In for the Kill [Hawkman Series Book 9] by Betty Sullivan La Pierre Page B

It's our job."
    Ken glanced at Hawkman. “The same goes for you. Since this man comes from the Agency, he knows the tricks of the trade. You need your back covered. I'll check with Detective Williams and see if Medford's issued a warrant yet. If Ms. Rawlings has already posted a hit and run, that's enough. If a red jeep has been stolen, there's a good chance every officer is on the lookout in Oregon and California. I'll check with headquarters tonight and see if anything's come in. If he's the one who conked you on the head, I don't want you looking for this crazy man by yourself. It's too risky."
    Hawkman saluted. “Yes, Sir!"
    "Don't give me any of that ‘yes, sir’ business, just heed my word.” Ken pointed at him. “The next time you start searching the country side, I want to be with you."
    "Thanks. Sounds like a good deal. And if I expect my wife to pay attention. Guess I better do the same or she'll have me strung up."
    Jennifer nodded. “You got that right."
    After the Bronsons left, Hawkman plopped down on his chair. “I feel better now with them aware of the situation. We'll have extra protection this way."
* * * *
    The next morning, Hawkman prepared to leave for the doctor's appointment Jennifer had set up to get his stitches removed. Getting those blasted sutures out would make his head feel a lot better. His scalp itched like crazy, but he didn't dare scratch.
    Before leaving, he took a tour around the outside of the house and checked all the windows, noticing the outlet cover hadn't been bothered for a couple of days. Things appeared normal. Satisfied, he went back inside. When he stepped into the kitchen, the phone rang. He immediately moved closer just as Jennifer walked from the back of the house with Miss Marple close at her heels. She stopped at the edge of the counter, her expression somber.
    "Hello, Tom, Bill Broadwell. Give me a call."
    "He immediately punched the speaker phone. “Hello, Bill, Hawkman here."
    "I can't get used to calling you Tom Casey, and now you want me to call you Hawkman."
    "Whatever's easiest. I'll answer to anything."
    "Fair enough. I think we might have some of this mystery about Jack Hargrove partially solved."
    "I'm listening."
    "Do you remember a Raymond Skokie?"
    "I'll never forget him. We were on an assignment together and he stepped on a land mine. It almost blew off his leg."
    "He's Jack Hargrove's stepson."
    Hawkman flopped down on the bar stool. “You jest?"
    "No. Turns out Jack married Ray's mother, who was a widow at the time, and Ray was just a little guy, three or four years old. They weren't able to have children, so Jack raised the boy as his own. He had high dreams of his stepson becoming a super spy. After the accident, all those dreams blew up in his face as Ray was never allowed in the field again. Two years ago, Jack's wife passed away of cancer, and he retired. I spoke with Raymond, who still works here. He said his dad hasn't been the same since his accident. And the death of his mom seemed to have pushed him over the edge."
    "How in the world does he connect me to Ray's calamity? We were out in the field heading toward different sides of a building when it occurred. I wasn't near the man."
    "Ray doesn't blame you. But he said his dad felt like since you were the most seasoned agent, it should have been you going in the direction where the bomb had been placed."
    "That's sick thinking. How would I have known about a bomb? And I wouldn't have sent any man into an area if I thought he'd be in harm's way."
    "Ray said he couldn't understand his dad's thinking. He worked for the Agency and knew how things ran. Ray said he'd asked his dad numerous times how he'd have managed the situation."
    "How'd he respond?"
    "He said Jack made comments about how he wasn't a haughty, bullheaded man like Jim Anderson. Ray even tried to explain how he liked you and asked to be on your team. But it didn't appear to make any difference. His dad still blamed you for