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Chapter Five

“It’s been an hour and thirteen minutes since you went to collect information. I’ve been paging you for the last ten.” Ellis stopped pacing and shuffling the papers in his hands long enough to glare at Andrew. “You’d better have some good news to explain your delay.”

“Not exactly.” Andrew shut the office door behind him and stepped inside. Not far. Just in front of the door at the edge of the dark blue carpet. As if distance would save him from his new boss’s wrath.

“And by that do you mean ‘no’?”

“Garrett Hill is still missing.” The younger man visibly swallowed but his voice stayed strong. He didn’t as much as shift his feet as he delivered the bad news.

“Unacceptable.”

Andrew spent far too long studying the file in front of him before responding. “Our man in Coronado says—”

“Stop.” Ellis dropped his stack of folders on the desk and slid into his chair. The silence stretched out, ratcheting up the tension as it built. He could have eased the choking panic in the room, but he fed off it instead, letting the quiet throw the younger man further off balance.

“Sir?”

“I don’t care what anyone says.”

“Excuse me?”

“Call the operative back in. While you’re at it, tell him to bring his government passport and security badge with him, because if he can’t track a man escaping a fire in the middle of broad daylight he’s done at this agency.” So much for sending the guy with a decade of service to cover his top man. Garrett Hill could slip any tail. That’s what made him so good.

“But according to our guy there was a pretty big crowd around the fire. It would have been easy for anyone to move in or out of there without being noticed.”

Ellis flipped a switch on his desk and a bank of monitors to the left flickered to life. “There are people in this office who get paid to keep me updated on what’s happening everywhere in the world. I need you to establish other skills if you want to remain useful.”

He also had a file on his desk filled with photos and status reports and backgrounds on every person in Garrett’s neighborhood. Ellis had possession of redacted top secret reports on the brother and a separate paper consisting of less than a paragraph about some woman named Meredith Samms, a woman Garrett should have run through a background check before allowing her to move into his house.

When Ellis debriefed Garrett he’d add in a question or two about that. Being the best didn’t mean he could ignore the rules. Well, not all of them.

Ellis glanced up and noticed Andrew hadn’t moved an inch in five minutes. Good.

Now, on to the next issue. “Locate Darren Mitchell.”

“Right now?”

“Yes, Andrew.”

“But he’s no longer with the DIA.”

“It would appear we’re back to the obvious.”

Andrew’s eyebrow rose and an uncharacteristic spark of anger flashed in his eyes. “Excuse me?”

Ellis took the show of emotion as a good sign. He admired people who stood their ground. The weak wasted his time. “I’m aware of Darren’s work status with this agency, since I’m the one who fired him after Garrett filed his last operation report.”

“My point is that we can no longer track the man through the building or in his car or at his house by using his badge or the GPS tags.”

“There are other ways. He’s wearing an ankle monitor. It was one of the conditions of his bail. Get me a report on where he’s been and with whom. Also check the video surveillance.”

“Excuse me?”

“Say that again and you’re fired.” Satisfaction flowed through him when Andrew’s mouth snapped shut. “We’re tracking Darren’s moves.”

“All the time?”

“Yes. We used the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act and got a warrant. We know everything he says and does, or we should. Your job is to check for loopholes.”

“Anyone else?”

“Garrett Hill has many enemies, the most immediate and obvious one being the fellow agent he turned in for extortion. With Darren’s trial looming, he is a logical choice for investigation. He takes out Garrett, he stands a better chance of walking away clean.”

MEREDITH PULLED BACK the thin yellow curtain with the strange flower print and stared out at the empty motel parking lot. The SUV they’d driven here had disappeared. Except for Joel walking back and forth in front of the door as he talked on the phone, there wasn’t any sign of life out there. Just the sun bouncing off the black pavement as it dipped lower on the horizon.

They’d driven across the bridge into downtown San Diego and kept heading east until the neighborhoods disappeared and nothing stood in front of them except a row of mountains. She had no idea where they were or how long they’d been in the car. She’d been too focused on keeping pressure on Jeremy’s stomach. Every flat, muscled inch of it.

“It’s not exactly four-star accommodations.” Despite the slight slur around the edges of his voice, it boomed strong and deep through the small room with the queen-size bed and bright orange bedspread.

She let the curtain drop and moved back to the bed. The white bandage glowed against his tan skin. She’d cleaned the wound then watched and winced as Joel stitched Jeremy up. Through it all, he gritted his teeth and introduced her to some inventive swearing combinations, but he never said anything else. Never yelled. It was as if he were made of steel.

She sat down next to him, careful not to let the bed dip or the shake of the cheap mattress jostle him. “I’ve stayed in worse.”

He curled one arm under his head and propped his body up on the flat pillows. “You need to date guys who treat you better.”

“I was paying my own way at the time.”

“I know you and Garrett…that you guys are…” Jeremy stared at the ceiling, his gaze following the lines in the crisscross panel design. “It’s not my business, but maybe he said something to you during some of your private time together. Something that didn’t seem important at the time.”

“I was his tenant.”

Jeremy’s gaze shot back to hers. Bright blue eyes held her fixed in place. “Tenant?”

“I rented the upstairs apartment.”

He shook his head then closed his eyes and let out a groan. “Shouldn’t have done that.”

“Are you okay?”

“Confused and trying to beat this headache.”

“Because?”

“It hurts.”

She sighed. “I meant the confusion.”

“It’s the house thing.” When he spoke again, his voice dipped even lower. He rubbed his temples as he talked. “It’s not possible.”

“It’s a fact.”

“That doesn’t make sense.” He grabbed his head as he spoke.

“You really do have a headache, don’t you?”

“There isn’t anything that doesn’t hurt, but I’d really like an explanation for the rental.”

Her gaze swept over him. His bloody T-shirt lay wadded up in a ball on the floor. That left him bare-chested and, despite the injury and pale face, as formidable and dangerous as when he’d stepped behind her attacker hours ago.

“I’d show you the lease, but it’s probably scorched, along with everything else I own.”

He waved her off. “Not a big deal. Insurance will cover most of it.”

“I hate when guys do that dismissive thing.”

His hands fell to the mattress. “How did I do that?”

“What about my memories? Nothing expensive or even important to anyone but me, but they’re still mine.” The photographs of her family and the diaries she’d kept since she turned twelve. She knew being alive was a miracle, but she mourned the moments she would now only carry in her head.

“But it’s only stuff.”

“Never mind.” A practical guy who carried light would never understand, so she didn’t even try. “Why do you doubt my renting status?”

“Because I own the house with Garrett. Because we never agreed to rent. Because he never mentioned you. Because I can’t believe Sara would agree.”

“I see you’ve given this some thought.”

“I’ve been stuck on an assignment in Arizona, but I’d think Garrett would have gotten word to me.”

“This assignment of yours.” Her gaze wandered to the nightstand and the two guns, one knife and strange-looking metal star thing sitting there. “I guess it explains the weapons?”

“Remember how I said I was a Border Patrol agent? Well, I’ve been undercover for fourteen months.”

“Sounds terrible.”

His mouth fell into a flat line when he tried to sit up higher on the bed. He flopped back against the pillow as the skin around the corners of his mouth turned white. “It was even worse than that, but it’s over.”

“No wonder you seem so comfortable chasing and shooting.”

“Not so good with being injured, though.”

She traced her fingers over the edge of the bandage and watched his stomach dip in response. “You got knifed on your last assignment. It hadn’t healed when the guy hit you.”

“And now I am on mandatory leave.”

The laugh bubbled up before she could stop it. “This is your idea of rest and relaxation? Dodging bullets and running from fires?”

“Believe it or not, no.”

His broad smile caught her off guard. Since she’d done enough admiring of his strong jaw and sexy mouth, she looked around the room, anywhere not to stare at him.

The room smelled like wet carpet, and the dark brown furniture and lack of sunlight made it resemble a tomb. Not the best place for a guy to recuperate.

They both jumped when Joel opened the door, talking as he walked. “Pax and Davis are on the way.”

She drew back her hand and inched away from Jeremy. “Who?”

“More of Garrett’s men.” This time Jeremy scooted back until his neck rested against the headboard. “Why are they even here? I thought they were working out east these days.”

“Had some business in town.”

Jeremy nodded. “Understood.”

“That makes one of us.” The shortcut conversation was making her crazy. She’d shoot them her best eye roll but was too tired to do anything but talk, and even that took more concentration than she possessed. “Now might be a good time to tell me what your brother does and why he has so many men helping him do it.”

“I like her.” Joel laughed as he took up a position by the window, glancing at them each in turn and then looking outside. “Don’t get me wrong. I liked Sara, too, but this one has spunk.”

That was the second or third time Meredith had heard the name. Each time Jeremy had frowned and shot her an unreadable look.

Meredith couldn’t shake the feeling of being judged by Jeremy. “And while you’re at it, explain who this Sara person is.”

Joel treated her to the typical she-lost-it look guys did so well. “She’s Garrett’s fiancée.”

Meredith jumped off the bed. Nearly swallowed her tongue and bounced Jeremy off the mattress as she moved. “His what?”

“I guess I should say ex. I mean, you guys are—” Joel’s smirk died. “Right?”

“Wrong.”

Jeremy wrapped his fingers around her wrist and gave her a gentle tug until she looked down at him. “You still sure you’re not seeing Garrett?”

“Positive. Never dated or even thought about it.”

Jeremy pointed at his mouth. “You can resist a face like this?”

“On Garrett, yes. Keep in mind he was never around.”

Jeremy’s hold tightened before he let his hand drop. “Go back to your first comment. Only on my brother?”

She’d hoped he’d missed that verbal misstep. No such luck. “I’m wondering why I’ve never seen this Sara person at the house.”

The amusement faded from Jeremy’s eyes. “I’m worried about the same thing.”

Joel held up his phone. “She didn’t answer any of the four times I’ve tried.”

Meredith refused to panic. None of the information she’d heard made any sense. She rarely saw Garrett, but he’d never mentioned a fiancée and never bothered to bring her by to say hello. The pieces refused to fit together in any logical way. Still, Meredith had to believe a reasonable explanation lingered somewhere, maybe just out of reach, but there. “Couldn’t she be on vacation with Garrett? That would explain why we can’t reach either of them.”

Something cold and bleak moved behind Jeremy’s eyes. He controlled the starkness almost immediately. “I can’t contact him through any of our regular channels and he’s not answering the emergency call signal.”

Joel shook his head. “Damn.”

From the reaction, she knew the lack of communication wasn’t standard. She might not see him for weeks, but Garrett clearly checked in with Jeremy and the team. The failure to do so now had the other men reeling. Their tension touched off a new round of swirling panic inside her.

“Tell Pax and Davis to search for Sara. Credit cards, bank records. I want to know where she’s been.” Jeremy reached for his phone and frowned when it wasn’t in its place on the nightstand. “Once I fight off this painkiller buzz, I’ll check her house and some other places where she might be.”

Meredith put her hand over her back pocket. If Jeremy saw the bulge he’d know she’d grabbed his cell. He’d likely jump to conclusions about her wanting to call for help. In reality she knew, deep down knew, she was safest with Jeremy and there was no reason to run.

She also knew she had to hide his phone if she wanted him to rest. Having all those muscles meant nothing if he passed out at her feet.

“Already ahead of you on the calls,” Joel said. “Davis and I will take surveillance. Pax is coming to check you out.”

“Not necessary.” Jeremy shifted to the side of the bed.

She moved to lean against the mattress, blocking his path to the floor. “Does this Pax have medical training?”

Joel smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Then I like your plan. Pax stays. You remain in bed for now.” She nudged Jeremy until he fell back onto the bed.

“Since when are you in charge?” Jeremy asked as he closed his eyes and leaned into the pillows.

No way was she conceding even an inch in this verbal battle. “Since you lost a pint or two of blood.”

Joel cleared his throat as he opened the door. “I’ll wait outside while you two hash this out.”

She didn’t wait to ask the question burning a hole in her brain. “Why would Garrett hide a fiancée?”

Jeremy didn’t open his eyes. “No idea.”

“Did you think they were still together?”

“They were having trouble but…” His eyes popped open. “I’ll feel better when I find her and Garrett.”

“Let’s get back to his job. Who exactly is your brother?” Then they could circle around to Jeremy’s job, as well, before the curiosity ate a hole in Meredith’s stomach.

She wasn’t ready to let the issue drop with a cursory explanation. Something these men did had gotten them in trouble, and as a result she was homeless with nothing more than the clothes she wore. She didn’t blame them. Not specifically. But she wasn’t going to be pushed aside either.

“Are you rapid firing questions to keep me from having a second to change your orders to Joel about fetching Pax?” he asked.

Smart man. “That and to get an answer or two out of you while your defenses are down.”

“Effective.”

She crossed her arms over her stomach. “It will be once you answer me.”

He stared at her. When she didn’t move or even break eye contact, he exhaled long and loud. “Garrett’s job is top secret.”

Not exactly the comment she was expecting. “How very Hollywood of you to say that.”

“It’s true.”

She dropped her hands to her sides. “Jeremy, come on. After everything that’s happened today, the least you can do is level with me. I think I deserve better than the ‘if I tell you I’ll have to kill you’ nonsense.”

“It’s not my secret to tell.”

“What, you think this has all been an elaborate scheme to get you to give up information on your brother’s job?”

The silence stretched out long enough to be comical. Finally, he gave a clipped response. “No.”

“You have trust issues.”

“DIA.”

It took her a second to realize he’d given her the answer. Well, an answer. Not that she understood what he said. “I don’t even know what that is.”

“Defense Intelligence Agency.”

“Never heard of it. The name I know starts with a C.”

“He collects military-related foreign intel.”

The extra information didn’t bring any clarity. “Is he in the military?”

“Former army sergeant.”

“And now?”

“Black ops stuff.”

The curt responses raised more questions than they answered. Instead of calming the racing in her stomach, his comments kicked the churning to top speed. “That explains the travel.”

“It also means it’s not that easy to find him when he wants to stay missing.”

“I was afraid you were going to say that.”

Chapter Six

Bruce Casden stared across the table at his five-hundred-dollar-per-hour lawyer, Stephen Simmons. The Third. Simmons never forgot to add that annoying reminder of his old-money family whenever he introduced himself.

Even now, framed by the dingy gray of cement prison block walls, Simmons acted as if he sat in the middle of a country club, all stiff with his perfect posture. The designer glasses and tailored suit—Bruce had paid for it all. The guy threw in the condescending smile free of charge.

Simmons never understood how the people Bruce knew could alter the look of a man’s face. Use a razor to change the curve of his chin or take off an ear. A knife to blind him.

Bruce knew people. The kind of people who never dreamed about someday going to college because the idea was so outside the mean streets they lived on. Bruce knew that neighborhood. Had escaped it but never forgotten how it lurked in another part of town, just waiting to drag him back in.

The idea of seeing certain body parts of Simmons rearranged and that smug mouth twisted in pain made Bruce smile. His current situation, sitting in a windowless room with the prospect of a soulless cell as his new living quarters, sucked the amusement right back out of him.

He stared at the thick steel door that locked them in together, glanced at the gold ring on Simmons’s pinkie as it caught the fluorescent lights. Armed guards lingered in the sterile hallway just outside the door. Their presence likely filled Simmons with a sense of security. Little did he know Bruce could snap his neck before the uniformed simpletons fumbled over each other and slipped the security card in the reader to open the door.

“Why am I still in here and not at my office desk?” Bruce asked.

“The government is taking a special interest in your case.”

“That’s not news. This is the third time one of my businesses has been raided.”

Simmons’s mouth turned up in a fake smile filled with loathing. “And the first time they found something, which is the problem.”

“I’m a businessman with commercial properties in Arizona and California.” Bruce repeated the spiel he’d been practicing for so long. “I’m not in each office and warehouse every day and certainly can’t be expected to know what the employees there are doing. As you know, it’s very hard to find motivated and honest employees these days.”

Simmons hesitated before flipping through the pages tacked to his file. When he stopped on one, his finger slid across the page as his eyes scanned the lines of black print. “The agents claim they found seventeen tons of marijuana in the storage room of your warehouse.”

“And I will question everyone who works for me until I uncover the identity of the person who—”

“They also found a drug-smuggling tunnel leading from the furnace room of your strip mall into Mexico.”

Bruce’s back teeth slammed together. “Don’t interrupt me.”

Simmons’s head shot up. “What?”

“I’m paying you enough to never interrupt me when I speak. Do not do it again.”

The chair creaked when Simmons leaned back. His stomach pulled at the buttons of his shirt and hung over his belt. “You don’t seem to understand how serious these charges are.”

Bruce knew. He also knew they would never stick without the necessary witness. The evidence bags could go missing. Forensics could be corrupted. Eliminating a witness took more subtlety.

While prison might provide the perfect alibi, Bruce missed his bed. “Get me out of here.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“I pay you to make things run smoothly. Right now, you’re not earning your fee.”

“The bail hearing is tomorrow.”

“I do not intend to spend even one night in an Arizona jail. In any jail, for that matter.”

Simmons continued as if Bruce hadn’t spoken. “If we are successful there will be some restrictions on your travel.”

“I have business at one of my properties in San Diego.”

“One of your managers will need to handle it for you. There is no way you can cross state lines.”

“This is the sort of job a smart man doesn’t trust to others. According to a recent call, the last time I tried everything fell apart.” Bruce rubbed his hands together, imagining how good it would feel to use his hands for something away from his desk and the signing of agreements. He ached for action. His blood raced and heated at the idea of settling this debt on his own.

Simmons tapped his shiny pen against the scarred table. “People are tired of the drug trade and drug-related violence.”

The whining masses. “I’m not interested in public morality. I develop strip malls. My only sin is in helping people to shop. I had no idea anything nefarious was occurring.”

Between the dramatic exhale and the way he slapped the file shut, Simmons telegraphed his disgust. “We need to work on your story.”

“The Border Patrol agent set me up.”

“His record is rock solid.”

The tightness in Bruce’s stomach eased. The idea of destroying the agent who had broken protocol and infiltrated his operation unknotted the ball of tension that had been growing and spinning since the agents had landed on his doorstep with weapons drawn. “Which will make his downfall all the more compelling and the charges easier to throw out.”

“He’s an integral part of the case, but—”

“Then we’ll be fine.”

The briefcase slapped against the table and the locks clicked open as Simmons rifled around inside. “You’re very sure of your position. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.”

“I understand people.”

Narrowed brown eyes peeked over the leather lid of the case. “What does that mean?”

“Simple.”

Simmons closed the briefcase and leaned his elbows on the top. “Explain it to me.”

“Mr. Hill won’t be a problem much longer.”

JEREMY GRABBED THE cotton shirt off the top of the bag Joel had dumped on the floor before he headed out with Davis. At least the three guys had stopped standing around staring at him. Jeremy had almost blown his cool over the petri dish treatment.

Except for Meredith. She could stare all she wanted. Look, touch, smile and crawl right up on his lap. She’d likely kick a little butt as she did it, but he didn’t mind any of the options if they came at her hands.

It would be a long time before he forgot the bone-deep determination in her eyes and snapping through every part of her as she’d pushed with all her might against his side to stop the bleeding. Even through the red haze of pain, he’d felt her willing him to survive.

Before he knew it, a man could forfeit his common sense for a woman like her.

He slipped the shirt over his shoulders and winced when the move sent a sharp tug down to his side. “Hate getting stabbed.”

“Normal people do.” Meredith sat on the bed next to him, rubbing her hands together and fidgeting. She didn’t reach over and button his shirt, but it sure looked as if she wanted to.

To keep from doing something stupid like putting his hands on her as he wanted to, he looked at Pax. Yeah, that killed all thoughts of dragging Meredith down on the mattress and thanking her.

Then Jeremy saw the needle. “Put that away.”

“You need to rest. My job is to make sure you do it. Do you know how tempting it is to knock you out?” Pax, six feet tall with shoulders wider than the doorway, tapped his finger against the syringe.

The guy could crush a car in his hands and ignored most orders, but he was behaving now. Acting as if he moved in society all the time, which he didn’t.

Jeremy guessed Meredith’s presence caused the change from Pax’s usual paranoid style. He’d been an army medic. Now he worked on a contract basis for Garrett, who had once said he’d brought the Weeks brothers in when the job seemed impossible, when the team was balanced on the verge of elimination with only hope and spit holding them together.

Like Garrett, Pax and Davis excelled at the impossible. They not only survived, they thrived as the pressure increased to crushing levels.

Pax moved, his smile growing with each step. “I can either sedate you or get my wish and use my fist to knock you on your—”

“Neither. I have to find my brother.”

“We’ll take care of that while you sleep it off.”

Jeremy did a quick assessment. He mentally calculated the distance to the door and how fast he could get there with only one side of his body at normal strength. Didn’t take a genius to figure out there was no way to win his way out of this using brute force. Not when a guy built like a wall stood in front of him, and Meredith balanced on the edge of the bed as if ready to pounce if needed.

No, Jeremy had to use his smarts if he hoped to win this one. “If Davis were lost, would you leave the rescue to someone else?”

“I would if I couldn’t walk without falling down.”

Meredith nodded as Pax spoke.

Jeremy ignored them both. Sometimes playing it safe and following the rules didn’t work. This was one of those times. “I have to find him.”

“I’ll head over to Sara’s house, then check in with Davis and Joel. In the meantime, you’ll rest.” Pax waved the needle in the air in an unspoken threat.

Jeremy held up his hands in what he hoped looked like surrender. “You win.”

Pax put a hand behind his ear and leaned in, exaggerating the moment and making Meredith smile. “What was that?”

“You don’t need that. I get it. No moving.”

Meredith stood up, adding her five-foot-six to the already imposing human blockade. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t move.”

Pax looked her over from head to foot before a smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. “I actually think you’re tough enough to do it.”

“Comes with the territory.”

He frowned. “Are you Border Patrol, too?”

“Meaner than that. I’m an elementary school teacher.”

“Ah.” Pax hesitated before easing his finger off the syringe’s stopper. He clipped a plastic cover over the needle and put the sedative back in his bag. “Rough gig.”

That was enough talking as far as Jeremy was concerned. For his plan to work, Pax needed to leave. “She lived with Garrett before her house turned to kindling.”

The scowls came at him from Pax and Meredith. Pulsing tension replaced the previous calm in the room.

“But not like that.” Her frown could melt metal. “Stop trying to switch the attention from you to me.”

Pax waved his hand in front of his face. “Hey, that’s none of my business anyway. I don’t judge.”

“Maybe not, but I want the record clear.” The scowl stayed on her mouth and her gaze never left Jeremy. “Neighbors only. Nothing romantic ever happened with Garrett.”

Pax laughed. “That’s a shame for Garrett.”

Yeah, more than enough talking or whatever this was. Jeremy lay back on the pillows Meredith had stacked behind him. “You can go, Pax.”

“Right.” The amusement hadn’t left the other man’s voice.

Jeremy didn’t find the situation all that funny, but he did appreciate the help. “Thanks, man.”

Meredith followed Pax to the door. He turned and handed her a piece of paper. “You might need this.”

She slipped Jeremy’s phone out of her back pocket and started punching in the numbers.

“How did you get that? I wondered where my phone went,” he mumbled, now knowing to watch her hands while he watched the rest of her.

She peeked up at him. “I’m not stupid. I stole it.”

“No, you aren’t.” Just one more thing about her that fascinated him.

She closed the door and leaned back against it, staring him down. “I don’t buy for one second that you’ve given up your plans to run out of here.”

“I see we understand each other.” He sat up and whistled as a rough breath hissed through his teeth. “I’d leave you here, but I’m not convinced it’s safe, despite the out-of-the-way location. So be ready to go in ten minutes.”

“You better mean that you need help getting to the bathroom.”

For a second he wondered if the attraction sparked in only one direction. Nothing sexy about bathroom talk unless she meant a shower, and he knew she didn’t. “Definitely not.”

“Get back into bed.” She pointed as she walked. The stern look, the clear voice, it all said teacher.

School hadn’t been his favorite thing, except for gym class and the football team, but a teacher who looked like her might have made him reassess his limited time in the library. “There’s somewhere we need to look for Sara.”

“Let the other guys do it.”

“They don’t know about this place.”

Meredith sat down next to him and braced a hand on the opposite side of his legs. “You could tell them.”

Any other time he’d love being straddled by her, but right now he had to find Sara. “Logical, but not an option.”

“Care to tell me why?”

“Can’t.”

“More top secret ridiculous spy stuff?”

“The word you’re looking for is operative.”

“It all sounds like a line to me.”

Meredith was not going to let it go and he couldn’t blame her. He’d never have bought this spy crap if she’d tried to sell it to him. “It’s a safe house. A place Sara knew to go if everything else fell apart.”

Meredith sat back up, taking her weight off him. “But why would she go there if she was no longer seeing Garrett?”

The woman asked good questions. Logical questions. But common sense had no place in gut reactions. “I don’t have an answer. All I have is a hunch.”