Lee stared at him with her mouth hanging open to the comment. “Died? You mean died as in--?”
“As in, ‘oh, fuck, I’m dead,” he casually replied then raised his brows. “Would you like some tea?”
She stared at him, uncertain know how to respond to his Jekyll and Hyde personality. She actually liked him better when he was silent and creepy.
†
Romano’s secluded estate was peaceful for the late night hour. Several outside lights remained on, keeping the property and gardens well lit. Apart from the fountain, there were no other sounds. Within Sal’s office, Gil sat behind the desk in the mostly dark study and typed into the computer. He ate a sandwich as he transferred data to a remote server. He glanced at the dog sitting alongside the chair intently watching the sandwich in his hand.
“You already had two of your own,” Gil sternly informed the dog. “Your boss will be upset if he thinks you have a full tummy in the morning.”
Darth licked his muzzle and watched the sandwich. Gil smiled at the dog and gave him the rest of his sandwich. He watched the dog devour it.
“Want some milk with that?”
The sandwich was gone in seconds. Gil shook his head with disbelief.
“My God, you eat like Kirk,” he remarked. “I used the good mustard too. Did you even taste it?”
The dog let out a soft ‘woof’. Gil held his finger to his lips to silence the dog. He returned to the computer and came to a password-protected program. Gil casually looked around the desk a moment, saw a framed picture of an attractive, young woman, and picked it up. He turned the framed photo over and noted the password written on the back. He again looked at the dog.
“Romano isn’t exactly the criminal mastermind Holden seems to think he is,” Gil informed the dog. “I think Holden needs to go back to fed school.”
The dog tilted his head while watching Gil. Gil typed in the password and gained access to the program. He saw the dog’s look and shook his head.
“Don’t even get me started on Special Agent Holden Falcone,” he announced to the dog then returned his attention back to the computer. He opened several files and then hesitated with a look of surprise. “Well, well. What do we have here? I’d better send this to Beck for analysis.”
Chapter Eighteen
It was early the following morning. The secluded woodlands surrounding the lodge were peaceful, although it was like that most of the day. Lee wearily shuffled out of her shared suite with Tonya and headed down the open staircase to the lobby. She wished she could sleep late like her promiscuous friend, although, by the sounds coming from Tonya’s room at all hours, she didn’t get much sleep. Lee sometimes wondered if Tonya didn’t have the right idea about men and relationships. Her friend seemed happy enough, particularly after marathon sex with men she barely knew. Lee wasn’t sure she could ever live that lifestyle, although she sometimes envied her friend for having male companionship. Lee never considered herself a beautiful woman, but she also never lacked men at clubs wanting to take her home either. She wanted more than a casual fling, but it didn’t seem as if the cowboy of her dreams would ever come along and rescue her.
Since they’d be stranded at the lodge for weeks, possibly months, maybe a long-term fling wasn’t completely out of the question. She almost shamed herself for thinking such things. Besides, there wasn’t even a spark of attraction despite the high levels of testosterone and the charismatic good looks of the SEAL team. She was beginning to wonder if her flame hadn’t burned out from years of avoiding relationships. Perhaps this cowboy fantasy was just a way of looking toward the impossible, so she wouldn’t have to worry about falling in love. Lee entered the kitchen and found Ross pacing the terrace beyond the large wall of windows. He had a larger phone-like gismo to his ear, and his expression was hard to read. She watched him pace while listening, but he didn’t talk to the person on the other end. Lee decided it was none of her business and turned toward the stove. She nearly collided with Zack, who stared past her at Ross and his continuous pacing. Lee cried out with surprise and jumped away from him.
“Damn it,” she cried out and held her chest, feeling her heart pounding. “You scared the crap out of me!”
Zack didn’t react or acknowledge that he’d frightened her. He nodded toward the man pacing on the terrace outside.
“What’s with Ross?”
“I don’t know,” Lee replied while attempting to control her breathing. “I just got here myself. I guess he’s talking to someone on the phone.”
“That’s the satellite phone,” Zack informed her. “Emergency use only. That means it must be Agent Falcone or Gil. No one else has the number.”
“Do you think it’s good news?” Lee quickly asked and looked back to the pacing man on the terrace.
“He’s not saying anything,” Zack informed her while observing Ross. “He’d never let someone do that much talking without getting his two-cents in.” He considered his own comment. “It has to be Jackie. You don’t interrupt her when she’s talking.”
Lee glanced at him and appeared curious. “Why’s that?”
“She’s scary,” he replied in a matter-of-fact tone. “Given half a chance, she’d rip a man’s testicles off.” He suddenly grinned. “God, I love that girl.”
Lee gave him a strange look, but he didn’t comment further. Ross disconnected the call and entered the kitchen. He practically ignored Lee and approached Zack.
“Gather Monroe and Beck,” Ross ordered. “I want the three of you to head into town and see if you can get that satellite dish of Beck’s to work.”
“I thought we weren’t using that,” Zack replied and appeared curious. “You said it was risky.”
“It just became worth the risk,” Ross informed them. “Some guy just contacted Holden. He claims he caught one of his men poking around and is holding him hostage.”
“Gil?”
“Holden thinks so,” Ross replied. “He wants to trade Gil for Lee.”
Zack glanced at Lee then looked back at Ross as if she wasn’t even there. “Just her?” He suddenly snorted a laugh. “Huh, I’m guessing he doesn’t know the value of his prisoner. I’d ask for both girls.”
Lee stared at Zack’s profile with her mouth hanging open and a look of surprise.
“So, are we going to trade her?” Zack casually asked, appearing serious.
“Hey,” Lee cried out feeling offended. “I’m standing right here!”
Ross looked at Lee and offered a tiny smile. “Zack’s only half serious. Ignore him.” He looked back at Zack and turned serious. “What’s more interesting is the message I received after the ransom demand. It’s encrypted, but it appears to be from Gil. He must be using an unsecured computer somewhere. I don’t think he’s as much a prisoner as his captors seems to believe. I need you to attach a computer to the dish and find out what he was trying to tell us…or possibly, what he’s sent to our secured server. It could be important.”
“I’ll wake the guys,” Zack announced and hurried from the kitchen.
“I’d like to go along,” Lee informed Ross without hesitation even if she knew he’d say no.
Ross stared at her with surprise. A twisted smile crossed his face, almost mocking her.
“As if that’s going to happen,” he remarked and crossed the kitchen toward the counter and a fresh pot of coffee.
“That town is in the middle of nowhere,” Lee protested while watching him. “It’s not as if Jericho or Sal will be looking for me there. I can be of some use. If Gil found something on Sal’s computer, I’ll know what to look for. I’m very good with computers.”
“So is Beck.” He picked up the coffee pot and glared at her. “You have no idea how foolish it would be to allow you to go into town,” Ross remarked sternly then fell silent as he stared at her. “Find a baseball cap and sunglasses.” He set the coffee pot down and pointed a warning finger at her. “You stay close to Zack and do whatever he tells you.”
&nb
sp; “Zack?” she replied with surprise. “I have to admit, I don’t understand the faith you put in that one. At best, he’s a delusional nutcase.”
“Don’t let his nutcase act fool you,” Ross informed her. “Zack is cunning and devious. If anything happens, you’ll want to be standing behind him. I trust him with my life, so I should think you’d do the same.”
She uncertainly nodded, studied Ross a moment, and then smiled timidly while rocking on the balls of her feet.
“Can I have a gun?”
Ross suddenly snorted a laugh, picked up his cup of coffee, and walked away. Lee frowned at the response. If she hadn’t marveled at his commanding presence just moments ago, she’d be deeply offended by his attitude.
†
The interrogation room door within Romano’s mansion was unlocked and opened. Jericho entered without bothering to look at the chair where he’d left his prisoner handcuffed. Jericho grinned deviously then finally looked toward the chair across the room.
“How was your night?”
Gil raised his head and glared at Jericho without comment from where he remained handcuffed to the chair. The dog excitedly ran from the room for his morning bathroom break. Jericho laughed softly and followed the dog, shutting the door behind him. Once he was gone, Gil smirked.
“Productive, thanks for asking.”
†
It took nearly two hours to drive to the small out-of-the-way town. Lee sat in the middle row of seats with the highly overrated Zack. Beck again drove and was currently in a heated debate with Monroe about the limited number of radio stations available. They were having a difficult time agreeing on what sort of music they should play. Lee was growing tired of the conversation, but she refrained from commenting. Zack casually removed his seatbelt, leaned between the two front seats, and pressed the ‘off’ button on the radio. Both men looked at him with surprise.
“I prefer the silent station,” Zack snapped, glared at both men, and then returned to his seat.
Lee was actually surprised they took that from the meek looking man. There had to be something more to Zack than what she was seeing. Perhaps it was his demented attitude that kept them fearful of the small man.
Although Lee made it a point to stress that the town was small, it was larger than it had seemed on their way through yesterday. The little town had a population of nearly five thousand. It had its own nightclub, which was probably something more country and less modern, several restaurants, a movie theater, bowling alley, and at least four bars. They passed a small motel on the way into town, although Lee wondered who’d need a motel room in the middle of nowhere. Beck found a secluded area to park behind the lounge toward the back of the small lot. While Beck and Monroe assembled the elaborate satellite dish on top of the vehicle roof, Zack walked across the parking lot toward the main thoroughfare. Lee looked from the busily working men to Zack as he walked away. She made her decision and hurried after Zack. Beck and Monroe immediately began yelling at her.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Monroe bellowed. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Lee stopped, looked back, and innocently pointed after Zack, who now stopped and stared at them as well.
“With him.”
“I don’t think so,” Beck announced with a soft, humored laugh. “He’s just looking to get into some trouble, and he certainly doesn’t need you tagging along.”
“We’re in the middle of deliverance,” she boldly announced. “What can possibly happen?”
“With Zack? Anything and everything,” Monroe casually informed her.
The mystery of Zack was starting to bug Lee. What was so special about this man? He looked like a nerdy science teacher. Apart from boring her to death, she didn’t understand the big deal. Monroe motioned Zack to continue without Lee. He left without a care. Lee frowned as she returned to the SUV and watched the two men on top of the roof while connecting the dish. She leaned against the fender and folded her arms across her chest in a mild temper tantrum. Both men noted her look.
“This town isn’t as small as you seem to think,” Beck informed her in an attempt to explain their decision. He focused his attention on the dish. “They get a lot of rowdies from neighboring towns. Miners and famers with too much time on their hands and not nearly enough female entertainment.”
“It’s in the middle of the day,” she informed him. “I assume they’d all be working the fields or mining their mines.”
Beck eyed Monroe. “She’s a sassy one.”
“Yeah, she’s a regular ray of sunshine,” Monroe muttered. “Like Jackie lite.”
Both men chuckled. Ignoring their taunting, Lee casually glanced around the quiet town.
“So what’s the big draw for all these famers and miners?” she asked. “Is the bar scene that good?”
“Actually,” Beck announced while tightening the bolts on the dish, “there are a few acts at the lounge that draw in some pretty big crowds.”
“Strippers?”
Beck suddenly stared at her as if she spoke a foreign language. “This is a family town,” he shamed her. “There aren’t any strippers around here. You’re not in the city anymore.”
Lee straightened and leaned across the hood while watching them work. “So these women just sing? And the famers and miners are happy with that?”
“Think of this town as Camelot,” Beck announced cheerfully. “Back in the medieval times, knights would sacrifice their lives for the women they loved, even if they’d never even kissed.” He grinned his approval. “It’s romantic.”
“You’re so full of shit,” Monroe remarked and attempted to keep from laughing. He looked at Lee while leaning on the dish. “There’s this really hot lounge singer with world-class--” Monroe made a motion of huge breasts but stopped himself. “--voice. They all come to see her.”
“And does this goddess have a name?” Lee asked, not daring to admit she felt slightly jealous of the woman already. She doubted any man would ever describe her with such fondness.
“Pinto,” Monroe announced cheerfully while grinning. “She’s got this whole hot, European thing going.”
Lee slowly straightened while staring at Monroe. Her mouth fell open with surprise. “Pinto?” she suddenly gasped.
“Yeah,” Beck replied and appeared humored. “Not like the horse. There’s a small town in Madrid--” He stared at her and fell silent. “Something wrong?”
“Sal’s daughter changed her name to Pinto when she ran away from home and moved to Colorado,” Lee informed them and then raised her brows. “Tonya said she became a lounge singer.”
Monroe and Beck exchanged looks.
Chapter Nineteen
It was a little over two hours later when the SUV pulled up to the lodge, having raced up the driveway. Beck jumped from the vehicle and hurried toward the main entrance as Ross stepped outside. Ross looked around with concern then glared at Beck.
“Where’s Lee?”
“I couldn’t get her to return,” Beck announced with a sense of urgency. “She insisted she wanted to stay. Monroe took her with him to the public library to access our server through the computers there.” He appeared anxious. “I know it may be nothing, but if his daughter found something incriminating on his computer--?”
“Since they don’t get along, you’re thinking she may roll over on her father, huh?” Ross inquired then groaned softly. “That’s one hell of a long shot.”
“It’s not as if we have anything better to do with our time,” Beck informed him. “I don’t mind wasting my time checking her out.” He hesitated then gently cleared his throat. “What do you want to do with this information?”
“I want you to take me to town,” Ross announced firmly. “I think it’s worth taking a closer look at Sal’s daughter. Kirk will stay with Tonya. Where’s Zack?”
“Who the hell knows,” Beck muttered. “Running with the bulls, tipping cows--the possibilities are endless.”
“We’ll need to find him
,” Ross announced and walked with Beck toward the vehicle. “I want him to stay with Lee while we investigate Sal’s daughter.”
“Can I come along?” Bogart asked from the doorway.
Both men looked at Bogart standing at the lodge entrance, not realizing he’d been eavesdropping. Beck groaned, rolled his eyes, and cursed softly under his breath. Ross frowned and nodded Bogart to the SUV.
†
The public library was almost as old as the town itself, once being a historic home converted into a library. The original walls of the old home could still be seen beyond the bookcases. Monroe stood over Lee’s shoulder while she worked on one of the computers toward the back of the library. There were a few school-aged children wandering the nearby aisles of bookshelves but almost no adults. Lee rapidly typed on the keyboard.
“Are you sure that thing you installed will keep anyone from locating us?” Lee asked while frantically typing.
“Yes, I’m sure. It’s scrambling our location,” he replied while watching the screen. “If anyone on the other end realizes it’s you, they won’t be able to locate your position. Unfortunately, you only have ten minutes before it can be unscrambled.”
“I’m working as fast as I can,” Lee informed him. “You breathing over my shoulder isn’t exactly helping.”
Monroe became excited and pointed at the computer screen. “That’s it,” he announced. “That’s our secured server. If Gil left something for us, it’ll be there.”
“It’s a big file,” Lee informed him.
He handed her a flash drive. “Download it,” Monroe instructed. “We can view it off-line back at the lodge. It’s safer to do that anyway.”
Lee snatched the flash drive, hastily inserted it, and transferred the files to the drive. They watched the information download a little slower than acceptable. Monroe frowned and glanced at his watch several times. He looked around the library then suddenly froze and his expression dropped.
Witness Protection 2: The Return of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Page 11
