in deep conversation when I walked up.”
She swallowed a bite of bagel. “He asked about my business and when I first realized I wanted to design wedding dresses.”
“Sounds like an interesting story. When did you decide to focus on that field?”
“I was 15.” She laughed. “I convinced Dad to take me to a bridal show for my birthday. He was mortified, but he went anyway. After I graduated from high school, I attended Parsons, one of the top fashion design schools in the country. That day at the bridal show defined my career.”
“It’s a good memory, then.”
“The best.”
Soon, his teammates came to the table with their own plates and one for Rafe. Eli handed him a to-go cup of coffee.
Jackson set a bottle of water in front of Kristi. “How is your breakfast?”
“It’s perfect. Doesn’t get much better than a bagel and mint tea. Although the omelets look fabulous, I don’t think I could eat one this morning.”
“If you change your mind, Nate will be here through lunch. After that, one of the trainees takes over the cooking duties.”
Halfway through their meal, a door to their left opened, and 50 or 60 men and women streamed into the cafeteria. They headed for the metal tubs filled with ice and bottles of water. A few of the trainees glanced Kristi’s way, but most ignored her and the men at her table. They soon cleared out, heading to another location in the compound.
When Kristi and Wolf Pack finished their meals, Rafe escorted her to a conference room with a huge screen on the wall while his teammates gathered the breakfast dishes and took them to the kitchen.
Rafe seated her at the large table, then booted up a computer and typed in a few commands. That done, he grabbed his phone and made a call as his teammates filed into the room and took seats at the table. “It’s Rafe. Wolf Pack is ready.” A pause, then, “Yes, sir. She’s here, too.” He ended the call.
Seconds later, the screen on the wall came to life. A blond-haired man with a buzz cut appeared on the screen. “Sit rep,” he said.
Kristi frowned. What was that? As Rafe relayed the events of her rescue to the man on the screen and the incident with the fake orderly at the hospital, she figured it was some kind of military phrase requesting a report. When Rafe finished, the blond man shifted his attention to her.
“I’m Brent Maddox, CEO of Fortress Security. Your father hired Fortress to rescue you. What did the doctor say about your injuries?”
She shrugged. “I’m a little banged up.”
His lips curved. “Your father will be pleased to hear the news although I guarantee he’ll want more details. He’s waiting outside my office to speak to you.”
“Not patiently, I’ll bet.”
“No, ma’am. What can you tell me about the men who took you?”
“There were a lot of them, and they weren’t gentle.” She shuddered. “A few of them enjoyed hurting me.”
His eyes narrowed as he shifted his attention to Jackson. “Assessment?”
“Bruises to her extremities, ribs, and jaw. When they shoved her against the side of the van, Kristi hit her head which is causing headaches but she doesn’t have a concussion. She’ll be fine in a few days.”
Brent rubbed his jaw. “Torres and Durango took down five men, leaving three of the eight men that Kristi saw. According to Zane, the Gatlinburg police responded to two accidents on Hart Mountain with three fatalities. Now you’re telling me that another man tried to get to Kristi in the hospital. Is the fake orderly talking?”
“No, sir,” Rafe said. “Josh said he asked for his lawyer.”
“No report on his identity?”
“Not so far.”
“I’ll text Josh. If the man doesn’t have a record, I’ll ask Josh to send what they have to Zane. He might have better luck. Kristi, do you know what the men wanted?”
“They didn’t talk except to threaten me if I didn’t cooperate. I assumed they wanted money.” She grimaced. “I wasn’t coherent long. The drug they used to knock me out did a good job. I woke up about the time Rafe arrived.”
Brent turned his attention to Eli. “What’s the plan?”
“At this point, I don’t know. Josh says they weren’t followed to Otter Creek. How did this guy find Kristi at the hospital?”
“Her GPS tracker,” Rafe said. “That’s the only explanation.”
“If I can be tracked by the wrong people, I want the tracker removed,” Kristi said.
Brent looked at Rafe. “Opinion?”
“I agree. Unless all six of us missed