Page 55 of Max's Mission

His gaze was steady but wary. “Did Tad spend any time in Shreveport?”

“Not that I know of. Is that where the bank is?”

He nodded.

“I really don’t think so. I mean, he came home really late many nights, but not drove to Shreveport and back late.”

“What about work trips?” Dye asked.

“No. We didn’t take too many of those. Conferences, but those were with other people from the hospital and nowhere near Shreveport.”

“Okay. If you can give me places and some names of people he went with, that would be great.”

Margot rolled her lips in and nodded once. “I’ll have to think on it a bit. A lot’s happened since then.” Not to mention, her brain wasn’t fully functional right now. Shock, fatigue, and the cold had stolen her processing power.

“Of course. As soon as you can.”

Inhaling a deep breath, she stared over his shoulder for a moment. “Is that all you found? Anything connecting Tad to this place?”

“No. That’s still a mystery, unfortunately.”

Margot shared a look with Max. They’d be making another phone call to Asher tonight.

“Do you mind if we head out now?” Max asked Dye. “It’s been a long day, and we’d like to get some rest.”

“Of course. Where are you staying?” Dye refolded the map.

“Not sure yet. We drove straight here. I’ll text you when we settle somewhere.”

“Sounds good.” Stuffing the map into the evidence bag, he sealed it up again. “Keep me apprised of anything you uncover.”

Smile tight, Max nodded. “We’ll touch base tomorrow. Have a good night.”

Dye’s mouth tipped in a sardonic smile. “Oh, it’ll be a blast.”

Twenty-Two

Asoft trill penetrated Max’s consciousness. Blinking slowly, he lifted his head, still half-asleep, and realized the noise was coming from his phone on the nightstand. A quick glance at the clock almost had him ignoring it. It wasn’t Asher or any of his friends back home calling. He didn’t need to look to know that.

But considering the events of the last several days, it could be important.

Scooping up the phone, he answered. “Hello?”

“You up?”

It was Agent Dye.

“No. It’s six-thirty. Have you even slept?”

“I got a couple hours. I’m downstairs. Get yourselves down here.” He hung up.

Max stared at the now silent rectangle. What the hell was that all about?

Easing the covers back, he got up. Quickly donning a pair of jeans and snagging his key card from the dresser, he left his room and knocked on Margot’s door.

When she didn’t answer after thirty seconds, he knocked again, louder. He wouldn’t doubt that she was dead to the world. They’d both been exhausted when they checked in last night,and she’d been so very weary, emotionally. He’d almost offered to hold her all night, but knew that could have easily turned into more. And he didn’t want her to think that had been his goal all along. When they finally gave in to their desire, he didn’t want there to be any question about his intentions—or hers.

A soft thump sounded on the other side of the door, then a light came on, shining through the crack at his feet.

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