Page 46 of Shadow Operative

If only Gage had asked more questions when Rob called him . . . if only he knew then what he knew now.

The one other piece of this puzzle that didn’t make any sense was Brittany.

Was Rob’s murder really because of a bad breakup and a jealous ex-boyfriend? Gage found that hard to believe.

He wanted to talk to Brittany one-on-one.

He already had her address, and he’d taken Austin’s rental car—which just happened to be a black Porsche 911—to head there now. Thankfully, her place wasn’t far away so he could be back soon if Austin needed him for anything.

As he drove, Jonah called him, and he answered through Bluetooth.

“I had my friend look into that knife,” Jonah started. “Unfortunately, there’s nothing special about it. In fact, you can buy them on Amazon. This one in particular is known as a Viking. People who like to cook and have money use them. Sorry I can’t be of more help.”

Gage frowned. He’d been hoping for more. “Thanks. I appreciate you looking into it.”

They chatted a few more minutes before ending the call.

The knife had been a dead end.

Hopefully, his new lead wouldn’t be.

Minutes later, he parked in front of a smaller house on the outskirts of the city.

He’d expected something fancier for a woman like Brittany. But her accommodations didn’t matter to him.

As he studied the house, he saw the curtain inside flutter.

Someone had seen him pull up.

Now he needed to make sure that someone talked to him.

chapter

twenty-one

Gage knocked at the door.

No one answered.

He knocked again.

Still no answer.

He glanced at the old, beat-up sage-green Volvo in the driveway.

The vehicle looked like something Brittany might drive—but only in desperate circumstances. She seemed like more of a diva.

Still no answer at the door.

Gage let out a sigh. Why couldn’t anything be easy?

Finally, he leaned closer and said, “Brittany, I know you’re in there. Why don’t you make this easier for all of us and come out? I just want to talk. I thought you wanted my help.”

Silence passed.

Just when he was certain he’d have to bust down the door if he wanted to get inside, it opened.

But Brittany wasn’t standing there.

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