Page 20 of Heston
“Last year,” Alex spat. “The bastard showed up the day my son was born. Just walked into Kelsey’s hospital room like he owned the place.”
“Doesn’t your old man have dementia or something?” Asher asked.
“Alzheimer’s and a helluva lot of nerve.” Alex hadn’t stopped pacing the small family conference room where Heston had settled for a few minutes of peace and quiet. Kiss that goodbye.
Someone’s cell phone rang. Everyone in the room checked their pockets. Surprisingly, it was Heston’s. He palmed it outof his jeans pocket, put it up to his ear, and answered, “Agent Contreras.”
“Heston? Oh, good. Hi. London here. I’ve got something you need to see. Might be the break we’re looking for. How long will it take you guys to get back up here?”
We’re looking for?“You’re back on the mountain? At White River Campground? But I thought—”
“Yup, still working our case, investigating. Watched a couple guys. Took pictures of things and them and, you know, stuff.”
“You’re still doing your job?” He knew about her disciplinary hearing. Just hadn’t expected she’d go back to working the Stewarts’ case while she waited on the outcome of that hearing. Wow. London had brass balls, and he wanted to see them.
“Somebody’s got to. Bates knew Alex and Kelsey Stewart were missing before you and Asher showed up. He just didn’t care. But I did. Still do.”
The words were out of his big mouth before he could think. “Don’t do anything reckless.”
Just that quickly, he lost what little ground he’d made.
“Knock it off, Hes,” she snapped. “I’m not your fuck buddy anymore.”
He turned and faced the wall. “You never were… that. Honest. You know what we had was—”
“Over. Done. Whatever.”
Great.She’d turned surly and it was his fault. Why couldn’t he overcome the damned protective instinct that kidnapped his brain and turned him into a Neanderthal over everything that concerned London? The caveman inside of him was ruining everything.
“Copy that, Ranger Wilde,” Heston replied more respectfully. “Message received. I’ll see what I can do to assist you.”
“Ah, yeah. About that. I’m, umm, not Ranger Wilde anymore. You might as well know. They canned me for insubordination. Not like that’s a first.” She huffed. “Guess the USFS higher-ups don’t appreciate it when you make your boss look like an ass because he is one. Meet me south of the footbridge on the other side of the White from where we found the Stewarts. Dress warm. Wind’s kicking up and it’s bitchin’ cold up here.”
He looked straight at Alex. “We can be there inside two hours.”
“You sure?” London asked. “I’ll wait if you mean it.”
“I mean it, yes, ma’am.” Damn it. Just yes. God, the effect she had on him was embarrassing. “Hold on a sec. Boss? I’ve got Ranger Wilde on the phone. She’s found a solid lead.” Heston was willing to extend that bold assumption to redress the way he’d minimized her by telling her not to be reckless. “She needs me and Asher back at the campground.”
Alex’s answer was sharp. “Good. Go. Find me something I can use to end these bastards.”
“We’ll be back before dark.”
Alex nodded. “I owe you, Hes. You saved Kelsey’s life.”
“No, Boss, all I did was step on you. London’s who led me and Asher to you and Kels. She knew something was going on with that trailer.”
“She’s a smart woman.”
Heston couldn’t argue. “She is. We’ll find out what else is going on. Promise. And if I catch the rat bastard behind this, I’ll kill him.”
You could almost hear the angst hiss out of Alex at that bold promise. He licked his lips, like a parched athlete who’d just run the longest marathon of his life. “Make him suffer, Heston. Make it hurt.”
“Copy that,” was all Heston could answer back. He stuck his chin at Asher. “You ready?”
“I was born ready.”
Good enough. He told London, “We’re on our way. See you soon...” He almost said ‘see you soon, babe.’ Instead, he breathed, “Let’s roll, Ash.”
