Then the final piece of the puzzle fell into place for Jase. He couldn’t believe how brazen Abby had been to risk the chance that Reyna might recognize her through Eddie’s work. After all, Reyna had seen the photo of the Scorpion team and Abby was in it. But then, when you’re not expecting your best friend to be your enemy, it was easy to overlook the obvious. Just like he had with Abby.
“That’s not Sara. It’s Abby. My former colleague returned from the dead.” Jase’s mouth twisted bitterly. “She was behind the attack that killed so many of our team. Reyna, she’s the one who killed Eddie.”
It took a second for what he’d said to sink in. Reyna stared at him as if in a daze. She didn’t want to believe it. “That can’t be.” She turned to face Abby. “You were my friend. We shared parts of our lives. You told me about your husband Henry’s car accident. We went to the same church,” she exclaimed in astonishment. “Sara, is it really is true?”
Abby shook her head at Reyna’s naïveté. “I had to get close to you to find out where Eddie hid the laptop. I had a feeling he would send you to Jase. We’d been trying to eliminate him for years and you led us right to him. Thanks for that, by the way.” Abby glanced over to where Kyle stood and then back to Jase. “Your friend here refused to give up that piece of information, but as it turned out, it wasn’t necessary. We have you now. You always were a sucker for a damsel in distress. You should talk to someone about that problem, Jase. It’s your Achilles’ heel. Anyway, it was a smart move on Kyle’s part to fake your death.” She laughed nastily. “I guess there are two of us who’ve returned from the dead today.”
“You’re sick,” he said in disgust.
“And you’ve gone soft, Bradford. When you and Reyna got away with the laptop in Eldorado and my men failed to locate you, I had to take matters into my own hands. I made Kyle an offer he couldn’t refuse. His sister’s life for yours.”
Jase shot Kyle a look. Their eyes met. He saw something in Kyle. His friend was trying to warn him. He had to keep Abby distracted.
Jase remembered the time when the team had met with the woman who claimed to have information about the Fox. Her name was Sashi. She’d freaked when she saw Abby. Claimed Abby worked for the Fox. The team had been certain Sashi was mistaken. Especially when a few days later an alleged high ranking member of the Fox’s team, a woman resembling Abby, had turned up dead.
At the time it didn’t add up with what he thought knew about Abby. Now Jase realized he’d been dead wrong.
“This is because of Sashi, isn’t it? She was telling the truth when she said she recognized you. What’d she do? See you with her husband arranging a weapons transfer?” At his shot in the dark, Abby’s expression hardened.
“She never showed for the meet and then we were ambushed. Kyle told me they found her dead outside of her village a few days after. You killed her.”
Abby looked at him in admiration. “My, my, I guess you’re not as out of touch as I thought. That’s right, I killed her. The entire team heard her carrying on about the Fox and me. Eventually she would have convinced someone she was telling the truth. I killed her for the same reason I killed Benjahah. They were both liabilities.”
“What are you going to do when the Fox doesn’t get the files you promised him?” Jase asked, and for the first time he could see he’d hit a nerve.
Her tone turned hard. “I went through a lot to get the information on the laptop. With it, I knew I could insure the Fox would rule the area with an iron fist,” she said with pride. “And I would prove to be an invaluable asset to him. So killing a foolish woman like Sashi was nothing,” she spat out and suddenly, her eyes darkened with anger. “Then Eddie came along. He saw me one day while he was on a mission. It was just a silly fluke.”
Jase noticed Kyle kept glancing down at his watch. Was he was waiting for a signal? Reyna squeezed his arm. He believed she’d seen it, too. “How’d Eddie get your laptop?” Jase asked to keep Abby talking, and in his mind it was too big of a coincidence that Eddie’s unit was in same area as the Fox. Eddie was still working for the CIA. “I take it he raided your compound. He managed to get away with the laptop.”
Abby’s mouth twisted into a bitter smile. “It disappeared the day before I was scheduled to meet with the Fox. All the years of clawing just to win his confidence. It was about to pay off thanks to my man in the CIA who was providing classified information.” She drew an agitated breath. “But I can still fix this. Once I take care of the two of you, I’ll prove myself invaluable to the Fox. And one day, I’ll no longer need him at all.”
“Do you really think the Fox will trust you after what Eddie accomplished? Reyna’s husband made you look inept. He followed you. Found out where you were staying. Took surveillance photos. He figured out you faked your death. Eddie realized what you had planned so he took the laptop.”
Abby stared into the distance as if remembering, a look of distaste on her face. “I couldn’t cancel the meet. He would know something was wrong. I planned to stall him somehow, only when Eddie followed me there, the Fox realized we had a major breech. He told me if I didn’t find a way to contain the problem, he’d get someone who could.” She scowled. “My men searched everywhere but Eddie had disappeared into thin air. I knew Eddie had to die before he uncovered the identity of my contact at the CIA. He would sell me out in nothing flat, and I had gone to great lengths to eliminate anyone from my past who might eventually connect me to the Fox.”
“Like Thomas and Mason. You had them killed, too. I doubt if they even knew why they died,” Jase said in repulsion.
She smiled arrogantly and he shuddered at the look of pure evil on her face. “I used your affection for me to gain my position in the unit. Just as you let your Good Samaritan attitude bring you out of hiding. Now you and Reyna are going to die.”
The reality of those words struck hard. Jase needed to think fast. Call her bluff. “You think so? You’re wrong, Abby. You always did try to do things the easy way. Well, this time it won’t work. There’s another copy of the files and it’s on its way to the US Attorney’s office as we speak. I think they’ll be interested to see the evidence in them. It’s over for you. Did you really think I wouldn’t have a backup plan?”
“You’re lying,” Abby snarled, but he could see she wasn’t convinced.
“Am I? Are you willing to stake your life on it?” Jase challenged.
Somehow, she managed to recover her composure. “It doesn’t matter. You’ll be dead soon and I’m sure I can torture the answer out of her.” She pointed her weapon at Reyna once more. “Where’s the computer, Jase?” she demanded. “I need it. I promised it to the Fox over six months ago. If I can’t deliver soon, it won’t be good for me.”
Next to him, Reyna squared her shoulders and faced Abby. “You want the computer?” Reyna asked in a hard tone. “Well, too bad, because it’s not here and I’ll die before I tell you where it’s hidden.”
Abby glared at her through narrowed eyes. “I don’t believe you.” She motioned to one of the men standing guard and he jerked Jase’s backpack off and searched it.
The man shook his head. “It’s not here.”
Abby’s face contorted with vehemence. “Where is it?” When Reyna didn’t answer she turned her anger on Jase. “Maybe if I torture her enough you’ll talk. You remember how good I am at convincing people to talk, don’t you, Jase?” Abby gave him a pointed look and he knew she wouldn’t hesitate to follow through with her threat.
Furious, Jase’s jaw hardened and he clenched his fists at his sides. Abby would stop at nothing to get the information back. Even torturing Reyna. He couldn’t let that happen. He hauled Reyna into his arms, shielding her with his body. “You’ll have to kill me first,” he said, his eyes blazing.
Abby simply sneered. “That certainly can be arranged.” Jase could feel Reyna trembling against him as she stared at Abby. He glanced
down at her expression and realized she was shaking with rage.
“You killed Eddie to save yourself?” Reyna asked in disbelief. “He was your friend. He fought beside you. Trusted you. How could you do that? What did Eddie ever do but try to help his country?” she yelled at Abby. “How could you betray your country in such a horrible way?”
To Reyna’s impassioned plea, Abby appeared bored. “Are you really that naive? There is no winning this war, so why not make it profitable for me?”
Reyna lunged for Abby, but Jase grabbed her arm. Abby would kill her and not feel any remorse at all over it. She was a sociopath and Reyna would be just another obstacle standing in the way of her attaining her ultimate goal of taking over the Fox’s empire.
Abby motioned to one of her men. “Take her to the office. Get the location of the laptop and the second copy out of her.”
“Jase,” Reyna screamed as one of the men jerked her from his arms. Jase tried to go after her, but two men grabbed him from behind.
He fought to free himself of his captors like a wild animal struggling to break free of a trap. Jase’s gut burned with anger. “Let her go, Abby. Your beef is with me, not her. I’ll tell you what you want to know...just let her go.” He couldn’t let Abby hurt Reyna. He’d die first.
Abby started to say something but before she got the words out, all around them a multitude of things began to happen. Kyle’s phone chirped a single ring. Abby’s attention jerked to what he was doing.
“Now,” Kyle yelled, and half a dozen of the men surrounding Abby turned their weapons on her.
FIFTEEN
“Drop your weapons—all of you—if you want to live,” Kyle commanded.
Abby whirled on Kyle, gun drawn. One of the men close tried to disarm her but she swung the weapon hard, knocking him out cold. Then Abby aimed the weapon at Kyle. She was going to kill him. With all his strength, Jase shoved his elbow into the gut of one of the men holding him and he released Jase and dropped to his knees. Before the second man could react, Jase slugged him hard in the chest and then he was free.
He charged for Abby. With one carefully placed swift kick, the weapon flew from her hand.
With a look bordering on admiration Abby faced him and squared off ready to do battle. He knew she was a formidable opponent. The former CIA operative had excelled in martial arts. She bounced lithely on her feet waiting to strike. Jase positioned his fists in front of him anticipating her next move. She grinned at his defensive move and charged him. She tried a roundhouse kick; he’d seen her use it many times to disable an enemy. Expecting it, he dodged to the right and caught her foot inches from his face. She lost her balance and fell backward onto the ground. Before Abby had time to regroup, Jase was on her and forced her arms behind her back. With Abby immobilized, he leaned over, retrieved her weapon and pointed it at her head. “Tell your men to drop their weapons. Now, Abby.”
“Don’t listen to him. Shoot them all,” Abby screamed at her men.
A handful of tension-filled seconds ticked by as the standoff continued around them. And then slowly, one by one, the men dropped their weapons and raised their hands.
“Cuff them,” Kyle ordered as his soldiers rushed the men and kicked their weapons away.
Jase hauled Abby to her feet and Reyna—now free—ran to his side. He pulled her close while keeping the gun trained on Abby.
“How could you betray me like this?” Abby shouted to her colleagues. “He’ll kill us all.”
None of her men answered. While her soldiers were being cuffed and led away, Abby turned the full weight of her anger Jase’s way. “You’ll never stop what’s happening. You have no idea who you’re dealing with. You think I’ll lead you to the Fox? I won’t. I’d be signing my death warrant. Without my help, you’ll never figure out his identity. He’s too good at staying hidden,” she spit the words out.
Jase never flinched. “Sorry to disappoint you, but one of the surveillance photos Eddie took before he died is of you with a man. I’m guessing he’s the Fox. With it, we can not only tie you to his organization but also identify the Fox. Thanks to you, we have our first real look at him. I’d say his days are numbered, and you, well, you’re going away for a very long time.”
Abby blanched and her eyes widened in terror. “Jase, he’ll kill me. You’ve seen what he’s capable of. You have to help me,” she said in a meek tone.
Jase couldn’t believe she was actually trying to play on his past feelings for her.
Ignoring her, he drew Reyna closer and Abby lashed out, “He’ll kill me and it’ll be on your head.”
“If you want my help, tell me where the Fox is hiding.” It was a long shot but one he had to take. They didn’t know yet what the Fox’s plans were for the weapons he’d stolen or if an attack on one or all of the embassies was imminent.
Abby appeared terrified. “I can’t. I’d be a dead woman.”
Advancing on Abby, Kyle wasn’t moved by her impassioned plea. “You did this to yourself. You caused so much harm. Took the lives of men who trusted you to have their backs. You tried to kill Reyna and Jase and you thought you could blackmail me by threatening to harm my sister.”
Jase couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Kyle look so furious. “Did you really think I’d betray my country because of your threats? That text you just heard was my men letting me know Emily is safe. And for the record, my sister is perfectly healthy. I was warning Jase of the plan.” Kyle waited while his words sank in.
For a second, Abby was incapable of speaking. Her sins were catching up with her at last. “You’re foolish if you think you can stop the Fox, Kyle. Even if you take me and the rest of my men out of play, there’ll be others to take our place. I’ll never make it to Langley. I’ll be dead before the chopper reaches the ground. He has that much reach.”
Kyle motioned to one of the men standing close by. “Agent Booth, cuff her and get her out of my sight.”
“It would be my pleasure, sir.” The younger man grabbed Abby’s arm and led her away.
“Do you think she’ll give him up?” Kyle asked as Abby was led away. “Maybe save herself from facing a more severe punishment?”
Jase shook his head. “I doubt it. She’s terrified of him.”
Kyle nodded. “You’re right. I’m just glad you and Reyna are okay. I’m sorry about keeping you in the dark, but once Abby thought she had me on the hook, I had to see how this played out. Too much was at stake.”
Jase grinned at his friend as they watched the activity around them. “I get that now. What happened after Eddie died?” he asked curiously.
“For a while, I thought the mission was scrubbed until Abby came after me a few days ago. Then things started happening quickly. Once I received the message from your friend Aaron, I knew we had to move fast,” he said with a sigh.
Jase thought about those tense moments at Aaron’s house and the doubts he’d once had over Kyle’s safety. “I’m just happy that you’re still alive, my friend.”
Kyle smiled. “Me, too. I had my second in command, Elizabeth Ramirez, loop Aaron in on what was happening. Elizabeth helped him coordinate the red tape to get the rescue mission in place so quickly. I had to make Abby believe I was cooperating by giving up the location of the meet.”
Jase still couldn’t fully grasp what had happened. “Unbelievable. I can’t believe she was brazen enough to come after you.”
“That’s not the worst part. Two days ago, she had her CIA mole murdered. She was tying up loose ends. I believe once she got the laptop, she planned to disappear and we’d never bring her or the Fox to justice.”
Jase couldn’t believe the things Abby was capable of. He truly had no idea what was in her heart. “Who was the mole?” he asked because he wanted to know who had helped Abby betray them.
“Sam Yarbrough, the assistant director of the science and technolog
y division,” Kyle told him, and nodded at Jase’s obvious shock. “Yeah I know. It’s unbelievable, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.” Jase and Reyna had been certain there was someone within the CIA aiding with the files and now they knew the name. He couldn’t believe someone with the AD’s power would fall prey to Abby’s threats.
“What Abby didn’t realize was Sam left detailed records of all the information he’d provided her for the Fox. Sam knew all about the Fox’s organization. She’s going away for a very long time. She may not talk, but I’m hoping one of her men will sell her out to save themselves.”
“I still can’t believe she betrayed her entire team for someone like the Fox,” Reyna muttered in disgust.
“It’s unimaginable. It was all about the fame and the power to her. She’s a sociopath,” Kyle said. “I’m truly sorry about Eddie. He came to me with his suspicions shortly after Jase was injured. He’d been working undercover for me since that time.”
“I can’t believe it. I had no idea,” she managed. “Thank you for telling me.”
“We had to keep it secret. I helped him get stationed in the right area to get the evidence.” Sighing, Kyle glanced back over at Jase. “He knew you were still alive, brother. I told him. A few weeks before he died, Eddie reached out to me about the laptop. He said he’d put it in a safe place. He knew he couldn’t give it to me because they’d be watching for any possible contact between us.”
“I wish I’d known what he was going through,” Reyna whispered brokenly. “Maybe I could have helped him in some way.”
Jase tried to reassure her. “You did everything you could. You helped bring Eddie’s killers to justice.”
Kyle nodded. “That’s right. Your husband worked so hard to protect the information on the laptop. Thanks to his efforts, we have Abby and her team, and hopefully we’ll be able to bring down the Fox’s organization once and for all. Oh, and where is the laptop, by the way?”
Rocky Mountain Secrets: Rocky Mountain Sabotage ; Rocky Mountain Pursuit Page 34
