Page 28 of Justified Fear
“Mainly because she ran out into the jungle and hid.Who knows what would have happened if she hadn’t done that?”
Actually, that thought made his blood ice over.He wished they had a pic of the perpetrators.
Seth came striding into the room.“We might have a hit on a connection to the Yakuza.If this were a hit, we need to start running those leads down.”
“Ryan has another idea,” Nikki said.
Seth turned to him.“You do?”
He nodded and explained about the kidnappings and what they had discovered.Seth pursed his lips.“I’m not sure I see a connection, but since you do, you start digging into those abductions.”
“Why don’t you see a connection?”
“She’s an adult, and she wasn’t drugged.And she was at work and not at a mall.It just seems like it isn’t, but I don’t ignore hunches.There is always a chance that your hunch could lead to their real motive.Review those reports to see if there is anything of interest.The rest of us will start running down our own connections to see if there’s any chatter about the Yakuza putting a hit on any of the dinner guests or hosts.They might not have had much experience with them or been directly involved.They might have just pissed off one of their bosses.We just need to find something…anything to run down.”
He heard the irritation and worry in his captain’s voice.There seemed to be no motive, and without that, they really had no way of finding the killers or their missing bartender.
Keely’s nerveswere vibrating as they walked up to TFH headquarters.
“I don’t know why we had to come here.You could have sent the muffins,” her father grumbled.
She knew he was right.It would have been really easy to hire someone to pick up the treats and deliver them to the TFH.If she did that, she couldn’t try to find out what was going on with the investigation.
Also, there was the added benefit of seeing Ryan.Just thinking his name made her entire body light up.
“Mama taught me better than that.”
He said something under his breath, but it was so low she didn’t catch it.When they reached the door, he opened it for her.She smiled.
“Don’t give me that smile.I married the woman who taught it to you.”
She chuckled.Riki Templeton was the biggest, baddest linebacker in his day.But the women in his life knew he was a pushover.Her mother and she shared the same dimpled smile, which they had been using to get him to do things forever.
After checking in at a front desk, they waited for an escort.She hoped it would be Ryan, but was disappointed when Nikki Kekoa stepped into the lobby.
“Hey, Keely.You’re looking better this morning.”
“Thank you.I feel so much better.Dad, this is another one of Ryan’s team.Nikki Kekoa.”
“Ryan’s team,” Nikki said with humor.
“Thank you for saving my daughter.”
“You’re welcome.My brothers are all going to be jealous that I got to meet you.Are those for the team?”
“Yes.Is it okay if I come back?I would like to thank everyone.”
Something that looked like approval lit her gaze.“Of course.Come on.”
There was a buzz of activity, but the massive screen was dark.Glancing around, Keely smiled at everyone.Some she knew from the night, some who looked vaguely familiar.Others she didn’t know at all.But finally, her gaze settled on Ryan.He looked even prettier today.How did he get better looking every time she saw him?She wanted to slip her hands through all that golden brown hair.
“Hey, everyone.Keely seems to have brought us a lot of goodies,” Nikki called out.
A woman with amber hair stepped forward.“Please tell me you have some of those banana Mac nut muffins in there.”
Keely blinked.“Yes.”
“I’ve been wanting to make them since I saw your video, but I’ve been forced to work.”
