Virgil sat at the conference table in his office with Chief Deputy Kevin Mann. They listened as Special Agent Nick Jefferson finished outlining the plan that would enable Hawk Cummings to draw the bounty hunter out in the open.
“In addition,” Jefferson said, “we’ve had our techs working through the night putting in a surveillance system at Hawk’s home, which will be linked into our system within the hour. The surveillance system at Angel View Lodge is already linked in to ours and running with facial recognition capability. Also, the Bureau decided to bring in agents from outside the area to avoid any chance of the actors being recognized by locals.”
“By actors,” Kevin said, “I assume you’re referring to the FBI agents playing roles?”
Jefferson nodded. “That’s right. We understand a number of locals eat at Flutter’s, so we felt we needed to bring in unfamiliar faces to fill those roles.”
“What’s the objective regarding Hawk Cummings?” Kevin said.
“To do everything we can to keep him safe.”
“Just to be clear,” Virgil said, “is that the primary or secondary objective?”
Jefferson loosened his tie. “Sheriff, as you know, Hawk freely chose to help us with this operation. It carries with it a degree of risk.”
“That’s a given,” Virgil said. “What I’m asking you is whether Hawk’s safety is primary or secondary.”
Jefferson scratched his ear. “Our objective regarding Hawk is to do everything possible to keep him safe. But the primary objective of this operation is to apprehend the bounty hunter and bring him in unharmed.”
Virgil held Jefferson’s gaze. “And if a situation arose where you could achieve your primary objective but not your secondary, what would you do?”
“We’re capable of doing both,” Jefferson said.
Virgil folded his arms. “If everything goes perfectly. But what if it doesn’t?”
Jefferson dabbed his face with a handkerchief. “Look, Sheriff. We’ve been after the bounty hunter for a decade. This might be the best chance we’ll ever have to get him out of commission. Bringing him in unharmed is our number one objective. But again, we’re doing everything possible to ensure Hawk’s safety.”
“I don’t doubt that,” Virgil said. “But you’d be willing to accept Hawk Cummings’s death as collateral damage if that was the only way you could bring in the bounty hunter unharmed.”
“That’s the job, Sheriff. But we’re bending over backwards to protect Hawk. Don’t forget that Hawk and his family can never really be safe with this killer on the loose. Given his history, there’s nothing the bounty hunter won’t do to get to Nameless and claim the five million. Hawk was under no obligation to put himself in harm’s way to help us. He chose it.” Jefferson softened his tone. “I realize Hawk means a lot to you, Sheriff. I know you and his family go back years. That’s precisely why Special Agent Romo decided not to withhold anything from you. I trust you’ll be able to remain objective as we proceed?”
Virgil nodded. “Thanks for your candor.”
“Any other questions before I head over to the command center?” Jefferson said, glancing at his watch.
“None here,” Kevin said.
Virgil stood and shook hands with Jefferson. “Thanks for taking the time to fill us in. We’ll keep this close to the vest. Would you please tell Special Agent Romo that I’ll join him at the command center before nine, when Hawk is expected to ride over to the lodge with Connor Richardson?”
“I’ll tell him.”
Virgil waited until Jefferson left, then turned to Kevin. “I’m not any happier than you are that the feds are running this thing. But it is what it is. I’ll be in and out, but I need you to keep the department running. Romo has gone to great lengths to keep this operation undercover. For Hawk’s sake, let’s make sure it stays that way.”
Kevin sat staring at Virgil.
Virgil raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“You’re not buying it either,” Kevin said. “They have no personal interest in Hawk Cummings. They’re using him.”
“Hawk volunteered, Kevin. He’s a grown man. It’s out of my hands.”
“Since when are you so compliant when it comes to Kate’s family?”
Virgil sighed. “It’s not a matter of compliance. I’m not in command. Romo’s calling the shots.”
“So you’re just going to roll over when you know they’ll sacrifice Hawk in a heartbeat so some monster who hasn’t got a soul can be brought in without a scratch?”
“Who said anything about rolling over? Keep things running here.” Virgil patted Kevin on the back. “I’ll check in with you later.”
Virgil got in his squad car and drove to Rocky Springs Park. He pulled in the main parking lot and turned off the motor. The eastern half of the sky had turned fiery crimson and almost pulsated with streaks of molten pink and golden purple. The White River was covered with a thick blanket of fog, giving him the sensation of being above the clouds.
He sat there for a few moments, spellbound, as Thursday’s sun peeked over the horizon, five golden rays fanning out across the expanse, the fog on the White River slowly turning a soft pastel pink.
Virgil finally exhaled and let the glory of the moment fill his soul.
God, You’ve brought Kate’s family through ordeal after ordeal that would’ve broken most people. They always come out stronger. If I’ve learned anything from them, it’s that You’re in control. I don’t pretend to understand that, but I trust Your authority more than Romo’s. I need Your help.
Virgil mulled over an idea he’d been toying with since he left his office last night. It might mean his career if it backfired. But then, what kind of career was it if he couldn’t keep his promise to protect the people of Raleigh County?
He reached under the seat and pulled out a burner phone he had bought at Walmart before he’d gone home last night. He tore open the package and followed the instructions until everything seemed to be working. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a Post-it Note with a phone number written on it. He keyed in the number and heard it ringing. Was he out of his mind? He started to hang up—
“Hello.”
“Mitch Carter?”
“Who’s calling?”
“Virgil Granger. I hope I didn’t wake you up.”
“You know better than that. Hey, buddy! How have you been? How’s that beautiful wife of yours? And the three musketeers?”
Virgil laughed. “I’m doing well. Jill Beth is beautiful as ever and still the love of my life. As for the three musketeers … our triplets have changed a great deal since you last saw them. They’re young entrepreneurs now. They’ve formed a software company together and are blowin’ and goin’. They’re all single, so we don’t have any grandkids to brag about. How’s Sarah?”
“I guess you haven’t heard. She passed away last year. Heart attack.”
“I’m so sorry,” Virgil said. “I hadn’t heard. How are you doing?”
“Life’s different without Sarah. My son’s been living in London for two years. He’s a pilot for British Airways. So when the field office in Little Rock asked me to come head up their IT division, I didn’t hesitate. That’s where I’m working now.”
“Information technology,” Virgil said. “What a great fit. That’s got to be the next best thing to being in the field.”
“You know it. So what’s on your mind? I’m pretty sure you didn’t call just to chitchat.”
“No, there’s another reason,” Virgil said. “I need to tap your brain. But I need us to talk under the radar. I’m calling you on a burner phone. Any chance you could get your hands on one and call me back at this number?”
Mitch laughed. “A burner phone. Really?”
“I’m dead serious.”
“Okay, Virgil. You got it. I’ll need about thirty minutes. Will that work for you?”
“I’ll be waiting. Thanks.”
Virgil disconnected the call, his heart pounding. The ball was rolling. It was too late to turn back.
Hawk lay in bed, his hands behind his head, and watched the ceiling fan go round and round. Halo had curled up on his chest, the white ring on the top of her head visible under the glow of the night-light. The steady rhythm of the cat’s purring was a welcome comfort.
He couldn’t get Kennedy off his mind. He had feared she might be dead long before Romo confirmed it. But the reality of it was harsh and troubling. He wondered if the eight men who had kidnapped her were responsible. Or if they had delivered her to some drug lord or mafia kingpin to pay for the sins of her family. Horrifying images raced through his mind. He knew with his head that there was nothing he could have done that would have prevented her demise. So why did he feel such guilt, sorrow, and loss? Perhaps because he was spared and she wasn’t?
Nothing about her led him to believe that she was involved in criminal activity. She had the most beautiful, innocent face. Soft, dark eyes without a hint of guile. And though she talked very little about herself, her way with him spoke volumes about her kind heart.
Who would have placed a five-million-dollar bounty on the head of such a wonderful human being? And what kind of monster would hunt her down by any means necessary? Hawk wanted the FBI to get this guy. Perhaps his helping them do it would be the best thing he could do to honor Kennedy’s memory.
It was difficult not being able to talk about her. Romo convinced him it was dangerous to tell anyone she was dead until after they captured the bounty hunter. But even then, who would care to hear about her? His family couldn’t see past his sin. And Laura Lynn had been his best friend and confidant. Maybe being alone with his feelings and unanswered questions was part of the consequences.
Hawk heard the bathroom door open and smelled the hot, soapy mist pour into the bedroom.
“Mornin’, Jess.”
Jesse peeked around the corner of the bathroom door. “I didn’t mean to wake you up.”
“You didn’t. I have fifteen pounds of fur sitting on my chest.”
Jesse laughed. He came over to the bed, wearing only his khaki shorts. “You want me to take her?”
“Not really. Her purring is a nice start to a stressful day. You getting ready to go over to the hummingbird garden?”
Jesse nodded. “Special Agent Sloan walked Abby over to Flutter’s. It worked fine, so she’s going to do the same thing with me. It’s kinda cool, but I guess it’s really serious stuff. Are you nervous?”
“Sure,” Hawk said. “But the sheriff and the FBI will be watching every move I make from the command center, and Angel View will be swarming with agents dressed as workers and guests.”
“It’s like the movies.”
“Totally.” Hawk stared at his brother, then reached over and poked Jesse’s chest. “Is that what I think it is?”
Jesse looked down and grinned. “Yep. I’ve got a few hairs on my chest. I’m proud of those puppies. I’m finally starting to look like a teenager.”
“Yes, you are. But don’t be in such a hurry. I like having a kid brother.”
Jesse was quiet for a few moments and then said, “I’ve been praying you’ll be safe. I wish it wasn’t so dangerous. But if God let David take out Goliath with a stone and a slingshot, I guess He can help a whole team of FBI guys to capture one bounty hunter—and keep you safe.”
Hawk picked up Halo from his chest and moved her to the bed, then sat up facing Jesse. “You always know how to make the Bible apply to the circumstances. How do you do that?”
Jesse shrugged. “I read it a lot. But our youth pastor, Nathan, is really cool. I’ve learned tons from him.”
“Well, I’ve learned tons from you. You’re like this wise old guru in a thirteen-year-old body.”
Jesse flexed his biceps and flashed a silver smile. “A hairy, manly body.”
Hawk laughed and gave him a shove. “Go finish getting ready. I need to shower and get dressed. Connor is picking me up, and I need to go see if Special Agent Sloan needs to update me before I leave.”
Hawk sat on the side of the bed, feeling as if he’d swallowed a brick. He’d been trying not to think about the weirdness of this day—or the danger it might hold. He thought again about Kennedy. He vowed to think of her often and remember that he was helping to get the monster who would stop at nothing to find her. If only he’d had the chance to do the same for whoever actually did find her. Since everything relating to Kennedy was classified, he would never know how or why she had died. It was the one consequence that was almost intolerable to bear.