Secrets of the Lynx. Aimee Thurlo

to make that call, and we need to know by whom,” Paul said.

      “That person is probably our shooter, maybe Miller, so finding Annie is our top priority now,” Kendra said, glancing at Preston. The man was a hard-assed cop, yet he never questioned Paul’s take on Yolanda’s credibility. Something told her there was more to Paul’s ability than he’d said.

      Maybe he’d trained with covert ops somewhere, working closely with their professional con men and other highly skilled consultants. Federal law enforcement agents often had interesting, varied backgrounds.

      Kendra looked at Preston, then at Paul. “How about going behind closed doors right now and tossing around a few ideas? Whatever we say stays there.”

      Preston nodded. “My office.”

      * * *

      P AUL FOLLOWED K ENDRA into Preston’s spartan office, which held only a small desk, file cabinets and two folding chairs. There were no photos on the wall, only documents listing Preston’s credentials.

      Once they were seated, Kendra began. “What evidence did the crime scene team find at the site where Paul was ambushed?”

      “Two slugs from a .45 were found embedded in the bricks of the Murray building.”

      “I was standing with the building at my back when the shooting started,” Paul said.

      “The shots were grouped tightly, the sign of an experienced marksman,” Preston said.

      Kendra leaned forward, resting her forearms on her legs. “My theory is that the gunman who came after Paul is probably someone with a personal grudge, maybe someone linked to his P.I. business. With a rifle, Miller can hit a target at a thousand yards. With a .45, he can make a head shot at one hundred feet. The only reason he failed to kill the judge last November was because two U.S. Marshals got in his way. This can’t be his work.”

      “I get what you’re saying,” Paul said. “When I got shot at last night I was the only target around and I was less than fifty feet away from the gunman. Miller’s weapon of choice is the rifle, but he shouldn’t have missed at that distance with a handgun either. I’d just been illuminated by a lightning flash—like I was standing beneath a flare. It was an easy shot for anyone with his level of training.”

      “Maybe he choked,” Preston said.

      Kendra shook her head. “Professional hit men don’t choke and still group their shots that tight.”

      “Well, if it wasn’t Miller, I have no idea who it could have been. Grayhorse Investigations primarily handles routine video and electronic surveillance,” Paul said. “The reason I got involved in this last case was because a police officer was allegedly involved in domestic abuse.” He paused, then added, “Anyone who wears a badge should be held to the highest standard.”

      She heard the barely concealed anger in his voice and realized the case had clearly struck a chord with him. Another idea suddenly popped into her head. What if the shooter had known Paul would react exactly as he had and used that knowledge to set him up as a target?

      “Who would know that’s how you feel about those who carry a badge?” she asked.

      Preston answered her instantly. “Anyone who knows Paul or has worked with him.”

      “That’s not going to narrow things down much for us,” Kendra said.

      “To track down whoever set me up, we’ve first got to find Annie,” Paul said.

      “I’ll get you a booking photo of Annie Crenshaw. If you need backup, call,” Preston said.

      “Do you know the alley that Yolanda spoke about?” Kendra asked Preston.

      Preston looked up from the computer screen and nodded. “Downtown, between Third and Fourth streets. Strictly small-time dealers hang out there, but they watch each other’s backs and usually see our people coming. It’s hard to set up a sting there.”

      “I hear you,” Kendra said, then glanced at Paul. “Street people are usually unpredictable and half the dealers are high themselves. You want to sit this one out? Someone’s likely to pull a weapon once I show a badge.”

      “A lot of people around here know I’m private, not a cop, and I’ll get farther than you can flashing your badge. Let me help out.”

      “All right, then. Let’s go,” she said, leading the way out of the building.

      “Unless we actually see Annie, let me pick who we approach. We’re more likely to avoid trouble that way,” Paul said.

      Kendra didn’t answer. In situations like these, only one rule applied. Whatever could go wrong would—and at the worst possible moment.

      * * *

      T HEY WERE BACK in Paul’s truck moments later. “Before we head over to the alley, let’s stop by Hensley’s Gym. It’s on the way,” Paul said. “I’d like to check out the place where Annie supposedly crashes at night. It might give us some insight into her current situation that’ll help when we question her.”

      “If we go onto private property without probable cause we’ll be trespassing, and that’ll place us on shaky legal ground. Do you know someone who could give us access?” Kendra asked.

      He nodded. “I went to school with Bobby and Mike Hensley, the sons of the late owner. I’m sure I can get a key from one of them.”

      Several minutes later they arrived at a large sporting goods store on Hartley’s west side. The place was bustling with customers.

      “Looks like a sporting goods store is more profitable in Hartley than a gym,” she said.

      “No, that’s not it. The gym was Jim Hensley’s dream. He was really into bodybuilding and training. After their dad passed on, Mike and Bobby followed their own interests and started this business instead.”

      “Paul, is that you?” a voice called out.

      A man in his early thirties came out from behind the counter and shook Paul’s hand. “I heard you’d moved back home. I’ve been wondering how long it would take for you to come by and say hello. Man, it’s good to see you again.”

      “Sorry, Mike. I’ve been getting things sorted out and haven’t had time to touch base,” Paul said.

      “Yeah, I heard. It sucks having to give up your career like that,” he said. “You were the only one in our class who knew what he wanted before college. It took guts, reinventing yourself like this.”

      “At least I was able to walk away,” Paul said.

      “True enough.” Mike took Kendra in at a glance and smiled.

      “This is Marshal Armstrong,” Paul said, introducing them. “We came hoping you might be able to help us out.”

      “Of course. Whatever you need, buddy. Let’s go into my office and talk.”

      Once the door was shut and Paul explained what they wanted, Mike reached into the open safe behind him. He pulled out an envelope and slid it across the desk. “The key’s inside. Guess Bobby and I should have boarded up that place.”

      Just then the door flew open and a boy who looked about three came bouncing in. He leaped into Mike’s arms, and squealed with delight as his father lifted him into the air. “This is little Mike, guys.”

      Kendra smiled. She loved kids, but particularly ones close to that age, full of energy and innocence. The thought filled her with a familiar yearning, one that had become a permanent part of her these days.

      For the past few months she’d been looking into the possibility of single parent adoption. She’d never met Mr. Right and wasn’t sure he even existed, so she’d checked out other options. As she’d researched the adoption process, she’d discovered a series of holdbacks, some due to her profession, and all valid issues she’d need