The Soldier's Mission by Lenora Worth Page A

message that there’ll be more killings and attacks to come.”
    Paco got up, rolled his shoulders. “Except you didn’t do anything wrong. He never demanded any type of settlement? Never came after you or the clinic with lawyers?”
    â€œLawrence Henner doesn’t believe in lawyers. He always told me he liked to handle things his own way. And his son Kyle confirmed that over and over by refusing to open up to me. He was afraid of his own father.”
    â€œThat’s a big clue,” Paco said. “He’s obviously handling this in his own way. And controlling a possible small army of followers.”
    â€œAnd two men are dead because of it. Not to mention your grandfather almost dying, too.”
    â€œIt’s not your fault. You have to remember that.”
    â€œSo what do we do now?”
    â€œWe keep putting the pieces together. Kissie’s got the whole CHAIM team on this one. They’ve all gathered early at Eagle Rock for the so-called retreat, so they’re brainstorming ways to get to the bottom of this.”
    â€œThe whole team. I don’t merit that, but it’s good to know.”
    â€œYou do merit that, Laura. You’ve helped countless people find better lives, grow stronger in their faith. This lone black sheep has obviously strayed from the flock, sweetheart.” He whirled to stare down at her. “Or he was never part of the flock to begin with.”
    Then he sat down again and took both her hands in his. “But make no mistake. He brought this to my door and I won’t stop until I have him behind bars.”
    â€œThat could be very dangerous, Paco.”
    â€œNothing for you to worry about.”
    â€œRight. Good one.”
    He touched a hand to her face, his smile sharp-edged.
    â€œWe can’t locate Henner. He’s not in Phoenix and he’s not in Austin. He must be out of the country, as you said.”
    â€œBut someone’s sending these men after us. Alex, maybe?”
    â€œHe might be Henner’s right-hand man. It might take a while but if he’s hiding something, Kissie will find it.”
    â€œ He’s hiding while he sends these killers. His paranoia would certainly fit that mode.”
    â€œKillers who aren’t very highly trained—bad for them but a blessing for us.”
    â€œOr the curse Henner wanted on us,” she replied, a shudder gripping her with dread. But underneath that dread, a sense of dignity and integrity took hold of her. And a sense of justice. “They won’t get away with this, Paco.”
    â€œNo, sweetheart, they won’t. I promise you that.”
    Laura took a deep breath then looked across at him.“I’m done with falling apart. I’m done with crying. We have to stop this, you and me. I won’t let you hide me behind the gates of Eagle Rock. I want to help find this man. I’m not scared anymore. And I refuse to be a victim.”

TEN
    T he next morning, Paco stood at the window once again, coffee cup in hand as he thought about their next move. And the next move of the apparent madman after Laura.
    She’d slept much of the night in the tiny bedroom just off the den while he’d kept watch on the couch, guns all around him, a trip wire set up on the front and back doors.
    He’d dosed now and then, but since he was used to surviving on very little sleep, he’d never fallen completely to sleep. Too on edge. Too many images of death all around him. He’d sleep again one day. Maybe.
    Right now, he had to map a way out of this desert and on to Texas. His gut told him the only safe place for Laura right now was Eagle Rock. And Warwick and the rest of the team agreed. His four team members— Devon Malone, Eli Trudeau, Brice Whelan and Shane Warwick had gone ahead of their families to Eagle Rock to go over the annual updates required by CHAIM. They’d also tested the overhaul on the security system, something that