Page 3 of Tracking Payton
Colin sighed heavily. “They are combing the forest for him, but so far no signs. Someone else could have passed by and picked him up and brought him home. Police are checking with residents that live in the area, but there are few. Other than that, military took over the investigation and are keeping things hush hush.”
Which meant they didn’t want civilians knowing what Nick was involved in. Alex wracked his brain trying to think what to do next, but he was drawing a blank. He had never been in this position before. None of his teammates had come close to dying. They’d almost lost Ortiz a few weeks ago, but that was because he felt pressured to leave when he learned he’d had a son for the past eight years.
Yeah, he was still having a hard time wrapping his mind around Ortiz as a dad. He’d yet to meet the squirt, but it sounded like he was a mirror image of his dad. Men better start hiding their daughters.
“Well, I took a small absence from work, so anything you need help with, I’ll do.” Alex didn’t come out here just to be a bump on a log. He’d help with the search. Anything they needed assistance with.
“We could use all the help we can get. I don’t like this, Alex,” Colin said, shaking his head.Colin looked around to make sure they weren’t overheard then leaned closer and whispered,“Too many mysteries, like what the hell was Nick doing on that road to begin with?”
“I don’t know anything about Nick’s current work.” Alex knew a few things, but Nick was good at keeping secrets. He never divulged about anything he was working on. Especially locations. “Maybe he was on a scenic drive up there.”
“No, someone knew he was going to be on that road and ran him off of it.”
“But to what gain?”
“Nick was involved in a lot of programs. More than he let on. Someone could have done it fearing he’d reveal a truth.”
Alex shook his head in denial. “Nick would take those secrets to the grave.”
“Or someone ran him off the road and kidnapped him for the secrets he keeps.”
Shit, Alex hadn’t thought of that. It didn’t change the fact Nick would never reveal said secrets even under duress.
“What about his office here?” Nick always took his work home with him. Maybe there was something on his computer. “Maybe he kept a log on there.”
“Locked and encrypted.”
“So we have more questions than answers and won’t be getting any help from anyone.”
“It’s being ruled an accident so security isn’t being helpful. If we can show proof of foul play, they might relent, but police don’t have just cause. So it’s more a hunch than anything.”
Colin was visibly upset, Alex was upset as well; he just kept his emotions in check. Emotions weren’t going to help him find Nick. “We’ll find him, Colin. Has Payton been notified?”
Payton was two years younger than him, and he’d watched her blossom into a woman. Any familial thoughts about her had died a quick death when he saw her filling out in all the right places. He couldn’t leave the only home he’d ever known fast enough. Nick would kill him for even thinking about his daughter that way.
Shouldn’t she be here? He didn’t know anything about her anymore. When he left, he’d only stayed in touch with Nick. Payton could be married with kids, living on the other side of the world for all he knew. It wasn’t any of his business anyway.
“She’s here on base, but I haven’t seen her yet. I honestly didn’t expect you to show up.”
“Of course I would.” How could Colin think Alex wouldn’t come? “Nick practically raised me. Is there anyone in this building we can trust to help us get info?” Alex asked as he heard raised voices coming from the building entrance.
He spotted a woman yelling at someone in a military uniform as they walked down the steps away from the building. By the insignias on his shoulders he was a general. The woman was walking side by side with the general who was trying to walk quickly to lose her. Alex couldn’t make out her features, but he could tell she was tall. Reaching his chin.
He noted her long brown hair and hour-glass figure in a black shirt and jeans. Her breasts jutted out from her shirt. Just more than a handful. Just the way he liked. This woman easily kept pace with the man.
“I asked for a status report of the accident, and I’m still waiting,” the woman demanded. Several people turned to look at them, but neither paid anyone any attention.
Alex glanced over at Colin for an answer about why this woman was yelling at a general, but he just shrugged and continued watching them as was everyone else in close proximity.
The general looked upset by the woman’s outburst. “I’m sorry, ma’am, everything is still being investigated at this time. We are using all of our resources and those of the local police. What more do you want?”
“I want answers, I want the report. Now, if you aren’t the person to get things done, General, then get me someone who can.” The woman quickened her pace to get in front of the general and stopped, forcing him to stop or bowl over her. “Or should we entrust this to civilian police?”
“Frankly, ma’am, you aren’t authorized to know everything,” the general said.
“Authorized?” she repeated, her head rearing back as if slapped. “It’s my father’s accident. I have every right to know.”
“You want cooperation, start by giving back the Intel from his car that you stole.”
