unnerving. The guy sat and stared.
A lesser man would get twitchy and start talking. If that was the plan, these two sorely underestimated him. Tony Prather could not be intimidated. Others had tried and failed at using that tactic.
He hadn’t won his current position by shaking hands and saying yes all the time. He’d pushed his predecessor out and never looked back. He’d won the office and the hot young wife. That’s what he did—he won.
Davis finally shifted in his chair. The movement was slight, but it had the focus switching to him. “You didn’t ask which executive is missing.”
Tony knew all about Mark’s situation. Knew and was watching, but these two didn’t need that information. “I’m assuming whoever it was got lost on a hike and this isn’t really a big deal.”
Davis and Connor exchanged glances. Connor started talking again after Davis nodded. “Right before I spoke with one of my team members earlier today, he came under fire.”
Tony was more interested in which man was in charge than about this conversation. Still, he had a role to play. “You mean—”
“Gunshots.” Connor exhaled as if explaining bored him. “At the camp.”
Time for concern. Hitting the appropriate level would be the trick. Tony went with pushing his chair back and reaching for the phone. “I need to get them all out.”
“My people are working on that.” Connor glanced at the phone and continued when Tony returned it to the cradle. “Once the weather breaks we’ll move in.”
Not the response Tony had expected. He figured they’d rush in and rescue, or whatever they normally did. The change in expectations and protocol sent a new push of adrenaline rushing through him. “Send in the park rangers. Do something.”
Davis’s eyes narrowed. “If we didn’t have a ‘shots fired’ situation, maybe, but we can’t risk putting anyone else in danger.”
All reasonable answers. But Tony couldn’t shake the feeling he was being sized up and checked out. That was probably fair because he was playing the same game at the moment.
Right now he needed to know their real plan. He guessed they wouldn’t share most of it, but maybe he could drag out something. “So, what’s next?”
Connor thumped his fingertips even louder. “My guys will secure the scene until I can get emergency personnel in there.”
Tony glanced down but Connor didn’t stop. “And in the meantime what happens to my executive?”
“We try to find him,” Davis said.
Definitive and solid. Tony looked for a chink in their show and didn’t see one. The routine came off as practiced but appropriate. He had to admit a part of him was a little impressed. These two could give lessons in remaining cool and detached.
“Should I contact his family or at least notify the board?” he asked.
“Let’s see where we are tomorrow.” Connor stood up. “We need to get back, but I’ll keep you updated.”
“Absolutely.” Tony reached across the table and shook their hands. “Thanks for coming in.”
Connor nodded. “I’m sorry I don’t have more definitive news.”
“I’m going to continue to believe this is a case of wandering away from camp and not a disaster.”
“Except for the gunshots.” Davis delivered the line in a flat voice. He didn’t say much, but what he did force out came with a punch.
Tony admired the skill. “That could be hunters, anything.”
“I have a conference call scheduled with search and rescue. You’re welcome to listen in.” Connor slipped a business card out of the pocket of his dress shirt and set it on the table.
Tony left it there. “I appreciate that. My assistant can give you all my contact information, including the home numbers.”
“Good.” Connor headed to the door with Davis right behind him.
At the last minute, Davis turned around again. “Mark.”
That fast the air sucked out of the room. “Excuse me?”
“Your missing executive. His name is Mark Callah.” For the
A lesser man would get twitchy and start talking. If that was the plan, these two sorely underestimated him. Tony Prather could not be intimidated. Others had tried and failed at using that tactic.
He hadn’t won his current position by shaking hands and saying yes all the time. He’d pushed his predecessor out and never looked back. He’d won the office and the hot young wife. That’s what he did—he won.
Davis finally shifted in his chair. The movement was slight, but it had the focus switching to him. “You didn’t ask which executive is missing.”
Tony knew all about Mark’s situation. Knew and was watching, but these two didn’t need that information. “I’m assuming whoever it was got lost on a hike and this isn’t really a big deal.”
Davis and Connor exchanged glances. Connor started talking again after Davis nodded. “Right before I spoke with one of my team members earlier today, he came under fire.”
Tony was more interested in which man was in charge than about this conversation. Still, he had a role to play. “You mean—”
“Gunshots.” Connor exhaled as if explaining bored him. “At the camp.”
Time for concern. Hitting the appropriate level would be the trick. Tony went with pushing his chair back and reaching for the phone. “I need to get them all out.”
“My people are working on that.” Connor glanced at the phone and continued when Tony returned it to the cradle. “Once the weather breaks we’ll move in.”
Not the response Tony had expected. He figured they’d rush in and rescue, or whatever they normally did. The change in expectations and protocol sent a new push of adrenaline rushing through him. “Send in the park rangers. Do something.”
Davis’s eyes narrowed. “If we didn’t have a ‘shots fired’ situation, maybe, but we can’t risk putting anyone else in danger.”
All reasonable answers. But Tony couldn’t shake the feeling he was being sized up and checked out. That was probably fair because he was playing the same game at the moment.
Right now he needed to know their real plan. He guessed they wouldn’t share most of it, but maybe he could drag out something. “So, what’s next?”
Connor thumped his fingertips even louder. “My guys will secure the scene until I can get emergency personnel in there.”
Tony glanced down but Connor didn’t stop. “And in the meantime what happens to my executive?”
“We try to find him,” Davis said.
Definitive and solid. Tony looked for a chink in their show and didn’t see one. The routine came off as practiced but appropriate. He had to admit a part of him was a little impressed. These two could give lessons in remaining cool and detached.
“Should I contact his family or at least notify the board?” he asked.
“Let’s see where we are tomorrow.” Connor stood up. “We need to get back, but I’ll keep you updated.”
“Absolutely.” Tony reached across the table and shook their hands. “Thanks for coming in.”
Connor nodded. “I’m sorry I don’t have more definitive news.”
“I’m going to continue to believe this is a case of wandering away from camp and not a disaster.”
“Except for the gunshots.” Davis delivered the line in a flat voice. He didn’t say much, but what he did force out came with a punch.
Tony admired the skill. “That could be hunters, anything.”
“I have a conference call scheduled with search and rescue. You’re welcome to listen in.” Connor slipped a business card out of the pocket of his dress shirt and set it on the table.
Tony left it there. “I appreciate that. My assistant can give you all my contact information, including the home numbers.”
“Good.” Connor headed to the door with Davis right behind him.
At the last minute, Davis turned around again. “Mark.”
That fast the air sucked out of the room. “Excuse me?”
“Your missing executive. His name is Mark Callah.” For the
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