Page 18 of Killer Sins

And whatever the reason for the coldness between her and her dad, well that wasn’t his business, no matter how much he cared about Graham. He didn’t have to like the situation, but he owed the man more than he could ever repay. If cold-shouldering Graham’s long-lost daughter hurt the man, then Tai should make more of an effort with her, as irritating as he found the big city lawyer.

The morning’s conversation replayed in his mind as he headed for the barn. Seeing the hope and affection glowing on Gunny’s weathered face when he’d spoken to Tenaya had made Tai’s chest ache. He wanted that kind of bond for his old friend.

But Tenaya seemed determined to keep the poor man at a distance with her standoffishness.

It made no sense.

Graham Washington was as fine a man as he’d ever known——loyal, brave, deadly accurate with any weapon. Not exactly warm and fuzzy, sure. But if you had his back, he’d walk through fire for you.

The wide hangar doors on the barn were rolled up. Inside, Graham and Mason scaled the fat ropes that snaked their way to the ceiling, two stories above, trash-talking the entire way. Outstanding. A little high-energy competition was just what he needed. Or a quick sparring session. Even better. Once they located the psycho stalker and made a plan, he’d be good. For now, working up a hard sweat sounded perfect.

He detoured into the workout area and goaded Graham into sparring with him. “Think you still got it, old man?”

Gunny’s eyes glinted with challenge. “Bring it on, junior. Let’s see who ends up eating mat first.”

While Mason drifted off toward the lockers lining the far wall, Tai faced off with his mentor, adrenaline pumping. At first, they eased into things, trading jabs and kicks, evading and striking in a fluid dance. The world outside the mat fell away. Graham might have a few decades on him, but the guy was still lethally fast.

Tai blocked a spinning hook kick, then launched a combo of his own. Graham deflected the blows, pressing forward to keep Tai on the defensive. They were both dripping sweat by the time Mason intervened.

“Alright, that’s enough,” he rumbled. “It’s all fun and games until somebody gets hurt.”

Tai and Graham retreated to chug water, glancing at each other sheepishly. They might have gotten a little carried away.

The three of them stood chatting in the open hangar doors when Bridger, Jane and Tenaya burst out of the house, heading straight for them.

“We’ve got a lead on Zhezhnov,” Bridger announced.

Tai’s gaze cut to Tenaya. Hope and fear warred on her delicate features. Finally, a break in this nightmare for her.

He vowed then and there to keep his confusing feelings about Graham’s daughter buried. She needed their help, not his judgment. A man’s life should be judged by his actions, not his thoughts, as the Bible said.

Back in the ranch house, the team gathered around the large oak table.

Bridger explained the latest development. “Paige just called from town. They’ve ID’d the murder victim. She was thirty-two years old, a music teacher from Encino.”

Tenaya swayed where she stood. Jane wrapped an arm around her, murmuring something soothing.

Tai studied Tenaya’s pale face. Only a year younger than her. The reality must be hitting hard.

Graham’s jaw clenched, a muscle feathering along his bearded cheek. “We need to know how Zhezhnov found the poor woman. What was the connection?”

“Exactly,” Bridger agreed grimly. “Police have nothing so far.”

Graham huffed in disgust. “There’s a shocker.”

Tai understood his mentor’s frustration, even if denigrating fellow public servants was out of character for him. This whole situation was fraying everyone’s nerves.

“There has to be a link,” Mason rumbled. “I mean, sure, she’s a dead ringer for Tenaya, but how did Zhezhnov find her?”

Bridger shared a look with Jane. “Paige’ll find the connection.”

As the team suggested options for locating Zhezhnov based on the victim’s info, Tenaya interjected. “I should go back to LA. He wants me. What if he kills again?” She pressed her hands together. “I can’t face––”

“Of course, he’ll kill again.” Graham bit out harshly. “You’ll be the next victim.”

Tenaya flinched. “If I had handled this before, instead of hoping he’d disappeared, that innocent woman would still be alive.”

Tai jumped in to defend his mentor. “We can’t know that. This guy is insane. He probably would have killed her anyway. We can only deal with what we know.”

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