Page 74 of Caught in the Crossfire

Fury burning a hole in his gut, Mason analyzed Todd’s body language and pushed Nicole further behind him. He didn’t trust Todd. If the guy threw another sucker punch, Mason didn’t want Nicole hurt by accident.

To his left, Linc motioned for Dawn to move back. Guess the PSI instructor interpreted Todd’s body language the same as Mason. Despite the injuries, the man was spoiling for a fight.

“Lay off,” Gage snapped. “We’re finished.”

“Whatever.” Todd strode directly toward Mason, balled his fist, and took a swing at his face.

Mason shifted enough for the strike to miss by less than an inch, throwing the other man off balance. He took advantage and shoved him onto the nearest car, face down. Todd grunted with pain as his injured arm connected with the car’s trunk.

Easily controlling the other man’s struggles, Mason said, “Enough. You had your free shot at me. You don’t get a second one.”

“You’re a dead man.”

“More dangerous men than you tried and failed to kill me in prison.” He had the scars to prove it. “Go home, Todd. If you stay in Otter Creek, you’ll be used as a murderer’s pawn. Your family has suffered enough. Get on with your life. Stacey wouldn’t want you to wallow in hatred and misery. You’ll only end up hurting yourself. Nothing you can do to me is worse than the knowledge of my own guilt.”

He stepped back and away from the man struggling to regain his balance, alert for another potential attack. Gage gave his brother a hand. Once Todd was steady on his feet, Gage gave Mason a short nod and herded the swearing man toward the restaurant.

“Nicely done,” Linc murmured as they watched until the men turned the corner of the building and disappeared from view.

“Thanks.” Although he appreciated the compliment, Mason wished he’d agreed to takeout. The confrontation had left him with a boulder the side of Montana in his stomach.

The skin at the back of his neck prickled as though spiders crawled along his hairline. He scanned the area, looking for the source of his unease. A shadow moved at the very edge of the lot.

He focused on that spot, but he couldn’t make out who watched from the darkness.

“What is it?” Linc murmured.

“Watcher at 10:00 o’clock.”

The operative unlocked his vehicle, then pressed the remote into Mason’s hand. “Get the women into the safety of the SUV. I’ll find out who’s interested in us.” Linc walked to the opposite side of the building and disappeared.

“Let’s go.” Mason urged Dawn and Nicole ahead of him to the SUV. He opened the door for Dawn, then tucked Nicole into the backseat before sliding behind the wheel in case he needed to get them out of danger in a hurry.

“What’s going on?” Dawn asked. “Where’s Linc?”

“Someone was watching us from the trees. He’s trying to identify him.”

“Go. He might need help.” Her hands gripped the edge of the seat with a white-knuckled hold.

Amusement zipped through him. “Linc doesn’t need a hand. He’s well trained and armed.”

“What if the person watching is armed, too?”

“He can handle himself.” How much did she know about Linc’s training?

She groaned and relaxed against the seat. “Of course he can. I forgot the extent of his training.”

“What am I missing?” Nicole asked. “Linc’s better trained than a regular Army grunt?”

Mason twisted in his seat to look at Nicole. “Special Forces. He knows what he’s doing.”

He scanned the parking lot again, focusing on the shadowed area near the trees. Nothing. Had Linc caught the watcher before he or she disappeared?

Two minutes later, Linc walked toward the SUV. Mason asked the women to stay inside, then met the instructor away from their hearing. He handed Linc the remote. “Any luck?”

“Do the names Gene Patton and Ed Fisher mean anything to you?”

Mason groaned. “They’re on the Elliott construction crew. Why?”

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