by Katie Reus
“Just relax,” he said, low enough for only her as the older man walked up to them.
“Ms. Moreno, I’m Wesley Burkhart. We spoke on the phone. I’m sorry you’ve had to be a party to all this.” He held out his hand.
“Thank you, and please call me Sophie.” She shook his hand before sticking her hands in her pockets.
When Jack placed a comforting hand on the small of her back and pulled her a fraction closer, the older man’s green eyes narrowed. Not in a dangerous sort of way, but he looked almost surprised.
“I’ve got an unconscious guy tied up in the back of the SUV. Probably one of Vargas’s. He spotted our vehicle and he’s definitely not airport security. I left his weapons under the driver’s seat.” Jack’s statement tore his gaze away from the way he was holding Sophie.
“Where you’d run into him?”
“Outside hangar seven after I’d finished recon of Keane’s. So either he got nosy or they’ve got guys doing larger-scale sweeps.” Or the guy could have been smoking a cigarette and noticed the vehicle. Who knew?
His boss frowned. “The satellite hasn’t caught anything like that,” he murmured, almost to himself. Then he turned and shouted an order to someone. Two of the men wearing all-black gear stopped what they were doing and headed for the vehicle.
“This way.” Without waiting, he turned and headed toward a far corner of the hangar.
Jack nodded, so she fell in step with him. The other people barely glanced their way as they unloaded the vehicles. Unlike in the other hangar, there weren’t any crates. Just tables with computers and a couple of the men were in the process of setting up cots and dry-erase boards.
“Are they going to sleep here?” she whispered.
“Probably.”
Once they’d reached the far corner of the building, Wesley stopped. “The two guys from Bayside were likely hired thugs. We couldn’t find a concrete connection to Vargas, but they’ve done work for hire in the past. The locals are wrapping the case up as we speak,” he informed them.
Sophie had wondered about those men—though she hadn’t cared much about their deaths considering they’d been hunting her and Jack.
Jack simply nodded, his expression blank, as if he felt the same way.
“Did you get a chance to scope out Vargas’s hangar?” he asked Jack.
“Yeah. Five men guarding the place now. Well, six if you include the guy I took out. After Sophie’s break-in, I’m guessing they increased the security, because she said there were only two men there Sunday night.”
His boss glanced at her, so she just nodded in confirmation. Then he looked back at Jack. “Have you contacted Weller yet?”
“No, I was waiting for you.”
Wesley’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t comment. Sophie didn’t understand what was going on, but she was under the impression the other man wasn’t happy. As if they were having a conversation without actually talking.
“Contact him and pick him up,” Wesley ordered.
“Send someone else.” There was an unexpected edge to Jack’s voice. She’d heard the same tone before, but this was his boss he was talking to.
Wesley’s jaw clenched. “She’ll be protected.”
“I’m not letting her out of my sight. You’re the one who insisted I take this mission, and I’m doing things my way.”
Jack’s boss gritted his teeth, but he conceded after a few tense moments. “Fine. I’ll go with one of the guys. You need to call him, though. You’ve been his only contact and he trusts you.”
Without responding, Jack pulled out one of his phones and texted her boss.
As they stood there waiting for Ronald to return the call, she decided to take a chance. It was constantly weighing on her mind to the point she wanted to scream in frustration. Jack had promised he’d tell her if he heard anything, but maybe his boss knew something he didn’t. Asking was worth a shot. “Has there been any news on my friend Hannah?”
Wesley shot a glance at Jack. It was almost too quick, but she saw the warning glance in Jack’s eyes as he looked at his boss.
“What aren’t you telling me?” she demanded. Raw panic slithered down her spine, leaving her cold and numb.
Jack rubbed a hand over his face and sighed. “When we were at her house I saw some broken glass and some of her clothing scattered in her garage.”
His admission was like a stinging slap to the face. He’d kept this from her the entire time they’d been together. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It could be nothing and I didn’t want you to worry.”
“You should have told me.” Her hands automatically balled into fists at her sides.
“Why? So you could needlessly worry? There’s nothing you can do and now this knowledge only hurts you. I . . . just wanted to protect you.” The way his voice softened smothered the majority of her previously spiking anger. But it didn’t soothe her growing panic.
She hated that he was right. There wasn’t a damn thing she could do. Still, Hannah was her best friend. Sophie pressed a shaky hand against her abdomen. Hannah was okay. She had to be. But this was the real world and she knew all the bad things that could happen. Staring into those pale eyes, she felt absolutely betrayed. “I thought we were in this together.”
“I didn’t want . . . You’re right. I should have told you. I’m sorry.” He said the last part quietly.
Wesley raised his eyebrows as he glanced between the two of them. But she didn’t care about him right now.
“Is there anything else you’re not telling me?”
“No.”
“Should we call the police, then? Her parents?”
Wesley shifted his feet, looking slightly uncomfortable. “I’ve spoken with a local contact about her, and we have her house under surveillance, but we’re not involving her family. The timing is too coincidental, so we’re assuming Vargas has her. If he’d wanted her dead, he’d have just had her killed at her house and left her there.”
Sophie nodded because she’d heard what that man in Marathon had said about taking Hannah. But she didn’t understand why they weren’t calling the police.
Before she could ask, Jack cut in as if he’d read her mind. “If we contact the locals, it might alert Vargas that we know a lot more than he’s aware of. Right now he knows that people are asking questions about SBMS, but he doesn’t know more than that. He thinks you are a threat because of the pictures you took, but he doesn’t know who’s helping you or why. For all he knows, you’re working with competition looking to move in on his territory.
“He clearly had her call in to work, so he wants the world to think she’s just sick, not missing. He might think he has a bargaining chip with her and we need to let him think that. Either way, it changes nothing.”
A bargaining chip. Sophie felt sick to her stomach.
Jack started to say more when his phone buzzed. “Yeah?”
The conversation was one-sided, but after some smooth talking, Jack convinced her boss to meet some people with the NSA. Worry for her friend ate at her, but she knew it wouldn’t do Hannah or her any good to freak out right now.
“Set up a table for when I get back. I don’t want anyone else touching the recording devices,” Wesley said before turning on his heel and heading back across the open floor.
“You could have gone, Jack.” Sophie wrapped her arms around herself.
“I’m not leaving you.” He reached out a hand and cupped her cheek, his thumb gently stroking her skin. She almost pulled away, but there was something vulnerable in his gaze that stopped her. She was so damn angry he’d lied to her, that feeling battling with the worry inside her, and she wasn’t sure what to do. Finally he cleared his throat and dropped his hand. “Come on, I want to get the audio equipment ready by the time they get back.”
Sophie fell into step
with Jack, thankful he’d kept his word. He’d said he wouldn’t leave her, but she hadn’t been sure if she’d truly believed him until this moment. She wasn’t sure what it meant, though. He’d lied to her about Hannah and while she understood, it pissed her off beyond belief. She’d been handling everything pretty well and she hated that he’d kept that knowledge from her. She didn’t need him to think for her or make her decisions.
• • •
He watched the interaction between Jack Stone and the Moreno woman. That had certainly been interesting.
Jack was more or less a legend in the agency, a man who killed with no compunction. No one but Wesley really knew him. For all he’d heard about Jack—and it wasn’t much—he’d never imagined the man had a soft spot. But seeing the way he’d just comforted the Moreno woman—there was definitely something going on between them. The sexual tension was practically tangible. And he couldn’t believe he was the man who’d been working with the Moreno woman. Now that he actually had intel for Vargas, he couldn’t tell him that the mystery man wasn’t someone trying to take over Keane’s operation, but one of the NSA’s own. Wesley had certainly kept this operation close to the vest.
So far he hadn’t been able to contact Miguel. Wesley was taking security to a new level and ruining all his plans. Everything they did was being monitored by their Georgia office. And there was no way in hell he could get his hands on a cell phone now. He wouldn’t even try.
He was more than a decent hacker, but there was only so much he could do under these circumstances. If only he’d left town a few days ago. He wouldn’t have had as much money, but he’d still be free. He wanted to kick his own ass for not following his instinct and leaving when there wasn’t a chance he’d be tracked right away. If he tried to leave now, Wesley would know something was off and it would be damn near impossible to get out of the country. His boss would spare no expense hunting him down if he knew he was dirty.
The NSA would plug his picture into all the facial recognition programs around the country. And even if he somehow managed to make it through an airport undetected, he didn’t have any of his fake passports or near enough funds to live the way he wanted. The way he deserved.
As Stone and the Moreno woman walked in his general direction, he turned his back to them and started setting up one of the laptops. He couldn’t afford to be caught staring. Getting Sophie Moreno alone would be tricky, but when the time was right, he wouldn’t waste an opportunity.
Hell, maybe he wouldn’t have to use her at all. He really hoped he wouldn’t need her, but if by some chance Miguel was captured alive, he knew the drug lord would turn him over with little incentive. If Wesley had to make a deal with Vargas or him, he knew his boss would choose to deal with Vargas. The man was a criminal and he didn’t hide what he was.
He’d worked with Wesley long enough to know that no matter how much information he offered up, they’d never offer him immunity if Vargas was offering the same intel. He was considered a traitor, and for that, Wesley would turn his back on him. The best he could hope for would be life in maximum-security prison. And that was if they were feeling generous. If not, he’d get the death penalty for treason. Which was more likely.
That was why it always paid to have a backup plan.
• • •
Jack carefully laid out a listening device one of the analysts had given him on the six-foot fold-out table. Sophie sat next to him, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
As he inspected the device, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He frowned when he saw the number. “Yeah?”
“I think I’m being followed,” Ronald whispered.
Jack massaged his temple. He’d given the man simple instructions. “Where are you?”
“A couple blocks from the restaurant you told me to go to. On Ocean Drive.”
“Walking?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. At the next intersection, cross the street and pay attention to anyone who follows you.”
A horn blared in the background. “I’m across but I don’t know if anyone followed me.”
“Turn back in the opposite direction from the restaurant.”
“Why?”
Jack contained his frustration. “Just do it.”
“Okay.”
“Is there anyone across the street mirroring you?”
“Not that I can tell, but a green sedan just made a U-turn.”
“Good, that means your tail is driving. What kinds of stores are you near?”
“There’s a deli, a photo shop, a touristy—”
“Go into the deli. It’ll buy you more time.”
“I’m inside. Now what?”
“Look for a back exit.” Restaurants had to take out the trash multiple times during the day, making it less likely that an alarm was on the back door. Jack could hear people talking in the background, and so far it sounded as though Ronald was handling things relatively well. When everything went silent, Jack guessed the other man had made it.
“I’m outside now.”
“Head back in the direction of the restaurant, but stay on the street you’re on now. Do not go back to Ocean Drive. I’m going to put in a call to our guys. They’ll meet you out back.”
“Okay.”
“Problems?” Sophie asked, her tone distant as he disconnected.
Normally he loved the thrill of a new job, but he simply wanted this one to be over. Then maybe he and Sophie could hole up somewhere for a couple of weeks and do nothing but have sex. That was of course if she forgave him for lying about her friend. But if her friend actually died—fuck, he couldn’t even think like that. He had to take care of one problem at a time. “I don’t think so.”
“Jack? This may not be the best time, but where do you live exactly?”
“What?” He wasn’t sure what to make of the random question, and her expression gave away nothing.
“When you’re not working.”
“I don’t have a home.” It had never felt weird before, but not having any roots was beyond depressing. Nothing and no one had ever grounded him before—except Sophie. He was constantly working, constantly on the move, but right now he desperately wished he had a place to call home. Someplace to take Sophie to. And not on a temporary basis. The more he thought about that, the less it scared him. Hell, the thought of her walking out of his life was more terrifying than anything.
“Oh.” She frowned, then glanced around the expansive room, avoiding his gaze.
Jack struggled for a response but knew he’d have to wait until tonight when they’d be able to talk more in-depth about everything without prying ears. “Want to see how we’re going to be able to monitor Ronald?”
She turned back toward him and nodded, her expression tight. “Sure.”
Chapter 19
Bona fide: proof of a person’s true identity.
By the time Wesley walked into the building with Ronald, Jack had already set up four chairs. The two field agents who flanked Ronald wordlessly left him at the table.
Jack had felt a few curious stares at his back, but he ignored them. The only thing that bothered him was a few of the obviously appreciative glances in Sophie’s direction. He’d never thought of himself as possessive, but he’d also never been with a woman long enough to develop anything other than a physical relationship. The only woman he’d ever felt that way about had been Sophie—and that definitely hadn’t changed. They’d been operating in such a vacuum the past few days that seeing other men look at her made him edgy.
The agents and analysts had set up a sleeping area, a work area, and even a private area to shower. Jack knew Wesley was going to have an issue when he told him that he and Sophie weren’t staying, but his boss could deal with it.
Wesley ordered the rest of the agents away before he and Ronald sat across from Jack and Sophie.
Weller cleared his throat and looked at Sophie. “Sophie, I’m so sorry—”
“Save it,” she ground out. She stood and pushed her chair back as she looked at Jack. “Is it okay if I walk around until you’re done?”
“Sure.” He nodded before focusing on Ronald. “This is how it’s going to work. When you meet with Vargas, his men will probably scan you for any sort of listening or tracking device.” Jack held out what looked like an ordinary ballpoint pen. “This is something the NSA has been working on. There’s a minuscule listening device in here that uses an unusual frequency. We’re the only ones plugged into it. It should hold up under any scrutiny.”
Ronald held out a tentative hand. “It should?”
“It’s passed all our tests,” Wesley said.
“Is that it?” Ronald asked.
“No, you’re also going to be wearing this on your tie.” Jack held out a small silver, basically unnoticeable tie pin with a camera in it. “We’ll be able to see everything going on, and if anything happens, we’ll storm the place.”
“What about my daughter?”
“He’s going to call you before the meeting. Insist on talking to your daughter right then. If he doesn’t let you, it’s doubtful she’s with him.”
“What if he doesn’t let me?”
“Then you refuse to meet him,” Wesley said.
“What if he does something else? Tries to make me?”
Jack scooted his chair closer to the table. “We’re going to have someone stationed at your house watching your wife and a couple guards at your office. If he makes a move, we’ll know.”
Ronald wiped a hand across his sweaty brow. “What exactly do you want from him?”
“Getting him on United States soil is the most important thing, and you’ve already done that. What we really need is more information on who he’s dealing with in North Africa,” Wesley said.
“What if I can’t get that? What about my daughter?”
“No matter what happens, we’re going to get your daughter back. Vargas will be prosecuted for his crimes, but you need to look at the big picture. If he gets any kind of biological weapons into this country, your entire family could be wiped out along with hundreds of thousands of others. Your friends, everyone you know.” Wesley’s voice had a reassuring quality to it.
