Thread Of Revenge. Elizabeth Goddard

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      “Tell me what you know.” Looking beat, Crowley rubbed his neck as if he’d already pulled an all-nighter.

      Gage told him what Sadie had shared with him, including her belief that Karon was murdered and she’d become the target now. “I asked the doctor to run blood tests to find out what drug is in Sadie’s system.”

      “Karon Casings’s death was already ruled an accident. That comes from me. The other CGIS agent looked into it since she was Coast Guard reserve and decided her death had nothing to do with her duties, so he didn’t have any jurisdiction. Maybe Sadie is distraught over her death and not thinking clearly. Her story sounds far-fetched,” Crowley added. “What do you think?”

      Was Crowley serious? Or was Gage’s relationship with Sadie clouding his judgment about the facts? He didn’t think so. He believed someone had tried to kill her, but he based that solely on her word. Gage hesitated with a reply. He didn’t want to give too much away. He believed it was always best to wait and watch people. “I guess it all depends on why someone would want to kill Karon, and then Sadie? Any ideas on that?”

      “None.” Crowley frowned and glanced up and down the hallway.

      Gage would talk to Agent Thompkins about it too. Two investigators claimed Karon’s death was an accident. What had they missed? Was it possible that Karon’s death had, in fact, been an accident, but someone had tried to kill Sadie and they were two separate cases? Sadie had been in Karon’s home when she’d been abducted and placed on the boat to die. No. Definitely connected.

      Gage pressed his fist against his lips and thought about Sadie. She’d been all about protecting marine life and conservation. All about justice for those who couldn’t protect themselves. Gage didn’t feel comfortable walking away from this, walking away from her. And if this was connected to Karon and her death hadn’t been an accident—what was going on? Could he let someone else investigate even if he had no jurisdiction?

      No. No, he couldn’t. In the end, his SAC would have the last say, but Gage could be persuasive when he wanted. He just needed a valid motive.

      Then finally, he said, “We’ll see what the blood test says. I’ll talk to my SAC. We might need to reopen Karon Casings’s investigation too.”

      Crowley pursed his lips, hung his head and shook it. “I thought you were in the middle of trying to catch the drug smugglers off our coast. What are you even doing here, Sessions?”

      “I pulled Sadie from the water. Or did I forget to mention that? But you’re right. I’m working on drug runners.” He’d just have to handle both cases. “So what’s it going to be, Crowley? Are you going to listen to her story or not?”

      “All right. I’ll go talk to her.” Crowley put his hands on his hips. “But Karon’s death was an accident. End of story. Maybe I can convince her of that.”

      Maybe, but you can’t convince me just yet after what happened today. Gage held his tongue and nodded, still troubled by everything that had happened and unsure what he was supposed to do. Uncertain if he could leave Sadie to face this with anyone except him by her side. With Crowley to look into things. It would all depend on his SAC’s take on it. But what if the man didn’t want to reopen the Casings investigation? What about Sadie? Someone had tried to kill her and she wasn’t Coast Guard. Crowley would be in charge of that. Could he trust the deputy to protect her and find the truth?

      Gage’s cell rang. He glanced at the phone. Crowley waited for him to take the call, acting as if he had more to say. Gage answered.

      “I’ve got some news.” It was his SAC—Jim Sullivan—at the regional headquarters in Seattle.

      “What’s happened?”

      “Lieutenant Sean Miller’s body washed up. Two bullets to the back. The same kind of bullets your drug runners use. So it could definitely be tied to your investigation, Gage. I need you to get to the scene the next county up.” Jim relayed the coordinates and ended the call. Well, that was it then. His spirits sank at the thought of leaving Sadie, but he had his orders. He’d talk to Jim about what happened today, but Gage doubted he would see Sadie any time soon until fate pushed them together again.

      He lifted his gaze to meet Crowley’s. “A Coastie’s body washed up on the beach north of Coldwater Bay. Next county over, so your counterpart will meet me there to conduct his own investigation. I guess I have my marching orders. I’ll leave you to take care of Sadie.” And saying those words pained him more than it should. She wasn’t his responsibility. He struggled to force one foot in front of the other to leave her and trudged slowly toward the exit.

      “Sessions, wait.”

      Gage slowed and turned around. “What?”

      “That would be the second body in two weeks, wouldn’t it? The other one belonged to Karon Casings, as you know. But Karon’s mother told me that Karon had been seeing someone. He’d been on leave and nobody could tell me where he’d gone. But he didn’t come to her funeral.”

      Gage stiffened. Could it be? “What was his name?”

      Crowley’s lips flattened. “Lieutenant Sean Miller.”

      Gage glanced at the door to Sadie’s hospital room. And Karon Casings had been Sadie Strand’s best friend. The three incidents were all connected.

      Fear fisted around his heart and wouldn’t let go. Sadie was in danger.

       THREE

      Exhaustion would overwhelm her soon. She hoped the deputy would finish up.

      “Thanks for answering my questions,” Deputy Crowley said. “You’re sticking around town in case we have more, right?”

      “Of course. I’m not leaving until I know who’s responsible for what happened to Karon. Finding out who tried to kill me today will give me that answer.”

      Deputy Crowley angled his head, a deep crease in his brow. “We’ll see what we can find out. I need a number and an address where I can reach you if I have further questions.”

      “I live with my aunt Debby.” She gave him the address.

      After college she’d been busy traveling, working and researching and never actually took the time to move out. But someone had attempted to kill her; she should reconsider staying at the house.

      “We know where to find you then. Get some rest.” He turned to leave and just as he reached the door, she called out.

      He turned to face her. “Yes, ma’am?”

      “The other man, the one who pulled me out of the water.”

      “Special Agent Sessions?”

      Special agent? Why hadn’t she known he was in law enforcement, a special agent, at that? She’d assumed he was Coast Guard. He’d been on the Coast Guard cutter. She frowned. “Gage Sessions. Is he still out in the hallway?”

      He shook his head. “No, ma’am. He left a while ago.”

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