Page 28 of Silos and Sabotage

“Figured you’d want it.” Gil observed him dispassionately.

“So?” Gage spread his hands. He’d been hoping for a more definitive answer than that.

“Have you forgotten you’re still a PI in training?”

“I haven’t forgotten, sir. I’ll have you to soundboard everything past.”

Gil sat forward in his chair. “Since you’re still in training, you’ll need to run everything past me. Every lead. Every expenditure. Every brainstorm that passes between your ears concerning the case.”

Seeing Gage’s resigned expression, he added one last caveat. “Except in life-threatening situations, of course. In which case, you’ll use every resource at hand to neutralize the threat while minimizing casualties, soldier.” His hard mouth quirked upward. “After the fireworks settle, you’ll give me a full debriefing and accept all additional training necessary to continue improving your skills.”

“Deal.” Gage inclined his head respectfully. It occurred to him that he might not ever outgrow the need for running things past a man with thirty-five more years of law enforcement experience than himself. A man who, in return, showed the utmost respect for his own twenty years of military training and combat experience.

“So, start talking, Lead Investigator Hefner.” Gil raised his auburn eyebrows at him. “What’s your first move gonna be?”

That was easy. “I’m taking my laptop when I go pick up Ella for her appointment with her therapist. I pre-filled out the forms to request a copy of her medical records from the hospital in Corpus Christi. All they require is her electronic signature.” He described the latest details Ella had remembered about her surgery and the brutal homicide that had taken place in her room afterward.

His boss only had one question about his next step. “Isn’t Johnny on Ella duty this morning?”

Gage kept his expression neutral. “Ella invited him to join us.”

Gil reached up to scratch his forehead. “This is the part where I would normally advise you to keep your emotional distance from our client. However, my gut says it’s already too late for that.”

“Potential client, sir.” Gage was grateful his boss wasn’t kicking up a fuss about his blossoming relationship with Ella. “If it’s okay, I’m going to bring her in after-hours this evening to complete our Lonestar contract.” He grimaced. “Though I recommended she take things slow, she insisted on diving head first into a full day of volunteer work.”

Gil snorted. “Someday when you’re married, you’ll understand just how unmarried that made you sound.”

Gage’s jaw dropped. “Come again, sir?”

“Don’t tell her what to do, son. Just have her back every step of the journey.”

It was good advice. Humbling, but good. “I will, sir.”

Gil smiled. “It’s not easy for guys like us, who are used to being in charge, dodging bullets, and collaring bad guys, to hit the off switch on the drive home. But if you really care for her, you’ll find a way to do it.”

Gage ducked his head guiltily. “Man, but you read me like a book.” He shook his head. “Every time I walk through the door.”

His boss was too good of a guy to rub it in. “Name the time you’re bringing her by,” he said simply.

Gage’s head came up. Not only was Gil married, he was the father of twins. Baby twins. “I know you have family to get home to, sir?—”

“My wife would have me hog-tied,” Gil cut in scoffingly, “if I passed up the opportunity to meet Mick’s daughter in person for the first time.”

“Did she know him, too?” They were all about the same age.

“Yep.” Gil’s eyes glinted with unyielding determination. “In case I haven’t made myself clear enough, you’ll have the full backing and resources of Lonestar Security on this case. We all want justice for the Lawtons.”

“Five-thirty, sir.” Gage felt a little emotional as he stood and leaned across the desk with his hand outstretched. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

Gil gripped his hand firmly. “Go catch that killer, Gage.”

Chapter 6: Maternal Instinct

“Miss Lawton?” A woman in pink scrubs pushed open the door leading into the inner sanctum of the counseling center. She was a slender woman with a heavy Hispanic accent that felt a little at odds with her peaches-and-cream complexion and mousy brown hair.

Oh, who am I to criticize?If Ella was being honest with herself, she was feeling cranky because she really didn’t want to be here.

“Here goes nothing.” She whispered to her two faithful protectors as she stood with her box of tissues in hand. Gage had been seated on her right, and Johnny was seated on her left in the red vinyl waiting room chairs. She could feel the sympathy rolling off their shoulders as they stood with her. Though Johnny enjoyed getting under Gage’s skin every chance he got, he was a genuinely nice guy. She suspected his horsing around was part of his effort to hide what a marshmallow he was on the inside. It was the only reason she’d invited him along.

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