Page 22 of The Big Fix

“You’re thinking it, how could you not be,” Dante said, that eyebrow of his arching in waiting. “Only someone who knows you well knows about Owen. So who’s looking to draw you out by using him?”

“We don’t know that,” I argued, even as a pain was forming in the pit of my stomach. “As easy as it would be to make this about me, I know better than that. There are too many variables in play to draw conclusions. The only question now is whether Owen is still alive.”

“And we can all work on that,” Dante assured me, “but in the interim, you need to ask the good doctor to stay on and try to confirm the identity of this man.”

“He’s right,” Chris agreed. “Knowing that gets you closer to whoever killed him, which gets you, in theory, closer to Owen.”

I turned and went outside, to the desk where the doctor was sitting. “Dr. Lens, I know staying longer will be more than you signed on for, but if you’d be willing to—”

“Of course I’m willing,” she blurted out. “This is a fascinating case, Colonel, and now that we’re not grieving the death of your friend and instead looking for justice for the man who was killed in his stead, I’m committed to solving this mystery.”

Good to hear. “I can put you in the suite I just vacated and—”

“No. I’ll stay here. There’re excellent amenities in the warmer part of the hangar.” She smiled at me, standing up and extending her hand. She had a firm handshake, and I squeezed tight for a moment.

“Dr. Lens,” Dante said, coming up behind me. “We appreciate you, and I have a three-man security team on the way here to watch over you until this investigation is concluded. Garland will be with you until then. The jet they arrive on will also be here for your use so that the moment you finish, you can be on your way back home.”

“Thank you.”

They shook hands, and then she turned to me. “I’ll text you the moment I know anything, Colonel. You can count on me.”

“I know.” I was pleased she was on my team.

Arden passed by, heading toward the plane.

“Hey,” I called over, stopping her.

She pivoted to look at me.

“We’re going back to Bangkok,” I informed her.

“Yes, I know,” she said flatly. She was always a step, or several, ahead of me.

“How long before we can be underway?”

“I’ll have to finish the preflight and top off the tanks. If Jing sees to the flight planning, less than an hour.”

“I’ve got it,” Jing assured her, jogging over. In moments, Arden was giving instructions and Jing was on her tablet, both heading toward the plane.

“Yeah, thanks,” Dante said, on the phone with someone, walking up beside me and then holding it out.

Taking it, I greeted whoever was on the other end. “Hello?”

“It’s me,” Darius replied, his deep tenor even more recognizable than his name. He had three that I knew of, but only one husky, low voice. “Tell me what I can do.”

“What are you and Cerreto scheming about?”

“Dante seems to think you’re safe for the time being. He sounds worried, though, which in turn worries me.”

“Yeah, I’m not having a great time myself.”

Darius grunted in response. “Dante has to go home and pack some clothes and more firepower, so I’m sending my plane for him. I understand that Garland’s staying there to guard your doctor, but Lee and I are stuck in Ankara. You need more backup than just Chris, so what do you want to do?”

“I can’t have a big team, you know that. I’m looking for a surgical strike, but I do need someone to watch my back.”

“Says the man who knows everyone stateside and abroad.”

“My situation doesn’t afford me the luxury of recruiting for myself at the moment. You’re the only one I trust to do it for me.”