Page 91 of Airborne
Chad studied the agent. “McNally met me in New York, and now you’re giving me preferential treatment. Is this to talk about my latest threatening email, pick my brain, or something else?”
Javier stuffed his hands into his pants pocket. “All three, and a hard talk about your foolish detective work.”
“What have you found?”
“Have you eaten?”
Chad’s patience would fit in the bottom of a test tube. “I should keep track of how many times you refuse to answer a question or offer food.” He lifted a finger. “But I figure no answer means a negative. And I’m not hungry.”
Outside the airport, Javier swung toward the medical center and Chad’s apartment. Having Javier transport him home yanked at his need to control every aspect of his life. Traffic relaxed, giving him a moment for his blood pressure to lower.
“I had time on the plane to concentrate on this mess,” Chad said. “Where is Agent Tobias?”
“I assume where she’s supposed to be.”
“I’m reminded agents work in pairs.”
“Usually.”
“So I’m the focus of an undercover sting operation.” Chad closed his eyes for a moment to clear the debilitating stab to his head. “Is that even the terminology today? Anyway, I started this private investigation to clear my name. Since the beginning of us working together, my email’s been hacked, and the FBI traced the IP address to Spain. My life’s been threatened. Let me add Simon Peale earned his $8,000 payment to level me. Today’s episode with Peale’s lawyer and the witness withdrawing her statement says someone is convinced I have incriminating evidence. Another email before I boarded the flight rounds out a miserable and unproductive day. If you don’t have a positive swing on this, I suggest saving your pep talk.”
“Whine much?”
If Chad had the energy, he’d punch him. “Where do Braden Taversty, Decker Anslow, and Parker and Sonya Karey fit? Do I have information the bad guy needs? If so, what?”
“I don’t have your answers, just looking for evidence. By now you realize you’ve waded in shark-infested waters.”
“My life and reputation are on the line.” Heather’s face walkedacross his mind. Was she in danger? “Please ensure the FBI continues to monitor my phone. Then you have reference to my outgoing and incoming calls.”
“Do you expect the guilty person to call and confess?”
“I wish. Why haven’t you inquired about Thomas Powell?”
“Why? Do you know him?”
“Never met him. He’s a wealthy businessman. Lives here in Houston. Millionaire a few times over.”
“What’s your point?” Javier said. “Has he reached out to you?”
“No.” Chad dipped his chin. “His company paid for my assistant’s medical school—Dr. Andy Sheehan, a link worth investigation considering he’s on Adam’s Island.”
“Flimsy connection. But I’ll see what I can find out.”
Chad huffed. “You mean you’ll find out what you can tell me.” He wasn’t prepared to discuss Trey Alvinson until he talked to the young man’s parents.
At Chad’s apartment complex, Javier parked in front of the building and cut the engine. “I want to check your apartment.” He pointed to a car. “Agent Tobias is here.”
Chad opened the car door and waved at her. He laughed despite the circumstances. “You should have called for more backup. Somebody has my itinerary.”
Agent Tobias greeted them, and the three rode the elevator up to his fourth-floor apartment. The door stood ajar.
Javier pulled his weapon. “Stay here.” He and Agent Tobias entered the apartment.
Chad counted to five and walked inside. Sofa cushions lay on the floor, slashed. Cabinet doors flung open.
“Told you to stay outside,” Javier called from the kitchen. “Do you ever listen to authority?”
“Sometimes.” He did a 180 at the destruction and walked into his bedroom. Drawers lay on the carpet with the contents tossed aside. Bed linens were crumpled in a heap. His mattress and boxspring leaned against the window wall. Clothes strewn from one side of the room to the other. He searched through his bathroom linen closet. “My laptop’s gone.”
