Page 27 of Last Chance

Brent rose. “I’ll have Z set up the conference room so we can examine the photos of the gang members. Perhaps your missing passenger is a gang member.”

Sawyer stood and held out his hand to Janie. “Come with me. Would you like a drink or a snack?”

“Water, please.”

“Feeling okay?”

She shrugged. What could she say, that she’d never feel normal again? That wasn’t acceptable. Janie wouldn’t let Scar Face and his pals win this terror game. She would reclaim her life and again enjoy the feeling of security in her hometown of Hartman. Somehow.

Sawyer rested his hand on her lower back as they walked from the office and down the hall to a large conference room. Once he seated her, the operative left and returned a minute later with two bottles of water. He set both in front of her. “There are plenty more in the break room. Drink as much as you want, Janie.”

Soon, Brent entered the room accompanied by a dark-haired man in a wheelchair who rolled toward her.

He held out his hand. “Zane Murphy.”

“Janie Moran.”

“It’s good to meet you, Janie. Brent and Rowan have told me a lot about you. Rowan raves about your soap shop so much that my wife, Claire, is planning a trip soon to your store.”

She grinned. “That’s great. Tell her to introduce herself when she comes. I will give her the friends and family discount.”

Zane chuckled. “Although it’s unnecessary, my wallet thanks you.”

“Zane is our tech and communication guru,” Brent said. “He worked as tech and comm support for the Texas Team during your rescue mission.”

Janie sobered. “Then I owe you for helping Sawyer and his teammates.”

“It was my pleasure, Janie. I’m glad you’re here safe.” Zane squeezed her hand, then headed for the computer center at the back of the room.

“As soon as you’re ready, Z,” Brent said as he sat on the other side of Janie.

“One minute.” Several clicks of the keys later, he said, “Ready.” A photo flashed on the screen.

Janie gasped.

“Recognize him?” Brent asked.

“It’s the man I dubbed Scar Face. He raped and killed the woman in the cell next to mine.” She shuddered, feeling as though she’d been out in a blizzard for so long the cold had seeped into her bones.

Sawyer squeezed her hand. “I’ll return in a minute,” he murmured and left the room.

Seeing him leave made her feel abandoned. Stupid. She barely knew the man. Janie motioned to the screen. “Who is he?”

“His name is Jorge Zapatos. He’s second in command of Vatos Locos.”

“Was he killed by the Texas Team?”

Brent shook his head. “He slipped away in the chaos.”

Her heart sank. “That’s not good, is it?”

“No, it’s not.”

Great. Just great. “Keep going.”

Zane put up another picture, and another, followed by more.

Janie could only identify a handful of the men by their faces. “Are there any more photos?”

---