Page 86 of Protecting his Secrets

“How do kids get away with their fake ID cards? Damn things are good now.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Darius,” Brett said. “I should’ve told you who would be there. That’s on me.”

“But he went by his last name. We don’t.”

“Some of our ex-military does, though,” Felix said. “Not everyone has got into the hang of first names for themselves. Like Colt.” He nodded towards the guy, who waved a hand, eyes still on the screen, and said, “Paul Colt, at your service. Besides, look at the sketch Tarrant did. Take off the beard, and it’s a match. It’s like he was playing with us.”

“What’s his story, then, Felix?” Brett asked, moving closer.

“Honourably discharged last year after an accident left him with back pain and numbness. Based at…” Felix stared at Brett. “Based at Transport Squadron Royal Logistics Corps, Morden.”

“That’s where we went the other day,” Nick said. “Where your…” He trailed off.

“Is it a coincidence that the king visited the same squadron Jacobs was part of?” Brett asked, ignoring Nick’s unsaid words. “It’s been on his calendar for a while.”

“How long?” Malachi asked. “Four months?” he said with meaning.

Nick latched on to it. “Did this all start when it was confirmed that the king was visiting that specific squadron? If that was the catalyst, and Malachi was the second ignition, where are they planning to end it?”

“It’s usually confirmed between three to four months out,” Brett confirmed.

“It was just before Douglas and Mav’s wedding, so around mid-March,” Felix confirmed. “When did you get your phone fixed, Kai?”

Malachi shrugged and swiped through it. Nick waited for the inevitable confirmation. “I have the receipt. It was 18 March.”

“We have a winner,” Felix muttered. “Jacobs had been discharged from the hospital two weeks prior.”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions just yet,” Brett said. “Jacobs could also just be another pawn here. A fall guy like Tarrant. See who else pops up on your list and look into all of them. If we find something, we need the evidence to be perfect.”

“Yes, boss.” Felix turned back to his computer.

“Everyone else, go back to work. There’s not much more we can do now.”

Nick didn’t wait for Brett to be sure, and he grabbed Malachi’s hand and dragged him from the room. They’d had so little time together since it all started—since they started—and he was sick of other people dictating their timeline. He was taking Malachi to his home, and they weren’t going to leave until they had no choice. It wasn’t even a physical thing for him. He would be ecstatic to sit on the sofa and cuddle, but they just needed time to…be.

“Not that I have a problem with you dragging me off to places unknown, but wherearewe going?”

“My house. I think a takeaway and a movie sound like heaven. What do you think?”

“Hmm, wonderful. What about Rye?”

“I called earlier. He’s happy we’re okay and told me to bugger off.”

Nick held the passenger car door open while Malachi climbed in, closing it behind him, and then headed around it to get in himself. He handed him his phone. “I know you haven’t got the new one Felix gave you set up yet, so use mine and call a takeaway. I don’t mind which.”

Malachi tapped a few times on his phone while Nick worked his way through the streets, but then he put it to his ear.

“Hola, Nick. Long time, no speak.”

Nick grinned. He could hear Carlos through the phone, even without it being on speakerphone.

“Oh, um, sorry. It’s, um, Mala—it’s Kai. Um, Nick’s…boyfriend?”

He hadn’t meant it as a question, but Carlos was known to latch onto anything to keep the conversation going. He loved talking to people and getting to know them. He said it made the service they provided more special, and Nick couldn’t disagree. They had the best tapas.

“Ooh, Nick has a boyfriend? Nice to speak to you, Kai. If Nick has entrusted you to phone in his order, he certainly holds you in high esteem. What can I get you?”

Malachi stared at him, eyes wide. Nick glanced at him and nodded, trusting him and promising himself he’d eat whatever Malachi decided on for him, even if he didn’t like it.

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