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He bent and pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’ll get Stone and Hank working on finding anything relating to the two men and your sister. And I’ll let Stone know I won’t be starting the new job until we get the baby back.”
Jenna’s heart pinched hard in her chest. “What if we never find—”
Cliff pressed a calloused finger to her lips, shaking his head. “Not an option. We’ll get her back.”
Used to working alone, Jenna had to admit it was comforting to know this Navy SEAL was on her team, working toward the same purpose.
She nodded, her spine stiffening and her resolve hardening. This was what she did. She solved cases. She pushed aside the fact that so many missing children were never found. So many cases that were never solved.
Her fists clenched, and her jaw hardened. This was her niece. Her sister’s baby. Losing her forever was…
Not a damned option.
CHAPTER 4
Cliff left Jenna in the hospital room with her sedated sister and walked to the end of the hall, where he’d spied a waiting room near the elevator.
He pushed through the door and noted the vending machines for snacks and coffee, a reminder that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. But he wasn’t there for food. He dialed Stone’s number.
“Cranston,” Stone answered on the first ring. “How’s Gus?”
For a split second, Cliff couldn’t process Stone’s question. He’d almost forgotten why he’d come to the hospital in the first place. “Gus was doing well when I left him a while ago. If he has a good night, they’ll release him tomorrow.”
“Good. Glad to hear his surgery went well,” Stone said. “Will you be heading down to West Yellowstone after you drop him at the Bright Days Ranch? Or will you be staying a night before coming here?”
“I meant to call you earlier and let you know that the physical therapist from the ranch is headed to Bozeman tomorrow and can pick up Gus and take him back with her.”
“Even better,” Stone said. “Then you’ll be here tomorrow. I’ll let the staff know to have a room ready for you at the lodge.”
Cliff shook his head even though he knew Stone couldn’t see him. “That won’t be necessary. At least not yet.”
“Are you having second thoughts about coming to work for Brotherhood Protectors?” Stone asked. “I promise we do good things, have a positive purpose and operate as a team. You won’t find a job anywhere else that will utilize your combat training and experience for such a good cause.”
Cliff chuckled. “You can save the sales pitch. I’m already sold. It’s just that I’ve run into a situation and need to stay here until it’s resolved. And I’ll need help from yours and Hank’s tech gurus.”
“Whatcha got?” Stone asked, his tone serious.
Cliff filled him in on what had happened with the attack on Brittany and the stolen baby. He told him about running into FBI Special Agent Jenna Jenkins in the stairwell, omitting the part about the panic attack.
“I want to stick around and help if I can,” Cliff said. “The city and state police are working the case. I doubt they’ll ask the FBI to step in unless they have reason to believe the baby has been transported across state lines.”
“I would think Jenkins wouldn’t be allowed to work the case anyway since it involves her relative,” Stone commented. “Of course, you should stay. I’m sure Special Agent Jenkins will be conducting her own unofficial investigation. I would if it involved my sister and her baby.”
“She will,” Cliff agreed.
“What can we help with?”
“I have the names of two men who are persons of interest and Brittany Berry’s address in Billings.” Cliff put Stone on speaker and brought up the text message Jenna had sent him. “Forwarding the information now.” He sent the data via text. “You said you have a computer guru on staff there in West Yellowstone.”
“That would be Kyla. She’s so smart, it’s almost scary. She finds the information others might miss and can piece things together that don’t necessarily appear to relate. The woman is amazing,” Stone said. “And she works closely with Hank’s guy, Swede. They make a formidable team, working remotely. I can have them run the names.”
“Thanks,” Cliff said. “As for when I’ll report to the new job, I can’t give you an exact date.”
Stone chuckled. “Your official start date is today.”
Cliff frowned. “I’m sorry. Did you hear me when I said I wouldn’t be able to report to West Yellowstone for a while?”
“I heard you,” Stone said. “As so many of us have done, you’ve fallen into your first assignment as a Brotherhood Protector.”
