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window toward the group, then reengage the dialogue with the other three.
    “I wonder what that’s about.” Shep stated what everyone was thinking.
    Shaking his head, Renner stepped back inside the doors. “Hawk, could I speak with you privately for a minute?”
    “Of course.”
    Hawk got to his feet and followed Renner into the hallway. The armed officers kept their position outside the waiting room doors. As Hawk and Renner walked, the policeman remained silent. Their footsteps echoed through the isolated hospital corridor to a set of double doors, which carried them into what appeared to be a recovery room. Curtain-partitioned cubicles loaded with medical equipment and patients surrounded them. A nurses’ station in the center of the room was filled with monitors, computers, and an army of attendants who seemed to be in perpetual motion.
    “I need to tell you something.” Renner’s face was grim. “I wish we didn’t have to talk about this, but we need to.”
    Hawk didn’t like the look on his face or the tone of his voice. “Sure, what is it?”
    “We need to talk about the death of Farren Rales.”

CHAPTER SIX
    Seven Days Ago
Night
    H awk walked along the redbrick sidewalk toward the main entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Strolling next to him, eyes constantly searching their surroundings, was Al Gann. Al was an Orange County sheriff who carried the responsibility of being the chief law enforcement officer connected to the Walt Disney World Resort. His role was to coordinate between the Disney Security Department and local law enforcement agencies. Being friends with Hawk made his job much easier, except on nights like this one.
    “Hawk, I have positioned extra officers and security at every entrance to every resort on the property,” Al said.
    Hawk allowed the words to slide across his brain cells. The manpower to accomplish that was staggering. With over thirty resort hotels, four theme parks, two water parks, golf resorts, and Disney Springs, what he had done was no small task. Stopping, he turned toward Al.
    “Every resort?” Hawk paused, giving Al time to think. “Really?”
    “Yes, I believe so.” Al tilted his head as he thought. Straightening his head, he continued, “Yes, every resort is covered.”
    “OK.” Hawk shrugged and continued his walk. “Just checking.”
    The two moved through the main gate, entering the Magic Kingdom. During operating hours, this area was a controlled, chaotic flow of people entering and leaving the theme park. Now it was quiet and isolated, with the exception of the police officers and security personnel standing nearby. They were on high alert, and Hawk, looking through a fog of sadness, noticed that, other than a quick glance toward them as they entered, they were keeping a vigilant watch over everything. The Magic Kingdom had closed hours ago. Now, in the early hours of the morning, most motion had ceased, and with the events of the evening hanging over them, even the normal maintenance crews usually seen here had been moved out of the area.
    “Hawk.” Al reached out and placed a hand on Hawk’s arm to get him to stop. “We have the place locked down. You are as safe as I can make you right now. Kate is back at the Contemporary Resort. We have security positioned all around her. We did the same for Juliette and Tim. They’re home, and there’s a patrol outside their house and another one in their house. Tim said it wasn’t necessary.”
    “But he thanked your guys for being there and didn’t protest too much.” Hawk knew how Tim would have reacted.
    “Yes.” Al’s eyes darted to the left and back right. “We’re not sure if they were targeting you, Farren, Juliette, or all three of you. Obviously you were a target, that’s why you had a visitor in the hospital tonight.”
    “What do you really think, Al?” Hawk lowered his head along with his tone. “Who was the real target tonight?”
    “You,” Al said with no hesitation. “You know