Page 5 of Shadow Operative

He wouldn’t be the person he was today without them.

Gage took a few more steps, contemplating whether or not to call out hello. Before he could, a new scent hit him.

A coppery odor.

Like blood.

His throat tightened.

Gage dropped his duffel bag near the door.

All his senses told him something was wrong.

“Hello?” he called.

No answer.

He took a few more steps, his spine tightening with every breath.

As he crossed into the living room, he paused.

Just on the other side of the sleek beige leather couch, someone lay on the floor, blood spilled around him.

“Rob . . .” Gage rushed toward his friend.

But he could clearly see Rob was already dead. Gage was too late.

Who would do this? Anger turned his blood into lava as it coursed through his veins.

Was this why Rob had wanted to meet? Because he’d feared for his life and needed Gage’s help?

He touched his friend’s neck, just to confirm there was no pulse. His body wasn’t cold yet. Rob probably hadn’t been dead for an hour. Rigor had yet to set in.

If Gage’s flight hadn’t been delayed . . . maybe his friend wouldn’t be dead right now.

His heart pounded in his ears at the thought.

He found a bit of comfort in knowing that Rob’s parents were no longer around to mourn their son’s death. They’d died in an auto accident three years ago, and he was an only child.

Still . . .

Gage shook his head. He had to stay focused.

The last time he’d talked to Rob had been around six-thirty.

What had happened in the time in between?

Gage rose and glanced around, searching for any clues as to what had happened.

A knife lay beside Rob—an ornate one with a silver handle emblazoned with a wispy, leaf-like pattern. It was definitely unique.

He took a picture of it so he’d remember the details.

His gaze stopped at something gold on the floor just beneath the couch.

A woman’s earring.

It was heart-shaped with a smattering of diamond dust.

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