Page 34 of Girl Lost (The King Legacy #1)

“We should have a release form around here somewhere ... yeah. Here it is.” Harlee clicked her mouse.

The printer behind Tori beeped and buzzed. She plucked the paper from the tray. “This grants guardianship to Stryker. So legally, he has access to her medical records.”

“Which is a problem because he’s been kidnapped,” Jett said.

Blade took the paper. “She’s a missing person with a serious medical condition. Should be enough for a warrant.”

“Okay, we’ll need her entire medical history, surgical reports, post-op care instructions. Anything we can get from the Chiron BioInnovation Center.” Corbin sounded excited now. “Luna and I will go.” Corbin looked at her. “She’s proved herself to be rather ... persuasive.”

He didn’t know the half of it.

“Can I see that?” She gestured to the release, and Blade passed it to her.

Luna leaned against the wall, her arms crossed, trying to project an air of calm she didn’t feel. She scanned the form. The usual legal jargon. Stryker’s signature. And there, near the bottom, Trinity’s full name and date of birth.

May 3.

Her heart sank. A cold knot tightened in her chest. It wasn’t her. It couldn’t be her. Right year but wrong birthday. Her daughter was born March 5. The date was etched into her like a jagged scar on her soul.

She handed the form back to Blade and forced a stiff smile. “Looks official enough.” What a stupid thing to hope for.

But Stryker still needed her. Trinity too. Her mind raced through the information they’d gathered, the connections they’d begun to make.

She said to Blade, “Hold off on the warrant. The killer knows we’ve found the bodies by now. It’s all over the news. We need to take a closer look at that clinic where Trinity had her transplant. If we show up with a warrant, they’ll shut everything down, and we’ll lose our best lead.”

Corbin nodded. “Agreed. But we’ll need to be careful. If the clinic is involved in this organ harvesting scheme, they’ll be on high alert.”

“Then we don’t go in as cops.” A plan already formed in her mind. “We go in undercover. As potential patients.” This was what she was trained for, after all. Creating identities, infiltrating dangerous organizations.

She saw the spark of approval in Corbin’s eyes. “That could work. We’ll need backstories, medical histories that would make us candidates for their ... services.”

“Leave that to me,” Jett said. “I’ll have everything you need by morning.”

Her eyes met each of theirs in turn. Not just old friends anymore. A team. And together, they’d dismantle this operation piece by piece.

Corbin rose with a slight wince and stood behind Harlee. “Where are we on Mr. Steve?”

“Remember I had a partial plate for the G-Wagon? I’ve tracked down a name.

The registered owner of the vehicle is Jed Steven Kaplow Jr. Goes by Steve.

And interestingly, Kaplow served in the Marines for a few years in a heavy equipment transport unit.

” Harlee’s fingers flew across the keyboard.

Her monitor displayed a complex network of lines and data points.

“Still searching for any connections Stryker might have to Kaplow.”

Corbin nodded to Blade. “How’s it going with that kid, Jordan...”

“Metzger. Jordan Metzger,” Harlee said, not looking away from her screen.

“Surveilling a minor is tricky,” Blade said. “My superiors weren’t too keen on it, but they’ve asked an informant to keep his ear to the ground and let me know if he gets into any trouble.”

“Good enough,” Corbin said. “Let’s get to work. Meet back here tomorrow at six.”

Harlee swiveled her chair to look up at Corbin. “Six a.m.? Seriously? I signed up for surveillance, not sleep deprivation.”

“Aw, come on, Harlee,” Tori said. “You know you love our early morning task force meetings. Besides, think of the coffee we can guzzle.”

Early morning meetings? They had a thing for early morning meetings? She didn’t get it. It must be an inside joke. One of a thousand inside jokes, a thousand shared moments she’d missed.

“Fine. But I’m bringing donuts,” Harlee grumbled. “Lots of donuts.”

“Even better.” Corbin looked right at Luna and winked. He stood and walked closer. He leaned in. Put his lips close to her ear. “How would you feel about being my wife?”

Heat crept up her neck. Her skin tingled where his breath grazed her ear. She refocused. This was a job. An assignment. A necessary deception. Nothing more.

Okay, maybe a little more. The thought was quickly banished.

“I thought you’d never ask.” A smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

“I’ll tell Jett to set up our cover story that way.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Blade asked.

Corbin straightened. “Just discussing getting married.”

Harlee’s eyebrows shot up. Tori coughed to cover a laugh.

“We’re going undercover.” Luna shot him a look. “As a married couple.”

Jett, ever the pragmatist, only asked, “Which one of you needs the new heart?”

“Luna will need the heart. She’s the undercover federal agent,” Corbin said.

“Actually, it would be better if Corbin needed the transplant,” Luna countered. “He’s already injured.”

Corbin’s lips quirked up. “Fine, pick on the guy who got stabbed.” His expression sobered. “Tinch still has us partnered up. We’ll hit up the South Beach Pediatric Center where the Warrior kids get their physicals.”

“Won’t you need a warrant?” Tori asked.

“I’d rather us fly under the radar. For now we’ll use the release form. They might not hand over everything, but if we can at least snag Trinity’s blood type, Dr. Santos can cross-reference with our victims. See if any match up as potential donors.”

Luna nodded. “After that, we scope out Chiron. Keep our eyes peeled for anything out of place.” Like a group of professional kidnappers dragging victims inside.

“Solid plan.” Corbin glanced at his watch. “We should get going.”

A long shot, sure. But maybe the BioInnovation Center held answers. The key to finding Stryker. Finding Trinity.

Not her daughter. Another girl, though. One in danger. This time, Luna wouldn’t stand idle. She had backup now. A team. People she trusted. And Corbin.

She was right where she needed to be. Not running. For once.