by Jo Davis
Fifteen
Blaze pushed a hand through his hair, suddenly feeling a billion years old. “Come in, close the door, and I’ll try to explain as best as I can.”
Lan gaped at him, incredulous. “You’re summoning me into my own office where you’ll try to explain? After I catch you snooping on my computer and God knows where else? That’s mighty big of you.”
“Please, Lan. Come in and hear me out.”
The other man moved inside and closed the door. “This had better be good, or I’m calling the police. In fact, I probably should, anyway—”
“No. You really don’t want to do that—trust me.”
“Are you threatening me?”
He shook his head. “It’s not me you have to worry about. I need to ask you . . . have you ever wondered what Kosta and his cronies are really doing with your millions?”
“A few hundred thousand, not millions. And I’ll answer with a question—why do you ask?” His expression was wary, mistrustful.
Blaze didn’t blame him. But the man’s shock was about to be doubled.
“Because Kosta and Meyer, as well as the organization they’re working for, are under investigation.” He paused. “For espionage, treason, homeland terrorism. You name it.”
Lan stared at him, face draining of color. “You . . . you’re making that up.”
“I wish I were. Then you’d be able to throw me out and go back to your life with your new lady. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. I’ll ask you again whether you’ve had any suspicions about these men.”
Lan’s gaze dropped to the floor, and he didn’t speak for a few moments. When he did, his voice was tired. “Yes. Not at first, but lately I’ve been frustrated at the lack of details about what my money is earning. They were so forthcoming in the beginning, providing me with printouts of data, reassuring me that my money was being well invested and would turn a profit eventually. For the past few weeks, though, all I’ve gotten is the runaround.”
“Why didn’t you say something at our meeting with them? Give me a hint that you had doubts?”
He had the grace to look embarrassed. “I was going to, but not in front of them. Call it a keen sense of self-preservation, but I don’t want them to know that I’ve lost faith. They seem dangerous, crazy as that sounds.”
“No. They are dangerous. As in ‘sell grandma to the devil and spit on her grave’ evil.”
“Great.” He gave a humorless laugh. “And where do you fit into all of this, John? Or whatever the hell your name is.”
“Blaze Kelly, and my ‘wife’ is Emma Foster, who really is my sub, by the way. We’re undercover, and before you ask, we can’t tell you who we work for. You’ve never heard of them, anyway, but rest assured we’re the good guys.”
“You’ll pardon my skepticism.”
“Doubt is healthy as long as it doesn’t cloud your view of the truth.”
“And what is the truth, Mr. Kelly?”
He cringed at the man’s distant tone, but couldn’t blame him. “Blaze, please. The truth could get you killed, so be real sure you want to hear it.”
“Well, if it’s that bad, then I’m likely already on their list of dumbasses to dispatch at their earliest convenience, wouldn’t you say?”
He couldn’t deny that. “Yeah, almost certainly.”
“Give me the easy version.”
“Okay. Kosta and Meyer, along with a player who didn’t show up at our meeting last night, work their money scams with a man who’s high up in the food chain in the U.S. military.”
“Would that be Major Reed Fontaine?” Lan asked.
“The same. You know him?”
“Not well. He doesn’t show up very often, and when he does, he’s a pompous prick. I wouldn’t care if I never saw him again.”
“You’re not alone. Major Fontaine and his merry band report to a man name Robert Dietz, who’s an enemy of the U.S. government and the American people. He’s on every wanted list in existence. Have you ever heard his name?”
Lan frowned, thinking. “I can’t say I have.”
“I didn’t think so, or you’d already be dead.”
“Jesus!”
“Gets worse. Dietz works with a homegrown terrorist group who call themselves the Liberation Organization. In fact, he’s pretty much taken them over. Just over three months ago, with crucial information provided by the major, the Liberation group stole a weapon of mass destruction right from under the military’s nose. It was the largest, most potentially deadly security breach in our nation’s history . . . and if we don’t get it back, there won’t be a nation left when all is said and done.”
“Oh, my God! You mean—”
“The weapon has been sold, and Dietz’s group is waiting for the right time to move it, smuggle it out of the country. Where, in all likelihood, it will be aimed at us. Millions who survive the initial blast will be killed by the virus it releases. There’s no cure.”
“Why in God’s name did we make a weapon like that?” he whispered, stricken.
“Good question. My guess is to make sure other nations play nice? Except—whoops, we lost it. Now we have to find the goddamned thing before it’s moved.”
Lan hung his head, one hand covering his face. “And I’ve been funding these murderers. I thought the worst that might’ve happened was I’d been taken for some cash. How could I have been so blind?”
Rising, Blaze rounded the desk and laid a hand on Lan’s shoulder. “This isn’t your fault. The blame for this lies squarely on the government. The problem is, it’s guys like me who have to come in and try to clean up the mess without the public getting wind of what’s happened.”
Lan met his eyes, worried. “How the hell are you going to do that?”
“I have help. All you need to do is sit back and act normal. Don’t panic. These bastards can smell sweat at a thousand paces.”
“Well, that’s reassuring. Thanks.”
“I always say a little fear keeps you on your toes, but don’t let it overwhelm you or the game is over.” Lan looked away and was silent for a couple of minutes. “What?”
“I want to help,” he said firmly. “I want to do something more.”
“No. You’re doing quite enough by keeping them happy and their suspicions soothed. I don’t want you any closer than this. In fact, you need to pull back. Distance yourself.”
“I can’t. I have a meeting with Kosta this afternoon. If I cancel, it’s going to look bad. What if—”
“Forget it. I know what you’re going to suggest, and the answer is no.”
“But what if I can get them to let me in on the whole scheme? I might be able to get some good stuff for you and the government, or whoever. Has it occurred to you that they’re setting me up to take the blame for working with this Dietz guy, and planning to disappear with the money? They could plant all sorts of evidence on me.”
Dammit. “Yeah, I thought of that. It’s a possibility.”
“Listen, let me go into this meeting and push a bit. Maybe I can get them to open up and include me in the real plans.”
“Lan—”
“Please, Blaze. I’ve never done one important thing in my life except make money. Let me do this.” His earnest plea found a mark.
“Christ, I must be crazy. Okay, but you’ll be fitted with a camera/ microphone so we can monitor the situation. If it gets out of hand, we’ll get you out.”
“Fine. And Nicole is not to know about this. Agreed?”
“Absolutely. The fewer people who are in on this, the better.” He rubbed his tired eyes. “Let’s get some sleep. We’ve got a long day tomorrow.”
If he’d had any idea how correct that statement would prove to be, he might never have gotten out of bed come morning.
Emma patted Lan’s tie clasp and attempted to quell her reservations about this meeting. She and Blaze had a heated argument about Lan’s involvement, and she’d lost. End of story.
Damned infuriating man
! But he was convinced Lan would do fine as long as he didn’t push too hard. Kept his cool.
“You’re all set,” she told their new friend.
“Thanks, Emma.” He shot her a nervous smile.
“You’ve got to chill, or you’re going to arouse their suspicions. Find your center.”
“I will. It’s just that this is a lot scarier now than it was at two in the morning. I’m fine, though. Honestly.”
“How did you get mixed up with these bozos, anyhow?”
“Through business circles. Our paths crossed one too many times at parties, which I’m now guessing probably wasn’t an accident. I’m such an ass.”
“No, you aren’t.” She cupped his sweet face in her hands and tilted it up. “At any point did you ever wake up and say to yourself, Gee, I think I’ve been targeted by loony terrorists who are out to destroy the world ? Give yourself a break.”
“Well, when you put it like that ...”
Blaze hovered in the corner of their living room, glowering, arms crossed over his yummy chest. Seeing as how she was still pissed, she ignored him. Mostly.
“We have two other operatives besides Blaze who’ll be listening while you’re in there,” she reminded him. “You’re in good hands, so don’t worry.”
“That does relieve me quite a bit.” He turned to Blaze. “You’re meeting me back at my house afterward?”
“That’s the plan unless something goes wrong, in which case we’ll meet in the park about six miles from Kosta’s office.”
“Got it.”
Blaze couldn’t hide his concern despite his argument with Emma. “Are you sure about this? You can cancel, make up an excuse.”
“No, I’m in this all the way. Something’s going to happen. I feel it. Maybe this is what’s needed to shake it loose.”
Emma felt it, too, but bit her lip to keep from voicing her opinion again. Her lover was already testy, and it wouldn’t help matters.
Lan left first, and they gave him a head start to avoid following too closely. Ozzie and Willis trailed at a safe distance in the van; she and Blaze were last, in their car. Her lover had insisted they bring another vehicle just in case—the only thing they’d agreed on all morning. Well, that and the fact that Nicole didn’t need to be in the middle of what was going on. Lan had sent her shopping or something.
Nearing Kosta’s office a short time later, they parked on a side street about a half mile from the building. She and Blaze hurried to the back of the van and climbed in, immediately fixed on the bank of monitors against one side. Lan’s tie-clasp camera showed a view of the front doors getting closer as he walked up the steps.
“Going in,” he murmured, knowing he wouldn’t be able to hear a response. “Wish me luck, guys.”
“Don’t let him fuck this up,” Ozzie said, more to himself than to anyone in particular.
“If he’s successful and they let him into their fold, he might be able to learn where the weapon is,” Blaze reminded them. He sounded a tad defensive.
Emma exchanged a look with Ozzie. There was no talking to their prickly leader right now, so they didn’t bother.
They tracked Lan’s progress through the lobby and up the elevator to the fourteenth floor, where he got out and greeted the receptionist with polite calm.
“I’m Landon Hart. I have a four-thirty appointment with Mr. Kosta.”
“Oh, yes. Go on back, he’s expecting you.”
Emma waited tensely as he walked to Kosta’s office, the place where Ozzie and Blaze had been caught by the bastard just yesterday. She did not have a good feeling about this at all.
The camera showed Lan’s fist reaching out to knock on the man’s office door, and he was told to come inside. Kosta rose from behind his desk to greet Lan, his smile not reaching his dead eyes. How could anybody be taken in by him for very long?
“Lan, sit down,” he said pleasantly. “Let’s get right to the point and discuss what’s bothering you, shall we? You know I have nothing but the greatest respect for you, and I don’t want you to lose faith in our endeavors.”
“Then show me some solid figures to prove where my money has gone, and I’ll be happy.”
“Now, Lan. You of all people know that large investments take time to pan out.” The man’s tone was patronizing.
“Not this long. I began lending you money more than six months ago, and I’ve not seen one shred of documentation to support my investment in more than four.”
Willis spoke up. “Smart of him, getting that on record.”
Everyone nodded and continued to listen and to watch Kosta’s posturing.
“What’s the sudden hurry? Give me a couple of weeks and I’ll have a report for you that shows everything you want to know. Will that suffice?”
“He’s stalling. He’s caught and he knows it,” Ozzie muttered. “Get out of there, Lan.”
Then, the unthinkable spilled from their friend’s lips.
“Tell me, Augustine—who is Robert Dietz?”
“Oh, fuck me,” Blaze moaned. “Jesus Christ!”
The camera got a great picture of Kosta’s mouth falling open, his eyes wide with unguarded shock for about a split second. Then he pulled himself together, a cold mask slamming down over the jovial façade of moments before.
“Where did you hear that name?”
“You’re not the only one with contacts, friend. You’ve forgotten that I’m a wealthy man same as you, and I can get information if I’m motivated to do so.”
“You’re bluffing.”
“I don’t think so. Does the term ‘weapon of mass destruction’ mean anything to you?”
A black hole of silence ensued, and Emma leaned forward. The poison between them was so thick that she felt ill.
“What do you want?” Kosta’s lips tightened, and his hand strayed under his desk.
“Uh-uh, not a good idea. Do you think I came unprepared? If I don’t walk out of here, my lawyers contact the FBI and the media. Is that what you prefer?”
“Your price,” he said softly.
“A cut equal to yours and Meyer’s, plus fifteen percent for my trouble.”
“I had you figured for the banner-waving American citizen, Lan. I must say I’m surprised.”
“Don’t be. I’m a businessman first. Do we have a deal?”
Kosta paused, hatred and the promise of retribution unmistakable in his steady gaze. “We do.”
“I’ll expect you in my office with a real report by Tuesday of next week.”
Emma was about to hyperventilate with the urgent need to get Lan out of there. Even Lan had to know that meeting would never take place. He’d placed himself in grave danger.
Kosta stood. “Show yourself out.”
Everyone in the van sat stunned as Lan exited and took the elevator. They glanced at each other, their unspoken questions the same: What the fuck do we do now?
“Talk to me, Blaze. Where do I go?”
Blaze started at Lan’s voice. Flipping open his cell phone, he punched speed dial. When the other man answered, he barked, “Don’t go home. They’ll be waiting on you by the time you get there. Revert to Plan B.”
The park.
“I’m going,” Emma told Blaze as he hung up.
“Not this time. Stay here and monitor.”
She pursed her lips, trying to hold her anger at bay. “Is that an order?”
“Damned straight it is.” Leaning over, he brushed her lips with a quick kiss. “I’m sorry, baby. I don’t have time to argue with you anymore. Help me from here, okay?”
She relented some. He knew what he was doing, and she’d only hamper him by being a pain in the ass. “All right. But be careful.”
“I will.” Giving her a wink, he was gone.
The pit of sick dread in her stomach grew wider with every passing minute after he left. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this op was about to go FUBAR. Glancing at her two companions, she slipped from the van for a moment.
&n
bsp; Fingers shaking, she made an executive decision and placed an emergency call to Bastian.
Augustine Kosta braced his hands on the edge of the desk, seething with rage. How dare that son of a bitch come in here issuing threats?
How had things gone south so quickly? First that newcomer, Chase, appearing so conveniently, and then the weird scene in the conference room . . .
“Fuck!”
He’d been so stupid! He’d be lucky if Dietz didn’t have him eliminated. But he had no choice except to do damage control. Picking up the phone, he punched in Dietz’s number and waited, sweat rolling down one temple.
“Another call so soon? What’s going on?”
“The new investor, John Chase, is an undercover operative,” he said without preamble. “He was here in my office yesterday posing as a lost caterer. I might not have known except for those weird golden eyes.”
“Golden? What does he look like?”
“Big. Long dark blond hair streaked with all sorts of highlights. Probably a disguise, except for those eyes.”
“I have a couple of ideas about who it could be, and if it’s who I think, he bugged your office,” Dietz hissed, voice deadly. “Which means they’re listening! I’m mobilizing a unit. Catch them before they get to Bastian Chevalier! I’m on my way—and this Mr. Chase? Save him for me.”
Goddammit, he was a businessman, not a mercenary.
Even so, he grabbed the pistol from his desk and raced out of the office.
“Dietz and Kosta are onto Kelly!” Ozzie shouted. “Go, go!”
Willis floored it and yelled, “Call Blaze and let him know!”
Bracing herself, Emma made the call, and her blood chilled to hear the message declare service was not available.
As they careened toward their destination, she kept trying, palms clammy.
He’ll be okay. He will.
He’d fought his way out of tougher scrapes. He just had to do it one more time.
Blaze sped along the gravel road to the wooded end of the park, a secluded place where he could give Lan instructions on what to do next. Like get the hell out of Dodge.
