Page 68 of Missile Strike

“Anything on the note?”

“No prints or DNA. Nothing traceable. Anything else come up?”

“Nothing concrete. But it doesn’t feel random. Someone’s targeting Bella.”

The incident with Trip getting out still bothered him, and the note on her car had him waiting for the next escalation in an unknown game with a hidden opponent. Even the timing of the newspaper article had him suspicious.

He’d be having a conversation with Olivia Flores on Monday.

“A feeling, huh? Well, listen to it, amigo. You have good instincts. I’m working with Lucas Caldwell at the FBI and using my own resources to monitor the dark web. The Charlotte Times story got national attention, and coming on the heels of Miran Hassan’s death, it stirred up some chatter.”

“Fuck.” Danny paced to the window and peered through the blinds.

One more unknown variable to deal with.

Lowering the slat, he turned away and resumed pacing.

At this rate, he was going to wear a path in the carpet.

“There’s one other thing. Hassan’s son works as a senior cybersecurity analyst for the West Coast operations of Providence Bank, headquartered in Charlotte. That in itself isn’t unusual. Charlotte’s the second-largest banking center in the US behind New York. I checked him out. Clean record. Not politically active.”

“And yet, you’re bringing him up. I know there’s a reason.”

“Dude’s got the skills to get into databases he shouldn’t be in. Pull information on people—their home addresses, motor vehicle records.” Nathan paused. “Possibly fuck with their home security if it’s connected to the internet.”

The space between Danny’s ribs contracted. “Where is he?”

“That’s what has my Spidey senses tingling. I did a little extracurricular online snooping. He hasn’t logged into his work systems since his father died. Nor has he swiped his badge to enter his workplace.”

“What’s unusual about that? Maybe he went to LA to bury his father?”

“Thought about that, too, but it’s hard to travel and not leave a trail. There are no hits on his credit card, no ATM withdrawals from his checking account, and I haven’t been able to track his phone.”

“Sounds like he’s dead.”

“I think he’s off the grid. The question is, why?” Nathan said. “Ryder has Caleb and Tavari on another assignment right now. They’ll be in Charlotte in three days to help with gala security. If you want, I can see if Ryder can get them there tomorrow.”

Danny looked toward the closed bedroom door.

Maybe he should step back as Bella’s protection. Let Caleb and Tavari take over.

A smarter man would.

But Bella knew him.

Trusted him.

And he knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t accept a formal protection detail—her father had already tried.

“No. I’ve got it under control.” Danny ended the call.

Too many variables for someone with enough intelligence and motivation to exploit.

And he’d learned the hard way that careful enemies were the most dangerous kind.

Chapter Sixteen

“I’ll be fine.”