Page 12 of Stryker

“What do you mean?”Stryker narrowed his eyes, his protective instincts wellingup.

“It appears John’s fatherwas in the Air Force. An illustrious career with severaldeployments ending with him becoming a trainer.”

“I’m guessing that’s whereJohn’s love of flying came from,” Stryker said absently.

“His mother was aschoolteacher, Evelyn, age forty-two when she died, and his fatherwas Frank, age forty-five. Both were shot and killed in what wasbelieved to be a targeted shooting twenty-two years ago on thestreets of Hood River back in Oregon.”

“Targeted? Did thatinclude John? Who were the suspects?”

“It seems he was part ofthe hit too. And there weren’t any suspects at the time,” Spencersaid while typing away on his laptop.

“There had to be somebody.They were targeted for some reason.” This wasn’t making any sense.Who would target a family with a sixteen-year-old kid?

“The case went nowhere.The three of them were shot in broad daylight on a city street, andthey had no suspects. I find that hard to believe,” Spencer said.“No one else was hit.”

“So do I. Were the copsbought off?” Then what Spencer had said finally registered withStryker. “What do you mean all three were shot? Was Johnhit?”

“Yep, right side. Thebullet went between the fifth and sixth ribs and penetrated hisright lung. They were able to save his life, but John lost aquarter of his right lung and likely gained that breathingcondition of his.”

“You mean hisasthma?”

“Yes. There’s no mentionof any asthma-related illness in his medical records before thatdate,” Spencer said while holding up a file that had been lying onthe table beside him.

“So not only did he losehis parents, but he was also shot and ended up with a life-alteringcondition. That’s fucked up. Then, without any suspects, the casewas closed.”

“Right. Well, at least itwas, but it’s open again by the looks of things now.”

“What information did theyreceive or uncover to make them reopen the case?” It had to be goodwith a case that old.

“That’s it; I can’t find arecord of any new leads anywhere within the file.”

“That’sstrange.”

“You’re telling me. Ireached out to a few friends who are doing some digging around forme. I should have some answers within the next couple ofdays.”

“Thanks, Spence. Iappreciate you looking into this,” Stryker said.

“Looking into what?” Brickasked as he walked into the room.

“John’s parents’ murdercase,” Spence answered.

“Right, Jason mentioned itwas being reopened,” Brick said.

“Yes, but we have no ideawhy,” Stryker said.

“Going to need more thanthat,” Brick said as he headed for the pot of coffee.

Spence recounted the information he’dmanaged to dig up.

“Something’s off aboutthis,” Brick grumbled.

“Agreed.”

“Let me know what youfind,” Brick said. “In the meantime, I think someone should hangclose to John just in case someone comes back to finish the job nowthat the case has been reopened.”

“After all this time, it’sunlikely,” Spence said.

“I’ve learned thatunlikely shit has a habit of becoming a reality all too often,”Brick said.

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