Page 94 of Final Approach

He rubbed his jaw. “So, they could deny it? The application?”

“They could, but honestly, if you give them everything you have and are forthcoming with all the information, then I don’t think they will. Bobby Bigfoot is a bad dude and they know it.”

“Right.”

“So you’re good with this?”

“Yeah.”

Andrew hesitated, then pulled Corey in for a hug. “I want this to work for you, man.”

Corey stepped back, tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry for everything, Andrew. But I appreciate you helping me.” He hesitated. “Why are you?”

“Because God told me to.”

“Oh.”

“And you better put forth some effort to get to know him because you need him.”

“Maybe I’ll find a church wherever I land.”

“You do that.” And he’d stay in touch too. There were ways even in WITSEC that he could communicate with his cousin. It would help him not feel so cut off.

Once the two FBI agents arrived, Andrew greeted them and turned his cousin over to them. Then he walked out of Corey’s hotel room, exhausted, but satisfied with the plan they had in place.

Andrew reached his car, heard a footfall behind him, and spun.

Scented liquid hit him in the face and he gasped. Breathed in the distinct smell of chloroform and stumbled to lean against the car. Darkness closed in and he let himself sink to the ground, not wanting to fall and risk hitting his head.

A man leaned in. “Now, the fun begins.”

TWENTY

Kristine rolled out of bed at the first hint of sunrise. She’d spent all night tossing and turning about several things. Her father, for one. So many thoughts and questions that the only way she could turn those off was to switch to wondering why Andrew hadn’t returned her texts and a call. So, she called Nathan, who answered on the first ring.

“Hey,” he said. “Um, good morning.”

“Sorry if I woke you, but what’s up with Andrew? I’ve texted him five times, called once, and left a voice message, and am getting no response. Frankly, I’m a little worried.”

“Yeah. So, his parents’ store got broken into last night, and Cole and James were handling that while I stayed with other agents to keep an eye on Hank. I haven’t heard from him either. Fell asleep waiting for him to respond.”

She knew about the store. That was the whole reason she wanted to talk to him. Or at least a big part of it. The other part was she just wanted to hear from him. “That’s not like him.”

“No, it’s not, but he’s dealing with a lot right now. It might take him some time to respond.”

Kristine sighed. “Fine. I’ll give him a couple more hours in case he got to bed late, then I’m finding him to see if he needs help.”

“We can all do that.”

“Good. Thanks. Talk to you a little later.”

She hung up and considered calling her boss and begging to be put to work. On a flight to anywhere in spite of the suspension. But since that would just be a waste of time, she debated another idea. She wanted to know what her father was hiding. She texted him and asked him to call when he woke up.

Her phone buzzed with a text.

I’m not sleeping. I’m on a case in Charlotte. Be back later tonight.

You sure you feel up to that?