Page 84 of Knox

“Warrant came through. Nash’s team is searching Walter’s property right now.” I forwarded the information to Archer, then scrolled through an attached file of Lehman’s criminal history. “Bastard’s been doing this for years right under their noses.”

“And now they’ve got him,” Colton said.

I looked toward the access road, half expecting that blue-and-white van to be there, lurking. Knowing it wouldn’t be. “He knows we were here. Knows we found his camp. He’s running.”

My phone rang. Nash.

“Tell me you’ve got him,” I said, answering.

“Property search came up empty. We found a workshop out back with maps, notes, some surveillance equipment. Enough to support the warrant, but Lehman himself is in the wind.”

I cursed under my breath. “Where the hell is he?”

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out. FBI brought in a profiler, and state police have units canvassing every campground, motel, and known associate within a hundred-mile radius. We’ve got his photo distributed to law enforcement agencies throughout the Carolinas. Coast Guard’s watching the waterways in case he tries to leave by boat.”

“And?”

“And now we wait.” Nash’s frustration bled through the line. “He has to turn up eventually. Has to land somewhere. But guys like this make plans for evasion. They have bolt-holes. Safe houses. Places they can disappear to when things get hot.”

Twenty feet away, Sloane spoke with a deputy, sunlight catching copper highlights in her hair. The bruises on her throat had faded to yellow-green, but I could still see the outline of his fingers. Could still hear her screaming in the darkness.

“If he’s on the run, will she be safe now?” I asked quietly.

“FBI profiler thinks so. Says now that we’ve identified him, found his camp, he’ll cut his losses and run. Start over somewhere new.”

“You believe that?”

Nash was quiet for a moment. “I want to. But I wouldn’t leave her side until his arrest, if I was you.”

I watched Sloane smile at something the deputy said, watched her tuck hair behind her ear in that unconscious gesture I’d memorized. I would protect her against anyone and anything with my last breath.

“What do you need from me?” I asked.

“Keep doing what you’re doing. Stay close to Sloane. The FBI wants to set up a protective detail at her house, turn it into a surveillance operation in case he comes back.”

“Absolutely not.” My voice came out harder than I intended. “They’re not using her as bait.”

“I told them the same thing. But they’re insistent. They want this guy, Knox. And they think she’s the key.”

I ground my teeth. There wasn’t much we could do to stop the FBI, but I didn’t have to like it, and I could make sure they knew. “Let them try.”

Colton raised an eyebrow at my tone, but I didn’t care. There was nothing professional about what I felt for Sloane anymore, and nothing tactical about my overwhelming need to keep her safe.

“For now,” Nash said. “We’ll keep searching. Deputies are canvassing the island. FBI’s going through his property with forensics. State police have checkpoints on every bridge and ferry route. He will land somewhere, and we’ll be there to take him in when he does.”

“Until then, what? Her life stays in limbo? Constantly wondering if he’s watching? Planning his next attack on her?”

“It’s what we’ve got.” Nash paused. “Federal agents will likely swing by her place tonight to interview her. They’ll want to interview all of you, eventually. Can you handle that?”

Colton and Maggie mumbled their agreements.

I looked at Sloane. She’d finished with the deputy and was walking toward me, concern in her green eyes.

“Yeah,” I said. “We’ll handle it.”

“Good. We will get him, Knox. It’s just a matter of time.”

I ended the call as Sloane reached my side.