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started, “that man was one of our undercover agents. His real name was Miguel, and he was also a good friend of mine.” Landon and Miguel had trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, FLETC, together. They’d gotten drunk together, had even chased women together. That was before Miguel married Jane and had two kids, a couple of years before Landon met Stacy.
    Tori’s eyes widened and it seemed to jerk her out of the partial numbness that she’d said she been feeling. “I’m so sorry.”
    “So am I.” Landon blew out his breath, barely able to contain his anger. So the fuck am I. “We believe a drug cartel was behind the murder, and I’ll need you to go through some photographs.”
    “A drug cartel?” Tori’s voice shook. “Does that mean a cartel will be coming after me?”
    Landon looked grim. “We’re putting you into protective custody. We’ll keep you out of danger.”
    She put her palm to her mouth. She lowered her shaking hand. “Cartels are ruthless.” It sounded as if she knew something about cartels, something he’d talk with her about later when they had a moment.
    He gave a slow nod. “Yes, they are extremely ruthless.”
    “I’m scared, Landon.” She gripped her hands in her lap, her knuckles white. “No, I’m beyond scared. I’m terrified.”
    “Hey.” He rested his hand on her arm and that touch seemed to calm her a bit. “I’m going to make sure you’re safe. You have nothing to worry about. We just need your help and we’ll get this guy.”
    Her throat worked. “What do I need to do?”
    “We’ll take you in to look over photos tomorrow.” Landon studied Tori. “In the meantime, we need to get you to safety.”
    “I don’t want to take the chance that the men will go after Mom and Dad, so I don’t want to go to their house.” Tori shook her head. “But I have nowhere to go. My cash, my credit cards, my checkbook—everything is gone.”
    “We definitely wouldn’t take chances with your parents.” He had her looking at him in surprise when he added, “I’m taking you to a safe house.”
    “A safe house?”
    “It’s the safest option. The only option.” Landon glanced at her as she started to buckle up. “Did you check with Lieutenant Marks to see if by chance your bag was left behind by the men?”
    She fumbled with the seatbelt. “He said that when he arrived, nothing was here but the car and the body.”
    Landon helped her with the seatbelt. Just as the metal clicked, his cell phone rang. He took it out of its holster and checked the screen. He recognized the number as Agent Johnson’s. “Walker here.”
    “Hang tight.” Johnson never messed around with pleasantries in important situations. That was one thing you could always count on. “O’Donnell and I are en route and we’ll meet you in fifteen minutes at the scene to escort you to the safe house.”
    “Just hurry your asses over here.” Landon disconnected the call and looked at Tori. “Now to make sure your parents are safe.”
    “You think they’re in danger?” Tori’s eyes grew wide. “Their names and address aren’t in my bag and they barely use the computer I gave them, so I don’t think they could be found on the Internet. The killers won’t even know my parents’ names, will they?”
    “ Anything can be found on the Internet if you know where to look.” Landon watched Tori’s expression as fear for her parents grew. “Property ownership, you name it. Your name could be found as well, and it might list who your parents are.”
    “You’re right.” She brushed her palms on her jeans. “Are you going to take them into protective custody, too?”
    He shook his head. “Right now we’re going to put a car with agents outside their home. What’s their address?”
    She told him, and he made another call. When he disconnected, he turned to her. “We’ll have a car stationed outside their home.”
    “I’ll let my mom know.” She pulled her phone out of her