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Tai’s heat-sensing drones hadn’t picked up any other signs of life within a mile radius at least, but Bridger wasn’t one to go all-in on technology. Computers went wonky sometimes or gave false readings. And people had ways of defeating sensors.
Tai was the best there was at close quarters combat, but things could always go sideways. At least if he had Jane in her truck, she’d have some shelter if Tai was wrong about the guy being unarmed.
“Watch your fingers,” he ordered, and shut the door.
“This is private property,” she said through the open window. “You can’t just do whatever you want.”
He leaned his hip against the door, just in case she thought about bolting, and watched the hangar exit. “Yeah, I kind of can.”
“Intruder is secured,” Tai said in his ear. “We’re on our way out.”
“Copy that. I’ll get the lights.” He pulled a flashlight off his tactical vest and shone it at the doorway.
The door banged open. A hefty, balding man with a long, dark beard exited, hands behind his head. He was almost as tall as Tai, but he had none of Tai’s presence. If he’d been wearing leathers instead of hiking pants, Bridger would have mistaken him for a biker.
Tai was right behind the guy, handgun at the ready.
Jane threw open the door of the truck, almost knocking Bridger over. “Pastor Zack?”
6
Jane saggedagainst the side of her truck, staring at the pale man bathed in the harsh light from Bridger’s flashlight.
Why would the leader of the Redemption Community Church be sneaking around Jason’s hangar?
The massive, wild-haired man behind Pastor Zack kept his gun trained on him. “Found him going through the desk drawers.”
Bridger shot the beam from his light straight into the pastor’s eyes, making him duck his head. “Looking for something, dude?”
The disrespect made Jane’s temper flare. “He’s Zack Myles. Our pastor.”
“Huh.” Bridger didn’t seem impressed. “Whatcha looking for, Rev?”
“He’s a friend,” she insisted. “He and Jason are close.”
Closer and closer over recent months. She’d been glad to see Jason taking an interest in church again. Watching his faith fade over the years had been painful. But once he came home, he’d come back to the Lord.
Pastor Zack had a huge part in that. Jason liked the calm, mannerly man immediately. Lately they’d been spending more and more time together, studying the Bible over lattes at Hattie’sHigh Desert Deli.
No way she was going to let Bridger North or his pirate sidekick intimidate the man.
She pushed past Bridger and stalked straight up to his partner. “Put the gun away.”
It wasn’t until she spoke that she realized she was challenging a man over a foot taller than her. And at least a hundred pounds heavier.
The flashlight beam wavered.
She turned to see Bridger grinning. “You heard the lady, Tai. I should probably make some introductions.” He waggled the beam over his big friend. “This is Tai Kaholo. He and I served with Jason.”
“Did he send you?” Pastor Zack asked. The fear on his face morphed into hopefulness. “Is he all right?”
Bridger took a step closer. “How about you tell us?”
The pastor shot her a pleading look. “I don’t know anything. All I know is Jason didn’t show up for our last meeting, a week ago. Since then, he hasn’t responded to any of my texts. Sorry about breaking in. Jason gave me a key. I thought I should look around before I talked to you. I thought I might be able to find something to explain his disappearance.”
Jane’s heart clenched. “That’s not like him. Jason wouldn’t just bail on someone.”
“No,” Bridger said, much to her surprise. “He wouldn’t.”
