Beyond Duty

by Stanalei Fletcher

  The sound from the device was clear. The message was chilling.

  A metallic rendition of a man’s voice overlaid the noise of Fiona Burnsworth, blindfolded and struggling against her bonds of duct tape and rope.

  “Senator Burnsworth. Regardless of the bad press at your nuptials, it’s obvious your wife loves you. I believe you love her as deeply. Therefore, I’ll make this simple. If you value her life, do not call the feds. Do not involve any law-enforcement agency whatsoever.”

  Riley knew the moment the video zoomed out to show another woman, also blindfolded, bound, and gagged, because Chip’s eyes widened. She must have recognized Lorraine Voras, Fiona Burnsworth’s personal assistant.

  “As you see, we have additional leverage to assure your cooperation. Not a bad deal, if you think about it. Two lives for the price of one vote. That vote must be yours, Senator. I’m sure you can guess what will happen to both of these lovely ladies if the committee passes the referendum. You have seventy-two hours.”

  The video ended.

  The senator pointed at the dark screen. “This is why all the subterfuge.” His voice trembled. “Colonel Jackson told you I needed a military liaison to accompany me. That isn’t the truth. I don’t need a liaison. What I need is for you to find Fiona.”

  Riley noticed Chip’s breathing was labored as though she’d been running at high altitude. He tried to imagine what she must feel, learning her friend had been kidnapped. Her eyes narrowed as she turned to Burnsworth. “What is this referendum? Does that have something to do with Fiona and Lorraine being kidnapped?”

  The senator nodded at the device. “The kidnapper is referring to the vote on a program that will allow the United States to sell unmanned aerial surveillance technology to the Mexican government.” He stood abruptly and started pacing along the edge of the room. “We’ve gained both our countries’ cooperation. The agreements are complete and were signed yesterday. All we need is for Congress to approve, and the United States will provide surveillance tech and drones to Mexico’s border patrols.” He stopped pacing and stared in turn at everyone at the table. “This program has the potential to cripple the cartel’s ability to smuggle hundreds of millions of dollars in drugs into the United States. Cooperation between our two governments will ensure most of the drugs are stopped before they reach our borders.”

  Chip leaned back in her chair, the phone still clutched in her hand. Her face had lost some color, making her freckles stand out a bit more. Riley wondered if she was going to pass out. When she glanced at him, he got the full impact of the same stormy eyes he’d encountered last year when she’d pretended to be a runaway.

  She handed the phone back to the senator. “I know nothing about drones, but whatever you need, say the word. I’ll do anything to bring Fiona and Lorraine home.”

  “We were hoping you’d feel that way.” Burnsworth pocketed his phone as he sat down again. “Your father and I don’t believe the kidnapper was bluffing about going to the authorities. That’s why I contacted Byron and his civilian Northstar firm. And why we went through Colonel Jackson to reassign you. I couldn’t call you personally.” He took a shallow breath. “I’m afraid the kidnapper will find out if I do anything to locate or stop him. Obviously, I can’t traipse off to New Mexico to look for Fiona myself. Even if I could, the vote is in three days. I have that long to find my wife. And Lorraine, of course.”

  “How is contacting Northstar keeping the authorities out of the picture?” Chip eyed Riley and Byron in turn. “No offense, but you both look like feds.”

  “We may not look the part right now,” Riley leaned forward, “but we know how to blend in.” He thought she should remember his unshaven face and longer hair from their encounter last year, but maybe she’d made more of an impact on him than he had on her. “We believe we can locate these women and bring them home. Our missions have been highly successful.”

  Chip shifted in her chair. “Then why am I here?” She gave a sidelong look at the general, and Riley realized she’d hardly spoken to the man since he’d entered the conference room.

  Byron answered her question. “Because Andrew says you know Fiona better than anyone else.” His gaze darted between Riley and Chip. “You also have a track record for finding people. After what Andrew told me today, I think you’re the perfect person to help us.”

  Chip gave the senator a puzzled look. “What is he talking about?”

  “I’ve told Byron about how you helped Fiona last year.” Senator Burnsworth pulled a photograph out of his pocket and laid it on the table. “Lisa’s made a remarkable recovery, in part, thanks to Fiona’s Runaway Home program. But Fiona never could have done it if you hadn’t found Lisa first.”

  “May I?” Riley reached for the photograph. It showed Fiona Burnsworth with her arm around Lisa Gannon, the same teenager who had been brutally beaten last year. The girl was still too skinny, but looked happy in the picture. Riley’s mouth went dry as he stared at the other woman in the photo. Lieutenant Chip Anderson. Proof the woman sitting across the table was indeed Mary, the runaway who’d knocked him on his butt. A slight twinge in his knee and the fact the head drug supplier had slipped through their fingers, wouldn’t entirely allow him to forget that day.

  Byron looked at Chip as he nodded toward the picture. “Your father and Andrew tell me you’re very good at finding people.”

  Chip glanced at the general and a blush flagged her cheeks at the compliment. She cleared her throat and faced Byron. “I know my way around the city, and I’ve learned a few tricks about where to look for teenagers. But finding a runaway is not the same as tracking down someone who’s been kidnapped.”

  “You’re Fiona’s best friend,” Andrew said. “You’ve always had a sixth sense about her. Even when everyone else doubted our relationship, you stood by her.”

  At the far end of the table, General Anderson leaned in. “That’s not the only reason we believe you’re a perfect fit for this assignment.” His gaze never left Chip’s face. “You have military police and civilian law-enforcement training. That background will be advantageous while you’re in the field.”

  Riley was fascinated by the embarrassment, concern, and determination that flashed over Chip’s face before her mask dropped back into place. He silently added discipline to the list of her qualities. As his partner in this assignment, Chip’s connection to the victims would be a plus. However, he wondered now why she never revealed her identity at the gang house…or why she didn’t say anything when they shook hands earlier. Her ability for deception made him unsure if he could fully trust her.

  She tugged on her jacket. “Thank you, Sir. As I said earlier, I’ll do whatever I can.”

  “I knew I could count on you, Chip,” the senator said.

  Byron stood and glanced at his watch. “I have some last-minute items to gather before we finalize this briefing.” He walked around the table and placed a hand on Senator Burnsworth’s shoulder. “Come with me, Andrew, unless you’d rather sit in on the details?”

  The senator shook his head. “After everything I’ve seen today, I trust you and your operation, Byron. I know you’ll do everything in your power to bring Fiona and Lorraine safely home without compromising my position.”

  The senator and the general stood at the same time. The lieutenant stood also, as though she couldn’t help but stand in the presence of a senior officer.

  Senator Burnsworth addressed Riley and Chip. “You both need to know I can’t pull my vote from the program. This agreement will go through. I’m counting on you to save my wife.”

  Chapter Two

  The air in the conference room went absolutely still after the senator spoke. Riley sat straighter in his chair and swallowed. If he and Lt. Anderson couldn’t locate Fiona Burnsworth and Lorraine Voras in time, then with those words, the senator had effectively signed their death warrants. He glanced at Chip who stood clutching the back of her chair with white-knuckled fingers. Her gray eyes were huge as th
e unspoken message of the senator’s statement sank in.

  We don’t negotiate with terrorists.

  “I understand.” She lifted her chin. “We’ll find them, and bring them home.”

  The senator nodded, his expression resolute, yet there was a defeated slump to his shoulders. Clearly, the duty this man bore outweighed his personal needs, but that didn’t lessen his pain. Without saying more, he turned and preceded the general as they left the conference room.

  “Chip.” Byron paused at the door looking back at her before following the others. “Why don’t you take a moment to fill in Riley on your background? And Riley,” he added, with a hint of authority in his voice. “You do the same. I’ll return in a moment.” The door latch clicked behind him, sounding unnaturally loud in the silence.

  Riley studied the woman across the table. Chip seemed to shake herself after Senator Burnsworth’s dire proclamation.

  “So.” He gestured toward the door. “General Anderson is your father?”

  She looked at Riley as though seeing him for the first time. “Yes.”

  “Military service runs in the family?”

  “Yes.”

  Riley felt a bubble of frustration. “And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to conversation.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Your point?”

  He gave a slight smile to ease the tension. “Don’t have one. But since this is a get-to-know-you session, how about ladies first?”

  “Fine.” She took a breath. “I see you made it out of the raid okay. How’s the leg?”

  Because of her earlier actions, he hadn’t expected her to reference their first meeting. He hid his surprise quite well, he thought. “Very well. Thanks for asking.”

  “I did apologize, if you remember.” Chip fiddled with the cuff on her jacket.

  “I remember.” Wishing every day he could forget that humiliating take down and the events that followed.

  The memory of that night still haunted him. Even though the taskforce arrested all the gang members, the supplier had slipped through their fingers. Unable to do more, Riley returned to the safe house to check on the kids. No one had seen Lisa or Mary. He later found Lisa at the hospital and expected to find Mary with her, but she’d vanished. Lisa had no idea where Mary had gone or why she left.

  For weeks, he’d searched homeless shelters, watched police reports on missing persons, even asked local morgues to notify him of any Jane Doe who matched Mary’s description. It was a gruesome task. Each time the sheet was pulled back to reveal an unknown face, he felt a sense of relief. Then he felt ashamed. Somewhere, someone had lost a loved one, and all he could feel was relief it wasn’t Mary. He’d thought she was still out there alone, in one of the most crime-ridden cities in the country.

  Riley’s investigative skills were some of the best in the business, yet he’d never found any trace of Mary after that night. Nearly a year later, mystery had still surrounded the runaway like a shroud. He’d given up trying to justify his fascination. He cared what happened to her because she was a kid, like the others. Except she wasn’t like the others. And the woman who stood across from him now was proof that she wasn’t a kid, either.

  “I’m picking up some uneasiness on your part.” Chip interjected into his thoughts. “Do you have a problem with me specifically, or is it just my gender?”

  And here he thought he’d kept his feelings hidden. He added intuitive to the list of things he was learning about her. “Let’s just say, now that we’ve been properly introduced, I have doubts about the two of us working together.”

  She pushed aside her chair as though unleashing pent-up energy. With fingers splayed on the table, she leaned toward him. “Look, I’m here under orders. The fact that I am a woman is irrelevant. Now that I understand what’s happened, I believe I’m capable of finding Fiona on my own.”

  “No one is going on this assignment alone.”

  She continued as though he hadn’t interrupted. “However, if this arrangement is some sort of partnership, I will hold up my end. I’ll work with you to find Fiona and Lorraine and get the evidence to put the kidnapper behind bars. Then I’ll return to my routine and you can go back to yours.” Her lovely face flushed and her lips pulled tight as she straightened.

  Riley waited a moment to be sure her outburst was over before he spoke. He measured his words. “Lieutenant Chip, your gender isn’t an issue—and it won’t be unless you choose to make it one. Like you, I’m under orders. So yes, it’s a partnership.” He jabbed a finger at her. “And don’t forget, there are lives at stake.”

  He rose from his chair to make his next point, forcing her to look up at him. “If you can’t watch my back or trust me to watch yours, then this mission has failed before it’s begun.” He paused to let that sink in. “I will not tolerate failure on my watch. Is that clear?”

  Chip came to attention, her backbone stiff, but she didn’t shrink away from him. “Crystal.”

  “Good.” Riley thumped the table with his palm. “Then I think we can proceed, don’t you?”

  At that moment, the director entered the room, followed by Allison Richards, one of Northstar’s lab techs, which prevented Chip from responding.

  Allison closed the door and stood beside it, while his father headed around the table carrying a small manila envelope and a piece of paper in his hand. He looked from Riley to Chip then glanced at the thermostat on the wall.

  In the few minutes Byron had been gone, it seemed the temperature in the once comfortable conference room had dropped ten degrees.

  Byron stood beside his chair, ignoring Riley and Chip’s battle positions. “I take it you two know each other a little better?” Without waiting for an answer, he continued. “Good. Then, what I have here are the final trappings that will make this official.” He indicated the items in his hand.

  Riley looked at his father. As did Mary.

  No, not Mary. Lieutenant Chip-on-Her-Shoulder.

  The director placed an official-looking document on the table. Beside it, he laid the envelope.

  Riley picked up the paper and saw his name and the name of Mary Anderson. “What’s this?”

  “A marriage license.” Byron gave one of his lopsided smiles. “Congratulations. You’re newlyweds.”

  “What?” Chip exclaimed.

  “No!” Riley said at the same time.

  Chip’s eyes narrowed at Byron, then she turned and glared at Riley.

  “Don’t look at me.” He lifted his hands. “This is the first I’ve heard of it.” The gender reference resurfaced with new meaning. It did matter that his partner was a woman.

  “My apologies for springing this on you. In the short amount of time we’ve had to pull this together, posing the two of you as newlyweds was the best scenario we could devise. We don’t have any solid leads on who is behind the abduction. We don’t fully understand the kidnapper’s resources, so we can’t take any chances by sending the two of you into the fray without some form of documentation to back up your story.” He pointed to the license in Riley’s hand. “In the unlikely event anyone should go digging, the marriage will be on public record. All it needs are your signatures for authenticity.” He glanced over at Chip. “By the way, your change in duty now reflects an emergency leave of absence.”

  “This has to be a joke.” Riley stared at his father. Byron’s green eyes, so like his own, were deadly serious. “I suppose there’s a pastor waiting for us at a little white chapel down the street, too?”

  “No need for a ceremony. Your signatures will do.” Byron smiled coolly.

  “Does my father know about the cover for this assignment?” Chip sounded worried.

  Riley wondered if she was going to back out.

  “He’s the one who suggested it.” Byron said. “I’ll admit I was surprised, but on further consideration, I think the cover story is brilliant. You’ll be able to stay together during the investigation without raising suspicion that could put Mrs. Bur
nsworth and Ms. Voras in additional jeopardy.”

  Chip didn’t reply. The reminder of the kidnapped women clearly put the mission objective in perspective.

  Byron produced a pen. Riley hesitated a moment then grabbed it and scribbled his signature on the license. When he finished, he shoved the pen and paper over to Chip. She glanced through the text, took a deep breath, and added her signature more calmly.

  Byron reached for the pen and signed as witness. “Allison?”

  Riley had forgotten Allison was in the room, and only now realized she’d observed the entire conversation. It would’ve been nice to keep this part of the assignment a bit more private—not that it mattered. What mattered was a successful outcome.

  Allison came around the table and stood beside Byron. He handed her the pen and she signed the license. “Thank you, Allison.” Byron handed the paper to her. “Please make sure it’s filed with the proper agencies.”

  “Of course.” She took the official document and nodded.

  “Also, I want to know as soon as you have a breakdown on that video.”

  “We think we’ll have something in a couple of hours,” she replied. Then she faced Riley and Chip with a mischievous smile. “Good luck to you both and…congratulations.” She left before either could respond.

  Riley waited until the conference door closed and then picked up the sealed envelope on the table. “What’s this?”

  His father gestured with his hand. “Open it.”

  Riley tore one end of the envelope. Not seeing anything at first, he tipped it upside down. Two gold bands slid out. The innocent symbols of eternal love clattered ominously on the table. The larger one spun a moment before coming to rest, barely touching the smaller ring.

  Chip gasped.

  Riley felt immobilized by the significance of the gold glinting under the room’s fluorescent lights. As though on cue, they both reached for the rings. When their hands collided, Chip snatched hers back and balled it into a fist.