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“I have no reason to change it.”
Joe folded his hands together and hunched forward on the counter, resting on his forearms. “We’re beginning to think the people involved are tracking Hailey because Marten reached out to her—or tried to reach out to her.”
“Then maybe you should just forget about Marten, Hailey. I know that sounds callous, but you can’t help him now.” Ayala traced the edge of the key on the counter. “Toss this out and forget about everything. If someone is framing Major Denver, let the US Army figure it out.” She shot a quick glance at Joe. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize to me.” Joe rubbed his knuckles across the stubble on his chin. “I agree with you. The US Army needs to be doing everything in its power to investigate the matter as a setup, and there’s more and more evidence leaking out that it was a setup.”
“Where is Denver?” Ayala raised her cup to her lips, her dark eyes watching Joe over the rim.
“Nobody knows. He went AWOL after a meeting he’d arranged with an informant went south.”
“In Afghanistan?”
“Yes.”
Ayala carefully wiped her lipstick from the cup with the edge of her thumb. “Maybe he’s already dead.”
“I don’t believe that.” Joe’s hands curled into fists against the granite.
“Again, I’m sorry. I know you’re concerned about your Delta Force commander, but I’m concerned about my friend.”
“I’m concerned about Hailey, too. I don’t want her mixed up with this, and I’m not expecting her to go to bat for Denver.”
Hailey waved. “Hello. I’m standing right here. Neither one of you needs to be worried about me. And I’m not going to forget about Marten, Andrew, Denver or any of them.”
Joe’s and Ayala’s eyes met, and they said in unison, “Do-gooder.”
“Now you’re ganging up on me, but I’m serious.” She put her cup in the sink and turned toward Ayala. “Do you want more tea, or would you like to get settled in a room upstairs?”
“If you’re sure I’m not putting you out.”
“Are you prepared to say a few words at the fund-raiser?” Hailey held her breath. Ayala could be such an asset at this event, but she was shy.
“I’d be happy to talk briefly.”
Hailey clapped her hands. “Then make yourself at home.”
“I’m going to get back to my hotel.” Joe straightened up and stretched, and Hailey tried not to stare at the way his shirt molded to his chest, although Ayala didn’t seem to have the same reservations.
“It was nice to meet you, Joe, and thanks for looking out for my friend.” Ayala draped an arm around Hailey’s shoulders.
“I’m glad she has company here.” Joe grabbed his jacket. “Can I take you ladies out to dinner tonight?”
“Of course.” Hailey wrapped one arm around Ayala’s waist to make sure her friend knew she wouldn’t be intruding. “We’d love dinner.”
“I don’t—” Ayala jumped when Hailey pinched her side. “Sounds good to me.”
Ayala extricated herself from Hailey and headed for her bags in the corner. “I’m going to pick out a room now.”
“Stick to the first two on the right. They share a connected bathroom. Clean towels in the cupboard.”
“Just like a hotel but better.” Ayala hitched her carry-on bag over her shoulder. “See you later, Joe.”
“See you.” Joe peeked around the corner of the kitchen to watch Ayala go up the stairs and then joined Hailey at the sink. “Speaking of hotels, I think it’s worth it to check out Marten’s.”
“Do you think he still has a room there?” Hailey reached around Joe’s solid form to pick up Ayala’s cup.
“Why wouldn’t he? I told you, I picked up Marten’s trail from the Pacific Rim Hotel, not from some house in the Sunset District. He went straight to the ferry from the hotel. If he never returned, he never checked out.”
The cup slipped from Hailey’s fingers and clattered in the sink as it broke in two pieces. “You didn’t tell me it was the Pacific Rim.”
