Cold Spite (Cold Justice: Most Wanted #5)

Chapter 38

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

S enior Chief Terry Lopez stopped them before they’d even gotten out of their car. “Great to see you, Cas, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to reschedule this for another time.” He caught Makimi’s eye and nodded. “Ma’am.”

Cas didn’t bother to hide his annoyance. They’d known each other too long and too well for him to worry about the other man taking offense. “Good to see you too, but this isn’t a social call. We’re in the middle of a murder investigation. We don’t have time to wait around on the Navy’s timetable.”

The Senior Chief had ink-black hair and skin as swarthy as Cas’s. Unlike Cas he was on the short side, but it had never held him back. Terry put his hands on top of the sedan and leaned down. “Sorry, man. I don’t have a choice. Everyone’s been called in for a TOC huddle.”

Tactical Operation Center huddle was shorthand for a panic stations team meeting.

“They raised the threat level to FPCON CHARLIE and all non-military visitors are being asked to exit the base until we get a handle on the possible threat.”

Force Protection Condition (FPCON) CHARLIE meant something had happened or intelligence indicated there was some form of terrorist threat against personnel or facilities.

Cas’s spine tingled.

The sky was overcast. The temperature in the low fifties—about normal for February. The sound of a helicopter thrummed in the near distance. The wind whipped the flags that were all set at half-mast.

Shit.

“Who died?”

Lopez leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Rear Admiral Lawrence Sagal and his wife were found murdered in their home about an hour ago by their son who’s a captain at Coronado. The admiral only retired yesterday.”

Sagal had been a hard man but a fair one. A good leader. This would hit the Special Forces community hard.

“Command is worried someone tortured information out of the guy, so we’re all locking down until we can figure this out and doublecheck protocols.”

Thoughts raced through Cas’s mind. NCIS would be leading in the murder investigation, given the Admiral’s knowledge of Naval facilities and operations.

Cas gripped Lopez’s wrist to stop him moving away. The guy leaned closer with a question in his eyes.

“We need to verify Kevin Holtz’s movements for all of yesterday. It’s urgent.”

Lopez looked impatient. “I don’t know what the fuck is gonna happen in the next twelve hours. I suspect at minimum we’re gonna have a thorough review of security after this briefing. I’m gonna be lucky to get home at all tonight, and my wife is not going to be happy with me.”

“Terry, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”

Lopez looked to the sky. “Oh, man. No. Not today. You’re not calling in that favor for saving my life all those years ago. Not today.”

“If that’s what it takes… Hey—” He lowered his voice as pe rsonnel scurried about. “This could be related to your threat. Sagal stripped Scanlon of his Trident. Holtz was just going on to us about the unfairness of the whole thing, and now the guy is dead? Don’t forget someone tried to blow me up yesterday, and we all know who the number one suspect is.”

Lopez pressed his lips together.

Cas pushed his advantage. “You know they’re friends.”

Lopez pulled a face. “They went through BUD/S together. You know how that goes. Holtz keeps his nose clean and does his job.”

“He had access to bomb materials. I’m not saying it was him, but someone has to be helping Scanlon, and he hasn’t been out long enough to make that many new friends who have access to C4 and detonators on this side of the country.”

Lopez heaved out a sigh. “Fine, but I doubt I can verify his movements without him finding out. People are going to want to know why I’m asking questions.”

“I don’t care if he finds out.”

Lopez’s brows beetled.

“I want him to sweat, Terry. I want him to wonder who the fuck to trust and be looking over his shoulder. I want him to be curious what evidence the FBI got off that bomb. If he’s innocent, he’ll be pissed. If he was where he said he was, then you’ll be helping verify his alibi. If he’s lying, then he has a problem. But if lying is his only crime, then maybe I’ll cut him a break.” Cas shrugged and watched the wheels spin in Lopez’s eyes as the installation went into lockdown all around them.

Lopez looked off into the distance. “I don’t like doing this to one of my men, but fine. If Holtz was involved with yesterday’s bombing the Navy needs to know.”

“Thank you, Senior Chief. Any idea how Sagal died?”

Lopez shook his head. “But I hear it wasn’t pretty.” His gaze sharpened. “You really think Scanlon could be complicit?”

Cas gave an exaggerated shrug. “Another person involved in Scanlon’s downfall dies in unexpected circumstances…? That’s a hell of a coincidence if he isn’t involved. ”

Lopez’s nostrils flared. “You need to watch your back. If you’re right, you have one of the most dangerous men in the country gunning for you.”

Worse—gunning for Delilah.

“Don’t worry, my friend. I’m operating on FPCON DELTA.”

Lopez held out his hand and squeezed Cas’s. “Don’t underestimate him. And make time for a social call soon, huh? We may be a step down from your HRT buddies?—”

“You know that isn’t true.” Cas hated that Lopez might think that.

Lopez let go of his hand and rapped the top of the car. “Time to head out. I’ll be in touch.”

Makimi put the car in gear and joined the long line of vehicles leaving the base.