Read Online Killer Focus by Fiona Brand - Free Book Online Page B

me. I was walking down the street when a guy got hit by a truck. I gave him first aid at the scene while we waited for the medics to arrive, but I couldn’t find a pulse. His head was injured, his face practically gone. He was the same height and general coloring, so I swapped my wallet with his and walked away. I figured I was only going to get an opportunity like that once.”
    She locked on to the final part of Jack’s statement, a cold, uneasy suspicion forming. “Why did you need another identity?”
    â€œI’ll get to that in a minute.”
    She studied his appearance. The haircut was cool and he was tanned. He was wearing expensive shoes and a quality coat. His hands were scarred and calloused, but if he worked with boats and fishing line, that was to be expected. Evidently, Jack Jones was doing all right. “How did you find out about me?”
    He stepped farther into the room. “I’ve kept tabs on you. I knew you were an agent. I saw the late news the day you got shot and caught a flight out.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI was worried about you. I didn’t like the way the shooting panned out, so I checked with a contact.”
    The unexpected statement and the complete lack of expression that went with it made her stomach tighten. “What do you mean, you checked with a contact?”
    His eyes were cold and very direct. “I used to be a hit man. That was the reason I left—not because I wanted to, but because I had to. I worked out of L.A., which is why I think I can help you now.”
    For a split second she didn’t register any part of his statement other than the fact that her father used to kill for a living. Suddenly it all jelled: the gun collection, his disappearances. Thinking back, she had never entirely bought into the concept that he’d had a gambling addiction. “Did Dana know?” “No.”
    She reached for breath. For the first time she had an insight into the way her mother must have felt when she’d found out the man she had married was a con artist, only he wasn’t, he was worse than that. “Is Jack Jones even your name?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, it is.”
    If that was the truth, he was lucky. Jones had to be as common as Smith. Together with Jack, his name was the identification equivalent of being invisible.
    He checked the door again. “I don’t have much time. The point is I think I can locate the shooter.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œContacts. Leverage.”
    Taylor felt herself go cold inside. “You’re still in the game.”
    â€œNo. I’m out, and it wasn’t a game. I got caught up in it when I was a kid, then I met Dana and we had you. I tried to leave but changing careers wasn’t an option.”
    He mentioned a couple of organized-crime high-flyers, one now deceased, another who had done time for what amounted to little more than a misdemeanor and was now back in business.
    Taylor stared at the lean, hard planes of his face. So, okay, her father had been a hit man, working for a crime syndicate. It was difficult to take. She was in the business of shutting down people like him. “Who’s your contact?”
    He grinned quick and hard and for a moment she almost expected him to say, That’s my girl. “Sorry.”
    â€œI could have you arrested and subpoenaed.”
    â€œAnd lose the only chance you’ve got at finding out who pulled the trigger? I don’t think so.”
    The ache in her chest intensified. “What can you tell me?”
    â€œI don’t have a name yet. I know he’s not local, and that he hasn’t been in the game for long.”
    â€œWho hired him? Lopez?”
    â€œWho else?”
    Now it was real.
    She had used Lopez’s name to shock him, but he hadn’t shown any reaction at all, which told her more than she wanted to know about her own father.
    He checked his watch. “When you’re