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“Don’t even think about leaving. You’re not going anywhere without that Special Investigator Sandstone or one of us at your side,” Frank replied.
Grace gave her brother a sideways look.
“Don’t look at Frank like that. This is bad, Grace, really bad. For God’s sake, you just nearly had your head shot off. Being with one of us, the agents, or Charlie and Mark are your only choices.” John raised his voice then tried giving her his toughest stare.
Grace stood up and saluted him.
“Yes, sir, SWAT Team Commander, sir.” She giggled.
Frank and John both laughed a little.
“You haven’t changed that much in three years, sis,” John added with a small smile. He was concerned. That was obvious as he squeezed her hand.
“Yeah, she’s still an immature prankster,” Frank added, giving his sister a light punch in the arm as he looked at her. She giggled again. He stared at her as if her were memorizing her laugh.
It was unbelievable how just sitting in her room with her brothers brought back such great childhood memories.
* * * *
Frank was glad she was home but he couldn’t help but be concerned about her welfare and safety. Frank had heard a little bit about the murder of Cheryl Perez as well as the few recent others. The individual responsible was ruthless and violent. Grace and his family had good reason to worry.
“That Sandstone guy seems okay. It was pretty cool the way he turned himself into your own personal body armor. You’d be very safe with him.” Frank winked at his sister.
“I think she’s better off with her family. Between our friends and us, she should be safe and protected at all times,” John added.
“Where is she going to stay tonight?” Frank asked his brother.
“Excuse me but may I be part of this conversation please? This is my life you’re talking about here and I am not going to stop making a living. Those investigators don’t even know if someone’s after me or if I’m involved in any way.”
“This investigator thinks it’s a good bet that if someone just tried to shoot your pretty little head off, then to them you’re better off dead.” Investigator Sandstone pushed the bedroom door opened.
John and Frank just looked at Grace who seemed annoyed.
“Haven’t you ever heard of knocking?” Grace asked as she gave him a dirty look.
“You save someone’s life and how quickly they forget,” Sandstone replied sarcastically, and both Frank and John laughed.
“I’m sorry. I appreciate you saving my life but I’m trying to have a private conversation with my brothers. They think I’ve just entered their own personal protective custody program.”
The guys laughed.
“Hey that has a nice ring to it,” John stated and Frank agreed.
They were trying to make light of the situation but both of them were very concerned. Frank looked at the investigator. He had friends in the Marines, and he’d looked up some info on this guy Sandstone. He was legit and then some. So was Detective Jim Warner as far as Frank could find out. Sandstone also had files connected to his name that were coded and top secret.
“Well we discussed it downstairs. They have you in their program for the next couple of days while I’m in New York. I’m going to see what I can find out there. Then I’ll be coming back this way. The agency is setting up our main base in the Houston Police Department. A few of my guys will be helping the detectives deal with the media coverage and go over all the evidence there is so far. When I get back, I might have a few more questions for you. Keeping you and your family safe and alive is important to me. Hopefully you won’t need my protection, Miss Thompson.”
“No offense, Investigator, but I hope I won’t either,” Grace replied and Frank felt his gut clench. Why is this happening to my family? Why?
Chapter 3
“So what’s up with this new case, Sandman? We haven’t seen you in days,” his brother Big Jay asked.
“It’s complicated. I may need you and Duke. Can you let Duke notify his commander so he can take off if needed?” Sandman said.
“Shit, it’s that bad? You haven’t needed both of us in a while. What’s the deal?”
“You been watching the news, Big Jay? You heard about the serial killer and the eleven murdered women?”
