Page 36 of Facing the Enemy

“Then say yes and pack your things for tomorrow. I’ll text you with the flight number and time.”

After the call, I made my reservations for Santa Fe to arrive midafternoon and texted her the info. Had I lost my mind? How could I keep my hands off her?

If I didn’t make a break in the Addingtons’ case before the flight, maybe I’d make progress in who killed Trenton Jacobs and targeted Risa. Monday morning, I’d be back on the Addingtons’ kidnapping and investigating who’d killed the Phan sisters and set fire to the restaurant. Add the man who died of smoke inhalation and if the gang were responsible.

The gang was a stubborn puzzle piece. Neither the Wades nor the Addingtons had mentioned a gang member. But someone tipped off the gang and tried to prod Jack and me into an outnumbered fight.

But before I solved the world’s problems and attempted to cuff the bad guys, I needed a few hours of sleep.

20

I believed in sleeping until the last minute, but my phone rang at 7a.m.—Jack. Why call when we were meeting in three hours?

“You’re ... on your own today.” Jack sounded strained, weak.

“What’s up? Are you sick?”

“I wish. The truth’s humiliating. You’ll find out soon enough. I was attacked in the parking area of my apartment complex. I’m at the ER ... waiting for the doctor to stitch me up.”

The reality of Jack’s attack jolted me awake. “What hospital?”

“Houston Methodist ... medical center.”

“Don’t you live in a gated community?”

“Supposedly. Always a way around security.”

“True. What happened and how badly are you hurt?”

“Hold on.” He paused, waited while I assumed he wrestled with pain. “I ... I parked my car outside my apartment and walked to the stairway. Someone jumped me from behind, stabbed me a little too close to my heart.” Jack drew in a ragged breath—not in any shape to talk.

“Hey, I’m sorry. Why don’t you get some rest? I’m on my way to the hospital. You need a ride home?”

“No need for either.” His labored breathing alarmed me. “The doc’s keeping me overnight to monitor Superman’s body. I’m no goodto you until at least Tuesday. Keep talking. It fills my brain before the pain and sleep drip starts to work.”

“Do you have any idea who did this?”

“None ... or many. Go figure. He left a note, tucked it into my shirt.” Jack gasped. “Sorry. Said the world was a better place with one less FBI agent.”

“He thought you were dead.” The attacker must have watched Jack fall to leave a note. “Can I call anyone or do anything?”

“No thanks. My brother lives on the north side of town, and he’s on his way ... Intends to camp out here.” Jack took another strained breath. “Be careful, Gage.”

I called SAC Dunkin while driving to the restaurant bomb site and told him about Jack.

“I’ll arrange immediate protection, and I’m heading to the hospital in a few minutes. Don’t take any bets on his being in the office on Tuesday,” the SAC said. “Unless he plans to catch up on paperwork.”

I hated that job, but Jack was odd enough not to mind. “I’ve requested the security cam from his apartment complex. Another thing ... a situation has arisen, and I need to leave town until Monday morning. I’ll have my devices with me.”

“We want the abduction case wrapped up, but it’s the weekend and your partner is incapacitated. You haven’t taken time off in months. Go for it.”

What would I walk into with Carson? “The truth is, I have a lead on an open case. I’m dealing with critical timing.”

“Which one?”

“Trenton Jacobs. A witness to the FSRA came forth, then disappeared. I’ve tracked him to a motel near Santa Fe.”

“And you’re heading there alone?”