Page 32 of Casey's Hero

“We’re going to my place,” Casey said. “I offered it as a command center to Hank since I have high-speed internet.”

“Okay. We’ll go there.” Kalea slid into the passenger seat and glanced up at Jacob, who was preparing to close her door. “Wait. Aren’t you coming with us?”

“I’m driving my truck,” he said. “We’re all going to the same place. It’s okay. We’re going to find Hawk. Casey will fill you in on what we’ve done so far.”

He would rather have had Casey with him, but he needed to keep his truck close at hand, and Casey had to drive her vehicle back to her apartment. For the first time since they’d made love, they would be separated. Jacob hadn’t realized just how much heliked having Casey around. She was sexy, smart and…well…she smelled good.

He hurried to his truck. The sooner they got to her apartment, the sooner he could be with her again. His need to be with Casey was worrisome and intriguing. Once they found Hawk and got the lovebirds through their wedding, Jacob could focus on whatever it was he was feeling for the pretty little brunette.

Kalea waiteduntil Casey got into the driver’s seat. “I’m still mad at you for not telling me earlier.”

“I understand,” Casey said. “And what would that have accomplished?”

Kalea shrugged. “I could’ve helped.”

“You would have been breathing down our necks. Instead, you enjoyed a massage and a facial, and you got a fabulous set of nails.” Casey gave her a crooked grin. “That has to count for something. And I’m confident you’ll both be there at the church on time tomorrow.”

“I don’t care about the wedding.” Kalea pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m just worried about Hawk. Who would have done this?”

“We have some ideas, but we wanted to hear from you.” Casey shifted into drive and pulled out of the parking lot of the spa. “Were there any loose ends in the case he helped you solve at your home on the Big Island? Is there anyone who might still have a bone to pick with him or you?”

Kalea shook her head. “We got the woman who tried to kill me and the hired assassins she employed. There weren’t any others. What did you two come up with? What are the police doing?”

“I’m not sure what the police are doing,” Casey said. “We told them everything we knew. Apparently, Hawk had a stalker when he lived at Coronado. He dated her twice. She took that as a commitment. He didn’t. She showed up at the Big Wave last night and made a scene. The off-duty cop I hired had to escort her out.”

“That bitch,” Kalea said through clenched teeth. She turned to Casey. “You think she had something to do with Hawk’s disappearance?”

Casey chewed on her bottom lip. “Maybe.” She explained the getaway van and its connection to theJalisco Nueva Generación.“Hawk’s stalker, Camila Torres, is related to members of theCartel Tijuana Nueva Generación. Her uncle lives on Oahu and owns a fleet of vans, one of which we think took off with Hawk.”

“By the gods,” Kalea murmured. “Sounds like Camila could be responsible.”

Casey nodded. “We went by her uncle’s place here on Oahu. He wasn’t at home, and there was no sign of Hawk there.”

“Any idea where they might have taken him?” Kalea asked.

“No,” Casey said. “I’m hoping Hank Patterson and his computer guy have come up with some ideas. We’re fresh out.”

Minutes later, Casey pulled into the parking lot of her apartment building and parked.

Jacob slid his truck in beside her vehicle and got out.

Together, the three of them entered the building and climbed the stairs to Casey’s apartment on the second floor.

She hoped Hank had something for them to go on. The longer Hawk was missing, the more likely he would be hurt or even…

Casey refused to go down that route.

Hawk would be all right. He had to be.

Jacob heldthe door for the women to enter the apartment.

As Casey walked past Jacob, she could smell his tantalizing scent. She could still smell his cologne on her skin after the night they’d spent together. Finding Hawk was a goal, not only to get his friend back safely but so that Casey could then focus on what she was feeling toward the handsome SEAL. Not that she would take it any further. The man was on active duty. As a Navy brat herself, she knew the kind of life a girlfriend or spouse would be subject to.

No way. That life wasn’t for her.

Inside, Hank sat at Casey’s dining table, his laptop in front of him, a cell phone on the table near his hand. He looked up as they entered. “Good. I’m glad to see you brought Kalea.” He stood and held open his arms.

Kalea walked into them. “Hey, Hank. Thanks for being here.”

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