Page 33 of Chinook Winds

Kinsley’s gaze shot to Victor’s. Ten years? That was around the same time Collins faked his death. Was it a coincidence? “What happened?” In Kinsley’s mind Collins had something to do with it.

“Buckley was the model prisoner according to the records. Worked his way up to trustee in the kitchen. He was in charge of taking deliveries. One day when they were receiving a delivery, he killed the driver. Changed into his clothes and paid the guard on duty enough to let him slip by. They didn’t realize he was gone for a while.”

If Buckley wasn’t recaptured, then he had help. “Was his son involved?”

“Probably,” Emily said. “Collins visited his father before the escape, though they couldn’t prove it, but because he was a decorated agent, it was dropped. And then Collins did his own disappearing act.”

“There’s been no sightings of Buckley since his escape?” Kinsley couldn’t believe the man had been able to stay hidden for so long.

Emily shook her head. “He probably changed his appearance. Found a place to disappear.”

“He wouldn’t go back to the lodge in Washington. Too risky.” Kinsley ran over the possibilities in her head. Where had Edward Buckley been for over ten years?

“I agree, it wouldn’t be a wise move,” Victor said. “I’m thinking Buckley had his son’s help to disappear. The only question remaining—is Buckley involved in his son’s crimes?”

Kinsley couldn’t help but believe Buckley was as guilty as his son.

Victor motioned James over and explained what Emily had uncovered. “Can you see what you can find on Buckley? If there’s been any sightings of him since his escape. No one just disappears into thin air.”

“You got it.” James sat down at his laptop and went to work.

“This is unbelievable.” Victor ran a hand over his weary eyes. “I thought Collins was bad enough. Now we find out his old man is a killer and on the loose. He probably taught his son everything he knows.”

A chill sped up Kinsley’s spine. If Buckley was the one who had created the monster that was Collins, then she couldn’t imagine how depraved he was.

“I’m calling Will,” Victor told her. “He and Garrett and whomever else we can spare from Canada need to be on their way to Washington right away. I want them to speak to this Elizabeth Franklin. Find out what she knows about Collins. There was a connection to this place in the past. There’s a connection now.”

No matter what, both Collins and his father had to be stopped before they hurt anyone else.

She glanced around at the room filled with Strike Force’s best. They’d been working around the clock. She just prayed they’d find the answers they needed soon, before it was too late.

Chapter Ten

“I’ll take Henry Justice and Josh McCray with us in case there’s trouble. We’ll head out right away.”

Victor closed his eyes. “Thank you, Will. Be careful. We don’t know what you’ll be running into, but I can’t help but believe Collins still has ties there.”

“I’m inclined to agree with you,” Will said. “What’s going on there? Are you all safe?”

Victor explained about Lancaster’s call.

“You think this guy is legit?”

Victor understood what he meant. “I do. I expect him to call soon. No one’s gotten wind of Lancaster being sworn in as president yet, but when they do, it’ll be all over the news.”

“No doubt. We’re getting closer,” Will said. “But I have a feeling we have a long way to go before we have all of Legion’s players, and when Collins is backed into a corner, he’s going to come out slugging.”

Victor felt the same way. “Agreed. Stay safe. Call me when you’ve had the chance to interview Elizabeth Franklin.”

“You got it.” Will ended the call. Collins was a dangerous man. And while they had eyes on the nuclear weapons, his team in Afghanistan had no way of knowing how many more might be out there hidden in different locations. Would Collins gamble on leaving his biggest weapons against them all in one place?

“Everything okay in Canada?” Kinsley stepped close to where he stood watching the new day dawning.

He turned to her. With so much up in the air, he could feel things were coming to a climax. “Yes.” He forced a smile. “Will’s team is heading to Washington soon. Everything’s coming to a head, but I don’t know how it will end.”

Kinsley cupped his face. “It’ll be okay. We have to trust God now. When we’ve done everything we can, we trust Him to finish what we cannot. He has everything in His hands.”

A smile slowly spread over his face. “You’re right.”

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