Page 103 of Final Approach

“How is he?”

“He’s okay. He passed out at the scene from blood loss and everything else, but he’s surprisingly really good. Just needs some time and rest to regain his strength.”

“Good. I’m glad. He and I’ve had some crazy times together.”

“Yeah, he told me about some of them.”

“I’m glad he can talk about that with you.”

“I am too.”

He scrunched his beanie hat in his hands and pulled in a deep breath, then let it out. “Anyway, I just came by to tell Andrew thanks for everything.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe the guy was after Andrew and the gang has no idea where I am. It’s kind of mind-blowing.”

“No kidding. So what will you do now?”

“They want me to go back under.”

“How are you going to explain your disappearing act?”

“I’ll leave that to the bigwigs, but they’ll come up with something airtight.”

The door opened and Andrew stood there, fully dressed although a bit pale. “Ready to go?”

“You can go back to bed, dude,” Hank said. “I’ll come in there and talk to you.”

Andrew hesitated, then nodded. “I wouldn’t mind at least sitting down.”

Once they were all comfortable with Andrew back on the bed, Hank in the window seat, and Kristine in the chair, she sent a text to the others that Andrew was up. And dressed.

Hank leaned in, hands clasped between his knees. “It was you he was after all along.”

“Yep. We figured that out the hard way, but at least we now know.” He rubbed his eyes. “How’d you know where to find me? I don’t think anyone’s answered that one yet.”

Hank motioned to Kristine. “She figured it out. Found the plate that matched the car. Nathan did a little research and came up with an Isaac Mason. As soon as he said that name, I knew who had you. From there, we tracked Tyler Mason to his property in the mountains. He and Isaac were close. Ty graduated college, had a good job, but when he lost Isaac, it changed him.”

“So, he hunted me down to get his revenge.”

Hank nodded. “Yeah, something like that.”

“It’s unbelievable, the timing on everything. All of the attacks ... we thought those were directed at you. If you hadn’t shown up when you did, it would have been pretty clear who he was after.”

“But why shoot at you at Brown’s house?” Kristine asked. “I don’t see him as being a lousy shot. He missed on purpose?”

“Well, that’s the weird thing. He said that wasn’t him.”

“Not him?” She frowned. “Who else could it be?”

“I don’t know. I’d say he was lying, but he admitted to everything else. Why lie about that?”

“Weird. Maybe he just wanted to mess with your head.”

Andrew looked doubtful but shrugged, then winced. “Maybe. I don’t know.”

“Well, he’s not going to hurt anyone ever again,” she said. “Let’s be thankful for that.” And she was, but it still bothered her.

“Amen,” he whispered.

With her mother’s letter on the phone burning a hole in her hand, Kristine couldn’t stand it any longer. She rose. “I’ll give you guys time to say your goodbyes while I take care of something.”