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“There’s one more thing.” She hesitated and glanced away.
“What is it?” He smoothed a curl from her forehead.
“This mission you’re supposed to go on.” Fear clouded her eyes. Real fear. He could see it there, rising up, taking over.
“I’ve already committed.” No matter how much he regretted telling Fletch he’d go, he couldn’t back out. “I gave him my word.” Damn his sense of duty. It had been ingrained in him since he was eighteen years old.
“I know,” she said softly.
What could he say? How could he take the fear away? “You know I’m really good at what I do over there, right?” He took her cheeks in his hands. “This isn’t as dangerous as the assignments we used to go on.” But he’d still have to say goodbye to her. He’d still have to leave her behind. He’d still be going into some sketchy situations.
“I love your loyalty and dedication,” Tess told him firmly, as though she was trying to be brave.
He would always offer her both of those things. “I promised you I’d help you find whoever hurt Legacy, and I will. Even if it means I have to delay leaving and meet up with the team somewhere.”
“I know you’re a man of your word.” She kissed him once more and then went back to her own chair. “And I know how good you were at your job. I just can’t lose you.”
“You won’t.” He wouldn’t put her through any more pain. There was always a chance he wouldn’t have to go. It was possible the diplomat would surface before they left. He could always hope. “Now back to the mission I’ve taken on here… maybe we should go check out Darrell’s and Ford’s places.”
Tess set down her fork. “You mean like break into their garages?”
“That’s not quite what I had in mind.” Though he had plenty of experience breaking into places he wasn’t supposed to be on his missions. “I can’t get busted by the cops for anything right now or Fletch would lose it. The powers that be frown on legal trouble for their contractors.”
“Right.” She carted her plate to the sink. “No, we can’t break any laws to catch these guys.”
Silas met her at the kitchen island. “But we can go talk to Darrell and Ford directly. At least take a look around their properties without committing any misdemeanors.” If nothing else, they could search for the white UTV.
“That’s the perfect plan.” Tess took his hand and pulled him to the front door, swiping her purse off a hook on the wall. “I’ll drive.”
Fifteen minutes later, they were slowly making their way up Darrell’s private driveway. Silas read the many No Trespassing signs on the way.
NO TRESPASSING. DUE TO THE INCREASED PRICE OF AMMO, DO NOT EXPECT A WARNING SHOT.
NO TRESPASSING. THIS PROPERTY IS PROTECTED BY THE SECOND AMENDMENT.
NO TRESPASSING. IF YOU CAN READ THIS SIGN, YOU’RE IN RANGE.
That sign depicted a rifle and a target.
“Wow. Darrell seems like a stand-up guy, huh?” He never would’ve called the man friendly, but seeing his opinions posted around his property drove his attitudes home.
“It would appear the man is obsessed with guns, that’s for sure.” Tess eyed the signs with disdain as they passed. “But he’s been around forever and he’s harmless. A few signs won’t scare me off.”
“I’m not worried either.” Silas wouldn’t let anyone hurt Tess. He’d take down anyone who tried.
They drove past a few weathered outbuildings—all closed up tight—and then Tess parked in front of a simple cabin. Smoke curled from the brick chimney.
They both climbed out of the vehicle, but Silas made sure he approached the front door of the cabin first. He knocked and then stepped back, keeping himself between Tess and the door.
Darrell appeared behind the battered screen. “What’d you two want?” He hiked up his sagging jeans over his belly even though they were held up by a pair of red suspenders.
“Hi there,” Silas said politely. “We were just out and about. Thought we’d stop in to see how you’re doing today.”
The man lumbered out to the concrete pad where they stood, his eyes squinting against the bright sunlight. “You never come up here to see how I’m doing.”
Tess took a step toward the man. “We were actually wondering… do you happen to have a white UTV by any chance?”
“Why the hell are you asking me that?” he growled.
