Page 27 of Night Hawk
Clay gritted his teeth. “One thing I know for sure. Finding a sign of him out in Rugged Point is a strong lead. Maybe we couldn’t catch him because he was working a totally new market. If so, we need to investigate human trafficking along the coast.”
Clay looked at Drake. “Sierra’s right. Malone might be able to help. Since you’ve worked with her on prior abuse situations, can you call her? See if she knows anything about this, and if not, ask her to keep her ears out?”
“Sure thing,” Drake said.
The door opened, and Stella poked her head in. “I’m sorry. I know you didn’t want any interruptions, but Blake Jenkins says he needs to talk to Clay right away, and he’s kind of insistent.”
“Send him in,” Clay said and looked at his brothers. “He was calling Sheriff Winfield to see if he’ll talk to us.”
Blake marched into the room looking very much like the former sheriff he was. He was over six-feet tall with dark hair and a muscular build. He wore the same black tactical pants all the guys liked to wear and a fleece jacket with the Veritas Center’s logo embroidered on the chest.
“Sorry to interrupt.” He stepped to the end of the table and held out his hand to Toni. “You must be Toni.”
She shook hands. “Nice to meet you, and thank you for your help.”
He gave her a tight smile. “No problem.”
“What’s so urgent?” Clay asked.
“Hunter’s already called Trent and has an appointment at one. But Trent will see you this morning—if you can get there before Hunter.”
Clay looked at his watch. “You know we can’t do that. The drive alone would make us late.”
“No worries,” Blake said. “I called Gage, and you’re in luck. He’s in town for a doctor’s appointment with Hannah. You can catch a ride in their helo if you book it to the helipad.”
Clay jumped to his feet, dropped his car keys on the table, and looked at his brothers. “My car’s filled with boxes of records we’ll need in Rugged Point. There’s another stack in the closet in my spare room. Make sure you bring them and our usual equipment.”
He locked gazes with Toni, whose eyes flashed with excitement. “C’mon. We have a helo to catch.”
7
Clay found the county sheriff’s office to be small but organized with a security window in the lobby manned by an officer who called the sheriff. Trent marched out of a doorway next to the window. He had a definite swagger and perfect posture, exuding confidence that Clay respected.
“Sheriff Winfield,” he said, holding out his hand to Toni first. “Call me Trent.”
“Special Agent Toni Long with the FBI.” She gave Trent a wide smile.
Clay almost snorted, considering they weren’t meeting with Trent in any official capacity. Mentioning her FBI role could be misleading. Maybe she wanted that.
He jutted his hand out to Clay. “Blake tells me you’re former ICE.”
Clay nodded and waited for a negative comment about Clay having left law enforcement.
“Seems like a lot of the good ones are leaving for private employment.” Trent shook his head, his blond hair moving with the motion. “I never thought I’d see the day Blake would jump ship, but the guy’s happier, that’s for sure.”
Clay was uncertain how to respond. “Stresses are different, but the stakes are still high. Like in this investigation. I’d like to bring you up to speed and pick your brain.”
“We can meet in our situation room. Follow me.” He tapped a code into a keypad by the door and held the door for Toni. Once in the hallway, Trent eased past her and took them to a small conference room.
One wall held a large flat-screen TV, and above it three smaller TVs were tuned to news programs. Computer stations ringed the walls below, and a long table took up the middle of the room. The remaining walls were covered by a map of the county and whiteboards.
“Nice set up.” Clay pulled out a chair for Toni.
She eyed him and chose a different chair. He almost laughed. She was so independent and out to prove she was one of the guys. She saw him helping with her chair—something his mother insisted all of her sons did—as a negative. He dropped into the one he’d pulled out.
Trent sat across from them. “Tell me how I can help.”
Clay met the man’s intense gaze. “You must know what went down at the high school last night.”
