Page 97 of Bulletproof Jack: Hunting Lee Child's Jack Reacher

Weak and dim light that might have come from a camping lantern filtered out through the cabin’s cracked wood siding and along the sides of the warped plank door.

Morin stepped carefully and quietly forward, weapon ready in one hand and flashlight in the other, all senses on full alert. At the door, he leaned forward to listen to the voices.

“Morin is counting on you, Liam,” Ruston said as if scolding a child. “You’re the only one who can operate the Stiletto 100 in Ottawa. The success of the whole program depends on you. What the hell were you thinking?”

“We both know you’re not going to shoot me. Put that gun away and tell me what you’ve done with Krause. He should be here by now,” Stuart replied.

“He’s not coming. I told you that already,” Ruston snapped.

“You’re lying. I talked to him. He is coming. He’s on his way now,” Stuart replied angrily. “He’s excited about the Stiletto. He wants to see it. Nothing could keep him away.”

Morin smirked. Now he had no doubts. Ruston had killed Krause. Stuart wouldn’t be thrilled about that at all.

Morin felt Ruston’s defeat envelop him like a warm blanket. Ruston was done. Which was more than okay.

The feeling lasted only a moment because Morin recognized the danger now.

Once Stuart learned Ruston had killed Krause, Stuart might strike out somehow. If he did, Ruston would react surely, swiftly, and with extreme prejudice.

Stuart was no match for her. Stuart would die as quickly as Krause had died.

Which was unacceptable.

Stuart absolutely must be able to complete the FQT tomorrow in Ottawa. Stuart’s expertise with the Stiletto could not be replaced. Brax had made that crystal clear.

The argument inside the cabin escalated to shouting. Ruston raised her voice to be heard over Stuart’s booming anger.

If Stuart tried to harm Ruston, she’d kill him as quickly as she’d killed Krause. She’d call it self-defense. Brax would blame Morin because crap like that always landed on Morin’s shoulders.

He had to act now.

Morin raised his pistol, flattened his back against the cabin’s rough exterior planks and kicked the flimsy door wide open. The rickety wood panel banged loudly against the wall boards instantly halting all discussion.

“Ruston! Hold your fire!” Morin yelled half a moment before he slipped inside, sweeping his gaze across an unarmed Stuart before aiming his weapon, fully prepared to kill her.

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Chapter 37

Saturday, June 4

Ontario, CA

Gaspar said, “I’d rather not repeat all of this. Can Russell hear?”

Kim held the phone between them and put the call on speaker. “He can now.”

Gaspar’s report was brief and succinct. “Reacher called me because he’s pissed. Feels like he got Westwood killed. Lucas Stuart, too.”

Russell snorted. “Reacher’s got some sort of conscience now?”

“More like a god complex. He put things in motion for which he feels responsible,” Gaspar replied with humor. “It doesn’t matter why. Just understand he’s decided to deal with the situation himself. Otto, he says you need to stay out of the way.”

“Last time I checked, I don’t take orders from Reacher,” Kim replied.

Gaspar chuckled, “I told him you’d say that.”

Russell gave her a hard look. “What’s he gonna deal with? And how, exactly, does he plan to handle the situation?”

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