Page 23 of Cold Vengeance

River had expected this reaction, but for some reason, she’d just needed to hear him voice it. Maybe she didn’t trust herself enough to make the final decision.

Tony turned onto the road that led to Nathan’s apartment complex. He pulled up to the gate and rolled down his window so he could speak to the guard. It was a different man, but it stood to reason that the person who watched the gate at night wouldn’t be the same one assigned to the morning schedule.

“Can I help you, sir?” the man said with a smile.

“We’re here to see Nathan Hearne,” Tony said. “River Ryland and Tony St. Clair.”

As soon as Tony mentioned their names, the man’s expression changed. “I’m sorry,” he said sternly. “I’m not supposed to let you in. Mr. Hearne asked that you give me the items you’re supposed to drop off. He left this letter for you.”

Tony took the letter and frowned at River. He slid the letter out of the envelope. Then he read it and passed it to River.

I’ve decided not to go forward with this investigation. Please return everything I gave you, including allof April’s belongings. I need my laptop and phonethis morning. April’s laptop, phone, notebook, and drawings needto be dropped off with the guard by 5:00 p.m. today, or I’ll contact the police. Nathan Hearne.

“What in the world?” River said. “What should we do?”

“I’ll tell you what wedon’tdo.” He turned and smiled at the serious-faced guard. “You may tell Mr. Hearne that we can’t return his items to you. If he wants them, he knows where to find us.”

With that said, Tony put the car in reverse and drove back toward the street, leaving River to wonder what could have possibly caused Nathan to suddenly do a 180 and abandon his search for the woman he claimed to love.

CHAPTER

THIRTEEN

River and Tony went back to the office and waited.

“I hope you did the right thing,” River said. “You told him to stay inside for his own safety. I also hope he doesn’t really call the police. I mean, thisishis stuff.”

“I’m guessing that whoever forced him to write that note is the same person who left us the photo. If I’m right, he needs our help.”

“What if the person who threatened him is watching the apartment?”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Tony said. “One of the things we learned during our time at the FBI is that dangerous people rarely warn their victims. They just take action. If whoever this is wants to stop Nathan, why didn’t they just take him out instead of taking his picture? And why send the original threat to us and not to him?” That tells us that they aren’t committed to hurting him.”

“I see your point,” River said, “but it doesn’t always work out the way we think it should. Are you sure you didn’t act too hastily?”

Up until that moment, Tony had been convinced he was right, but had he made a mistake that could put Nathan in danger?

“Look, that note was ridiculous. The threat about calling the police is absurd. First of all, he can’t file charges against us since he gave us this stuff. That, combined with the photo, makes me feel something else is going on here. I want him to come here so we can talk. It was obvious we weren’t getting inside. It was the only thing I could come up with.” He sighed loudly. “If he doesn’t show up soon, I’ll call the police and ask them to check on him.” He looked at her. “You know I act too quickly sometimes. Why didn’t you stop me?”

“So now it’s my fault?”

“Maybe if I’d had breakfast...”

River shook her head, but he saw her lips twitch. “You really are a pill. So, what do we do if he really is in trouble?”

“If he’s truly being threatened, I’ll call Arnie. They can move him somewhere safe.”

“He’ll need clothes and personal items. Of course, we can’t call him because we have his phone...” Even though River’s tone was sarcastic, Tony was convinced she understood his decision to keep Nathan’s phone and laptop even if she didn’t agree with his method.

“I don’t think clothes are his problem right now, do you?”

“Maybe not, I just...”

The door to their office swung open, and Nathan stepped inside. He didn’t look angry. He looked scared.

“I need my stuff,” he said. “And April’s. I left a message for you.”

Tony took a deep breath and let it out quickly, relieved to see Nathan and thankful he hadn’t put him in danger.

---