“That’s where Lee’s from.”
“I know,” Fay said. “I couldn’t tell you this in front of him in part because I wasn’t sure about the connection and because he’s not an employee of the Brotherhood Protectors. Nor should either of us really be privy to this deal.”
“Just say it, please.”
She took him by the hand and yanked him into the office, closing the door behind them. “Randall did kidnap both Levi and Andy.”
“No shit. Where are they?”
“He handed them over to Chris who sells them to the highest bidder in a men’s sex market near Grand Junction. This was to pay off a debt, but Chris is putting pressure on him for more.”
“Was he responsible for the missing boys from six years ago?”
“No,” Fay said. “However, he has insight into the trafficking ring and how it works, and he knows at least one of those boys was sold into it, but I’m afraid we may never find out what happened to all of them.”
“That sucks,” Walker said. “But what about the murders?”
“Randall swears he didn’t do them and he thinks he’s being set up, maybe by Chris because he’s refusing to kidnap more. Randall told Chris he paid his debt and he’s done. Chris didn’t like that answer.”
Walker tapped her temple gently. “I can tell you don’t believe that scenario.”
“You’re going to think I’m certifiable, but Lee is connected to this. I can feel it in my bones.” She let out a short breath. “I called Tuck and asked him to get me a list of all the members of the Oak Tree Men’s Club in Tennessee. I should have it within the hour.”
Walker’s heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. “What about our side project? Have you heard from Joe?”
“So, you don’t think I’ve lost my mind.”
“No. But I hate that I’m starting to think that Lee was the mole that got two of my men killed and one of yours.”
“It makes sense, though, doesn’t it.”
“Fuck.” Walker clenched his fists. It had been right in front of him this whole time. Lee had been combative with him from the second they met and not because Lee had been looked over, but because Walker had a sister who was a fighter pilot. And she’d died in combat.
That made her a failure in Lee’s eyes.
It didn’t matter that her death had saved lives. That she’d sacrificed herself for the greater good. She’d been a hero.
Lee was a fucking coward.
It got worse when Fay started giving orders.
“He fucking sabotaged our mission from the start.” Walker’s pulse raced. “He worked communications. We didn’t get bogus information; he led us right into the line of fire.”
“We don’t know that for sure.”
“You’re going to defend him now?” Bile smacked the back of Walker’s throat.
“No. It’s just that all I have is a working theory. I need proof. Just like I don’t have proof that he planted evidence on Randall. I’m also struggling with the belief that Lee would murder two people because he doesn’t like women.”
“He marched my team—his brothers-in-arms—into an ambush because he wanted to make sure you looked bad. That I looked bad because I defended you. And my sister. Hell, every woman in a position of power I defended to that man. So, yeah, right now, I’m in a frame of mind that I believe he could murder someone.”
“History is repeating itself,” she said.
“Hank is going to have Stone tail him.”
“I think we need to cut him off at the pass.”
“I can go home now and confront him.”
“No. I should be the one. I can get a bigger rise out of him than you.”
“Oh no. No fucking way. I’m not letting my girlfriend—”
She put her hand over his mouth. “I think it’s sweet that you’re concerned about my safety, but this is my job and if we’re going to work, you have to let me do it.”
He curled his fingers around her wrist. “So, me calling you my girlfriend doesn’t bother you.”
“I can live with that. But I need you to agree that me going home is a better plan.”
“Only if I’m the one who has your six.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”