Page 57 of Fatal Vision

“You won’t believe this.” He didn’t himself. He forced a chuckle so she wouldn’t know how scared he was. “Or maybe you will. Anyway, the case Shelby was working when she was shot? The murders of those three veterans? This is just a formality, providing my whereabouts at the time of the murders.”

A pause. “And the list of your SEAL missions?”

The sun was directly overhead, shining in his eyes. “I want those for me. One of the dead men was a friend when I was at the Home. The other two I obviously met in the Navy. All three worked in various support positions on some of my SEAL missions. I need to see if there was a common link beyond that.”

“They were all part of Connor’s rescue mission. I thought that was the link.”

“It may be, but it may not. It could just be…me.”

He heard someone speak in the background and Beatrice covered the phone to say something. Then she was back. “Gathering that information will take time.”

“I’d really like to see the FBI file on Shelby’s shooting as well. Her boss doesn’t like to share.”

“Anything else while I’m playing Santa Claus? A new car? Beachfront property?”

Beatrice wasn’t one to joke. “I think I’m rubbing off on you, boss. The snark in your voice is a nice change.”

She made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle. “So you want me to authorize Rory not only to hack into military databases, but also the FBI’s case files?”

“They should have done an extensive investigation, considering the victim was one of their own.”

“Why can’t Agent Claiborne get her hands on it?”

“The ASAC is playing his cards close to the vest. She’s still on medical leave so he has a reason. He was at the therapy center yesterday with the serial killer file wanting to question her about it, but on the flip side, when I asked him today to let her look at herownfile, he pulled the medical leave card and how he doesn’t want to upset her. I can’t figure this guy out.”

A heavy sigh. How many times in his life had he heard one of those?

“I may have found a way to get copies of the autopsies,” Beatrice said. “I’ll get Rory on the Naval records and FBI files. Give me a few hours and I’ll be in touch.”

“Thanks, Beatrice. I mean it.”

“Watch your backside. We need you.”

The phone went dead.

We need you.

They didn’t really. There were men on the team who were far more competent—and likable. Men whom Beatrice trusted as much as she did her own husband.

And there was no one she trusted more than Cal.

The one solid Colton had with her was that he’d helped rescue her, Cal, and Sloane when Beatrice was giving birth.

Knight in shining armor. That’s me.Riding in at the last second to save the day.

Not.

He ran a hand through his hair. God, what he wouldn’t give for a cigarette right now.

Shelby had made him give them up before he’d even got a good addiction going.

Goddamn woman, always looking out for him, taking care of him.

Until Connor’s rescue.

He’d saved the day that time too. Saved Connor, captured Iman Quan, and thought he’d be a SEAL forever.

And then that pussy terrorist went kamikaze on him and Shelby. It had all happened so fast. He’d tried to save them all.