AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Something was up. Halstead had a midnight appointment, and he obviously wasn’t happy. Coop had a bad feeling that the girl they discussed was somehow connected to Travis and his reference to akitten.Clearly, he was missing a few pieces of the puzzle.
He stepped around the corner without a sound. Liam stood in the hallway, speaking with someone inside one of the rooms. All Coop could see was a profile and the shine of a large belt buckle. It had to be Halstead.
“What if he wants to see her?”
The profile smiled. “Where they’re going, they’ll likely bump into each other.” Halstead laughed.
Time to join the conversation. Coop thumped his heel against the baseboard. As expected, Liam whipped around. “Damn it. I told you to wait in the study.”
“Um...sorry. I heard someone holler and thought that was my cue. Sorry.” Coop walked backward a few steps, scrutinizing the sixty-something man who stepped over the threshold to stare back at him. “I’ll just go...out there...and wait...just like you told me. Sorry, man.”
“For Christ’s sake, Liam, who is he?” Halstead’s impatience was definitely showing.
“His name is James Cooper. He’s the friend of Alex’s I was telling you about, remember? I asked him to wait. He’s an ex-SEAL, and I thought he might prove useful.” Liam motioned Coop closer.
He stepped forward and held out his hand. “You’re Alex’s uncle, right? He talks about you all the time. Sorry, Mr. Halstead, I didn’t mean to poke my nose where it doesn’t belong. Just looking for work. I ran into Alex a week ago, and he said I should come see you.” Coop had never met the kid, but it made a good reference.
Halstead finally made an effort to shake his hand. “My nephew’s recommendation isn’t worth as much these days.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping as though life weighed him down. “What is it you think you can do for me?”
“I was an explosives expert in the Navy. I’m above average at finding people and information—all I need is a computer. I did some time as a sniper, and I’m pretty handy with a knife.” Coop palmed the K-bar on his hip. “Alex said I should mention that.” Interest flared in Halstead’s eyes.
“Did you run his background?” He continued to study Coop while directing his question to Liam.
“He checked out okay; if our information is still reliable, that is.” Liam exchanged a glance with Halstead.
The older man frowned, and for a second, Coop expected them to show him the door.
“I think we should give him a try,” Liam said.
Halstead seemed to have lost interest, but he nodded. “Ok, then.”
“You won’t be sorry, Mr. Halstead. I’ll do you a good job.” Coop grinned like the fool the man apparently thought he was.
Halstead turned his back on both men. “Find him a place to bunk and show him around.” He glanced over his shoulder. “And take him with you tonight. Let’s see if he’s got the chops for this job.”
Chapter Fourteen
Endless minutes, tickinginto endless hours, promised to push Jordan over the edge. The walls loomed on all sides, the window staring silently at the world she could only glimpse. She was trapped, and fear seemed the only emotion she could muster. Would this day never end?Be careful what you wish for.God only knew what the night would bring, but at least the wait would be over.Not knowingdulled her mind and threatened to drive her mad.
Earlier, Jordan had dragged the metal cot over to the wall and climbed on top. Stretching upward, her fingers had reached the windowsill, but only the sky and the tops of trees occupied her line of sight. Even if she could pull herself up and break the glass, the opening was far too narrow to allow escape. So, she’d watched the movement of shadows within her prison, welcoming the waning light of dusk.
The door was now locked and barred from the outside. There would be no escape from this room. Eventually, someone would open the door—of that, she was certain. She wasn’t sure if what came next would offer an opportunity to escape or only death. Each loop of pacing brought her closer to despair.
She stopped to pull back the woolen blanket and flip over the cot’s thin mattress, looking for something—anything she could use as a weapon. There was nothing.Figures.She’d watched too many spy movies where the hero managed to escape at the last minute, using a safety pin found under the bed. Reality was much less forgiving.
