Page 91 of Target Acquired
“We all thought that, but . . .” Oscar sighed and scratched his head. “Last year, Dad was in a skiing accident. Blew out his knee. Between surgeries and physical therapy and . . . more, the job got to be too much for him. He finally had to take a leave of absence about six months ago, which turned into . . . this.” He waved a hand at the building behind them. “I couldn’t believe it when he said he wanted to move in here, but here we are.”
“So, the accident was almost a year ago.”
“Yeah. He was doing really well, bouncing back and making progress. He even seemed to be thinking better.”
“Thinking better?”
The man’s lips pursed. “Dad lives in the past more than the present, and I’ve been worried about dementia or Alzheimer’s, but then the accident happened and . . .”
“And?” Cole asked.
Oscar sighed. “He really wanted me on the SWAT team. When that didn’t happen, I think it broke his spirit a bit. He just kind of started going downhill, living in the past more, not being as active. Just sad, I guess.” He shot Kenzie a sad smile. “But don’t think anyone blames you. You deserve the spot.”
Well, that took the wind out of her sails. “Uh, thanks.”
Cole cleared his throat. “Look, I’m going to have to disagree with you there. Butler has made it clear he doesn’t think Kenzie should be on the team. Has he said anything to you?”
Oscar looked away. “All right. Yeah, he’s mad she was chosen over me. And he’s filled me in on the incidents where someone has tried to hurt—”
“Kill,” Cole said.
The man blinked. “Uh, yeah. Kill Kenzie. But he didn’t have anything to do with that.” His gaze hardened. “And if you think otherwise, then you need to take that up with Butler.” Oscar spun on his heel and headed back inside the building.
Kenzie let out a low breath. “Well, that was a bust.”
“Maybe. If he’s lying, he’s good at it.”
“If he can help kill someone, lying’s probably second nature.”
“COME ON,” COLE SAID, leading her back to the car. “We’ll head back to your place and—” His phone buzzed. “It’s Sherry.”
She raised a brow. “Maybe she’s heard something about Cliff.”
“Only one way to find out.”
He swiped the screen and put the phone on speaker so Kenzie could listen in. “Hi, Sherry. You’re on speaker. I’m here with Kenzie King.” He drove away from the assisted-living home and headed toward Kenzie’s house.
“Hi, Cole. Kenzie. I just wanted to let you know two things. One, I think someone’s following me. And two, I found out that Cliff passed away a week ago.”
He exchanged a concerned glance with Kenzie. “Do you think you’re in danger?”
“I don’t know. I just think someone’s watching me. I’m not changing up my routine or acting in any way suspicious as far as I can tell, but I have to admit, it’s making me a little nervous.”
“Do you need to take a leave of absence and disappear for a while?”
She laughed. “Well, if someone’s keeping an eye on me, seems like that might clue them in real quick.”
“Agreed, but I don’t want anything to happen to you either.”
“I know. I appreciate that, but I just wanted you to be aware. Just in case.”
Just in case. He grimaced. “Any word on Cliff’s wife?”
“No. She sent the text from a burner. I’ll admit I tried to trace it. But by then, the phone was disconnected and probably in a trash can somewhere.”
Cole pinched the bridge of his nose. “All right. Thanks for letting me know. Stay safe, Sherry. Call me day or night if you need to.”
“I will, dear boy. Thanks.”