Page 79 of One Final Target

“I’m not sure. The IED was so well planned, the shooting was haphazard in comparison. And the explosive under Collins’s house was simple compared to the first IED. Even the attack on the safe house was half-baked. He certainly got the drop on the agent, which took planning, but you escaped. So much isn’t adding up.”

Jodie shivered at the thought. “He’ll guess we’re headed to the mountains.”

“I’m counting on it,” Sam said.

“What do you mean?”

“We’ll be ready.” Sam turned and met Jodie’s gaze. She saw firm resolve there.

For a moment, there was silence in the car. Then Sam said, “I have a list, you know.”

“A list of what?”

“When you told me you believed the IED was directed toward you, I made a list of people close to you who could be suspects.”

Jodie didn’t like where this was going. “Who did you put on the list?”

“Please understand I’d just met you. I don’t know your life. But if this is all personal, it would have to be someone close to you, someone who knows you well.” He paused. “Someone you trust.”

Jodie blew out a breath. “Okay, so hit me with it. Who did you list?”

“There are four people and a fifth who doesn’t make much sense to me, but I felt compelled to add the name. Remember, I didn’t make the list to upset you.” He cast another glance her way. She motioned for him to continue.

“Jonah Bennett, Ian Hunter, Tara Corson, Mike King.”

“What? My uncle Mike? You’re crazy.” She realized he hadn’t said the fifth name. “Who else?”

“Gus Perkins.”

“I think you’re off base.” It was, she thought, but it got her thinking.

“Maybe so, but they are all close to you—they had access—so now we need to think motive. Standing outside yourself, would any of them have a motive? You’ve told me Bennett is like an uncle. Why?”

“He’s known my uncle Mike forever. They went through the academy thirty years ago. Gus, Jonah, Mike, they were all hired at the same time.”

“But Bennett sells real estate.”

“Now. He made a mistake. I think it was just after my parents were killed and I came to live with Mike. He was fired. But they all stayed friends. I’ve known Jonah as long as I’ve been with Mike, so there were no hard feelings.”

“Do you know why he was fired?”

“No. I never asked.”

“His son died in a drug overdose.”

“Yeah.” She stared at him. “You’ve done your research.”

“Of course. Keeping you safe is important to me. I want all the information possible.”

“Wow, thanks.” Jodie smiled, feeling warmth all the way down to her toes. She wondered if she was just giddy from lack of sleep.

“You’re welcome. It’s nice to see you smile.” He cleared his throat and returned his attention to his driving.

“As far as Jason, Jonah’s son, goes,” Jodie said, getting back on topic, “he was a smart but shy kid. I’m not sure Jonah ever married his mom. Jonah isn’t good with women. It broke his heart when Jason died. He had plans for Jason. He’d graduated at the top of his class from Long Beach State and would have been headed to law school if he hadn’t gone to that party.”

“He was the only one who died. All the others who took the drug just got sick.”

“Yeah, I think Jonah knowing his son was the only fatality just compounded the tragedy.”

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