Page 108 of Critical Doubt

"I have an update," he said. "Agents Ball and Lukowski found the Spear truck on the service road. However, the truck was empty."

"The weapons were gone," she murmured, feeling a wave of disappointment.

"Yes. Two members of Spear's security team were found unconscious in the truck. They appear to have been drugged. One was in the cab, the other in the back of the truck. The driver was not at the scene. Spear gave us the details on the driver: Roland Walker." Agent Paxton handed them a copy of a driver's license.

Savannah took a quick breath. "That's not Roland Walker. That's Hank Morgan. He's part of Ryker's former ranger unit."

"That makes sense. The address on the ID led to a car wash."

"So, Hank Morgan was driving the truck. What about Mason Wrigley?"

"I checked with the hospital earlier," Parisa answered. "He's expected to be in surgery for another hour at least."

"He's really having surgery."

"Yes, he is."

"Get a warrant for his house," Agent Paxton said.

"Already working on it," Parisa confirmed.

"Good." His gaze moved to Savannah. "We appreciate your help, Agent Kane, and that of Mr. Stone. But we need you to step back now. We'll take it from here."

"I'm not stepping back," she said quietly. "I'm going to see this through. I know the players better than anyone else in this office. You need me."

"But I don't need Mr. Stone. He didn't get anywhere with Mr. Davis. Send him home. If you don't, I will."

As Paxton left the room, she muttered, "Ass."

Parisa smiled. "He's territorial. You know how it goes. Or maybe you've forgotten, because you have Flynn in your corner."

"You could have Flynn as your boss, too. He'd love to have you on the team. We all would."

"Right now, Jared needs to be here. But we are talking about making some changes in the next year, so we'll see."

"Ryker is not going home."

"I know, but he doesn't have to be here in the office."

"He'd probably rather not be here," she admitted, wondering again where he was.

Her phone buzzed and she pulled it out of her bag. "Oh, my God," she said.

"Bad news?"

"It usually is when my dad texts me. He says he needs to see me immediately, that it's urgent and has to do with Spear. Maybe he's found out something."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"He specifically asked me to come alone."

"Why would he do that?" Parisa asked. "Does he have something to hide? You don't think he's involved in this, do you?"

"I can't imagine that he would be. He prides himself on his honesty, integrity, loyalty to country. He's so righteous in being right."

"I've seen people who are very righteous and they're very wrong."

"My dad is a lot of things that aren't wonderful. He's emotionless and hard. He can be ruthless and a little cruel. But he's not a traitor."

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