Read Fierce Defender: Book 2, Hard to Handle trilogy for Free Online Page B

statement he was about to make. “The kid’s name is Barry. He’s a nineteen-year-old delinquent that really wants to go legit, but he’s got nothing much to draw on, you know? His dad’s been locked up most of his life; mama’s a prostitute. He had two older brothers—one died in prison and the other was killed in a drive-by when he was fifteen. He also has a sister who, at sixteen, already has two kids. He started running drugs when he was nine and has been running for the same dealer for ten years. They trust him, so they talk more around him than they would just anyone. He’s given me all good information in the year I’ve been using him. He didn’t point a finger directly at Agent Dillon, but he said that the ‘snake in the grass,’ as he put it, was named ‘Samuel.’”
    “And there have been two times when Agent Dillon was tested, essentially,” Lewis said, taking over. “The first time, we set up the operation that netted us the capture of the three men that led to us being able to dismantle the cocaine operation in San Antonio. Only Gray and Freeman and Gomez and myself knew what was going down that night, and it was the first time in a while that we ended up with the element of surprise. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the one operation Sam wasn’t involved in, we succeeded. Then there was the meeting that we had yesterday where Agent Dillon was inadvertently told of the connection we were looking into involving Gilberto Sanchez. That house was cleaned out before the agents got there. They knew we were coming.”
    “I haven’t had time to look over Agent Dillon’s file,” Director Kemp said. “How is his record?”
    “Exemplary,” Gomez informed him.
    “Does he have a family?”
    “Yes, a wife and daughter,” Gray said.
    “Agent Alexander, do you know his wife well?”
    “Yes,” Gray replied.
    “Could you give her a call, maybe ask to speak with him, but also ask how she’s doing, see how she seems. An agent can rarely endure this type of stress without his spouse at least having some idea that something heavy is going on.”
    “Sure,” Gray agreed.
    He picked up his phone and found Sam’s home number in his contacts, but he had his reservations. Tammy was the last person he wanted to get into the middle of this. The woman deserved better. And so did their child.
    The phone was answered by an older woman. “Hello?” she said.
    “Hi, I was looking for Tammy or Samuel Dillon.”
    “This is Tammy’s mother, Charlene. Neither of them are here. Can I take a message?”
    “Oh, hello, Charlene. This is Grayson Alexander. I met you at their wedding and again at the baby’s christening and first birthday party.”
    “Oh yes, Grayson,” the woman acknowledged, and then she burst into tears.
    “Charlene, what’s wrong, why are you crying?”
    “Oh, Grayson. Samuel says I can’t tell anyone. Not even any of you. He says I’ll be putting Tammy’s life in danger. But… I’m so worried. I’m sick with it!”
    Gray immediately tensed, but he tried to keep his voice calm and soothing. “Worried about what, Charlene? Tell me what’s happened. I promise, I only want to help.” He put the phone on speaker, so the other men could hear.
    “Tammy’s been… kidnapped! She’s been gone for months now.” The woman was talking fast, and through heavy sobs. “I… I… I’m not sure I even believe that she’s still alive. Oh, God! I’ve never said that aloud. She’s my baby. Please do something, Grayson!”
    Gray did his best to reassure her, and then he told her that it was very, very important for Sam’s peace of mind that she didn’t tell Sam she had spoken to him. She vowed she wouldn’t, but he re-iterated it twice more before hanging up.
    So that explains it , he thought, relieved he’d figured out his friend’s motive but fearful for Tammy’s life. Looking at his superiors, he asked, “What do we do now?”
    “We talk to Sam Dillon,” Director Kemp