Page 59 of Jacques

Jacques leaned forward. “We have a meeting with Beaumont this afternoon.”

“If he did it,” Caleb said, “and Hale let him know you were asking questions, why would he willingly meet with you?”

“Maybe to see how much we know…?” Danny said.

“If we knew enough to go to the police, we wouldn’t need to ask him questions,” Jacques said. “He might consider himself safe.”

“I know someone who might be able to confirm Jeffries’s exact dates in Germany,” Caleb said. He dug out his cell phone and scrolled through until he found the person and shared the phone number with Jacques.

“I’ll get this to our tech support guy, Swede.” Jacques sent the contact information to Swede.

“Is there anything else we can do until you interview Beaumont?” Caleb asked.

“We can get lunch,” Danny said. “We left too early for breakfast, and they didn’t feed us on the plane.”

“The restaurant has good food here,” Caleb said. “A little pricey, but worth it.” He rounded the table and wrapped his arms around Danny. “I’m sorry.”

She leaned back and looked up into her brother’s eyes. “For what?”

“That some bastard hurt you.” He brushed a strand of her hair off her cheek. “That kind of man is what gives all men a bad rap. I’m sorry you had to go through all that alone.” He hugged her close again. “I wish I’d known. I would have been there for you.”

“I survived.” Danny stood back. “And you know now.” Her stomach rumbled loudly.

“Come on, kid.” Caleb turned her toward the door. “Let’s feed you before you get hangry.”

When they stepped out of the conference room, Remy, Anton and Beau were on guard in the hallway.

Jacques made the introductions, and they all had lunch together in the hotel dining room and discussed the retirement ceremony and where it would be conducted.

“Someone has already tried to kill the man who stole the medical records from Danny’s apartment and then tried to shoot Danny.” Remy pointed out. “We have to assume he might try again.”

Danny frowned. “Who all is coming to your retirement ceremony?”

Caleb’s brow dipped. “They’ve invited older veterans, people I worked with, their family members and a few local politicians. I would rather have exited stage left than put on a big dog-and-pony show. I think they do these to encourage soldiers to stay until retirement.”

Remy nodded. “We’ll recon the ballroom where the ceremony will take place, along with the hallways and authorized personnel access leading to and away.”

“Do you really think he’s here?” Danny said.

“I’d rather be ready and he not show up than not be ready and have to dodge bullets.”

“I think we should cancel the whole thing,” Caleb said. “I would never forgive myself if anything happened to Danny. And then there are the guests…old veterans and family members.”

“We’ll be sure to scout out evacuation routes,” Remy said. “Again, it all might be a waste of effort.”

“But it might not,” Caleb said.

Remy glanced at his watch. “Beaumont will be here soon. I’d like to be ready. Jacques and Danny, you can wait in the conference room. I'll meet him out front and escort him in.”

Before they reached the door, Remy stopped them with, “One more thing.”

Jacques, Danny and Caleb turned toward him.

“Hank has been in contact with Army CID special agent Elena Ruiz regarding this case. She’s on standby to coordinate with Detective Collins of the local police department. If shit goes down like my gut tells me it will, she’ll be ready to send them in.”

Jacques nodded, glad to know they wouldn’t have to handle it on their own with a ballroom full of guests and a potential shooter willing to open fire.

Jacques and Danny returned to the conference room. Though Caleb wanted to stay, he agreed to wait in the adjoining room where he could respond if they needed him.