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Keira saw the light come into Callahan’s eyes, saw hiet it yet, but she knew Cody and Callahan were soth already

Cody was sht as Callahan’s He turned to her “Didn’t you say that super PAC, NOANC, has received thousands of smaller donations from across the country?” he asked her

“Yes,” she answered, glancing at her partner, hoping for a sign he knehere this was leading, but he shook his head “Trace and I saw the donors lists filed with the Federal Election Co back to its inception”

“Grassroots,” Callahan said softly “Wasn’t that the word you used?”

Then she got it, and her eyes widened “Thethe militia to fund his super PAC?”

“Not entirely,” Cody said “The Praetor Corporation still has to kick in big-time But it fits beautifully If the super PAC was only funded by one co But with thousands of individual donors across the countryNOANC flies under the radar”

“And Vishenko’s hit list?” she asked

“Personal, just as we thought Nothing to do with the New World Militia”

Trace spoke up “What about Tressler’s death?” he asked “Maybe it’s not related, but can we take that chance? There still could be a connection so”

Callahan nodded and looked at Cody “He’s right We can’t co, but he didn’t drive to the hospital He drove to ive h to him, that” He drew a deep breath and let it out slowly, and Keira realized again that he wasn’t as cold and uncaring as he appeared to be

He couldn’t be, she thought suddenly Or Cody wouldn’t care about him the way he does And Cody did care about him It wasn’t just Mandy and her children he’d been worried about, it was Callahan, too What had Cody said last night? “We probably could have been friends if not for” If not for Mandy That’s what he almost said But Cody doesn’t love Mandy anymore He loves me And Ryan Callahan is his friend, whether he realizes it or not

D’Arcy had been listening quietly this whole time Now he spoke “I’ve seen the autopsy on Steve Tressler, saunshot wounds—not directly None of thean He died from loss of blood”

Callahan looked grim “Other than the fact he was beaten before he died, and that the evidence clearly points to the cri at his cabin, we don’t know a hell of a lot And I can’t think of anyone who ht have had it in for himother than the New World Militia”

“They recovered three 357 slugs froood enough shape for aelse Whoever shot him made two crucial mistakes, which means—”

“He’s not a professional” Callahan interjected “Yeah, I’d already thought of that He should have made sure Steve was deadand he should have searched the body toevidence on him” He smiled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes “Those mistakes will cost him”

“Black Rock is a siven any indication they know so about his death? What I mean is,” she clarified, “has anyone expressed undue concern about his death who shouldn’t? Or on the other hand, has anyone who should be worried about his death not shown it?”

Callahan shook his head “No, and in the past teeks I’ve interviewed just about every resident of the town in sootten even a hint of anybody hiding anything Everyone knew him, and everyone seems duly shocked Either his murderer is an incredible actor, or I haven’t talked to him”

“What about his employer?” Keira asked