A knock sounded at her door.

“Come in.”

Levi entered and crossed the room to join her on the balcony. His hand lifted to her shoulder. “How are you doing?”

“I’m not sure.” She waved toward the water. “I look out there and wonder what it’s like to live a normal life. Then my mind starts going, and I know I’ll never understand what that would be like.”

“You’re getting a glimpse of normal right now.”

“I’m grateful for that.” She leaned her right elbow on the railing and looked at him. “What is your normal like?”

“It’s not much different than right now, except the time I’m with you would usually be spent in the security office,” he said. “I received some information a few minutes ago about the gunmen in Sereno.”

“What?”

“They both had ties to a security firm that contracts for various oil companies.”

“What’s the name of the firm?”

“Pantheon Security,” Levi said. “I should have a list of the oil companies who use them shortly.”

“And you want to compare that list to the firms I’m still considering.”

“Yes. It might narrow down who would benefit from you being out of the picture.”

“This sounds like you think the motive for trying to kill me was for profit,” Cassie said. “The bank robberies point to someone trying to gain power. Which is it?”

“I don’t know, but at this point, we can’t rule anything out. We’ll follow both leads and see where they take us.”

“Every day we don’t have answers is another day I’m away from my father. I don’t know how many more days he has, but I would like to spend as many as I can with him.”

“I understand.” Levi held up a phone. “Are you up for calling your cousin again? I want to know if he’s had any dealings with Pantheon.”

Though emotionally exhausted, Cassie took the phone. “If you think it can help.”

“It’s a long shot, but . . .”

Cassie punched in the number, and Crispan answered on the second ring. After she greeted her cousin, Levi leaned close so he could hear both sides of the conversation.

“Crispan, I’m sorry to bother you, but I have another question for you. Can you tell me what you know about Pantheon Security? Have you ever used them before?”

“Once, but I won’t again,” Crispan answered without hesitation.

“Why?”

“I’m not sure how to put it into words,” Crispan said. “When hiring a security firm, you are entrusting those people with your safety. It doesn’t work when you don’t trust the men and women carrying guns.”

“No, it doesn’t. What was it about them that made you uncomfortable?”

“Their employees are primarily ex-military, but they didn’t possess the discipline I’ve come to expect from people with that background. I simply wasn’t impressed.”

“I see.” Cassie turned to Levi, their faces close. She mouthed the words, “Anything else?”

Levi shook his head.

“Thanks for your help,” Cassie said. She said her goodbyes and hung up. “So, Pantheon isn’t the kind of company my family wants to deal with under any circumstances. Do you think the company was involved?”