Page 216 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Piper frowned, a hint of accusation in her eyes, as she looked at Addie. “Why did he give you a key? We were working things out. I thought Jordan and I were building trust.” Her voice hitched. “And yet, he went to see you without my knowledge.”

Addie grunted, hating feeling guilty for something over which she had no control. “I wish I knew.”

“Someone—presumably from Barrett Medical—must think you have the only other copy of the formula for PZT,” Hamilton said. “They think it’s easier to get to you than to break into a secure vault.”

Fear lurked in Addie’s throat. “Well, I don’t have it,” she spat.

Piper’s eyes held hers. “Did Jordan give you a hint about what the key could go to? What did the two of you talk about during lunch?”

“Just chit-chat mostly, but I could tell Jordan was on edge.” No way was Addie going to tell Piper that Jordan said she was the only one he could trust. He’d also said Piper didn’t understand. What didn’t she understand?

Piper gave her a perceptive look. “There’s more. I can tell.”

The words seemed to tumble out of Addie’s mouth of their own accord. “Jordan said you were a good woman but that you didn’t understand.” She cringed at Piper’s wounded expression. “I’m sorry, but those were his words.”

Piper leaned back in her seat, looking deflated. Hamilton put an arm around her shoulders. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice surprisingly gentle. There was obviously another side to him that Addie hadn’t seen. Clearly, he had a soft spot for his only daughter.

“Yeah.” Piper offered a weak smile. “I’m sorry. This is just so…hard. I’m sure Jordan meant that I didn’t understand his need to fast-track PZT to market.”

“Makes sense,” Maddox said.

There was something else Addie needed to add to the conversation—Jordan’s strange words at the end. “Just before Jordan died, he asked me to forgive him.”

Piper let out an audible gasp.

“What do you think Jordan meant by that?” Addie continued.

Piper looked at her dad as a silent exchange passed between them. Finally, Hamilton spoke. “Show them the video.”

Piper’s eyebrow lifted. “Do you think that’s wise?”

A grim determination set over Hamilton’s features. “At this point, it seems to be the best option.”

Chapter Twelve

“What you’re about to see is highly confidential and could cause us grief if word of it ever got out.” Piper eyed Addie and Maddox. “I need your promise that you will keep this to yourselves,” she added when they remained quiet.

“Okay,” Addie agreed, her gut churning with uncertainty.

Maddox squared his jaw. “Sorry, can’t make any promises until I know what we’re dealing with.”

The air held its breath as Piper looked at Hamilton. Finally, he gave her the okay to continue. She held up the remote and pressed a button.

A picture came on the screen. Addie instantly recognized the elderly woman. “That’s Priscilla Roseman.” She and Jordan were in an office, sitting across from one another.

Maddox turned to face Addie. “Do you know her?”

“She was an Alzheimer’s patient at the same care center with my grandmother and Jordan’s mom.”

Jordan peered into the camera and announced the date of the interview, a little over a year ago. “State your name,” Jordan said.

“Priscilla Marie Roseman.”

“Your birthdate.”

“November 3, 1945.”

“How many children do you have?”

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