Page 57 of Fatal Intent

Seth summarized the events from the time the team landed in Nicaragua until they were wheels up and on the way back to the US.

At the end of the report, Maddox turned his attention to Gerald White and his bodyguard. “Good to see you’re alive and well, Mr. White.”

“Thanks to your fine team.”

“What about the rest of your security detail?”

Trevor shook his head. “Cartel soldiers killed them before we made it out of the compound.”

Maddox shifted his attention to White. “What were you thinking?”

“I wanted to bring my family home safe. Any amount of money is worth the risk.”

“Tell that to the families of the men who died protecting you. I told you to stay out of this, that my people would rescue your family. They accomplished that goal and saved your hide, too, even though it wasn’t part of their original mission.”

“So, send me a bill,” White snapped.

“You owe Martin a favor, a big one.”

“What are you saying?”

“My operatives went back for you as a favor to him.”

Blood drained from White’s cheeks. “Your people would have left me and Trevor in Nicaragua?”

“You weren’t our priority, Mr. White. Your family was. You’re lucky Martin intervened and that my operatives weren’t injured rescuing you and your bodyguard.”

Maddox zeroed in on Grant. “We need to talk.”

His heart sank. Somehow he knew that was going to be the case. “Figured. Something else has happened?”

“Conner and Sanders have friends in high places. They got a warrant to search your home and Rayne’s.”

Grant flinched and glanced at the woman by his side. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I didn’t want them to invade your privacy like that.”

She shrugged. “I’ll survive.”

He turned back to face the screen. “I thought Conner and Sanders were going to Ardmore to search Selena and Dante’s home.”

“They waited on that search. The Ardmore police have the house secured with an officer babysitting outside. You and Rayne were the priority.”

“I assume the detectives found something if you felt it prudent to tell us about it before we landed in the US.”

“Oh, yeah. They definitely found something in your house. A body.”

He froze as the muted conversations around the jet’s cabin ceased. “Who?”

“Jed Bowen, your cousin.”

An arrow of pain pierced his heart. Oh, man. Not Jed. They’d been best friends growing up. Each time the Bowen family had a reunion, he and Jed acted like they’d never been apart.

His eyes stung. “How?” he choked out.

“One shot through the heart.”

“Do I need to say I didn’t do this, sir?”

“No.”