Read Online HIS Desire: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 1) by Sheila Kell - Free Book Online Page A

H.I.S., but he had the unfortunate reality of being born on April first.
    “Then don’t listen.” No one was sure what Devon’s job had been when he’d been in the CIA, but there was nothing he couldn’t find with a computer. Devon ran his hand through this long, curly, jet black hair stopping at the bump on his head.
    “Still hurt?”
    Devon shook his head. “No. It’s fine.”
    Jesse had been called from a hospital in Vegas as Devon’s emergency contact when Devon had been admitted after the hotel found him unconscious in his room. He had a large knot on his head and short-term memory loss. His entire Vegas trip was gone.
    The hotel room had been cleaned by the time Jesse arrived. The hotel confirmed there was a shattered lamp, but it had already been disposed of. No other signs of struggle had been evident. Unfortunately, the hotel’s security cameras had been down the entire weekend, so they had no idea who hit Devon or why.
    Since nothing had been taken and his computer systems weren’t compromised, Devon didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. Jesse remained hopeful Devon’s memory returned.
    “Okay, AJ. Tell us about this perp.” Jesse needed to find out who they were up against. Time to remove the threat to the women in his life.
    “About two years ago, not long after you left the agency, this guy pops up. We only know who he is by the card with “Facilitator for Hire” imprinted on it that he leaves at his kills. He likes to kill in a variety of ways. A bullet between the eyes, broken neck, strangulation…you get the picture. Our profile says he enjoys it, considers it art and that’s why he leaves his card. It’s his signature on his masterpiece.
    “We’re not sure what made him choose a drive-by shooting this last time. It was risky.” AJ shook his head. “Unfortunately, no one knows who he is. He’s like a ghost.”
    “Then how does he get hired if no one knows who he is?” Matt asked the obvious question.
    “You don’t select him, he selects you. If you want someone killed, you quietly get the word out, and if he chooses you, he’ll come to you. Not personally, of course. That would make it too easy for us. We’ve sent people undercover, putting out the word we want someone killed but haven’t been contacted. It’s a gut feeling, but I think he knows who we really are.
    “Since no one will admit to hiring him, we don’t know how he gets paid. We’ve looked through our suspect’s financials and haven’t found anything.”
    “Give me their names. If there’s something there, I’ll find it.” Devon loved a challenge.
    AJ nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”
    “What about the car and the note?” Ken asked.
    “We found the car this morning. He’d left his calling card. No prints. The car had been wiped clean. Whoever this bastard is, he’s careful.”
    “How can you label a drive-by in Fells Point careful?” Jesse asked. His thoughts returned to the panic he’d felt thinking Kate was going to be killed. He didn’t even think. He’d reacted automatically, moving to save her. But he’d been too slow. She’d been shot anyway.
    “Well now,” AJ drawled, “I didn’t say he was smart.”
    “I want Steve and Joe to comb through the files with Devon then follow up on any leads.”
    Joe Stone was another ex-FBI agent who’d worked with Jesse and was familiar with some of his old cases.
    “Ken, keep a team on Emily’s house and a team on Kate. Make sure Kate doesn’t know you’re there until I contact her.”
    “The girls are secure. We’ll head out right after this for Ms. Ross’ protection. What do you want us to do about the FBI detail?”
    AJ grinned at Jesse. “Yeah, Jess, what are you going to do about the FBI detail?”
    Jesse’s eyes narrowed at AJ. “We’re going to have to cover their asses, too, now won’t we?”
    The room broke out into laughter again. AJ glowered at everyone.
    “Matt and Brad will stay inside with Emily and the girls.