Page 120 of Long Past Deadly

He pointed across the room at the pot. She rose, patting Quaid on the arm as she went by. “It’s okay. You can trust him with her.”

Trust wasn’t the issue. Deep secrets and complications were.

Celissa poked her head in the room. “Quaid, State Attorney General is on line one.”

Quaid wanted to call back, but they had a contract and he was the front man. Government navigation was complicated enough without blowing them off. “Tell Lani I had to take a call.”

Mac nodded and held the fort.

&&&&&&&&&&

Alanna stepped onto the roof terrace off the sixth floor and made sure they were alone. The bare space needed the party atmosphere from Hunt and Cait’s wedding to revive its energy. She went to the roof edge and gazed across the cityscape.

“Spill it, Williams. Brief me.”

“I had about two hours with his kill list before NCIS took the book. I imagine Army Intelligence is teed up for a turn, too.”

Hunt usually managed his facial expressions, but today he wasn’t covering the leery reaction. “Why?”

“Military people, dozens of them. Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander Stephen Riley, your friend. Yes?”

Hunt’s brow creased. “Yes. He was collateral damage in an assassination a few years ago.”

“He’s number 92 in Mercer’s assassination book. Not collateral damage. He was the target.”

Surprise streaked over his face. He didn’t try to lock it down.

“Someone paid $30,000 to have him killed.”

“What? Why? Who?” Hunt spit out the questions rapid-fire.

“Entry is coded, and we haven’t uncovered any of his financials yet. His computer is locked tight with destruct instructions. I can’t answer those questions. And now NCIS has the book. There’s so many more that are coded military, it’s disgusting.”

Hunt stared off in the distance, making a valiant effort to contain his anger. His wasn’t working any better than hers were.

She tapped the edge of the balcony trying to expel her pent up emotions. “Let’s say someone has been analyzing, searching, even asking questions about Riley’s assassination. I wouldn’t say stop, but be mindful of what’s at stake. Whether you or someone else is searching, be careful. Somebody out there isn’t going to want this information out.”

“Did you make a copy?”

“I have a picture of the page. I’ll send it to you. A copy of the whole book. No. We were given the civilian killer book. NCIS took the assassination one.”

“He had two?”

She nodded. “We haven’t gone through everything yet. One would hope there were only two, but I’m not laying bets on it. He was seriously prolific.”

“Was your friend in the civilian book?”

“Yes. Right after her? My name, coded as unfinished business.”

Hunt shut his eyes. Honestly, his reaction was more subdued than hers, but that wasn’t saying much.

She struggled to keep her tone even. “He booby trapped his house, Hunt. Bomb squad found seven bombs that would have leveled the whole neighborhood. Family next door has six kids with a fourteen year old daughter. If you think I’m not pissed…”

“I know you are. Dump site?”

“No. Nothing there.”

“Maybe he has someplace else he keeps the bodies and more information.”