Reckless Creed by Alex Kava Read Free Book Online

the photo around again and studied the faces under the dirt and grime and the rims of the helmets. She thought she recognized one of the men, but she couldn’t place him.
    O’Dell packed all the items back into the bag, but she kept thephotograph out. She took it with her as she went to check on the cell phone. This time when she pressed the On button, the faceplate came to life. A tiny yellow envelope in the corner indicated there were unread text messages. Another icon showed that several voice messages were waiting as well.
    She tapped the text messages first. As soon as she saw the name attached to the most recent one, she knew who the familiar young man in the photograph was. She hadn’t recognized Jason Seaver at first, because this photo was taken when he still had both of his arms.

11
    FLORIDA PANHANDLE
    C reed and Jason had just gotten back from Pensacola. He wasn’t sure he had convinced the kid that his grandfather would be okay. It was a good thing that they had caught the
C. diff
now.
    Creed noticed the dogs’ reactions before he looked up and caught a flash of black metal moving through the tree line. Several of the dogs jumped at the fence, restless and alarmed with ears pitched forward. Noses sniffed the air. Heads turned. All of them pointed toward the driveway, a quarter-mile stretch that wound through the forest.
    His view was limited. All Creed could see were slivers of the black vehicles and glints of light reflected off the windshields. But it looked like a long caravan, reminding Creed of a funeral procession. His stomach tightened. His jaw clenched.
    This wasn’t good.
    He weighed his options.
    How long would it take to run up into his loft and get the revolver he hid underneath his mattress? The shotgun was clearacross the property, locked up in the training facility. Before he had time to choose, the first SUV made the turn onto the property.
    They knew enough to drive past the two-story house and the sign that directed visitors to the K9 CrimeScents office on the first floor. But the house was also the residence for Hannah and her two young boys, and Creed felt a slight relief. It was short-lived as he watched the huge black Suburban drive up over the grass and head directly toward him and the dog kennels.
    A second followed. Then another. In minutes Creed’s front yard was filled with five identical black SUVs. Tinted windows. Shiny and new with only the dust from Creed’s driveway.
    â€œWhat the hell is this?” Jason asked.
    Creed hadn’t even heard Jason come up beside him. From the corner of his eye he saw Dr. Avelyn coming out of the clinic. He glanced at the house and hoped Hannah would stay inside.
    â€œSettle,” Creed told the dogs, keeping his voice calm.
    The dogs stayed quiet but the tension was easily visible. Tails stayed down. Hair at the back of the neck stood on end. Eyes were locked. Ears were still pitched forward.
    Creed dug a remote from his pocket. He clicked a button preventing any of the other dogs from coming out into the yard, keeping them safe inside the kennel.
    With the engines still idling, car doors opened and men in dark suits and sunglasses sprang out with a sense of urgency. A couple of them had Kevlar vests over their suits. Three men who exited the last Suburban carried automatic rifles. The sight of them made Creed’s hands ball into fists. The panic in his gut was quickly replaced with an instinct to fight and protect.
    â€œSon of a bitch,” Jason muttered under his breath. “Who the hell are these guys?”
    One of the Kevlar-vest guys started walking toward them, and Creed finally recognized the man.
    â€œI must have missed your phone call,” Creed called out to the man. “What’s going on, Agent Tabor?”
    â€œIt’s best if everyone stays calm, Mr. Creed. We just need your cooperation.”
    â€œIt’s hard to stay calm when you come onto my property without warning or