Page 68 of Bulletproof Jack: Hunting Lee Child's Jack Reacher

“You start,” Kim said to Chang after Russell was settled in.

Chang remained wary and skeptical, a vibe mirrored by Kim’s churning stomach. She popped an antacid into her mouth and chewed on it while she waited.

Chang took a breath and paused another half a moment before she said, “You’re right. I was expecting you. Westwood and Lucas Stuart, too. Where are they? Alsoparking the car?”

Her tone suggested that Russell had lied. Which he probably had. He owed Chang no explanations and Kim figured he’d explain why he’d been delayed when they had some privacy.

But with Chang’s question, another piece of the puzzle dropped into place. The man found dead at Kim’s front door was probably Lucas Stuart. The name meant nothing to her. But the name could possibly advance Gaspar’s efforts, when she had a chance to pass it along.

“Both Westwood and Stuart are dead. So is the man who killed them.” Kim found three images of the dead men on her phone and passed them over to Chang. “We believe the first one is Lucas Stuart. The second is Ashley Westwood.”

Chang studied the photos, flipping between them a few of times. Her face blanched. “That’s Westwood. I’ve never met Lucas Stuart, but this could be him.”

“Check the third photo,” Kim said.

Chang enlarged the image of the skinny guy and leaned toward the light to get a better look. She shook her head. “No. Sorry.”

“There’s a few more shots of the third man. Thumb through. Maybe you’ll see something you recognize,” Russell said while chomping a mouthful of cashews.

Chang did as he asked but shook her head and handed the phone back to Kim. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen the skinny one before, either. Who is he?”

“We don’t know. But we believe he killed both Stuart and Westwood,” Kim said. “Fill us in. Maybe we can figure out who the third man is and why he targeted the others.”

Russell shrugged. “Or the three men might not be related at all.”

“Oh, they’re related. Gotta be.” Chang shook her head again. “Unless you’re a believer in coincidence. And I’ve never met a federal agent who was. Don’t tell me you’re my first?”

“Not hardly,” Russell grumped and stuck another fistful of cashews into his mouth. “Why did you say the first mancould beLucas Stuart?”

“I’ve seen photos of his brother. This guy looks as if he could be related. And I know Lucas was working with Westwood,” Chang replied. “That’s why Reacher sent us to Otto. Why we’re sitting here, actually.”

“Whoa!” Russell choked on the nuts and held up a palm while he coughed uncontrollably. Eventually, he wheezed some words. “Back up. Back up. What the hell do you mean? I’m just a jarhead. Break it down into tiny syllables for me.”

“Some of the smartest and best men I know are jarheads. Don’t let him fool you, Chang,” Kim grinned. “Regardless of what Reacher says, if you want something done right? Send in the Marines.”

Chang visibly relaxed. “In my experience, Army works just as hard and just as effectively.”

“No way. Never happen,” Russell choked out of his raw throat. “Sorry. Went down the wrong pipe.”

When his coughing finally stopped, Kim asked, “Who is Lucas Stuart’s brother and why do you know him?”

“His name is Liam Stuart. He’s moderately well known in his field. Super genius engineer and uber tech nerd. He’s gone missing,” Chang explained. “The brother, Lucas, claims Liam’s been kidnapped. Maybe held for ransom. Maybe killed. Lucas came to Westwood looking for help.”

“Why go to Westwood? Why not the police? They’re good with kidnapping and just plain missing persons, you know,” Russell said sarcastically.

“It’s complicated,” Chang replied.

“So just give us the highlights, in case we get interrupted,” Kim said. “Start with Reacher.”

“Start with Reacher? Seriously?” Russell gave her an incredulous stare. “Three dead bodies. Two of them we can’t even identify. And a missing scientist to boot. We’ve got more immediate issues than Reacher, don’t you think?”

“Not at all. In my world, everything’s always about Reacher,” Kim said flatly. “So start there, Chang. How do you know Reacher and why is he involved in whatever this is?”

-

Chapter 28

Saturday, June 4

---