Page 68 of Night Watch
“I will by morning.”
“That’s overly optimistic, isn’t it?”
“Nah. With the former military connection, I can find him.”
She locked gazes with him. “Then I’m coming with you to the interview.”
She looked ready for a fight, but it wasn’t needed. “You’re the one who might be able to identify him, and I didn’t plan on stopping you. But we won’t rush off. If he’s our guy, he’s already tried to kill us and Aiden. So the team will do recon at the guy’s house then meet to formulate a plan.”
Erik’s phone rang, and he answered. “Good evening, Maya.”
“I wish it were a good one. The toxin came back positive for anthrax.”
He was glad he was sitting or he might drop to his chair. For the first time since he’d been exposed, he had a valid reason to be concerned for his life.
17
Kennedy couldn’t think of a better way to start her day, even if the entire Byrd clan sitting around Erik’s dining table was a bit intimidating. With spouses and significant others and new children, there were so many more of them now. But then she was more self-assured than she’d been as a college girl, and she knew she could hold her own.
They’d streamed a Sunday morning worship service online and were now having breakfast in lieu of Sunday dinner. Peggy changed things up because Kennedy was having dinner with Finley that night. Kennedy couldn’t believe Erik’s mom would change her plans so Kennedy could be included, but she had. She seemed eager to talk to Erik.
Kennedy stabbed a bite of the fluffy scrambled eggs lying next to crisp bacon and a mix of melons. There was also homemade bread toasted to a crisp brown, just the way she liked it. The scents of bacon and toast twined together and reminded her of breakfast at home with Finley and their parents.
She chewed the eggs, resisting falling into the sadness of grief, and smiled at Peggy, who was watching her from where she stood behind the table. “Thank you again for breakfast. It’s a great way to start the day.”
Peggy beamed at her as she rested a hand on Logan’s and Willow’s shoulders, the foster children seeming to fit right into the family. “You’re most welcome. I wish I could say it was because I just wanted to be nice, but—”
“Here we go.” Aiden grinned, and his brothers groaned. “The real reason we’re all gathered together.”
Peggy ignored him and grabbed a pile of papers from the counter. “I brought a schedule for each of you boys, and I need you to follow it.”
“What in the world have you got planned?” Erik took a long pull on his steaming mug of black coffee.
She gave a piece of paper to each of his brothers except Erik.
“Why am I excluded?” he asked, looking half amused and half offended.
Aiden glanced up from his page. “Because you’re the subject of our assignment.”
“What?” Erik shot a look at his mother. “What’s going on?”
“I know how you all get when you’re working on behalf of your clients,” she said. “You get so wrapped up in it that you forget about everything else. Especially when the client is someone you care very deeply for.”
“Yeah, so?” Erik said.
“So now that the test came back positive for anthrax, you need to be sure to take the antibiotic as scheduled and pay attention to any symptoms that might arise.” She glanced at Kennedy. “You too, sweetheart.”
“Of course,” Kennedy said. “But my risk of exposure is far less than Erik’s, so don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll be praying for you both until you’re in the clear.” She stepped next to Erik and placed her hand on his shoulder. “I need you to be extra vigilant.”
“I will be.” He squeezed her hand. “Promise.”
Peggy pinned her gaze on him. “I’m not so sure. You’ll get busy digging up some information on your computer, and you’ll forget all about the anthrax. So I want your brothers to keep an eye on you and let me know how you’re doing. Same goes for Kennedy.”
“Mom,” Erik said, his patience seeming to evaporate. “This is crazy, even for you.”
“You could die from this, son.” She pulled her shoulders back in a hard line. “I won’t let that happen.”
