Page 61 of Critical Doubt

Hank hesitated, then glanced at his watch. "I have ten minutes before my next session starts. Come with me." He led them into a small adjacent room with a desk and two chairs that was set up to sell memberships. "Have a seat and start at the beginning."

"When I spoke to Todd at Paul's funeral, I thought Todd was extremely agitated. He was angry and ranting about the army, about us all ending up where we are. He was blaming himself for Paul's death. He stormed off, got into his car, and minutes later, we heard a crash. His vehicle had gone into the Dobbs River."

"Ryker jumped in after him," Savannah put in, wanting this man to know that Ryker had done his duty.

"But Todd wasn't in the car," Ryker continued. "They didn't find him for twenty-four hours."

"I can't believe this. But it still sounds to me like he killed himself. What am I missing?" Hank asked.

"There was an explosion at Todd's house yesterday," Ryker replied. "Since Todd was dead, he didn't do that, which means someone else wanted to cover something up. Add that to the fact that someone tried to run me down last night, and there's a pattern emerging. With Paul and Todd gone, there are only three of us left."

Hank sat back in his chair, folding his beefy arms across his broad chest. "Why would someone come after us? We're not doing anything of interest. We're not a threat to anyone."

"I can't figure out a motivation unless it has something to do with our last mission," Ryker said.

"On the other side of the world? I can't see how that would figure into anything."

"Well, if it's not that," Ryker continued, "what else could it be?"

Hank thought for a moment. "I don't know why anyone would be after us, but it's possible that Todd and Paul were gambling and that they might have crossed a line they shouldn't have crossed. I told them to stop looking for the quick fix and just work harder. Todd had a decent job, but he never picked up as many hours as he could. And Paul could have worked there, too, even with his physical limitations. I also said they could come here and work at the gym. Since Paul was having trouble with his wife and wasn't living at home anymore, it seemed like he could make a move if he was that desperate."

"Is that why you texted Todd about moving up the timeline?" she asked.

He shot her a quick, surprised look. "You went through Todd's texts? I don't understand. Do you have his phone?"

"No, I don't have his phone, but someone mentioned they saw a text from you to him."

"Someone? Who?"

"It doesn't matter," Ryker interrupted, drawing Hank's gaze back to him. "You said Paul and Todd might have crossed a line… What line?"

"I think they were both trying to get a loan from a private individual, but I don't know who. Look, unlike you, Ryker, I tried to help them, but, frankly, I have problems of my own. Paul and Todd were spending more time feeling sorry for themselves than anything else. Maybe that sounds cruel, but it's the truth." He checked his watch once more and then stood up. "I have to go."

"We need to keep talking, Hank," Ryker said as he got to his feet.

"Why? We can't bring Paul and Todd back. And I don't even understand why you're suddenly all worked up about them. You abandoned everyone. We haven't heard from you in months."

"I've had a lot of issues to deal with."

"As we all have. Hell, Mason lost his leg, and he stays in touch. You still have yours."

Savannah sucked in a breath as anger raced across Ryker's face. She was sorry to see the conversation disintegrating. Hank had more information than Ryker did, and their brief conversation had only touched on a few small pieces. But now they were bristling like two dogs about to fight.

"You two need to forget about the last few months," she said forcefully. "This is about now. You could both be in danger, as well as your friend Mason. If you each go it alone, you'll be bigger targets. You need to put your pride, your egos, and your pissed-off attitudes aside and sit back down."

They both stared at her with varying degrees of amazement.

"Who the hell are you again?" Hank demanded.

"I told you. I'm Abby's friend. But I'm also an FBI agent, and when I tell you that you're in trouble, you should believe me. This isn't just about Paul and Todd. It's about Ryker, too. And I believe you could also be a target."

"She's right," Ryker said. "We don't have to like each other to work together. God knows, we managed to do that for quite a few years."

Hank frowned but before he could say anything, one of the clerks from the front desk opened the door and said, "Sorry to interrupt, but your noon appointment is here."

"I'll be right there," Hank said. "Look, I have to get back to work. I can't do this now."

"Can we meet later?" Ryker asked.

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