Page 9 of Caught
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Medical Logistics Command, Fort Detrick
“A friend?” she asked as she returned the card to its envelope and handed it back to Juno.
“More than a friend, I think. Nat had said he was dating someone new. Someone who lived in Frederick, Maryland.”
“That’s all you know?”
“You know Nat, he was pretty private about his personal life. And I’ve been spending a lot of time overseas working on a project with local restauranteurs in rural Sabah to set up a sustainable food delivery service. He did say the guy he was dating had to keep their relationship quiet for reasons.”
“Nat never went into the reasons?”
“No, but if his boyfriend was active-duty military, that could be a reason.”
“It could. You’re sure he never mentioned Reuben Cowley by name?”
“No. But Fort Detrick is in Frederick, isn’t it?”
“It is,” he confirmed.
“Sergeant Cowley came to the funeral. He was very broken up about Nat’s death. I mean, we all were.” She sighed. “It’s just a feeling.”
Leila and Ryan exchanged a glance. Even a thin lead was a lead.
He leaned across the space and patted Juno’s shoulder. “We’ll talk to him. Maybe he knows something.”
She nodded but kept her eyes focused on the envelope in her hands.
“Is Juno in danger?” Leilah asked him in a soft voice.
The question drew Juno’s attention away from the card. She met Ryan’s eyes with a troubled gaze.
“I don’t think so,” Ryan answered. “But to be safe, I’ll make some calls. In the meantime, don’t open your door to anyone.”
“Even if they’re from DCIS?”
“Especially if they’re from DCIS,” he said grimly. “Or the DOJ. Really, any federal law enforcement agency. Just don’t open your door.”
4
Back on the street, Leilah felt exposed and vulnerable. She scanned the busy traffic and bustling pedestrians, searching for a threat as she and Ryan hurried to the Volvo.
As soon as she slid behind the wheel, she locked the doors. Turning the key in the ignition, she asked, “To Fort Detrick now, right? I assume our next step is to talk to Reuben Cowley.”
Ryan didn’t answer immediately. She glanced at the passenger seat and saw that he was preoccupied with the flip phone.
“Ryan?”
“Yeah, Frederick. Probably. I turned my phone off before we went inside to talk to Juno. I have fourteen missed calls.”
“Uh-oh.”
His eyes met hers. “It’s safe to say our friends at Potomac are eager to speak to us.”
She killed the engine and sighed deeply. “Let’s get it over with.”
He dialed the most recent number in the call log and hit the button to activate the speakerphone.
“Hayes? Where the devil are you two?” Trent’s agitated voice filled the small passenger compartment.
