“I heard you found Tara.”
“Yes, sir.”
“While I realize there’s a chance she may have played a role in the crimes her father is wanted for, I sincerely hope that isn’t the case.”
“Copy that, Doc.”
Even more than for Striker, finding Tara had been personal for Doc. Long before K19 Security Solutions was in existence, Tara was Doc’s daughter, Quinn’s, best friend. While it was from a distance, he’d watched both women grow up.
Before getting on the road, I made one more call, to Tackle.
“How’s Italy?” he asked.
“Every bit as beautiful as you would expect it to be.”
“How come I don’t get these assignments?”
That was a good question, one I didn’t have an answer for. “I found Tara Emsworth,” I said instead.
“Where?”
“Essentially under my nose.”
I told him the same story I’d told Striker.
“That is unbelievable.”
“I know.”
My friend’s tone changed. “What’s going on, Knox?” he asked, using my first name rather than my code name, maybe recognizing the difference in my voice too.
“This is going to sound crazy.”
“I’m listening.”
“I know I’m way out of line here, but…she’s…we connected. The second I saw her.”
“It happens.”
“It does?”
“Even when it isn’t supposed to.”
“So you know what I’m talking about?”
“Yep.”
“What do I do?”
“You were with me on that plane, Knox. You know as well as I do that there’s no way we should’ve survived that crash.”
“Right.”
“Live your life, my friend. Reach out and grab every bit of happiness you can.”
“Is that what you’re doing?”
“Damn straight, I am.”