The SEAL's Surprise Son (The Admiral's Seals, #1) - Leslie North Page 0,44

All That Sparkles’ IT company. He’s been there for about nine months. Records show that he helped install tech at the store, and he had access to their email and other accounts. Strange coincidence, if you ask me.”

It could be a coincidence, but Zach was sure it wasn’t. This was connected to Carolyn’s problems. He could feel it in his bones. “Can you tell if Huntly sent those fake emails?”

“I’m unraveling that as we speak. It took some work, since he pinged it off other IP addresses to cover his tracks, but I’ll get to the bottom of the rabbit hole.”

“We’ll need proof.” Zach had to have documentation he could take to the police, something that would get their attention and make a criminal case against this guy stick.

“This isn’t my first rodeo,” Steve replied. “I know what we need. Probably take me another twenty-four hours.”

“Thanks. I owe you.” While they’d talked, Zach had turned into Carolyn’s driveway. The garage door was down, which wasn’t unusual, but no lights were on in the house. She’d said she would be home by now after speaking with the insurance adjuster.

He got out of the car, fingering her house key in his pocket. He’d refused to use it earlier, a decision he regretted along with everything that had happened between them the past day. All his fault. She had chosen to go to Huntly’s house but had turned around, exactly as she should have. His reaction, his fear of losing her, had come out in his words to her.

He’d never been good at managing his emotions, ruthlessly suppressing them instead, but he’d been unable to do that when his panic over the mere idea of Carolyn being hurt had hit him square in the chest. He’d lashed out where she was most vulnerable, not for a second considering her life had been turned upside down by the threats against the business and the recent fire. Instead of supporting her as he should have, he’d added to her troubles.

The Admiral would be disappointed in him, he acknowledged. He was disappointed in himself. And worried since she didn’t appear to be home yet. He weighed his options, deciding quickly to use his key and go inside. He paused to listen after the door swung open. No sounds. If Austin was awake, there was constant chatter. Zach moved into the kitchen, looking around. Carolyn’s purse wasn’t on the counter, nor was the bag she carried for Austin.

They weren’t home, which compounded the feeling in his gut that this mission had gone sideways. He took a quick look through the house for any signs of a disturbance or struggle but found nothing.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Carolyn’s number. After four rings, it beeped and went to voicemail. He left a message for her to call him as soon as she could.

Something was wrong. She kept her phone on her and always answered, out of concern for Austin. She could be angry with him and refuse to take his call, but she wasn’t petty like that. His every instinct was on high alert. He scrolled through his contacts, pressing the button for Carolyn’s mother.

“Hello, Faith. Is Carolyn there?” He was being barely polite, but his concern was overriding everything else.

“Not yet,” Faith replied, sounding surprised at his question. “She was dealing with the insurance at the store. Austin’s with me, though. Do you want to say hi to him?”

He did want to talk to his son and hold him, but he needed to know Austin’s mother was safe first. “Kiss him for me,” he said. “Are you sure you haven’t heard from Carolyn?”

“Stop worrying, Zach. She just got held up at the store. Insurance issues always take longer than you think they will.”

“Where’s Charlotte?” His concern shifted to include Carolyn’s sister, who had nearly been killed in the fire. She was a potential target as well. They all were.

“Here with me. What’s got you so worked up?” Faith asked.

“Lock your doors and stay there. Inside,” he commanded. “One of my brothers will be over soon to protect you.” He hung up before she could object or demand an explanation.

The store was the logical place for Carolyn to be and the first place he needed to look. He jogged back to his car, gunning the engine on the quiet street. He called Colin first, instructing him to go to Faith’s house. He followed that with a call to Alex, telling him to meet him at All That