Page 24

He spoke with such confidence. It struck a chord. Ellie had once trusted her own team implicitly. But now, with a mole possibly buried in the Bureau, her ability to believe in anyone had eroded. “You trust him that much?”
“Absolutely.” There was no hesitation. Daniel glanced at her again and a flicker of sympathy crossed his handsome features, but when he spoke, there was a hardness in his tone. “Not everyone can be bought, El. Cole is on medical leave because he was shot protecting his fiancée from a stalker. Instead of resting, he volunteered to help our colleague, Jackson Barker. Jackson was working on a murder case when the detective partnered with him was targeted by the killer. Her family was threatened. Cole protected them.”
He focused back on the road. “I trust everyone in Company A, but Cole… he’s proven himself over and over again. He’ll protect my mom and Owen.”
Guilt prickled her. “I’m sorry. I know not everyone can be bought, and I don’t mean to disparage Cole. It’s just… leaving Owen after everything that’s happened is hard.”
“That’s understandable.” He paused. “I’m sorry too. I should be more patient. You’re protective of Owen and don’t know Cole well. I forget how much I’m asking you to take on faith. And betrayal messes with your head.”
She adjusted her seat belt. “Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”
“Not professionally. Personally, yeah… I’ve been burned.”
Ellie waited, but he didn't elaborate. That loaded silence settled between them again, causing fresh frustration. It wasn't logical to expect him to share personal details when he'd only asked for case-related honesty from her. But somehow his silence felt like proof that whatever trust they'd built was shaky at best.
To keep herself busy, she reached for the cell phone they’d purchased before leaving Silver Creek. The location settings were disabled, and she had a new phone number, so it would be difficult for anyone to trace. She opened a browser and searched for Gideon Voss.
A string of news articles and social media accounts popped up. The leader of the Iron Fist had cultivated a carefully crafted public persona—businessman, entrepreneur, political donor. Not much had changed in the last three years. She paused on a photograph of him with a state senator. Gideon was tall and good-looking, with blond hair and deep-set eyes. Dressed in a tux, with a glass of champagne in his hand, it would be hard for the average person to believe he was a drug dealer and human trafficker.
But she saw him for exactly who he was.
A criminal. A killer.
Daniel glanced at her screen and frowned. “I hate that he’s still walking free. The rangers have worked hard to tie him to the Iron Fist, but there’s never been enough direct evidence to bring charges.”
“Gideon didn’t get this far by being stupid. He’s careful to keep his illegal activities at arm’s length. His lieutenants do all the dirty work. He keeps them loyal by paying them handsomely and providing top-notch lawyers if they get into trouble.”
Ellie opened a new tab and typed in Tobias Kincaid. Unlike Gideon, there wasn’t much online about Tobias, but she found a mug shot from last year when he was arrested for the illegal possession of a short-barreled rifle. Tobias had none of Gideon’s polish. His eyes were beady and mean, even in the grainy arrest picture. Tattoos covered his neck and traveled down his chest and both arms. His head was shaved bald, but he sported a beard that came to a harsh point underneath his chin.
“Did you interact with him?” Daniel asked, jutting his chin toward her phone. “While you were undercover.”
“Yeah. Tobias was always the odd man out. Gideon is selective when it comes to his lieutenants. You have to work within the Iron Fist for years before entering the inner circle, but Tobias had an inside track. His brother, Eric, had been one of Gideon’s most loyal lieutenants before he died in a drug bust. Gideon took Tobias under his wing after that. But Tobias lacked self-discipline. He never gained the respect of the other lieutenants, especially Adam Parish.”
“That’s Gideon’s right-hand man, right?”
“Yeah. His top enforcer.” Ellie shivered. “I suspect he’s the one who killed Lena and shot me, although I have no evidence to prove it.”
Daniel reached over, laying a hand gently on her arm. “We’ll get them. All of them, if we can.”
His words and the touch sparked a flight of butterflies. She looked out the passenger window, trying to ignore the attraction, watching as the town lights grew brighter.
Minutes later, Daniel slowed as they turned onto a quiet residential street. Porch lights glowed, casting halos in thenight. Lawns were tidy, and American flags fluttered on several mailboxes. When they approached the address Jonah had found, Ellie blinked in surprise.
Cars were everywhere. Lining the curb, crowding the driveway, even parked across the street.
Daniel slowed further and pulled to the side. The house was well kept with a wide porch and maintained flower beds. Every light in the house was on. Laughter and music drifted faintly from the open windows. The smell of grilled meat hung in the air.
“Looks like we crashed a party,” Daniel murmured.
Ellie craned forward. “James has a big family. Maybe it’s a birthday or anniversary.”
Daniel put the truck in Park but didn’t shut off the engine. “Stay here.”
Ellie gave a small nod, her nerves fluttering again as she watched him cross the yard and climb the steps.
A woman in her late 60s opened the door. Blonde hair. Red apron. She smiled at Daniel and stepped onto the porch. Then James appeared behind her. His gray hair was longer than Ellie remembered, and he’d grown a beard. He looked… comfortable. Casual in his jeans and a faded Texas Longhorns T-shirt. James stepped around the woman, said something to Daniel, and then his gaze shifted to the truck.
His expression changed instantly. His eyes narrowed, his mouth flattened into a grim line. He stared at Ellie through the windshield with none of the warm familiarity she was used to. Instead, he appeared downright hostile. She lifted her hand in a tentative wave.