Holding Out For A Hero: SEALs, Soldiers, Spies, Cops, FBI Agents and Rangers

by Piñeiro, Caridad

  “Eve’s location has been disclosed. Haven’t you been monitoring your Intel?”

  “Of course I have. There’s been no such information. If there had been, rest assured, mate, I would have come to you, and you’d be dead.”

  The sincerity in Deligne’s voice was impossible to mistake.

  There was only one reason Deligne didn’t know Eve’s location. Because it hadn’t been disclosed . . .

  “Spare me your denials, Burke. The one behind all this could only be you.”

  Deligne was wrong about that. Burke now knew who they were looking for and the knowledge hit him like a punch to the gut even as his lips thinned at the betrayal.

  Lanski.

  Burke had to warn Eve yet he couldn’t reveal that Lanski was their traitor. Lanski was monitoring Eve’s cell phone calls.

  He considered telling Eve that Deligne was the man they were after. That it was over. He’d tell her the truth later. Would hearing that lull Lanski into a false sense of security until Burke could take him down, or ease Eve, causing her to let down her guard?

  Burke couldn’t take that chance.

  His heart drummed as he took out his cell phone and called her. She picked up before the first ring had completed. He exhaled a deep breath, willing himself to be calm, to keep the strain from his voice.

  “Eve.”

  Deligne’s gaze darted to the cell phone.

  “She’s alive,” he said.

  Disbelief rang in Deligne’s voice. Burke ignored it and focused on Eve.

  “John, are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. Eve, it isn’t Deligne.”

  He heard her sharp intake of breath. Her disappointment cut him, but he couldn’t allow himself to be distracted now.

  “The man we’re after is still at large. Stay inside. Trust no one. I’ll be there as quickly as I can. Eve are you there?”

  “I’m here.”

  “I’m on my way. This will all be over soon, Eve, I promise you.” His voice throbbed with conviction.

  Burke closed his phone.

  Deligne shook his head. “I misjudged you, mate.”

  “There’s a lot of that going around today.”

  Burke replaced his semi-automatic in his shoulder holster. He had to get to Eve. He turned away from Deligne and ran to the car.

  Fifty minutes later he was back at his cabin. For the first time, he cursed the remote location and the distance from it to the nearest town.

  The cabin door had a pathetic lock that he never used. Still, it was better than nothing. He’d asked Eve to lock up after him. Apparently she hadn’t, though, because his key turned in the lock without resistance. He would install dead bolts at once.

  Inside, he called her name. At a glance he saw that she wasn’t in the living room or kitchen areas. He knocked on the bathroom door.

  “Eve?”

  No answer. He opened the door. She wasn’t there.

  The bedroom door was closed. She hadn’t slept well last night. He knew because she’d been in his arms all night and he’d felt the tension in her. The stress had to be getting to her. If she’d gone to rest for a bit, it was no wonder. He hoped she was in a deep sleep.

  He eased the bedroom door open. He’d never gotten around to fixing a hinge that squeaked. He tried to open the door with as little noise as possible. The sound never bothered him before, but at the moment, the squeak sounded as loud as a scream. Damn. The last thing he wanted was to wake Eve.

  The room caught first light, but now, in late afternoon, was dim. Even in the low light, though, he could see that Eve was not in the room. The bed was made and Eve wasn’t on it.

  “Eve!”

  He strode into the room calling her name, a useless endeavor, since he could see she wasn’t in the room.

  She was not in the cabin.

  He searched outside.

  She was not outside either.

  Eve was gone.

  Imposter: Chapter Thirteen

  Eve, it isn’t Deligne. The man we’re after is still at large. This will all be over soon . . . I promise you.

  Eve stood clutching her phone long after Burke had ended the call. One thought echoed in her mind: The accomplice was not Matt. They were no closer to ending this, despite Burke’s assurance.

  She could not let this go on. She wanted her life back. And she wanted a chance to find out if that life could include Burke. He’d awakened feelings in her she’d thought dead. He’d awakened her. She was so in love with him. She wanted a chance to tell him that.

  But she wouldn’t. Would not do that to him. Not while a charge of treason hung over her head and her future was uncertain. When she declared her love, she would be free, free to explore the possibility of a life together, if that was what he wanted too. Until she was free, she would not burden him with her feelings.

  The idea of spending the rest of her life in a prison, or sentenced to death was unthinkable. She could not let that happen.

  She could no longer stay safe and hidden at the cabin. She needed to rejoin the world, make herself a target.

  And do so without Burke’s help. He would certainly not approve. He wanted her tucked away here where he could stand between her and any harm that would come to her.

  Aside from his disapproval, she would not make him a party to her flight from justice. To the CIA, she would become a fugitive. She’d been a cop and a good one. It was time she took back her life. Burke had shown her where he kept his spare gun. She would—

  Her cell phone rang. The number was unknown. She hoped it was the man they were after, that the plan they’d set into motion had worked. Her stomach fluttered as she answered the call.

  “Listen very carefully, Dr. Collins. To do otherwise will cost Agent Burke his life.”

  The voice was garbled, spoken in a cold, crisp tone that raised the hair on the back of Eve’s neck.

  “Who are you?” Eve’s grip on the phone tightened. “Is he all right?”

  “I think you know I’m the one you’ve been wanting to meet.”

  Sweat trickled between Eve’s shoulder blades.

  “When I’ve finished speaking, you will leave the cabin and go into the woods. Once there, walk briskly. Keep walking. Do not stop. I will meet you. You are to do this as soon as I finish speaking. At this moment, one of my people has a rifle trained on Agent Burke’s head. If you disobey my order, he will be killed. If you try to contact him, if he reaches for his cell phone, his head will explode like a melon. Do you comprehend me?”

  “Ye-s.” Eve’s teeth chattered as she responded. “You didn’t answer my question. Is Burke all right? How do I know you aren’t bluffing? That you even know where he is?”

  “He’s at a warehouse at Ten Little Road.”

  Eve’s insides seemed to quiver as her caller recited the address for Burke’s meeting with Matt Deligne.

  “You have ten minutes, Dr. Collins. Keep me waiting and Burke will be killed.”

  An instant later, Eve’s phone was silent.

  Tears welled in her eyes. They were useless and she forced them back. She wanted to retrieve Burke’s spare gun from the armoire but the man who’d called her was no fool. She would not be able to keep a gun hidden from him. She would have to leave the weapon behind.

  She left the cabin. She strode over the rocks and plant life that made up the forest floor. She had to make contact with her caller on time, show him that she’d followed his instructions and make sure that he didn’t harm Burke.

  A bird swooped up from a branch. Eve gasped. Her heart was racing and it pounded harder. Her caller had been using a device that garbled his voice. No way for her to identify him. It didn’t matter now. She’d soon be face-to- face with him.

  John. John. She picked up her pace. Fear that her caller would make good on his threat hastened her footsteps.

  In her urgency, she didn’t see a rock that jutted up from the ground. Her foot caught and she fell forward, onto her hands and knees. She gasped
as one palm scraped something that drew blood.

  Without a glance at her injury, she pushed back the hair that had fallen across her face like a curtain. When she glanced up, it was into a familiar face.

  “Mr. Lanski?”

  Eve felt a surge of joy at seeing Lanski’s familiar face that for an instant she didn’t question his presence in the woods behind Burke’s cabin. Then she noticed the semi-automatic weapon he’d trained on her. She shook her head, not wanting to believe what she was seeing about the man standing in front of her.

  Lanski laughed. “No doubt you’re confused. I’m quite the actor aren’t I?” He laughed again, clearly proud of himself.

  “All along it’s been you?” Eve’s voice came out weak.

  “Why do you say it like that?” Lanski’s mirth vanished, replaced by anger. “Don’t you think I’m capable of this? Of outsmarting the mighty Burke?”

  Lanski’s sudden mood change sent another burst of fear through Eve.

  “No one at the conference tampered with your insulin,” Lanski went on. “I made the switch the day before when Richard died, while Burke was occupied speaking with you. I was Richard’s accomplice. I contacted him about developing the formula. The plan was mine all along.” Lanski puffed out his chest with self-importance. “All was going well until Burke found out about the chemical weapon and that Richard wasn’t working alone. I covered my tracks. I don’t know how Burke found out Richard had an accomplice.” Lanski clenched his fists. “After that, I had to pretend to investigate. I had to protect myself and provide Burke with an accomplice. You were perfect for the role, Dr. Collins. Richard never named you. I set that up. Spoon fed it to Burke.” Lanski sneered. “Once the deal was made, I intended to dispose of Richard, and you. You and Richard were meant to be my scapegoats.”

  “You killed Richard?”

  “No.” Lanski’s mouth tightened. “It was heart failure, as I said. I wouldn’t have killed him then. I still had use for him. I needed him to deliver the formula and to attend the meeting with the buyer. To answer any questions about the formula. Chemistry isn’t my specialty.” Lanski flushed at the admission. “Richard’s death was inconvenient.”

  “And left you without the formula,” Eve said.

  “I set up the alternate meeting at the hotel and sent Burke the text message so I could search your cottage.” Lanski smirked. “I also wanted to mess with his head. Show him that he isn’t infallible. That he could be duped. And he fell for it, like a fish on the line. But the formula wasn’t there.” Lanski’s smile slipped. “Burke thought he was so clever. We’ll see if he still thinks so when this is day is done.”

  Eve’s breathing quickened. “Is he all right?”

  Lanski laughed. “All a bluff. I never had anyone ready to kill Burke. He’s alive. For now. I’d love to go on telling you what fools you and Burke have been, but the thing of it is, we need to leave here now. We have more to do.”

  A cold sweat broke out on Eve’s skin. “So many people will die if that formula is used. How can you do this?”

  Lanski seized her arm. “Money. A whole lot of money. I promised this formula to people I work for. They’re not the type to accept a shrug and an apology if I don’t deliver. I’ll be strung up by my—shall we say, intimate parts—if I don’t give them what they’re paying for. I don’t plan on allowing that to happen. Come on.”

  “You won’t get away with this.”

  “Oh, but I will. I already have. I’ve been monitoring your phone calls. Another mistake the great Burke made. I overheard him tell you that Agent Deligne is the one you’ve been chasing.” Lanski raised his head, basking in the bright sunlight. “By the time Burke learns of his mistake, it will be too late. All evidence points to you and Patterson. With Patterson now unable to refute his claim and exonerate you, you will take the wrap. You’re guilty in the eyes of my superiors and my orders are to bring you in.” He bared his teeth in a parody of a smile. “Too bad we won’t be doing that. But, if it matters to you, you will be seeing Burke one more time when he brings me the formula. For the last time.”

  Again, fear for Burke asserted itself and Eve shivered. “Burke will have back up. He won’t meet with you alone.”

  “He cannot involve the Agency. His superiors would never allow him to use the formula as a bargaining tool. He’s been in the Intelligence game long enough to know that. Oh, no, he’s on his own if he wants to save your life. And he knows what kind of adversary I am, so he won’t doubt when I say I will kill you if he doesn’t deliver. That’s exactly what he will do, Dr. Collins. He will deliver the formula to me.” Lanski’s gaze narrowed. His features pulled taut in anger. He seized her by one shoulder and gave her a shake that knocked her teeth together. “Burke will do exactly that.” Lanski’s voice dripped venom. “Exactly what I tell him to do. He will betray his agency and his country and hand the formula to me. And then he’ll die because of it.”

  Imposter: Chapter Fourteen

  Eve was gone.

  Burke looked about him, moving his head from side to side like a wild man. Had she been taken? That was the only explanation that made sense and his mouth went dry at the prospect of her being in the hands of the man who wanted her dead.

  Lanski.

  How could he have misjudged his second in command? Trusted him. He was trained to spot a traitor. He knew the signs. He’d missed them and now his lapse could cost Eve her life. His mouth went dry at that thought and left him as weak as a newborn colt.

  Burke’s cell phone rang. Caller ID read Eve. His heart thumped. But of course it wasn’t Eve calling but Lanski.

  “Hello, Burke.”

  “I want to speak with Eve.”

  “I’m sure you do. But you’re no longer calling the shots. From now on, you’ll do as I tell you. Whatever I tell you.”

  “Okay.” Lanski was riding high on his power. Burke played to his second in command, deliberately making his tone desperate, defeated. “You’re in charge.”

  “You’d do well not to forget if you want to keep Eve alive.”

  Sweat broke out on Burke’s forehead. “Let me talk with her. Please.”

  Lanski laughed. “Oh, I like it when you beg. Ask me again, just like that and I may grant your request.”

  “Please,” Burke repeated.

  Lanski laughed loud. An instant later, Eve was on the line.

  “John—don’t do—” Eve cried out.

  “Eve!”

  “She’s still breathing. For the moment. You shouldn’t have tried to undermine me, Dr. Collins. I’m going to have to teach you not to do that again.”

  Burke’s blood chilled. He needed to change tactics, return Lanski’s focus to him and away from Eve. “Lanski. Still the coward. Still hiding. Come out and face me. If you have the guts.”

  “Oh, I’ll face you! Very soon. Make no mistake about that! You have something I want and I intend to get it.”

  “The formula.”

  “Bingo. You’ll get the lady doc back alive when I get the formula.”

  “How do I know you won’t kill her as soon as we end this call?”

  “You don’t. But you’ll take that chance. If you don’t, I’ll kill her for sure.”

  Burke knew Lanski had him. He tried to calm his racing heart. “Where and when?”

  “The warehouse where you met Deligne suits me.”

  “If Eve isn’t at the trade or isn’t in good health, I will destroy the formula before your eyes. Your associates won’t take kindly to that. Hear me, Lanski. If you hurt her, I will leave you to your associates and let them mete out their justice on you. Be clear on that.”

  “You’re in no position to issue threats, Burke.”

  But Burke heard a tremor in Lanski’s voice and knew he’d struck a nerve.

  “Two hours,” Lanski said.

  Burke’s hand trembled as he closed his phone. If he played this wrong, Eve would die. He shut his eyes tight, battling back fear that threatened to cripple him. />
  One hour later, he was outside the cabin, getting ready to leave for the meet with Lanski when a boat came into view. As it neared, Burke made out a logo for a marina across the lake that rented boats and, he saw Eve, her beautiful hair blowing in the breeze.

  She was alive and standing on her own two feet beside Lanski. Whatever he’d done with her, he hadn’t hurt her badly enough that she couldn’t stand. Burke released a deep breath of relief and wiped the sweat that had been trickling down his neck since Lanski’s phone call.

  Eve was wearing a trench coat. Overly large. A man’s coat. As Lanski docked the boat, Burke could see that Eve stood flush against her captor. He felt a rush of fear that shook him, thinking maybe her standing upright beside Lanski was nothing more than a pose—maybe she needed Lanski to prop her up and couldn’t stand unaided. As those thoughts raced through his mind, overpowering all other thoughts and emotions, Lanski stepped out of the boat onto the dock. Eve remained standing, though as Burke could now see, she was slightly bent over at the waist, as if unable to stand erect.

  “Eve!”

  Her gaze met his through the windshield. She didn’t respond.

  “Where is the formula, Burke?”

  “Eve!” Burke called out.

  “I asked you a question,” Lanski said.

  Burke focused on Lanski. “So you did.” He turned to Eve again. “Eve, are you all right?”

  “John.”

  Her voice quavered.

  “Why aren’t you standing upright?”

  Lanski said, “She won’t be standing at all if you don’t—”

  Burke turned his head slowly and gave Lanski the full force of his gaze. In a lethal whisper he said, “And you won’t be getting what you came here for if you’ve hurt her.”

  Lanski’s mouth pinched now. An angry flush stained his cheeks red.

  “She can’t stand because I have tied her to the steering wheel. The rope is too short for her to stand fully. She is unhurt, though.”

  “I’ll hear it from her,” Burke said. “Eve.”

  She nodded.

  Reluctantly, he took his gaze from her and returned his attention to Lanski. “So you decided to change the meeting place.”