Page 15 of Stryker

“Actually, we don’t needyour help with the investigation,” the detective said.

“Then why would you wantme to return to Hood River?” John asked.

“We believe your life isin danger.”

Stryker took a few steps closer toJohn as his jaw dropped..

“Why would my life be indanger? It’s been decades, and no one has come to finish thejob.”

“Before he died, theoperative said you were the key, and we have no guarantee whooverheard him or knows about you.”

“The key towhat?”

“We don’t know, but I’mnot willing to risk you staying out in the open until we findout.”

Stryker was beginning to like thisdetective. He seemed to care what happened to John.

“Believe me when I tellyou I’m safest right here in Fire Lake,” John said. “With myfriends.”

“Your friends can’tprotect you like the police can.”

Stryker understood the detective’sposition; he didn’t know who the team was or theircapabilities.

“You’re right. They can doit better,” John countered.

It was time for Stryker to speak up.“Detective, I’ll have our team leader and information specialistcontact you today to discuss this case and safetymeasures.”

“W-what? Who isthis?”

“Lieutenant Zaine StrykerRogers. US Navy SEAL.”

“The same individual Ispoke with yesterday?”

“Yes. We’ll be in touch.Thanks for the update.” Stryker disconnected the call and put itback on mute. “We need to call Brick.” With this new information,the playing field changed by leaps and bounds.

John nodded, still staring at thephone as if it were going to fly off the table and attack him atany moment. “This shit just got real in a hurry. How in hell’s nameam I part of my father’s world?”

CHAPTER SEVEN

John

“Are you sure you’ll becomfortable sleeping on the couch?” John asked.

“Yeah, I’ve slept onworse,” Stryker replied. “There’s no way I’m going to let you stayhere in your apartment alone until we get this case workedout.”

“Has Brick spoken to thedetective?”

“Yes. We’ll head out tothe lake house in the morning and debrief.”

“Man, this sounds like amilitary operation. Debrief.”

“As of now, it is,”Stryker stated matter-of-factly.

“But we’re not even surethere’s a credible threat to me.”Am Ibeing naive?

“I’m not willing to riskit. Until you are one hundred percent safe, consider me yourbodyguard.”

“Not much of a body toguard,” John mumbled. “All broken down and barelybreathing.”

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