Cassie Miles - The Final Secret

Milling around and trying to be invisible, she observed as the guests munched on native Colorado foods, including the infamous Rocky Mountain oysters, and drank Colorado brews and placed their bids on silent auction items. She’d spotted a rancher in a Western-style suit with a holster clipped to his belt and a sweet-faced lady who revealed her Colt .45 when she opened her needlepoint satchel to take out a hanky. In spite of the artillery, neither seemed prone to violence.

The crowd swelled as the band switched to a couple of John Denver songs designed for singing along. As the guests chanted “Rocky Mountain High”—officially designated as the second state song—she heard Tony Vega through her earpiece. “I need backup at the entrance to handle a couple of drunks.”

“I’m on my way,” Zoey responded. “G-Fox, you need to cover my area, as well as yours.”

She turned on her microphone with a touch. “I’m on it.”

The corridor where Zoey had been standing was a lot busier than Gennie’s area because the restrooms were down that hall. Trying to avoid looking like a bathroom monitor, she paced behind the silent auction tables where well-displayed photos showed the vacation trips, jewelry, electronics and other goodies.

Outside, the sunset was turning to dusk. Several small crystal chandeliers glimmered and artful, indirect lighting spread a flattering glow throughout the ballroom. Gennie wished the lights were brighter so she could see clearly.

After a few minutes, Tony’s voice came through the earpiece again. “All clear.”

Gennie wasn’t so sure. She didn’t feel like they were in the clear. Something was off. Though the air was still, a sudden chill sent goose bumps up and down her arms.

Then she saw him.

Kenneth Warrick turned away from her and sauntered toward the corridor that led to the restrooms. Though she’d only had a quick glance, she could tell that he’d altered his appearance by changing his hair, covering the scar in his eyebrow and growing a beard. He didn’t look much like the photo Noah had sent to the team, but she knew him. Gennie would never forget the set of his shoulders and the cocky way he walked. He paused at the open French doors outside the corridor, turned his head and made direct eye contact. Then he blew her a kiss.

Bastard! She activated her mic. “I need backup. Kenneth Warrick is in the hall outside the bathrooms.”

Leaving the auction tables, she took her Beretta from the holster and held it close to her side to avoid frightening the guests. At the entrance to the corridor, she glimpsed the door to the library closing.

Before she could follow, a man grasped her left arm. She didn’t feel pain but the pressure alerted her to a strong grip. Acting on pure instinct, she broke free and whirled. Before she retaliated with a blow to his throat, gut and crotch, she stopped herself. “Mr. Murano,” she said.

“Actually, it’s Dr. Murano, but I don’t like to stand on ceremony. Please call me Mitch.” He treated her to a close-up view of his twinkly white smile and the glittering fastener on his bolo tie. “You’re Gennie Fox, aren’t you? The general told me about you.”

“Excuse me, sir.”

“Surely, you can spare a few minutes. I’m fascinated by your insensitivity to pain. Does it affect the dexterity in your hands?”

There was no polite way to end this conversation. “I can’t talk now.”

With a pivot, she dashed down the corridor toward the closed library door. She was pleased to see that Zoey and one of the other guys had responded to her call for backup and joined her. To her chagrin, Murano was close behind them. Where the hell is Noah? Gennie wanted him to be there when she met Warrick. No time to wait.

She tried the handle on the door. Of course, it was locked. She was reminded of when she had to break into the mountain cabin to rescue the fake hostage. Dropping to her knees, she picked the lock in seconds.

Behind her, she heard Zoey talking into her mic. “We need backup at the library.”

Gennie pushed the door open and raised her Beretta in both hands. The lights were on, illuminating the horror. She saw blood, so much blood. And then...

“Noah!”

He was exiting the library through a tall open window. His bloody handprint smeared the glass.

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