sad, I’m still not seeing the problem. Investigate and report back.”
Ben waited until the deputy reached for the papers in a classic we’re-done-here signal. Ben couldn’t back down because he needed the guy’s attention and was determined to get it. “There is a bigger issue.”
“Unless Coughlin is too distraught to go forward with the appointment as a result of this, and I doubt that since I’ve known the man forever, you’ve lost me.” The deputy’s voice changed, now monotone and more than a little bored.
“A woman was there—”
The deputy swore under his breath. “You’re saying this is a sex scandal?”
“The problem is the murder occurred while the female investigator was there to talk with Wasserman about Coughlin.”
“Was she hurt?” the deputy asked.
“She’s gone.”
His frown returned. “Gone where?”
“Disappeared.”
“Now I’m starting to see the problem. We have a dead lieutenant commander, a missing investigator and a potential NCIS appointment at the center of it all.” The deputy exhaled long and hard. “Is there any evidence Coughlin is involved?”
Ben couldn’t answer that, and that was the problem. “I don’t know anything yet.”
“Get to work. Talk to everyone associated with this woman and Wasserman. And find her. I want a preliminary briefing tomorrow.”
Ben had no idea how to accomplish all of that in such a short time. He’d need manpower. “My team and I will—”
“Wrong.”
“Sir?”
“Just you. You need to draw a circle around this. Keep the information contained until we know what we’re dealing with. The death will be on the news, but right now it is an unfortunate death of a naval officer living in a very dangerous city. Nothing more, and Wayne will see that it stays that way.” The deputy stared at Wayne until he nodded. “Everyone get to work. Time is of the essence.”
After the deputy had rattled off his orders, he returned to the files on his desk. That fit with the reputation—rapid-fire action. You got his attention for a few minutes only, but when you had it, you had to use it.
Wayne motioned for Ben to leave.
In a daze, he walked across the floor. This was against protocol and common sense. He understood the political ramifications: the deputy and Martin were friends. Still, as a one-man job this task seemed doomed to fail.
Maybe that was the point.
Ben shook his head. No, this one had landed on his desk. Somehow he’d manage to get enough preliminary information to request more help, but until then, sleep would be elusive, if not impossible.
The door had barely closed when Ben heard mumbling on the other side. He thought he heard the words “watch him” but couldn’t be sure. To be safe, Ben would cover his tracks. No way was he losing his career and all he’d worked for over Steve Wasserman.
Chapter Six
Lara stood at the railing on the back deck and watched the last of the sun’s rays skim the water and dip into the horizon. The sky was on fire with a burst of orange and bright pink.
The sounds of the marina filled the quiet night. Boats swayed and bobbed, and metal clanked against metal on the sailboats. A few rows over people laughed as they sat out on their decks and enjoyed the summer night.
Despite the danger swirling around, being outside made her smile. It was inside that was the problem. The boat had a claustrophobic kitchenette and a bedroom that consisted of a mattress specially designed to fit under the front end of the boat. She didn’t know much about sailing, but she knew about being sick, and staying down there, all closed in, almost guaranteed it.
To be safe she’d nibbled on the bread from her sandwich for dinner and skipped everything else. She wasn’t hungry anyway. Her life had tilted and she was barely hanging on the side. Dead men at her feet and police buzzing around her life. It was all too much.
“You hiding from your former fiancé?” Pax came up beside her and assumed a
Ben waited until the deputy reached for the papers in a classic we’re-done-here signal. Ben couldn’t back down because he needed the guy’s attention and was determined to get it. “There is a bigger issue.”
“Unless Coughlin is too distraught to go forward with the appointment as a result of this, and I doubt that since I’ve known the man forever, you’ve lost me.” The deputy’s voice changed, now monotone and more than a little bored.
“A woman was there—”
The deputy swore under his breath. “You’re saying this is a sex scandal?”
“The problem is the murder occurred while the female investigator was there to talk with Wasserman about Coughlin.”
“Was she hurt?” the deputy asked.
“She’s gone.”
His frown returned. “Gone where?”
“Disappeared.”
“Now I’m starting to see the problem. We have a dead lieutenant commander, a missing investigator and a potential NCIS appointment at the center of it all.” The deputy exhaled long and hard. “Is there any evidence Coughlin is involved?”
Ben couldn’t answer that, and that was the problem. “I don’t know anything yet.”
“Get to work. Talk to everyone associated with this woman and Wasserman. And find her. I want a preliminary briefing tomorrow.”
Ben had no idea how to accomplish all of that in such a short time. He’d need manpower. “My team and I will—”
“Wrong.”
“Sir?”
“Just you. You need to draw a circle around this. Keep the information contained until we know what we’re dealing with. The death will be on the news, but right now it is an unfortunate death of a naval officer living in a very dangerous city. Nothing more, and Wayne will see that it stays that way.” The deputy stared at Wayne until he nodded. “Everyone get to work. Time is of the essence.”
After the deputy had rattled off his orders, he returned to the files on his desk. That fit with the reputation—rapid-fire action. You got his attention for a few minutes only, but when you had it, you had to use it.
Wayne motioned for Ben to leave.
In a daze, he walked across the floor. This was against protocol and common sense. He understood the political ramifications: the deputy and Martin were friends. Still, as a one-man job this task seemed doomed to fail.
Maybe that was the point.
Ben shook his head. No, this one had landed on his desk. Somehow he’d manage to get enough preliminary information to request more help, but until then, sleep would be elusive, if not impossible.
The door had barely closed when Ben heard mumbling on the other side. He thought he heard the words “watch him” but couldn’t be sure. To be safe, Ben would cover his tracks. No way was he losing his career and all he’d worked for over Steve Wasserman.
Chapter Six
Lara stood at the railing on the back deck and watched the last of the sun’s rays skim the water and dip into the horizon. The sky was on fire with a burst of orange and bright pink.
The sounds of the marina filled the quiet night. Boats swayed and bobbed, and metal clanked against metal on the sailboats. A few rows over people laughed as they sat out on their decks and enjoyed the summer night.
Despite the danger swirling around, being outside made her smile. It was inside that was the problem. The boat had a claustrophobic kitchenette and a bedroom that consisted of a mattress specially designed to fit under the front end of the boat. She didn’t know much about sailing, but she knew about being sick, and staying down there, all closed in, almost guaranteed it.
To be safe she’d nibbled on the bread from her sandwich for dinner and skipped everything else. She wasn’t hungry anyway. Her life had tilted and she was barely hanging on the side. Dead men at her feet and police buzzing around her life. It was all too much.
“You hiding from your former fiancé?” Pax came up beside her and assumed a
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