fingers together at rapid speed.
“Can you be more specific?” Blunt asked.
“I was able to analyze the footage from the bank,” Alex said.
“And . . .” Blunt said, gesturing for her to continue in his impatience.
“I have an image you need to see.”
Blunt grunted as he stood and marched around his desk. But Alex didn’t wait for him to make it all the way around. She took off, giddy as she’d ever been for any find she made in the past, streaking right back toward her desk. Still limping, Blunt struggled to keep up. Eventually, he stopped altogether and bent over in an attempt to catch his breath.
“Wait,” Blunt said. “I didn’t know this was a track meet.”
“You’re the one who put our offices so far away from yours,” Alex said, putting her hands on her hips. “Don’t blame me.”
“I never expected to have to race you there,” he said before breaking into a cough.
“Are you okay?” Alex asked, her tone softening.
“I’ll live,” he said with a growl. “Now, let’s get moving again so I can see what’s so special about this photo.”
A half a minute later, they strode into Alex’s office.
“I like what you’ve done with the place,” Blunt said as he scanned the room. “It’s very eclectic.”
“This is all just window dressing,” Alex said, gesturing around her office. “The real action takes place here.”
She stopped short, just in front of her computer terminal. “Take a look at this.”
Blunt peered over the top of his glasses. “Is that who I think it is?”
She nodded.
“Does Hawk agree?”
“Hawk hasn’t seen this yet. He had to run a quick errand but he’ll be back soon. Regardless, I can promise you he isn’t going to argue against facial recognition software.”
“Facial recognition matched the image of this man with another one in the database?” Blunt asked, his eyes widening once the answer arrived.
“A 99.98 percent chance that it’s a perfect match,” Alex said.
“Wow,” Blunt said. “Thurman’s going to be surprised.”
“Probably not as much as you think,” Alex said. “Why don’t you make the call and deliver the news?”
Blunt sighed. “Of course I’ll do it. It’s why I get paid the big bucks, right?”
“Better you than me,” Alex said.
Blunt picked up the phone off the receiver and dialed Thurman’s cell.
“How are things going?” Thurman asked. “I hope your team has taken care of our little issue.”
“I wish I could say that was the case, but they’re still working on it.”
“So, why are you
