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Why did it feel like he was trusting Sophia and Dare with his life?
***
“Any word onLach’s phone?” Toth asked, glancing at Cole in the driver’s seat.
They’d ridden in silence for the last few minutes. The upscale hotels and chain restaurants had become apartments then run-down dwellings and local food joints. The afternoon sky was now overcast. Gray clouds blocked the sun, making the day chilly. They approached a building with a sign that readSeaside Inn.
“There it is.” Toth pointed.
“Got it,” Cole said. “Dallas texted. It’s free of malware so they found you guys some other way.”
Toth nodded. At the way things were going that didn’t surprise him. Nothing about this was easy.
Cole grunted. “I still think we’re doing this too soon.”
“Why’s that?” Toth shot back.
“Because I’d like to know who the mole is first.”
“I don’t see why that’s relevant when we’ve found Brett.” Toth nodded at the motel as Cole steered into the parking lot.
“We don’t know shit right now. All we know is that this is the last place he was spotted.” Cole unbuckled his seatbelt. “I’d prefer more intel before we make a move, but whatever. I’ll talk to reception.”
Toth held out his hand. “Let me do the talking.” Cole narrowed his gaze. Damn, the guy really didn’t like being out-alpha-ed. “No offense, but I might have more luck getting answers.”
Cole lifted a shoulder and grunted. “Fine.”
Toth slid out of the passenger seat. They crossed the parking lot, and Toth reached for the door to the office. A young woman sat behind the desk. Her red hair skimmed her shoulders, and she wore large black-framed glasses. Her eyes landed on Toth then darted to Cole. “Um, how can I help you?”
Toth pulled his card from his wallet and passed it to her. “I’m Toth, with Backcountry Protection Services. I’m looking for a man who was here earlier today. He may or may not be going by the name Brett Schlueter.”
The girl thumbed the card then swiveled in her chair to face her computer screen. She moved the mouse and moments later frowned. “Sorry, I don’t have anyone registered under that name.”
Cole stepped forward and held out his phone. “Have you seen this guy?”
She pushed her glasses higher on her nose and leaned forward to squint at his screen. A flicker of recognition flashed on her face. “I can’t say anything.” She sent a glance over her shoulder and chewed her lip. “But if you’re here to visit a friend, you could try room 109.” She handed back his card.
Awareness tingled in Toth’s spine. He glanced at the nameplate on the desk. “Nadine, are you aware of who these people are? Are you in any danger?”
Nadine’s gaze locked on his. A look of fear overtook her face. “There was a group here last night. Loud and disorderly. We had several complaints. When I went to speak to them, one of the men threatened me and told me not to call the cops.” She straightened her spine. “I don’t know who they are, but if you’re here to remove them, I’ll put on my headphones and keep my head down.”
Toth and Cole exchanged a glance. This was it. They had Brett, and the sonofabitch wasn’t going to see tomorrow.
CHAPTER 22
Savannah stared outthe window at the harbor. She shouldn’t be mad that Toth had gone off to find Brett without her, but dammit, she had the right to see the man who wanted her dead. To face the enemies from her past. As messed up as it was, maybe seeing Brett would give her some closure, would allow her to release some of the anger she’d buried for three years.
Brett was a huge tie to her past and her life with her ex. He’d been around almost daily. His snide remarks had caused more friction between Jace and her than there otherwise would have been.
He’d disgusted her then, but she despised him now.
“Mind if I sit?” Dare approached one of the two lounge chairs positioned in front of the large picture window.
She waved her hand at the seat beside her. “Not at all.” She’d quickly come to appreciate this Holmes brother’s less-intimidating manner. She couldn’t say much about Dallas, as he hadn’t been too chatty, but even so he’d still been more likable than Cole.
Dare sat and cast his gaze out the window. Then his gray eyes landed on her. On the couch, Sophia spoke on the phone softly to her daughter.
“Do you have any more information?” Savannah asked.