Page 73 of Tracking Payton
“How did this happen?” Nick barked at an MP cowering from the doorway. Nick was in a black mood, and no one could blame him. It had been less than eight hours since Diesel had been apprehended, and now he had been murdered.
“We don’t know, sir,” the MP stuttered.
Nick’s dark eyes bore into the poor man’s. Alex had been on the receiving end of those dark looks. He knew firsthand what that MP was feeling. “What do you mean, you don’t know? When did you last check on him? Why wasn’t someone posted here around the clock?”
“I last checked on him an hour ago. He seemed alive then. We didn’t think constant supervision was needed, he wasn’t a thre—” His words trailed off as Nick’s thunderous scowl turned murderous.
“This man was responsible for more than five military personnel deaths. He kidnapped me and shot my daughter. He orchestrated the attacks of several military bases, and you didn’t think he was a threat?”
The MP gulped and looked around for an escape, but none was to be had.
“You said he looked alive, what does that mean? Like this?” Nick pointed at the body lying on his back, eyes glazed over staring at the ceiling. Diesel was still in the bed with the blanket pulled up to his chest.
Alex had seen enough dead bodies over the years that the grizzly sight didn’t bother him. He was no coroner, but he could tell Diesel had been dead a while. At least a few hours. He cursed not interrogating him first thing instead of waiting for Payton at the hospital. Now they were no closer to answers and who was really behind all the attacks.
“His back was to the cell doors. He appeared to be sleeping.”
“Incompetent idiots,” Nick muttered under his breath, but Alex was close enough he could hear. Alex shared the sentiment. His team would never allow something like this to happen.
“Do you at least have security cameras?” Alex asked.
“Yes.” The MP all but rushed out of the cell, leading the way to the MP office. He pulled up the security footage starting with when Diesel was first placed in the cell. He fast forwarded the footage until there was a person standing in front of the cell. The MP played it.
“Is there no audio?” Nick barked when there was only silence.
“No, just camera.”
Nick growled low in his throat. “I’m going to have a word with your supervisor when I leave.”
The MP gulped and took a few steps back.
They watched the video intently. The person spoke to Diesel for only a moment then let themselves into the cell. They wore a dark outfit and a hood over their head. Based on the angle. it was hard to tell how tall they were, and the outfit didn’t reveal a gender. Whoever it was, Diesel wasn’t happy to see them. He scrambled back as soon as they entered and fell back on the bed. He looked like he was starting to call out for help. The person rushed Diesel and slit his throat then laid him back in the bed before letting themselves back out. They made sure to walk backward, keeping their back to the camera.
“Who is that?” Nick ordered, pointing at the person. They were obviously a professional. They knew how to keep their face away from the camera and not leave fingerprints.
The MP checked his logbook. “I don’t know. We had two guards on duty during that time.”
Nick rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Is that the only answer you can give me: ‘I don’t know.’ Call them and find out if they saw anything or if this is one of them. I want this building shut down and a team to investigate every inch of this place.”
Nick hung his head in defeat. His hands braced on the counter like the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. A lot was riding on them, but there was no point in picking at the fresh wound. “I was so close.”
Alex stood in indecision, not knowing what to say. Did he comfort Nick or let him be? His role seemed pointless now. They were at a dead end. Unless there was something in the data Nick had on the drive that he didn’t realize he had.
“Nick, I can have my team analyze the drive, see if there are any clues on there.”
Nick shook his head. “I’ll just have Colin run it. I’d rather keep it close. No offense.”
“None taken.” Alex would never betray him or anyone on his team, but the fewer people who knew what was going on, the better.
Nick turned to face him. His arms crossing over his chest as he leaned back against the desk. Somehow that scared him more than Nick’s anger. “You don’t need to hang around if you want to get back to the hospital.” He gave him a knowing look.
Did he know about him and Payton? That he planned on moving her out to Texas? Probably. The man was too wise for his own good.
“I’m sure you have a lot of things to work out,” Nick continued, looking at him pointedly.
Yes, Nick knew. Alex didn’t try to understand how. The man was more powerful than the all-knowing mighty Wizard of Oz. “You’re not upset?” He expected some hesitation on Nick’s part. He knew Alex’s past. Knew he wasn’t good enough for his daughter. His hands were stained in blood. He’d had a poor upbringing until Nick took him in.
Warmth seeped into Nick’s eyes. “I’ve always known you two would figure it out. It was only a matter of time.”
