Page 53 of Taken by the Lawman

“You’re good. Real good.”

Deegan scratched his temple. “Apparently I’m not because I don’t have the puzzle pieces together, but I think once you tell me the name, it’ll all make sense.”

“Travis Evans was a nineteen-year-old boy I served with in Iraq. He was gone before you got there. He was a damn good soldier. Bright, loyal, the military was his life. As we both know, the military isn’t for everyone.” He blew out a long breath. “I took him under my wing, even saved him a couple of times. He was hurt and was given a medical discharge, although he pleaded with the commander to let him stay, but it didn’t happen. When he showed up here—”

“You hired him to follow Annie,” Deegan said calmly.

Max stood and went to the window, leaning against the frame and looking out. “I suspected something wasn’t quite right with her although I didn’t want to believe it. She was hiding something. Demanding that I leave Lisa.” He tucked his hands into his pockets. “She didn’t understand how this could ruin me. I’ll admit I loved her, but I love my life with Lisa more.”

“You asked Evans to kill her?” Unable to sit any longer, Deegan stood. How did he miss this from the beginning?

Max swung around, his brows scrunched. “No, I didn’t ask him to kill her.”

“He owed you his life, didn’t he? He followed her, took the pictures, and you put two and two together. She was hired to spy on your re-election campaign. I’m sure that made you angry, and Evans, the loyal soldier, wanted to help a friend.”

“I didn’t have to put two and two together. She admitted the truth to me. She swore she stopped taking the money because she loved me and wanted the baby.”

“You knew Evans would do anything. You made him think you wanted her dead. Maybe you mentioned in front of him that you wished she was no longer in the picture.”

He shook his head. “I didn’t want him to kill her,” he said quietly, tearing a hand through his hair. “Why aren’t you arresting me? You did know, right?”

“I saw you and I knew. I’d had my suspicions, but was hoping it wasn’t true. You’ve connected the dots for me.”

Max chuckled but it was raw. “What do you plan to do now?”

“You know what I’ll do. I’m a Federal Agent. I’ll do my job,” Deegan said stiffly.

“I’m your friend, Deegan.”

“Do you even care how much human carnage your puppet has left behind? I can see why you think the two homeless kids aren’t worth your time because you didn’t see their faces, but Annie was pregnant. What low down bastard kills a woman he cares for, along with his unborn child? This wasn’t who you were once. Has this life changed you so much?”

“I didn’t mean for this to happen. I swear, I didn’t. I brought you here to hand over Evans.” His confidence was slipping. There was a new hitch to his voice.

“You brought me here because you knew I was getting close. Sending you the picture yesterday of Annie sitting in the restaurant must have turned your stomach. Sweat bullets. I knew it was only a matter of time before you made a move if you were involved. I know you. That was always your downfall, even in the military. You were always impulsive and trigger happy.”

“Does your friend, the Cade woman, know your suspicions?”

“Does it matter? You have to face the fire one way or another.”

Max moved to the desk and pressed his hands to the top and lowered his head. “I’m sorry, buddy. You saved my life once.”

Deegan reached for his gun and aimed it, but he was too late. Evans was already standing in the doorway, gun drawn and aimed at his head. A snake-like grin spread his lips. “It’s time we finally met, Agent Bronx. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Keeping his gun raised and pointed between the other man’s eyes, Deegan was steady and calm. “Lower your weapon. This is all going to end right now.”

“You’re right,” he smiled smugly. “It is. A man should always back his friends. You’re a disgrace. You don’t deserve to call yourself a veteran.”

“Is that what you’re doing? Backing a man who won’t remember who you are after he’s re-elected?”

“He won’t remember either of us.”

Hearing a rustling sound behind him, Deegan turned his cheek slightly, seeing another armed man step out from a doorway. “So, it took two of you?”

“Go quietly and we may let the Fed woman live. Maybe…,” Evans slurred.

“Touch her and even death wouldn’t keep me from tearing you apart, limb from limb,” Deegan growled.

“That’s enough,” Max said shakily. “I told you to make this clean. No more dead bodies. This is it.”

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