Page 63 of Dead Drift

“Any luck with the shredded paper the team pulled out of the trash?” Luke asked, trying to defuse a clearly awkward family reunion as Parker entered the main room.

“Yes,” Parker said, handing Luke a piece of paper. “I was able to re-create one section of what the shards they pulled from the trash once made up. I’m still working on the remaining sections, but at least it’s a start.”

Luke studied the paper, his gaze narrowing. “Is this a wind chart?”

David inhaled sharply.

Luke arched a brow. “What?”

“You mentioned you found the warehouse where Bedan was working?”

“Yes.”

“And you said you found aerosol cans?”

“Yes.”

“Can I see one?”

“Sure. I’ll grab one from the lab,” Parker said, heading down the hall.

“What are you thinking?” Luke and David shared an ominous look. Luke knew it was most likely the exact thought he’d had when he first saw the cans.

Ebeid intended to spread the anthrax spores via aerosol dispersal.

26

Tanner’s father leaned toward her as they waited for Parker to return.

“I don’t understand,” David said in a low whisper. “What are you doing here with Luke? You work for the Global Justice Mission.”

How did he . . . ? “Have you been checking up on me?” Had he actually shown an interest in her life since she left Israel?

“Your aunt . . .” He shrugged. “She talks to your mother.”

Uh-huh. His body language was clear. He had been checking up on her, which was flat-out shocking, considering they hadn’t spoken since she’d left Israel more than a decade ago.

“I’m with the Bureau now,” she said, “and this”—she indicated the group—“is the team heading up the task force set up to stop Ebeid and his impending attack.”

Her dad’s dark, inquisitive eyes narrowed. “You leave your homeland only to fight the same war for another country?”

She cleared her throat. He was so stubborn . . . overbearing. It was flooding back—his heavy-handedness, his controlling manner. “Dad, this isn’t the time or place.”

“It never is,” he said, disappointment welling in his eyes.

“I’m Special Agent Declan Grey,” Declan said, clearly attempting to break the tension in the room. “It’s a pleasure to meet Tanner’s father.”

“I’m sorry for not introducing you,” Tanner said, looking softly at Declan and then to her father. “Dad, this is my boyfriend, Declan.”

Her dad’s brows shot high. “Boyfriend? A federal agent?”

“Yes.”

He shook Declan’s hand while scrutinizing him. “I look forward to getting to know you better.” Which meant raking him over the coals, but she wasn’t worried in the least. Declan could more than hold his own.

“As do I,” Declan said.

“Thank you again for coming, David,” Luke said, clearly trying to steer the conversation back to the case.