She glanced at him. "I thought you put a watch team on them?"
"I requested one. Doubt if it's there yet."
And Gabriel could fly there faster than any car could drive. She put her foot down, and sped away from the area. If they wanted answers, they had to get to Haynes and Cooper. And she had a bad feeling time was running out.
* * * *
Gabriel glanced skyward as he climbed out of the car. The wind was freshening, and the clouds hung low. Hopefully, the impending rain would hold off until he got to Haynes. He hated flying in foul weather."Contact me when you get there," she said.
Gabriel bent and met her gaze. "When Mark's safe, I want you to go back to headquarters and go through the search results. There has to be some link between the murders other than Emma and Hopeworth."
"Will do," she said. Though her voice was tightly controlled, he could feel her annoyance at being given another desk job. But this time, he wasn't doing it in a deliberate effort to get rid of her. The simple fact was, she couldn't fly and he could. Had it been the other way around, he would have gladly let her go. Dealing with cranky old men was not his favorite pastime.
He closed the door, and she sped off, tires squealing. He shook his head and called the SIU, ordering the team meant to protect Cooper to pick him up and bring him back to headquarters. Then he asked for a location on Haynes' team. They were apparently caught in traffic and could be up to half an hour away. After hanging up, he shifted shape and soared skyward. But the wind buffeted his wings, making any sort of speed difficult. He half wished he hadn't spent most of last night airborne. His muscles were beginning to ache long before he'd reached the halfway point.
Mulgrave finally came into view. He dove down, skimming the treetops, looking for Haynes' house. He wasn't the only one. A military vehicle cruised slowly down the road. He could see two men inside, the passenger holding a street directory open on his lap. It might have been a coincidence, but he never had been one to believe in them overly much. Especially since similar vehicles had been sent after Allars.
But the fact that they were close meant there was no time for finesse. With a flick of one wing, he swung left, diving down to Haynes' well kept red brick home. He lined up with the kitchen window and arrowed directly at it.
Glass shattered, flying everywhere. He changed as he hit the floor, and he rolled back to his feet. Though hawks had relatively thick skulls, the impact left him a little dazed. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Shards fell like rain from his hair, chiming softly as they hit the tiled floor.
"What the hell...?"
A tall, thin gentleman wearing glasses walked into the room. Gabriel smiled in greeting and then swung a clenched fist. The blow took the old man on the chin and knocked him out cold. Gabriel caught him before he hit the floor, and he swung him up over his shoulder. Luckily, he didn't weigh all that much.
He headed out the back door. A dog barked loudly to his left, running back and forth along the fence line. He ignored it, heading for the rear of the property and the adjoining back yard. After ducking behind the cover of a tin shed, he peered over the fence. No dog, and no sign of movement from the house.
He carefully hoisted Haynes over the fence and then quickly followed. After lifting the old man back up, he ran for the front of the property. The gate was shut but not locked. He opened it and casually walked out into the street. There was a bus stop several houses down. Gabriel headed for that, and he eased the old man into the seat. Holding him upright with one hand, he dialed the SIU with the other.
"Christine, I need a mobile unit at my current location ASAP. And tell the team on the way to Haynes' place to return to headquarters."
"One moment, please."
The old man began to groan. Gabriel held the viaphone to his ear with a shoulder and got out his ID, showing it to the old man as he opened his eyes.
"I don't care who you are," Haynes growled. "What right do you have to come busting into my home and beating me up?"
"We've reason to believe your life may be in danger, sir."
"And you couldn't tell me this in my own home?"
"No, sir." Gabriel glanced up the street. It wouldn't take the military boys long to discover Haynes wasn't home. No doubt they'd then turn to the tracker.
"Unit four is thirty seconds away, Assistant Director. And team three-five are returning to headquarters, as ordered."
"Thanks, Christine."
As he hung the viaphone, a dark gray Ford turned the corner. Gabriel waved them down and returned his attention to Haynes.
"I'm sorry about the force used. But we don't know who's behind the threats and didn't dare take a chance with your safety. Lyle, White and Benson have all recently been murdered, and we've reason to believe both you and Cooper are next on the list."
"We all worked together," Haynes murmured, face pale.
"We're well aware of that, sir." Gabriel gripped the old man's arm, helping him up as the Ford pulled to a halt beside them. Haynes climbed in. Gabriel slammed the door shut then walked around to the other side.
"Where to, Assistant Director?" The driver, a red haired freckle-faced youngster, asked.
"Headquarters." Gabriel glanced at the driver's dark skinned partner, recognizing him from a recon trip they'd done several years ago. "How's that knee, Ford?"