Since the macabre greeting card, there had been no further word from Kyser.
Which was good news, of course. As far as it went.
Which was never going to be far enough, in Jason’s opinion.
Sam said, “There’s an ongoing BOLO.” He hesitated. “They’re debating on whether to put him on the Most Wanted List.”
Jason was aware of the debate, and he understood the reason for it. There was no actual evidence that Kyser was his assailant. There was no evidence Kyser had broken any law. There was not even an openly stated threat in the cards he had sent Jason. The only reason the idea was even being floated was because Jason was an FBI agent—and a politically connected one at that.
“Maybe he lost interest,” Jason said.
A guy could hope.
Sam shook his head. “I don’t think so. If he’d lost interest, he would not be in hiding.”
“He has to know he’s a suspect in the attempted abduction of an FBI agent.”
“That information hasn’t been released to the press.”
“But—”
“Yes, he’s aware he’s under investigation, but that’s only part of it. In my opinion, Ky
ser going into hiding indicates some kind of plan is in motion.”
“Swell.” Jason thought it over. “Maybe he’s not hiding. Maybe he’s dead.”
A guy could hope for that too.
“Then his body would have turned up.”
Jason resisted the urge to keep arguing. It sprang from the desire to talk away the threat. He would love to be able to convince himself the danger was not real and present.
Unfortunately, it was.
The elevator reached Sam’s floor, and the doors opened with a ding.
Sam’s room looked like Jason’s. Same neutral palette color scheme, same buy-it-by-the-bushel artwork on the walls, same selection of nondescript furniture: desk with mirror, king-size bed, solitary “comfortable” chair, dresser with TV and coffee maker. A small balcony overlooked the tree-shaded parking lot and offered a view of the shadowy mountains. Sam’s still-packed suitcase sat on the floor at the foot of the bed.
Sam tossed his key on the tray with the coffee mugs and packets of Sweet’n Low. He turned to Jason. “Hi.”
Jason smiled into Sam’s eyes. “Hi.”
They kissed, warmly, unhurriedly, and Jason felt everything in him unclench and relax.
Sam kissed him again, said, “I’ve been wanting to do this since I saw you standing in that ranch yard this morning.”
“Same.” Jason grinned. “That would have raised a few brows.”
“A few.” Sam’s blue gaze was penetrating. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. Of course.”
Sam studied him for a moment, deciding for himself. Jason must have passed his psych evaluation because Sam asked, “Russell okay?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think he’s absorbed it yet.”
Sam nodded, agreeing with that.