Page 64 of Every Which Way

“That’s never gonna get old. And I love you, too.”

“I know.” She hung up and headed back into the conference room. “Did you choose a name for the taskforce yet?”

Davis sat back in his chair. “Ultimate Thunder. I always thought that would be a good taskforce name.”

Langford rolled her eyes.

Miller said, “Banbury Fallout.”

Langford chuckled, bringing Davis along for the ride.

“Real funny.” Kenna folded her arms, refusing to admit it wasn’t bad. Not that she especially wanted a taskforce named after her. But it could be cool. “Banbury Thunder it is.”

Langford had her laptop open. “Oh, I just got a notification. We got an ID on the man in the hospital bed from your photo.”

Kenna would have to explain the man’s condition and the extent of what had been done to him because she hadn’t included it in the images. “Who was he?”

“Ian Whistleborough. Fifty-two, reportedly in great physical condition. A lifelong athlete. He went missing a month ago. The wife didn’t report it right away because it wasn’t unusual. He goes on ‘trips.’”

Kenna said, “The kind booked via QR code?”

“Or a few days in Thailand. Among other places.” Langford scrolled on her mousepad. “She detailed it all in the report, figuring it would be helpful information for the police to have.”

Davis said, “She mentioned credit card charges for escort services.”

“Classy guy,” Miller commented.

Kenna said, “No one deserves to end up like that. No matter what they’ve done.”

Miller glanced at her. “Pretty sure that’s why you’re the one that goes after victims and I’m the one who takes down the bad guys.”

“That means both our jobs are valid.”

He stared at her, not agreeing out loud but also not disputing what she’d said.

“Your girlfriend is part of this.” Kenna couldn’t regret it or question it. She’d already said it. “I wasn’t going to tell you. I’d have just quietly taken care of her tonight. But she is an agent for the bad guys here.”

“You’re serious.”

Kenna nodded.

“Part of this…organ harvesting? Mass murder?”

“Trying to keep their operation secret.”

Miller looked like he wanted to throw his computer across the room. “And I’m how she keeps tabs on law enforcement? I’d like to see some proof of that.”

“If she is guilty, do you want me to kill her for you?” Maybe she didn’t always agree with Ramon on everything, but it turned out that in some situations, shewasRamon.

The two detectives glanced at her.

“Kidding.” Mostly. “We should question her first. She knows a whole lot more about this situation than we do.”

“Because she’s—What did you say?—an agent?”

Kenna said, “Yes.”

“I’m supposed to just take your word for that?”

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