SEAL's RESOLVE - Rebecca Deel Page 0,46
you join the FBI?”
He sent her a solemn look. “To find Callie’s killer.”
Tears stung her eyes. Of course. He’d loved her enough to give up his career as a SEAL and join the agency best suited to finding murderers. “Did you succeed?”
“He and his partner are behind bars, awaiting trial.”
Kristi squeezed his hand, empathy rising inside her. “Good.”
Rafe was silent a moment, then said, “No questions?”
“I wasn’t sure you could divulge details. It’s enough to know that her killers won’t be able to hurt anyone else.”
He looked thoughtful. “Callie didn’t understand why I couldn’t talk about my work, especially where I was going or when I would return.”
“I know,” Kristi said, voice soft. “She complained when you deployed and worried about you.”
“Ironic, isn’t it? She worried about me doing a dangerous job but she’s the one who died while I was deployed.” He sighed. “Callie was murdered by two members of the Hunt Club.”
She’d heard the news about that group of men who hunted people instead of big game. The media had been talking about the club and its members for two weeks. “The news media mentioned federal and local law enforcement, but not Fortress.”
He shrugged. “We don’t need the publicity. The Hunt Club targeted the wife of a Fortress operative. I was tasked with bringing in two of the members. The men my team and I handed over to the authorities were responsible for Callie’s death.”
Her heart ached for him. “That must have been difficult.”
“Hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
They remained silent for the rest of the drive to Stewart Group headquarters. After Rafe parked next to her father’s car, Kristi led him to the front door and knocked on the glass. The building was still locked because of the early hour.
The night guard glanced up, eyes widening in surprise, and hurried to unlock the door. “Ms. Stewart, I’m so glad your father paid the ransom and that you’re safe. I didn’t have a good feeling about that whole situation. I’m thankful you’re back safe.”
“Thanks, Frank. I’m going up to see Dad. Rafe is with me.”
The security guard’s expression hardened. “I’ll need permission from your father to allow him upstairs.”
She patted the older man’s arm. “Call him. He knows Rafe.”
Frank cast Rafe a skeptical look as he backed away and grabbed his cell phone to make the call, suspicious gaze locked on Rafe, one hand on his gun, the other gripping his cell phone.
Kristi frowned. Frank had always been friendly and relaxed with her. Why was he fingering his gun as though he itched to yank it from his holster and face off with Rafe in a showdown? Maybe the kidnapping had easy-going Frank on edge.
On the heels of that thought came another. This one stole her breath. Was her father in danger? The kidnappers might come after him in retaliation for her escape.
The security guard ended the call and motioned for Rafe and Kristi to proceed to the elevators.
“Interesting,” Rafe said as the silver doors enclosed them inside the car. “The security guard assumed your father had paid the ransom.”
“Frank isn’t involved in this. He’s been on staff here for 30 years. He’s known me since I was born.” He was a pseudo grandfather to her. No, Frank wouldn’t be involved in anything nefarious.
“I’m suspicious of everyone, remember?”
Right. “It’s not Frank.”
The elevator arrived on her father’s floor a moment later. Kristi stepped out of the car and turned right toward the CEO’s suite. Since Alice, her father’s administrative assistant, wasn’t due to arrive for another two hours, Kristi walked to her father’s door and knocked.
“Come.”
As she entered the office, her father stood and came around his massive desk. “Kristi.” He wrapped her in a tight hug, the scent of his cologne a reminder that she was home and safe for the moment. “I’m glad to see you.”
Alan released her and held out his hand to Rafe. “I can’t thank you enough for the risk you took to free my daughter. I’ll never be able to repay you, Rafe.”
“I’m glad I was there, sir.” Rafe glanced at her, the slight curve of his lips and the heat in his eyes an assurance that this was no longer just a job to him.
Kristi smiled. Her rescue might have been a mission to him in the beginning. Now, however, her safety was a more personal mission.
Alan turned back to Kristi. After his gaze dropped to her jaw, he flinched. “Are you sure you’re all right, sweetheart? Your jaw looks painful.”
That was nothing