Page 77 of Cold Light of Day

“The names don’t matter.” He stared at the flame. “The official was funded by massive amounts of laundered money. Let’s call the other agents Brown and Blue. Brown tried to steal the intercepted information and siphon money for himself, and when Blue learned of it, she was killed. Brown is framing me for the murder, going to his superiors with fake evidence about me, conveniently leaving out the stolen financial information. Brown intended to kill me so I couldn’t counter his claim. Krueger sent me into hiding while he found solid evidence against Brown. In the meantime, Krueger went along with Brown and acted like he believed I was guilty.”

“So he could keep working at finding the evidence to prove your innocence.”

“Yes.”

“Did Krueger witness any of it? If he did, then he could have cleared it all up. But I’m guessing he didn’t, otherwise he wouldn’t have needed to find the evidence. In which case, why did he believe you were innocent?”

His head bobbed. “Because like you, he knew me. Trusted me. He was already suspicious of Brown. Was already digging up evidence on him.” He rubbed his mouth and chin. “I suspectthat Krueger might have been put in place to watch Brown. But now he’s gone.” Grier frowned deeply. “Unfortunately, I believe I now understand why Krueger placed me in Shadow Gap.”

She studied him. What was he getting at? “You mean other than it’s in the middle of nowhere. Who would think to look for you there?”

Grier held her gaze as if willing her to make the connection on her own.

She’d had two Red Notice guys—international fugitives—in her backyard. A guy from an international criminal organization here in town to get revenge because of her mom. The guy who shot Dad, who was likely connected to said organization. And Grier’s murdered Krueger—all tied together? The weight of it dropped in her stomach, and she groaned. She stilled her pounding heart, leaned in, and whispered.

“According to Nolan’s information, Rafael’s organization launders money. Are you saying he’s the connection? That you were in Shadow Gap because of my connection to him? I don’t get it.”

“Krueger was an intelligence analyst before he became a field operative. We intercepted the transfer of information, but we still didn’t know where it came from and were in the process of digging into that when Blue was killed and I had to make a run for it. Then Krueger told me he’d discovered that the criminal organization that had laundered the money and funded the official was out of Costa del Sol. He sent me to Shadow Gap to stay, well, in the shadows.”

“Costa del Sol. According to Nolan, that’s where Santos’s organization is based. I still don’t understand. What’s the connection?”

“In unearthing everything about Rafael Santos, Krueger must have learned about the connection he had to a certain attorney who disappeared years ago. I suspect he heard chatter about something involving you, Chief Autumn Long—thedaughter of the attorney. All I can figure is that Krueger wanted to monitor us and thought it would be easier to keep an eye on both of us in Shadow Gap. The only other thing I can think...” He trailed off, his frown deepening as he shook his head.

“He knew you would protect me if I was in danger—that you not only had the skills, but you would recognize the threat.”

Grier nodded. “Except I didn’t recognize the threat soon enough.”

“And the Red Notice fugitives?”

“I can’t know if they were here for you or for me. Brown could have sent them for me, or Mateo could have hired them to watch you or assist in taking you.”

Autumn tried to wrap her mind around the fact that two separate entities bearing down on her and Grier were connected.

“I have a feeling we’ll learn more once we talk to Sarah,” he said.

“Agreed,” she said. “I’m still not sure about why Kenny and Monica were shot back in May.”

“Once we know who’s behind Krueger’s death, we’ll have a better idea who shot them—or not. It’s a start. I’m thinking that Monica and Kenny witnessed something and were taken out because of it.”

“There’s no evidence that Monica and Kenny even knew each other,” Autumn said. “Her family was questioned about Kenny, and her parents told us she’d been heading to meet a girlfriend and never arrived. We never found her back in May when she went missing.”

Grier leaned closer. “Hank didn’t know Kenny was coming to see him, so let’s assume Kenny was heading to meet his uncle to surprise him and never made it.”

She nodded. “He bought the older snow machine off someone, which my officers confirmed. Maybe he witnessed someone shooting Monica? I don’t know. I’m leaning toward she was at the wrong place at the wrong time and was abducted, takenup the mountain to dispose of. Kenny witnessed it, then was also shot and killed.” Two people at the wrong place at the wrong time.

“And the avalanche buried their bodies.”

“Perfect timing. Too bad it also didn’t catch the murderer.” She closed her eyes at the morbid images. The two had their whole lives ahead of them. Burning fury erupted inside.

She opened her eyes and searched Grier’s gaze.

“Yeah, too bad.” He hung his head.

“Something about Krueger’s death and your story about Brown doesn’t add up. If Brown learned where you were after torturing Krueger, why hasn’t he killed you already? I think there’s more to it. I think Krueger might have been tortured for another reason. You’re not telling me everything. I think you must have information he wants.”

With the deep respect that flickered in his gaze, she knew she’d hit the mark. “Grier? What does he want?”

He released a slow sigh. “The cold wallet.”

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