Page 101 of SEAL's Resolve

“I’ll review the footage to look for anyone nosing around Kristi’s property and inside the house while she was gone.”

“I’m on the footage.”

“Then I’ll see what you were doing and when, won’t I?”

“I could tamper with the footage before I send it to Eli.”

“Will you?”

Adams shook his head. “I don’t have anything to hide.”

“Neither do we. Our goal is to protect Kristi. The footage will help us do that more effectively. By the way, our tech wizard would know if you tampered with the footage.”

A frown. “He’s that good?”

“Z is a genius with technology of any kind. You could try to fool him, but you’d fail and destroy any hope of landing a job with Fortress in the process.”

“I realize you don’t have much reason to trust me, but I want to help. I don’t like the way this is shaking out. I’m concerned about Ms. Stewart.”

He wasn’t the only one. Rafe needed to unmask the culprit soon. “Getting the security footage will be a start.” Rafe wouldn’t assign Adams another task until he ruled the soldier out as a participant in Kristi’s kidnapping.

“I’ll send you the footage after I’m off shift. Why aren’t you asking me to lie to my supervisor about the cameras and bugs?”

“Letting the people above you deal with Maddox is more fun. The boss will make mincemeat of them.”

“They deserve it,” Adams muttered. “Somebody up the food chain thinks spying on women is acceptable. It’s not.”

“What do you know about Hugh Ward?” Eli asked.

“Enough to be glad I don’t deal with him one-on-one very often. He’s an arrogant jerk who throws around money and influence to suit his own ends.” He glanced at Kristi. “Sorry, ma’am, but that’s the truth.”

“Don’t apologize, Mr. Adams. You’re right. I’m sorry I didn’t see him for what he was before now.”

“Know anything about his financial situation?” Jon asked Adams.

His brows furrowed. “No. Should I?”

“Are you aware he’s drowning in gambling debt?”

The Ranger’s jaw tightened. “No, sir, but I can’t say I’m surprised.”

“Why?”

“He shows up once or twice a week during the day shift to talk to Hale. I thought the discussions concerned Ms. Stewart’s security. Now, I’m not so sure.”

“Does Fleming know Ward met with Hale so often?”

“He said he didn’t.”

“They’re partners. Why didn’t Fleming push for more information?”

A snort. “Have you seen Hale in person? Fleming is eight inches shorter and one hundred pounds lighter. When Hale tells him to back off, Fleming buries his head in a bottle instead of risking Hale beating him to a pulp. So, Ward’s in debt, huh?”

“He’s $1 million in the hole.”

Adams whistled softly. “Plenty of motive for a kidnap-for-ransom scheme. You think Hale is involved in the kidnapping?”

“Your team had the best access to Kristi. You know her routine. Wouldn’t be hard to plan a grab-and-go, keep her drugged for a day or two, then turn her loose when her father forked over the money.”

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