Page 79 of Long Past Deadly

Quaid blew out an exasperated breath. “I bet Frank didn’t take that well.”

“He didn’t arrest him, but I’m not placing bets that detente was achieved.”

“Whit’s mad at you.”

“Yes, but I don’t care. Mercer tried to kill you!”

“He tried to kill you, too.”

“We have more at stake than Whit. Whit’s beef is old. Ours is too fresh to ignore. I didn’t get to ask him about Iraq. He looks awful, and Cait wasn’t happy I talked to him before she could examine him.”

“Did you ever wonder why we hired her?”

“No. One meeting with her and I realized what an asset she is. But I also knew she’d stop the questioning.”

“Why didn’t he come to you?”

“Yeah, or at least send a message.”

“Answered to your satisfaction?”

“No, not even close. But he’s going to be out of commission for a few hours.”

“Better with him alive than dying in this place from infection. Keep the priority in order.”

“Understood.”

Quaid’s phone buzzed. She eased away so he could answer.

“Remy, what’s up? What?” Quaid hit the speaker button and Alanna caught the last bit.

“Elizabeth and Harrison are stuck in the elevator. Front entrance is destroyed. Parnell is badly injured – tried to stop the car. Craig is buried in rubble. He was in the office behind the explosion. Celissa has every floor locked tight. Fire department and police are on the way.”

“I’m coming. Fifteen out.” He clicked off and hit speed dial to Mackey.

Alanna grabbed his jacket. “What happened?”

“Car crashed through the entry way of QM and exploded in the lobby.”

“Mercer. Shit.”

“Exactly.”

Chapter Fifteen

QM International Flash Alert: 16:35:05 PST 12/20 – San Diego HQ. IMMINENT DANGER. HQ Facility attacked. Security Level 5 in effect. HQ Operations suspended. Personnel roll call initiated. Ϙ

During Quaid’s first Afghanistan tour with the Marines, his unit had an explosives expert named Haslow. Some of the men affectionately called him Boomer. But privately, Quaid always thought of him as Crazy Dave. The man had no fear, loved mixing and matching, and could identify what the explosive was by the smell and the results.

“I wish the Navy had nailed this guy before he ever came back here,” he muttered.

Tane was driving like a bat with its wings on fire. Alanna insisted on staying with her partner. The commitment stuck in the tender spot reserved for friends and more so to her.

Alanna laid a hand over his. “The military and intelligence agencies are only searching for an assassin. They don’t have the right mix for his motivation.”

“I knew a guy in my unit better with explosives than this.”

“It’s not his primary assassination protocol. This is a distraction. He has us running around. It’s time we adjusted.”