Page 84 of Reckless

In each case they had worked on that involved the Wren Project, including the connection Hawke had made with the Gonzalez cartel and even Eve’s family connection, Serena had uncovered the links. They were sometimes shorter than seven steps, but they all led to one person named Lazarus.

“Okay, those are four cases. What’s on the other boards?”

Serena pointed to one several feet away. “Remember that man and his wife from Michigan who were in Madrid for their twenty-fifth anniversary and were found dead, supposedly by murder/suicide?”

“Yeah. I remember thinking if they were going to do something like that, why go all the way to Madrid?”

“Yes, I agree.” She shrugged and gave a chagrined smile. “I keep a list of strange deaths and unusual events. Anyway, so far, I’ve been able to link Lazarus to at least sixty-two of them.”

Jazz stared in open-mouthed wonder at her friend. “Seriously?”

“Yes. He’s not doing the deeds himself, of course, but in each case, there’s a link where he somehow shows up in relation to them. I believe he is the proverbial snake we’ve been looking for.”

In awe of this amazing woman, she asked, “How on earth did you do this all by yourself?”

For the first time since they’d arrived, Serena’s expression showed the heartache that continued to haunt her. “I’ve had some extra time on my hands.”

Sean, Serena’s husband, had taken off about a year ago, and no one knew where he’d gone or really why. He’d given some lame-assed explanation, but no one was buying it. There was some other reason why he’d left his wife and Option Zero.

“I can’t believe Sean just up and disappeared like that, Serena. When he finally returns, he’s going to get an ass-kicking he won’t soon forget.”

“I found him, Jazz,” she said softly.

For a second, Jazz thought Serena was back to talking about Lazarus, but then she saw the tears streaming down Serena’s face.

“Sean? Where is he? When is he coming home? Have you talked to him?”

“He called me a few months back.”

“Why didn’t you tell us? What did he say?”

“He’s got some issues to work out. Some I knew about, a few I didn’t. I told him I would give him time, but…” She shook her head and then said, “He asked for a divorce.”

Her heart dropping, Jazz grabbed Serena’s hand. “No. I can’t believe he would do that. What did you say?”

“I told him that when I married him, I promised I would give him anything he asked me for, if it was within my power. I never anticipated this would be what he’d ask for, but I couldn’t say no.”

“I’m so sorry, Serena.”

Jazz was shocked when Serena turned to look at her. Instead of the sorrow she expected, she saw only peace.

“Don’t be. Sean is the love of my life.” Her brow furrowed as she continued, “Have you ever been with anyone that when you were talking to him, he actually listened to you? Like, really listened? He saw you for you? He got who you were and understood you on a level no one else ever has?”

Before Xavier, she would have said absolutely not. But she knew exactly what Serena meant. A man who not only loved his woman on a physical and emotional level, but also had a deep understanding of who she was beneath the surface and appreciated her for those things was definitely something to be treasured.

Not wanting to stray into her own personal experience at this time, Jazz nodded her understanding.

“That was Sean… That is Sean.” A glimmer of amusement lit her face. “I’ll never forget the first time we met. Back then, I was a frowsy-looking blond chick with thick, dark glasses. I’d spilled half my coffee on my white blouse that morning, and I was trying to wipe it off while I was walking. I rounded a corner and slammed into Sean. He grabbed me before I could fall, and instead of telling me to watch where I was going or ignoring me, which most men did, he spent ten minutes just talking to me.

“I didn’t find out until I went home that night that I had worn two different-colored shoes. I was a mess. But I’d met this handsome, gentle giant with a beautiful smile and a wicked sense of humor who actually listened when I talked and appreciated me, despite the mess I was that day. I don’t think I stopped smiling that night.

“He asked me out the next time we saw each other, and from that day forward, Sean Donavan was it for me.”

“You’re never going to give up on him, are you?”

“No, I’m not. He has my heart forever.”

“I’m glad you’re not giving up on him, but I still want to kick his ass.”