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The man chuckled. “I know who you are. In fact, I know all about you.”

“From Hollis?”

“No, I have my sources. I’m supposed to fly out tonight for Africa. I’ll be gone for two weeks.”

“I know. On a hunting trip,” Locke said.

“Yeah, right.” The man’s words, followed by a smooth grin, let Locke know that really wasn’t totally true. Malik then said, “It’s too late to change my plans now, but I need to know I’m leaving Hollis in good hands. I promised Derek I would look after her if anything ever happened to him. I know it might be a lot to ask that you protect her while I’m gone, but I feel that I can.”

“Yes, you can.”

“Good. Next weekend is going to be hard on her. It’s Derek’s birthday.”

“I know. She told me. I invited her to go to Atlanta with me to attend my best friend’s father’s birthday party.”

Malik nodded. “The Holy Terror’s father, right?”

Locke lifted a brow. “You know Terrence?”

“Never met him, but I know he’s your best friend. I also know about your two partners, and your relationship to Sheppard Granger. Like I said, I know every single thing about you, Locke Dangerfield. That’s how I know I can trust you with Hollis.”

Locke wasn’t sure he liked the thought of anyone thinking they knew every single thing about him. Hollis said Malik was a former Army Ranger who owned a café in downtown Tampa. He couldn’t help wondering what else this man did. He had a feeling whatever it was, it was a part of his life that not even Hollis knew about.

“Did Hollis agree to go to Atlanta with you?” Malik asked, cutting into his thoughts.

“She said she would think about it and let me know.”

“After tonight, I wouldn’t give her a choice.”

“I won’t.”

“And although she can clearly defend herself when and if she needs to do so, I’d keep a close eye on her. I tell her all the time she’s not invincible, although she might think she is.”

“I got this,” Lock said, confidently.

“I believe you do. I’m going to hang around tonight just long enough to know she’s okay and give her some brotherly attention, although it makes her mad whenever I do. But who cares? I’m a lot older than she is.”

“If you were her brother’s best friend, that means you were around the same age.”

“Yes. I turn forty-five in a few months.”

“You don’t look it.” He thought the man looked at least ten years younger. Closer to his own age of thirty-five.

Malik chuckled. “Neither Derek nor I looked our age, which is how we managed to do some of the things that we did rather well.”

He wanted to ask what some of those things were, but decided the less he knew, the better.

Malik glanced at his watch. “They should be wrapping things up about now, and those three assholes are going to jail. But I want to know the name of the person who hired them. I hope you’ve figured out by now it’s probably connected to the Halifax case. Hollis rubbed someone the wrong way, which for her isn’t hard to do.”

“Yes, I figured there’s a connection,” Locke said.

Here’s advice about Hollis. “Don’t try smothering her. She doesn’t like it and will push back every time. Just make sure she’s well protected.”

“I will.”

The man started toward the kitchen, then stopped, turned, and said, “By the way, the next time you talk to Dak, tell him Crow said hello.”

Locke went still. Very few people ─ those who Dak Navarro trusted completely ─ knew of his days as part of the In-Flight Unit. A special forces team that worked undercover for the government. Each member’s code name was that of a bird. Dak was Raven, and Locke had met Sparrow and Owl at Dak’s wedding. This man just identified himself as Crow. “I will definitely do that.”