Page 104 of Maddox

If a scientist or team had been traced, I hadn’t heard and didn’t care. There were murders and disappearances every day, Alfaro still in power. If the Feds were smart, they’d rattle his tree and force him from his lair.

That was their business. Not mine.

That’s where the information highway had stopped. Gray hadn’t been in a position to tell me any of the other details. Other than the group he was working with would continue bringing corruption out in the open. Not only did I know better than to barrage him with questions, but I also simply hadn’t been interested in doing so.

I had my life. He had his. We wouldn’t cross paths again.

I also hadn’t embroiled myself in the news because every time I caught a single story about the situation, I’d thought of Charmaine. I started the engine and shook my head. Why did I feel like some lovesick puppy dog? It was time to move on. She was safe. That was all that mattered.

With the truck rolling, I put aside thoughts about the past, trying my best to think about the future. As I headed past one of the guest cottages that had been built prior to my purchase, I slowed and peered out the window.

The previous owner had been intent on turning the unprofitable ranch into a tourist attraction. Now I was beginning to understand why. The poor guy had put in hundreds of thousands of dollars of infrastructure only to find his funds drying up. From what the real estate agent had told me, the guy had even tried to secure investors.

No one had taken the risk.

That’s why I’d managed to pick up the parcel of land for less than market value. From what I’d heard, he’d retired to Arizona.

Maybe the real reason was he couldn’t stand the goddamn cold winters any longer.

One thing was clear; I was allowing an opportunity to pass by. I’d need to make a decision on what I wanted to do with the property prior to spring’s arrival.

I pulled up in front of the main house, allowing the engine to idle for a full minute before cutting it. Since I could remember, I’d been in a full house or bunker. Even in college I’d had two dorm mates.

Since getting out of the Navy, I’d lived entirely alone. Not a plant. Not a dog. And certainly not with a woman. I had to admit, there were as many bad aspects of being alone as there were good.

If I had to admit it, I’d say I was lonely as fuck.

Everything ached as I stepped from the vehicle, taking long strides toward the door and slipping the lock inside. When I heard a noise, I immediately reached for my weapon.

Force of habit.

Between the three assholes I’d run into again while in town and what had occurred in El Salvador, I’d decided to keep my weapon with me at all times.

I scanned the perimeter, reminding myself I did live in the wilderness.

Once inside, I ripped off my jacket and thick flannel outer shirt, tossing them on the wooden chair by the door. I only bothered to turn on a single light before heading to the fireplace. Fire first. Drink second. I’d worry about dinner later. I placed the weapon on the end table and took a deep breath.

Thankfully, I’d brought enough wood in for the night. I crouched down, tossing evenly cut pieces into the massive stone fireplace. After adding a few pieces of kindling, I grabbed a long match.

With the fire lit, I shifted back, staring at the flames. The reason every muscle was aching wasn’t entirely because of the daily grind. I’d felt this way since the day I’d stepped off the goddamn plane coming from DC.

The end had been too abrupt, leaving no room for doubt. Maybe I should have done something different. The self-doubt had already robbed me of what little sleep I’d gotten before.

Exhaling, I also was faced with the reality that shoving thoughts about Charmaine out of my mind was more difficult than doing so about the tragedies faced during my stint in the Navy.

Maybe more so.

Time for a goddamn drink. Maybe tonight the liquor would help me forget. Before I had a chance to head into the kitchen, my phone buzzed. I yanked it into my hand, snorting when I noticed an unknown caller. I was in the mood for beer tonight. Why nottake it out on whatever asshole had decided to interrupt my nice evening,

“Hey, fucker. Go the hell away. If you don’t, I will hunt you down.”

“Maddox. She’s gone.”

The voice startled me as much as his words. “Gray. What the fuck are you talking about?”

“I mean Charmaine disappeared earlier today.”

It felt as if a hammer had been smashed into my head. “How the fuck did that happen?”

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