Page 55 of Keeping Astrid

“Do you think we’ll get a trace of DNA or anything from the ear?” he asked.

“Depends,” Ox started. “If the victim’s records are on file, they may get a hit and then can chase them up. There could also be traces of prints from the person who cut it off, but I’m guessing they probably wore gloves, so they’ll likely get traces of latex.”

“I wonder if the victim went to the hospital. It would be hard to explain how your ear got cut off.” Growler was still watching the door Astrid had entered.

“Possibly, unless they were too afraid to get help.”

“Or they were homeless and couldn’t.” Growler hated the thought of someone being hurt in that way. Regardless of their circumstances, no one deserved that to happen to them.

“You know Cass will be on the case. If there’s something to be found, she’ll find it.”

While Growler appreciated all that Cass could do with her mad computer skills, a sense of unease at the thought of her invading people’s privacy—never mind that it could help solve this case. “Is that ethical?”

Ox stared at him, his gaze hard and uncompromising. “Everything we do at Alliez is done within the bounds of the law. However, there are times when lines have to be crossed. Where doing whatever is necessary to find someone requires those lines to be blurred. When your former teammates' partners needed to be found, we did what we had to do to achieve a good outcome. You yourself know that some intel you received while on a mission was obtained in ways that were more gray than black and white.”

Growler sighed. Nothing Ox was saying was wrong. “Yeah, I know. Not sure why the thought of someone’s medical records being obtained irked me out this time.”

“I get it. But also know that now we’re working with Julian and the task force he’s on, we’re going to go on assignments with information obtained in various ways. You going to be good with that?”

“Definitely. I don’t know what made me question it. I just feel—” Growler didn’t know what he felt or why he’d questioned something he knew was vital to the way missions were run. Intel was vital. It saved lives. “I know that the best information is achieved by doing whatever necessary to get someone to talk. And if Cass’s investigating helps Astrid, then I can’t get upset when the woman I love will have the answers she needs.”

Ox smiled. “You love her, huh? Does she know?”

Dammit, he hadn’t meant to blurt that out, especially to Ox. “Forget I said that. And no, I haven’t told her how I truly feel.”

Ox slapped him on the shoulder. “Look, I know this is all new and different for you. In the military, we got presented with information, and we acted on it. Here, we have to source that information to help us. We’ll get to the bottom of why the Ramirez Cartel is so hellbent on keeping Astrid quiet. And we’ll do whatever we have to ensure that she can put this all behind her and move forward with her life, and you.”

“Yeah, that’s the aim, isn’t it, with everything we do? Whether it’s protecting a starlet from overeager fans or finding someone who sends my woman a severed ear.”

“Exactly. Now go, when I hear anything, I’ll let you know.” Ox took two steps when he paused and pulled his phone out of his pocket.

Immediately, Growler closed the distance, eager to find out if it was an update from Cass. “Was that Cass?” he asked, voicing his hope that he could go inside with some answers.

“No,” Ox lifted his head. “It was Julian. He’s got a job for us.”

Growler’s world shifted a little before righting itself. “When do we have to leave?”

The last thing he wanted to do was leave Astrid, especially when a threat had been laid at her front door.

“Two days from now. I don’t have all the details yet. It could be a job that may not need all of us.”

As much as Growler wanted that, he also didn’t want to let the team down. “Right.”

“Once I get back to the office, I’ll review it and be in touch.”

“I’m committed to Alliez, I want you to know that.” Growler didn’t want to let his team down, but he also didn’t want to leave Astrid right now. Not after today’s episode.

“I know, Growler. And we’ll play it by ear. Your duty is to keep Astrid safe. There will be other trips where I’ll need you. Trust me, it’s not a one and done type of deal with the FBI.” With a wave, he headed to his car and Growler noticed that while he and Ox had been talking, everyone else had cleared out.

He appreciated Ox’s words and understanding, although he shouldn’t be surprised by Ox’s reaction to him not being keen on leaving Astrid alone.

Glancing at the house, he spied Astrid standing in the window watching him, the light shining behind her. The image was so haunting, and a renewed fire ignited in his soul.

Whatever it took, he would make sure Astrid was safe—always.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Astrid tensed when Callum came through the front door. The conversation between him and Ox had looked intense. Her mind whirled with possible reasons for that.

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