Page 38 of Justice for the SEAL
Logan opened a laptop computer. “Searching property records now. Do you know if it was passed down on his side or hiswife’s?”
“He talked about spending time there when he was a kid. It definitely belonged to hisfamily.”
The click of Logan’s fingers on the keys was fast and furious. “Got it. Eighteen fifty-four West Lake Road. Property of Anthony and BarbaraRoyce.”
“Nice work,” said Jax. “Let’sroll.”
Hawk leaned forward in his chair. “Hang on a second.” He was staring at Gemma. “I found a picture when Austin and I were searching Royce’s home office. I believe it’s a picture of you, JudgeFaraday.”
She shrugged. “What kind ofpicture?”
One look at his face and she knew exactly the picture he was referring to. Royce had taken it at a hotel in the Adirondacks shortly after they’d started seeing each other, claiming he wanted something racy to keep inhisdesk.
Her cheeks filled withheat. “Oh.”
“Oh!” said Austin, pointing at Hawk. “I know what you’re talking about. You put it in your pocket,didn’tyou?”
Jax cleared his throat. “Return ittoher.”
Hawkhesitated.
“Go on,”Jaxsaid.
Hawk put it facedown on the table and pushed ittowardher.
“Now let’s get going,”saidJax.
Gemma stood up and tucked the picture into her pantspocket.
“You’re staying here,” said Logan. His voice was sharper than normal, and she knew he’d been embarrassed by the photograph, and her knowing about Royce’s lake house. It was clear to everyone in the room she’d had a relationship with the missingjudge.
“But I’ve been there before. I might be abletohelp.”
“You might be in the way or get yourself killed. I think you should save the trip down memory lane foranothertime.”
“That’s not fair.” A couple of the guys turned around, but she held her ground. “I’m sorry if my past embarrasses you, but I should come with you on this trip. No one else here knows the property like I do. I could beuseful.”
“I’m trying to protect you,”Logansaid.
“And you will protect me. I’m not afraid to go up there because I know you’ll keep me safe. I’ll stay in the car. Whatever you want metodo.”
“We’re taking the chopper and the van,”saidJax.
Gemma rolled her eyes. “Then I’ll stay in the van, but don’t leave me sitting here by myself when I could help findRoyce.”
Logan put his arm out, gesturing for her to gofirst.
“Thankyou.”
“Stay inthevan.”
“I already said Iwould.”
22
Heat lightning dancedin the evening sky as Logan ran through the orchard surrounding Royce’s lake house. The smell of rotting fruit clinging to the humid air, pungent andcloying.
Noah’s voice came through his earpiece. “I’ve got eyes into thehouse.”
