Sanctuary Lost WITSEC Town Series Book 1 Read Online Free

away from her
and spoke into his own. “Despite what you have said, the town of
Sanctuary will remain open. A reasonable budget will be provided
for necessary renovations. That is the final decision of this
panel.”
    The woman’s lips pressed together. John
stared at Thane. Why did he want the town to stay open if it was
going to cost more money? In claiming the town had to be closed,
Grant had strategically maneuvered more money for the town to
remain open. Had that been his plan all along?
    “Very well.” Grant nodded. “Thank you all for
your time.”
    John got up and followed him out, trailing
behind his brother like always. The minute the door shut, John
said, “A WITSEC town?”
    Grant stopped. “This goes no further than
that room.”
    “What’s the assignment?”
    “The sheriff of Sanctuary has cancer.
Terminal. He’s being transferred out this afternoon so there’s an
opening.”
    John stared at his brother. “You want me to
take my son to a town full of federal witnesses?”
    “The job isn’t much more than light duty as
the sheriff and security drills. It’s mostly keeping your finger on
the pulse of those people and then letting them live their lives.”
Grant ran a hand through his hair, his “Director” persona
evaporating. “I need someone I can trust there, someone I know who
needs a fresh start himself. A change of pace for his family.”
    “Except my family is here.”
    “I mean Pat.”
    “I know what you mean.”
    Grant’s eyebrows lifted.
    “So you want me to do what Ellen did? Go
spend quality time with my son in this secret town and never see
the rest of you ever again.”
    “We’ll have to work out the details.” Grant
grinned. “Maybe Sanctuary can host the Mason family Christmas this
year.”
    “Despite the security risk?”
    “Potential risk.”
    “You realize this is nepotism, right?”
    “Not if everything about it has been
redacted.”
    John started walking. “You need someone to
take this job and I’m the only one you can force into it. Because
I’m your brother and you know I won’t say no. Not to mention I just
sat through the meeting wherein I found out this secret. So either
I sign away my free speech or I take the job.” He sighed. “I’m
guessing, wherever this town is, there are mountains on either side
called a rock and a hard place.”
    “Quit being so dramatic. This will be good
for you, somewhere you and Pat can spend time together. A slower
pace of life, away from all the risk inherent in your usual
assignments.”
    “If it’s that great, why don’t you take the
job?”
    Grant ignored the question. “Family oriented,
small town. Nestled in the mountains, surrounded by trees and blue
skies.”
    “Read the brochure much?”
    “I wrote it, actually.”
    “I believe you.” John folded his arms, even
though it hurt. “But this all seems just a little too convenient.
My assignment ended hours ago, the result of a breach that captured
Alphonz and, look at that, just in time to get out of town and hide
away.”
    The muscle in Grant’s jaw flexed.
    “What aren’t you telling me?”
    Grant blew out a breath. “Fine. Alphonz is
blowing whistles left and right, making sure everyone he’s ever met
goes down with him. The U.S. attorney is talking deal.” He
hesitated. “When Alphonz’s business associates discover a marshal
was undercover, when Alphonz has been taken care of, who do you
think they’re going to come after next?”
    “So will I be the sheriff of Sanctuary, or
are you actually putting me in witness protection?”
    Grant’s head jerked in a shake, like he
didn’t believe John had figured it out. “Honestly? A little of
both.”
    “Were you planning on telling me this?” John
paced away two steps and turned back. “You know, you didn’t have to
twist everything for your sake. You could just explain for
once.”
    “I’m not doing this for me. I’m doing it for
Pat.”
    “So you’re the grand