Page 52

Dawson shrugged. “It’s the perfect spot. And there’s an abandoned airstrip not too far down the coast.”
“But Shaw and Newport are in jail?—”
“They’re dead, actually.”
“Since when?”
Dawson nodded when Foster and Mac asked in unison. “Last night. Apparently, they were involved in a riot and were killed during the armed assault to retake the prison wing. At least, that’s the official story.”
“So, the only two men who actually know all of Carrington’s secrets get killed the same night Greer, Chase and Zain are attacked? When Greer was bringing this exact intel to us?” Foster raked his hand through his hair. “And that’s not suspicious at all?”
“Preaching to the choir, brother. And sadly, I don’t have all the answers. But I can tell you that based on the snippets from Josh’s emergency call before he passed out and what investigators found at the scene, it was very obvious Shaw and Newport had someone else working with them. Now, there was some chatter about it being the caretaker who was overseeing Raven’s Manor before your father bought it, but nothing concrete, and definitely not something that would have garnered local police a search warrant. Regardless, our source thinks this third guy got into a deadly shootout with a cartel gang when their drug deal went sideways. Bleeding and near death, he called Shaw and Newport for an extraction. Not wanting their operation to be outed if authorities somehow linked them to this other guy, they passed it off as a rescue call. The only problem was, Josh Parker had worked for the Portland Police Department for several years and knew a damn drug deal gone bad when he saw one.”
Foster blew out a rough breath. “So, they killed Josh then made a run for it.”
“Authorities never found that other guy, but someone left a lethal amount of blood at the scene. And what’s even more interesting is that when Shaw and Newport were apprehended later that same night, they didn’t have any drugs on them. And there hadn’t been enough time to relocate them, which suggests…”
Foster groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose, hoping to stem the pain creeping across his temples. “They’re likely still in the house.”
“Which explains why Carrington attempted to purchase it. He knows the drugs are there, but since he wasn’t directly involved in the distribution, he has no idea where on the property Shaw stashed them.”
“And when he wasn’t successful, he sent his goon squad to uncover them.”
Dawson nodded. “But by the time they got there, your parents had taken possession and Carrington’s people couldn’t risk another questionable death with Josh’s murder still hanging over the area like a dark omen. Which is why they tried a bunch of covert searches.”
Foster drew himself up, knowing the answer to his next question but needing to hear Dawson confirm it. “Then they realize my parents are renovating the entire estate and will likely discover the drugs before they do. They still can’t risk outright killing them, but if my parents die in an accident, there won’t be an investigation, and Carrington’s people would have more than enough time to search the house. Hell, tear it down.”
“But that goon squad hadn’t counted on the security company your father hired maintaining their vigil until you arrived.” Dawson motioned toward Keaton. “Keaton told me about that piece of hardware you found at Greer’s crash site. The cops found something similar in some debris on the edge of that cliff where you parents went over, but local law passed if off as a garage opener. I suppose it could be a coincidence… ”
Foster arched a brow.
Dawson nodded. “I know. I don’t put much stock in those either. Which suggests Carrington’s men are getting tired of treading water.”
Foster nodded, the bitter truth weighing heavily on his shoulders. He should have known something was off. The way his dad had been preoccupied the couple of times Foster had called in the months prior to his death. Or how he’d wondered if Foster was going to visit soon. Not a question his dad had usually asked, especially when he was all too familiar with how deployments worked. But Foster had been too busy worrying about his job to make the connections.
Dawson cleared his throat. “You two okay?”
Foster glanced at Mac, noting her pinched lips and pale complexion. “Ask us after we nail these bastards. Speaking of which, any intel on who we’re up against?”
“Remember that part where I said I didn’t have all the answers? But maybe you’ll get lucky and the detonator piece you picked up will pan out.”
“Right, because we’ve been nothing but lucky so far.”
“You’re all still breathing. I’d say that’s about as good as it gets.”
“Noted. And thanks for going the extra mile. I owe you.”
Dawson nodded. “Put these assholes in jail, or better still, in the ground, and we’ll call it even.”
“Hooyah.” Foster straightened, then stopped. “Hey, one last thing. I don’t suppose you checked out the local sheriff’s office? Greer hinted they couldn’t be trusted, and I find it suspicious that Carrington and Vexarin were never mentioned regarding Josh’s death. That it was left as simply an assumed drug-related incident.”
“That’s because the Department of Defense has been actively covering up anything Vexarin related. They don’t want anyone knowing their wonder drug went dark side, and they let Carrington waltz off with it. As for Sheriff Thompson, I called around but couldn’t find any evidence that he or his other deputies were involved in this. Though, that doesn’t mean they’re clean. They could just be good at hiding their connections.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks, again, buddy.”
Dawson gave Foster a quick salute then the screen winked out, leaving an eerie void in the room. Kash, Zain and Chase shuffled on their seats then stood, quietly excusing themselves as they muttered something about performing a quick perimeter check. Though, Foster knew they were trying to give him and Mac some time to quietly deal with the new intel.
Mackenzie trudged across the room before spinning and leaning against the wall. She looked up at him, her eyes glassy as she speared her fingers through her hair. “This is crazy.”