As Colt and Emmett, with their K-9 partners, headed in the direction that Emmett thought Maren and her sister might have gone, Emmett said, “Eva wanted me to give you a message. She found a bank account in the Caymans belonging to Agent Henry Spares. But there’s another name on the account.”
“That makes sense,” Colt said. “Someone killed him. Must be the person on the account with him. What’s the name?”
“Agent Daniel Russell.”
* * *
As the trees thinned close to the fire road, Maren glimpsed a blue vehicle beneath the shade of a tree. Her heart seized. It was the blue panel van.
Panic fluttered in her chest.
Trying not to let on that she’d noticed the vehicle, she purposely stumbled while unhooking the strap on her sidearm. Haven nudged her as if to try to keep her upright.
“Maren, you okay?” Opal said as she too stumbled.
“Yeah.” As she straightened, Maren withdrew her weapon. Her gaze zeroed in on Daniel, who had halted and turned toward them, his weapon aimed at Opal.
Haven emitted a low growl.
“Oh no, you don’t,” Daniel said. “Drop the weapon. Unless you’re okay with your sister taking a bullet between the eyes. Killing both her and the unborn child of my late lieutenant Georgy Trevino.”
The horror of revelation dawned on Maren. “You’re the other half of the duo known as Shadow.”
Daniel scoffed. “Figure that out on your own, did you?”
“Kind of hard not to with a gun aimed at us.” Maren tucked Opal behind her. Her sister sobbed softly. Maren reeled in the lead, keeping Haven close.
Daniel grinned. “So loyal to your sister. Doesn’t matter. You’re both going to die.”
Beside Maren, Haven snarled at Daniel.
“Keep your dog in check or that’s where the first bullet will go.” Daniel swung the barrel of his Glock toward Haven.
Rage swept through Maren. “You shoot my dog, and I’ll shoot you.”
“Look around,” Daniel said with a sweep of his free hand. “You’re outmanned and outgunned.”
Maren looked around and saw four armed people step out of the woods. Three men and one dark-haired woman. No doubt the nurse from the hospital who’d killed Henry. All had automatic weapons or handguns aimed at her and Opal.
“You’ll never get away with this,” Maren said as she laid her weapon on the ground at her feet. Beside her, Haven tensed and strained at the tight hold she had on the leash, keeping the Doberman from lunging at Daniel. “Colt and the task force that I’m a part of will never rest until they find out who you are and bring you down.”
“I have no doubt that they will search. But now that I have the new role of deputy special agent in charge, I’ll have more power. I’ll send Colt far away.”
“Your boss won’t allow that,” Maren stated. At least she hoped Special Agent in Charge Herman wouldn’t agree to Colt being removed from the case and from the state.
“I have Leo wrapped around my finger,” Daniel boasted arrogantly. “Don’t you know? I’m the Golden Boy. He’ll do anything I say.”
Remembering how Leo had said Daniel was the one to suggest they didn’t need a guard outside Henry’s room, she believed him.
In her ear, she heard Colt’s voice, “Maren, we’re close. Keep him talking.”
Relief and hope bubbled up along with another emotion, bringing tears to the back of her eyes. She’d never been so glad to hear anyone’s voice in her whole life. And it wasn’t just because he was saving her and her sister from certain death, but because she loved him. Truly and deeply. And was willing to risk her heart for him.
She blinked up at Daniel, hating that a tear slipped down her cheek.
He cocked his head. “I didn’t take you for a crier.”
Opal shifted, leaning into Maren, drawing her attention. Her sister’s pale face didn’t bode well. She looked ready to faint at any moment. Wrapping an arm around Opal, Maren asked, “How did you and Henry get away with all that you’ve done?”
