Page 66 of Critical Doubt

"That sounds interesting," Ryker commented.

"It would be a lot more interesting to actually use the weapons, but so far the company seems to think my missing leg makes me unable to shoot a gun," he said, a now brittle edge to his voice. "But it's a job, and I make enough to live on. So, there's that. I heard you're a fisherman now. Can't quite picture that. What do you do with all your energy?"

"I don’t have as much energy as I used to."

"I'm right there with you. So, what's on your mind, Ryker?"

"Todd and Paul's deaths could be homicides, not accidents," Ryker said bluntly.

"Whoa. Hold on. I was not expecting you to say that."

"I'm not done. There's a chance someone is targeting our squad. I came to tell you that you might be in danger."

"Why? What would be the reason for that?"

"I have no idea. But someone tried to run me down last night. And after what happened to Todd and Paul, the very suspicious nature of their accidental deaths leads me to believe there's something else at play."

"Do you think it could be tied to our last mission?"

"It's a possibility."

"I've always thought someone sold us out, but I couldn't imagine who. The circle was tight."

"Maybe not tight enough."

"If you hadn't told us to abort, we might have all died," Mason said.

Savannah saw Ryker's face turn to stone and wondered if the bells were coming back. He struggled to draw a breath.

"Are you all right?" Mason asked, echoing the question that was running through her head, but she'd promised Ryker that she wouldn't keep asking him if he was okay.

"Fine," he bit out.

"You should sit down. You look like you're going to fall over," Mason said, his gaze narrowing.

She got out of her chair, but Ryker waved her off.

"I need the restroom," he said.

Mason pulled a key off a hook by his desk and tossed it to him. "Next door."

Ryker blasted out of the room, letting the door slam behind him.

"What the hell is that about?" Mason asked, concern in his gaze.

"I guess he really has to use the restroom."

Mason didn't believe her. "That's not it. What's wrong with him?"

"That's something only he can tell you."

"But you know."

Mason's demanding gaze met hers, and for a moment, she wondered if he could read her mind. He had an intensity about him that made her feel like a liar, even though she wasn't saying a word. "You would have made a good interrogator," she muttered.

"I've done interrogation. And I am good at it. I'm an expert at finding someone's weakness. What's yours?"

"I don't have one."

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