Page 10 of The Pilot & the Athlete

Authorities headed to clean up your mess. They aren’t going to like you taking out three men. I need more details. Who did you rescue? What do you need? Call me when you have time.

He didn’t know where to start. At least he knew they had a secure line to talk on.

I left a cell phone of one of the perps on the Rocket’s seat in your hangar. Hopefully some helpful info on it.

“Shay? Were those men taking you to Benjamin Oliver?”

Her smooth brow wrinkled in confusion. “They said they were taking me to Big T’s lawyer. Isn’t Benjamin Oliver Jacqueline and Elizabeth Oliver’s dad?”

“Yes.”

Now he was confused. Big T. The man was a famous crime lord out of Denver. As depraved as Benjamin, who Paul was currently trying to track down, Big T was flamboyant and thought nothing could stop him. Benjamin had worked his evil behind the scenes until he’d been exposed six weeks ago. The thought of the two men collaborating chilled him.

Check into a protection detail for Shay Cannon regarding Big T.

He typed and then looked up. “Were you supposed to testify against Big T at his trial next week?” The trial had been all over the news, but he’d heard from the FBI they had a star witness. Was Shay that witness?

“Yes. I saw him kill a lady two months ago.”

“Okay.” It was far from okay. “You’ve been in protective custody?” That was why she missed the Olympics, not another shoulder injury. Ah, poor Shay. This was a nightmare.

“Yes. Those men yanked me out of the swimming pool and brought me to the plane. I’m afraid they killed my FBI buddies.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t you be sorry. You rescued me. You’re no cap my hero.” She smiled sweetly at him, and he almost kissed her again.

“Thank you.” He looked at his phone. If he kept staring at her, he would kiss her again.

Shay Cannon? Olympic swimmer who was injured and disappeared?

Yes,Paul typed quickly.She’s not injured. She saw Big T murder someone. Supposed to testify next week. The men we were hopingwould lead us to Benjamin took her from FBI custody in her swimsuit. You never heard about her being in protective custody?

Those men were more impressive thugs than he’d given them credit for. They’d penetrated the witness protection program, found Shay, killed her FBI agents, and kidnapped her.

Big T wouldn’t want an eyewitness to one of his many murders coming forward. The nefarious criminal had evaded lifelong prison sentences numerous times because somehow the evidence disappeared or, worse, the eyewitness did. Paul couldn’t let that happen to Shay.

No,Aiden texted back.Please say Big T and Benjamin Oliver aren’t affiliated.

My thoughts exactly.Paul rubbed at his forehead, not letting himself stare at Shay.

I’ll check into it all now. Answers forthcoming. Where are you heading?

Paul thought for a moment. He could have the hilarious female bodyguard Autumn Cardon help him watch Shay at one of Aiden’s homes, but Autumn would tease him mercilessly and there were always different operatives rotating through. He trusted everyone in Aiden’s employ, but it was usually better to have fewer people seeing someone in protective custody. Especially someone who was semi-famous. This was definitely a high-level and special case. More than special to him because of who he was protecting.

Can you see if the Colevilles have room for an endangered lady?

He almost typed beautiful, endangered swimmer. Better not to tip his hand. His longtime friend Aiden had sworn to remain single until Chalisa Anderson had stolen his heart. Aiden and their top female operative, Autumn, loved to tease Paul about being an old man and how he needed to find his right angel.Yeah, right. He was happy and busy with his work, and he wasn’t going to give them any fodder by showing how deeply drawn he was to Shay.

You know they’ll help out if they can. Head that direction and I’ll confirm.

Thanks. Taking to the air now. Can you have someone send in a flight plan for me?

On it. Chat soon.

He stowed his phone and taxied out of the hangar, pushing the button to close the door behind the jet. Aiden’s security techs would be watching for their exit and immediately re-arm the hangar.

Shay didn’t say much as he eased out to the quiet runway and then went full throttle, maybe showing off a little as the high-performance jet glided down the runway and soared up into the night air.

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