Fatal Secrets

the dock where he was dropped into the river. The second victim was shot on the dock and fell into the water. There wasn’t much blood, so he must have been near the edge.”

“Like walking the plank,” Trace said.

“Simone also said, based on the angle of the wounds, whoever killed Jones was between five foot nine and five foot eleven. They shot him three times point-blank in the chest. When Jones fell, he was shot two more times, once in the chest-it went through at a completely different angle-and once in the head.

“The second victim was killed with a different gun and likely a different killer,” Sonia continued. “The second victim was six foot two inches and his killer was about the same size. He wasn’t dead when he hit the water. He drowned, though the two gunshot wounds would have been fatal.”

Dean said, “So our top guy has a henchman? That makes sense.”

“There’s more. The knife used to kill Greg Vega is unique. In fact, though the company has several factories around the world and in the United States, this particular knife is only manufactured in Argentina.”

Sam Callahan said, “Please tell me there were custom initials or engraving that leads directly to the owner.”

Sonia glanced at him. “We’re lucky, but not that lucky.”

“How are we lucky? Are we going to be able to get the database of buyers from the company? In the U.S., sure, but in another country?”

“I sent an email to my boss to work on it,” Sonia said. “But here’s the big news: the knife used in the hospital attack on Officer Riley Knight, my brother, is almost identical to the knife recovered from Vega. The same company, and only made in Argentina. Which means that Ann, the Jane Doe at the hospital, is connected to this case.”

Suddenly, Sonia yelped and everyone stared at her. Dean crossed over to her, but even his commanding presence couldn’t stop the fear from invading every cell in her body. “Andres. Andres is connected to Jones, and he’s from Argentina. What if the killers are looking for him? He’s at my parents’ house. Oh, God-”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Sonia had never been so relieved to see anyone than when she ran into her parents’s house and saw them sitting at the kitchen table with Andres, their German shepherd curled at their feet. They were playing cards, but both Owen and Marianne looked strained after Sonia’s phone call. Owen wore his holster and gun, which he hadn’t put on since he’d retired five years ago.

She hugged all three of them in turn. “Okay. Okay.” She took a deep breath.

Dean stepped into the kitchen. “The grounds are clear.”

“Did you meet FBI Agent Dean Hooper at the hospital yesterday?” Sonia asked her parents.

“Briefly,” Owen said. He extended his hand. “Owen Knight. My wife, Marianne. And Andres.”

“Pleased to meet you. I wish it were under better circumstances.”

Owen asked, “Are you sure you’re not overreacting, Sonia? From what you said you’re making some huge leaps to arrive at the conclusion that we’we in danger.”

“I don’t care if the risk is less than one percent, that’that still too great with people like this.” Sonia scratched the German shepherd’shepherd ears. Sarge sensed she was tense and stood beside her like a sentry. Petting him calmed her, and in response the former K-9 relaxed as well. She wished she had a dog, but with her erratic hours she’she feel guilty leaving a pet home alone.

“I called in a bodyguard,” Sonia said. When her dad was about to protest, she put her hand up. “Please, Dad. This is serious. The next forty-eight hours are going to heat up. With Riley out of commission and Max in Afghanistan, there’s no one else here to keep an eye out. His name is Duke Rogan. He’s the brother of a friend of mine.”

“Rogan,” Owen said flatly. “You mean Kane Rogan.”

Sonia’s father had never liked Kane, nor did he approve of his daughter’s longtime friendship with him. Kane was a man who, like Charlie Cammarata, had forged his own path in the world and played by no one’s rules. The difference, a crucial difference, was that Kane Rogan never put anyone but himself at risk.

Owen Knight believed absolutely in the rule of law. He didn’t like that Kane had influence over Sonia.

Sonia trusted few people, but Kane was on her list. When she’d called Duke Rogan as Dean sped through the streets from FBI headquarters to her parents’ house, Duke had said, “Kane told me you might call, and that if you did I was to drop everything. I’m at your service, fair lady.”

A knock on the door interrupted the tension. Dean offered to answer it and left the kitchen.

“Dad,” Sonia said quietly, “Kane is one of the good guys. I wouldn’t trust him if he weren’t, you know that.”

Marianne spoke up. “Your dad is just concerned about the long-distance relationship. When you love someone who won’t give up his career to be with you-”

“What?” Sonia exclaimed. “You think-” and she laughed. God, it felt good to laugh. Maybe she laughed a little too hard, a little too long, but it was either laugh or be worn down by the intensity of facing the potential threat to her family by a ruthless killer who had already killed four people, including her informant.

Dean walked in with two men.

One looked like a younger version of Kane Rogan-in fact, much like the Kane Sonia had met ten years ago. But it was the older, taller Rogan, with hair so deeply red it could have been mistaken for dark brown, who had to be Duke Rogan. His bright blue eyes were framed by laugh lines that became more pronounced when he smiled at Sonia’s laughter, revealing the same solitary Rogan dimple that the darker, brooding Kane also had.

“Duke?” Sonia said, extending her hand.

Duke took her hand, but pulled her into a hug. “Kane speaks highly of you,” he said. “And as you know, he doesn’t praise widely.”

“I can attest to that,” the other man said.

Sonia turned to the black-haired Rogan. He must be the youngest Rogan brother “Sean?”

“At your service.” He smiled, with two dimples, and gave a slight bow.

Duke said, “I thought under the circumstances two bodyguards were better than one.”

“I really appreciate your help.”

Duke shook Owen’s hand, then Marianne’s and finally Andres’s. Andres was overwhelmed and trembling. Sonia spoke to him softly in Spanish. “It’s going to be okay. These are my friends. They’ll make sure you’re safe.”

“How is this going to work?” Owen asked, still standing, trying, Sonia realized, to keep authority and control over his house. She felt awful that she’d never fully explained her relationship with Kane to her parents, but she’d never thought to. That her dad had believed she was pining for an unattainable mercenary made her realize how little about her personal life she shared with him, not that there was much to tell.

Sonia appreciated that Duke had assessed the situation quickly and correctly, and said, “Sir, I think you should walk me through the house, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of your home security. I’d like Sean to stay upstairs with your wife and the boy, and you and I can monitor the perimeter.”

Owen nodded. “Our alarm system is a good one,” he said.

“Terrific. Security systems are my specialty. I’m not a full-time bodyguard, only when asked by friends of the family.” He winked at Sonia. While he could act serious, Sonia realized that Duke was far more fun-loving than his older brother. “In fact, my primary responsibility with our company-Rogan-Caruso Protective Services-is providing electronic security to local businesses. I designed the systems for the university as well as the new biotech research lab in Auburn. I might have a few tricks to beef up your alarm system for the duration.”

“I heard about that lab.” Owen sounded both impressed and interested.

Sonia breathed easier. “You have my contact information. I’m headed home because we have an early day tomorrow.”

“It’s already after eight. You haven’t stopped working in days,” Marianne said. “I kept some stew on the stove. Please let me warm it up for you and Agent Hooper.”

“Mom, you don’t-” she saw the determined look on her mother’s face. “Okay.” She glanced at Dean. He was