King and Maxwell (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 6)

“Probably from the same group that shot Dana. But Wingo was set up.”

“So you’re working with him?”

“We’re trying to, but, as you can imagine, he’s not in a real trusting mood.”

“And his son?”

“With the father. But please keep that to yourself.”

“I have to even if I didn’t want to. If I admit to knowing that, I’ll have to tell them I met with you and then it’s all over for me.” He took another sip of coffee. “And the money?”

“Gone.”

“Does he know who set him up?”

“He has some theories. And he’s been doing some legwork to run down those theories.”

“Does he think it’s an inside job? You thought there was a leak at my office. But I checked, Sean, there wasn’t. There couldn’t have been.”

“I’m starting to think the leak is coming from another place. What do you know about Heron Air Service or the Vista Trading Group in D.C.?”

“Nothing. Are they involved somehow? I can check into it for you.”

“We have somebody doing that. How about Dan Marshall at the Pentagon? You know him?”

“A little. We’ve sat in on some meetings together. He heads up acquisitions. By all accounts, including my own, a straight-up guy. Please don’t tell me he’s mixed up in what’s going on?”

“That’s still an open question,” said Michelle. “His career will take a hit with the missing money. And even more so with where that money went. At least that’s what he told us.”

“I’m surprised he opened up to you.”

Michelle said, “We forgot to tell you, we have a brand-new BFF.”

“Who?” asked Brown.

“President John Cole.”

Brown gaped at her.

Sean asked, “How about Colonel Leon South? You know him?”

“No. Is he Army?”

“DIA.”

“I don’t have much to do with the military spooks.” Brown sat back, obviously out of ideas. “What else can I do?”

“Keep your eyes and ears open. I’m always available by phone. But I think Dana will be keeping you pretty busy now.”

Brown smiled. “I hope so.”

“And keep an eye on her, Curtis. Whoever’s involved in this may come back to her at some point.”

“They’ll have to go through me to get to her.”

“Oh, I have no doubt of that.”

Outside the hospital there were two SUVs parked next to their vehicle. Two men and a woman in suits and shades stood in front of them.