Reign of Fire

by Casi McLean

  Ash glowered at him. “So, you’re telling me you wanted to save a woman you tried to kill a few days later. Come on.”

  Emily clutched Ash’s arm. “He’s telling the truth.”

  Steel gasped in a breath. “Thank God. You remember?” He turned to Ash then shifted his gaze to Harper and Wyatt. “When they told me she survived, I was relieved…and so surprised anyone could have lived through that fall.” He squinted. Again, he lowered his head.

  Ash considered his body language. Steel might have told the truth, but he was still hiding something.

  “They took my family and said I’d never see them again unless I killed the Rose woman.”

  Wyatt wrinkled his brow. “What? I thought they only wanted to find their property. Why kill Alyssa? She knew nothing.”

  “My contact said…because she saw me. They were adamant about having no loose ends. Damn it. They made me choose between an innocent woman and my family. I swear I never wanted to be a part of The Association’s gambit.”

  “So, you said.” Harper stepped forward and glared.

  “I’m a Marine for God’s sake. I owe this country everything and what they’re doing is so wrong.”

  Harper raised a brow. “What are they doing that’s so wrong, Mr. Steel?”

  His leg juggled up and down in fast successions. “Everything America stands for is at risk because of these bastards.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Though the details my memory have revealed remain foggy, I’m inclined to believe you’re telling the truth about the night of my accident, Mr. Steel. But I still sense you’re leaving out a significant part of the story.” Emily displayed her best investigative reporter face and nailed a desired tone. Despite her built-in suspicious nature, she sincerely had no doubt the Gunny Sgt. spoke the truth regarding her sister’s phone and how he held out a hand to help her to safety. The vision of Alyssa’s death imprinted into Emily’s mind long before she spoke to Steel, but she couldn’t shake the intuitive sense whispering within her thoughts.

  The man was hiding something, and she knew his untold secrets were intricately woven into the fabric of The Association. “Before I trust you, I have to know the complete story. If you want to save your wife and son and be rid of any future threats, you need to cut off the head of the snake. Who is your source?” Emily raised her eyebrows and went for the jugular. “If you don’t join forces with us, you’re merely placing a Band-Aid on a burst artery…nothing will change.” She paused, waiting for a reply that didn’t surface. Frustrated, she turned and paced a circle around him. “What does Mathis have on you?”

  Wyatt turned to Harper. “I think we’re done here. Steel isn’t talking, and we’ve got work to do. Let’s just hand him over to the MPD.”

  “You can be sure that will get Mathis’s attention.” Ash gazed at Emily and shrugged.

  Logan Steel’s face went pale, and the rigid tension stiffening his posture since the team entered the room deflated. “You’re right. This threat will never end. Who was I kidding? I can’t protect my family.” Eyes closed, he shook his head.

  Emily detected his desire to relinquish his resolve. Whatever transpired, the man suffered as if utterly trapped with no means of escape. Part of her felt compassion intermingled with her own grief and frustration until a sudden swirl of calm flowed down her neck and spread over her with renewed confidence. Alyssa? At that moment, Emily knew a spark or the soul of her sister somehow lingered inside, encouraging and guiding her away from darkness toward light. Emily knew the right direction was through Steel. They could help him. She wasn’t sure how, but she knew helping the Gunny Sgt. would lead them closer to the truth. They would discover who targeted Alyssa and why.

  “Stop whining, Steel. If you want out of this mess, talk to us. Now. You’re wasting time. What do you have to lose?” Emily leaned her palms onto the edge of a cold metal table lining the wall and glared into his eyes. “Mathis will kill you and your family. Your choices have evaporated.”

  Ash’s wide-eyed, where-the-hell-did-that-come-from stare caught her brief gaze. “She’s right, Steel. Wait much longer and––”

  “Okay. I hear you.”

  Harper put a hand on Emily’s shoulder and slid in front of her. “What’s got you so spooked, Gunny?” The soft lines around her eyes crinkled.

  Steel drew in a long breath then blew out slowly. “I overheard a phone conversation between the DOJ and” ––he gazed at Harper and Ash before continuing––“Secretary of State Collins.”

  Harper scowled. “How the hell did you overhear their call?”

  “Because I was on DOJ Hamilton’s flight…I wasn’t supposed to be. But I begged my buddy…the pilot. My wife, Kayla, was seven months pregnant. She wanted to visit her sister before the baby came. The two went shopping, and some ass ran a red light and plowed into their car. Kayla went into labor. When the hospital contacted me, I had to get to her…so I called my buddy, and he snuck me aboard his DC bound Falcon. I snuck behind the galley. The DOJ had no idea I hid in the back of his plane. With an empty cabin…he probably didn’t think twice about putting the call on speaker.”

  “What did they discuss?” Ash stepped forward.

  “Carlton Hughes.” Steel’s right leg bounced up and down in quick succession. “I always thought it odd that Hughes won the candidacy so easily…turns out he didn’t. They rigged the party conference…the whole damn event…bought and paid for by The Association…with the DOJ and Secretary of State at the helm.”

  Tapping his fingers on the table against the wall, Ash glared at Steel. “What’s so important about Carlton Hughes? So, they rig the campaign to select him as their candidate. They can’t rig the election––can they?”

  Harper squinted. “Not easily, but if this group goes as deep as we believe they do, who knows?”

  “Assuming they could rig the election, or that Hughes actually wins.” Emily bit the bottom of her lower lip. “How bad could that be? So, what if they influence the White House for a term.”

  Logan Steel stomped his feet. “No, you don’t understand. I heard them discussing the overall plan. The Association wouldn’t simply influence the White House. They plan to take over the entire government.”

  The comment silenced the room for a long moment.

  Harper tensed her jaw. “Like I said. Influence no longer is enough. The Association wants to be the government. He’s right. The Deep State has been implementing this plot for years. This election is their damn endgame.” She turned to Steel. “Go on with your story. What did you do next?”

  “I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t un-hear what they said, but who could I tell? What if I spilled my guts to someone else, and that person was dirty too?” Logan wiped dripping beads of sweat from his cheek with his shoulder. “For weeks, the traitorous plot ate me up inside. I couldn’t sleep…I lost weight. I had to let the authorities know so I decided to go to the top, the Director of the FBI.”

  “Benedict Mathis.” Emily bit the tip of her fingernail. “When you told him, he squeezed you. That’s why you said he had you by the nads.”

  He nodded. “He didn’t simply squeeze me. The bastard owns me. For months now, I’ve kept secrets, stolen or buried information, doing their bidding to protect my family. But they won’t stop. They’ll never stop.”

  Ash scratched his chin. “Why didn’t you tell the police?”

  “I thought I did when I went to the FBI.” Logan glowered at him. “Mathis said if I opened my mouth, he’d set me up to take the fall for some unsolved metro DC murders. He could too. The Association goes so wide and deep. You have no idea.”

  “He’s right.” Harper’s jaw clenched. “I’ve been investigating this faction since Afghanistan. You can’t trust anyone, especially here in DC.” She turned to Wyatt. “We knew the Justice Department was compromised at the highest level, and they infiltrated others in Congress, too. Steel confirms the FBI and if he’s right about Carlton Hughes, their presidential cand
idate is about to be elected...we’ve got to stop this.”

  “Then let me help.” Steel broke in. “I swallowed my pride and played their bitch for months…threats were bad enough but now the bastard has my family. Use me as bait.”

  “That’s not a bad idea.” Emily’s hand flew to her chin. “What if Sgt. Steel…and I for that matter…all of us were moles…could we turn the tables and infiltrate the Deep State?”

  His stare zoomed toward Harper. “I’ll do anything to expose what those SOBs are doing to our democracy, but please, what time is it?” A random tear escaped his eye and ran down his cheek. “Please, let me call on the burn phone before it’s too late.”

  Glancing at her watch, Harper reached into her pocket and drew out the burn phone she took from Steel earlier that morning. “We have to consider this plan carefully. If Gunny Steel appears to have a change in attitude, red flags will wave in their faces.” She stepped behind him and unlocked his cuffs. “Infiltrating the Deep State won’t be easy.”

  Steel brought his hands to his lap and rubbed his wrists then stood and stared at his watch. “Thank God. I still have forty-five minutes.” He shifted his gaze to Harper. “Does this mean you believe me?”

  “I believe no one…until I have a detailed background check carried out by my own team…which I’ve had running for several hours now.”

  Believe him. That night is still a bit foggy to me, but I think he’s telling the truth. The words rang in Emily’s head as surely as if she conjured and spoke them herself. Her utter shock at the clarity sent icy bubbles trickling down her spine. “Alyssa?” The name slipped out before she could think to stop her reaction. Everyone would think her completely mad to believe her dead sister whispered within her mind. “What I meant to say was in order to implement this sting we all need to be truthful.” Emily wrinkled her brow with an unspoken request of approval.

  “I completely agree.” Wyatt nodded.

  Ash said nothing, but his stare showed trepidation.

  Tightening her lips, Harper shrugged.

  “What the others are so eloquently attempting to say is” ––she paused to phrase her admission properly, her heart pounding against her chest––“Alyssa, um––Tell him the truth––died when she fell into the Potomac River that night. I am her twin sister, Emily.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Oh God. Oh God, no.” Logan’s jaw dropped, and he lowered his head. “I tried to help her. I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

  “No. It’s not his fault. The dog startled me. Not Sgt. Steel,” Alyssa whispered.

  “Dog? What dog?” Emily’s gaze darted to Steel. “Did you see a dog that night?”

  “Sure. Her dog followed her outside. A great-looking German shepherd. I was scared he’d give away my location, but he just watched me shadowing her.” Logan angled his head and squeezed his brows together. “Why do you ask?”

  Wyatt’s stare met Emily’s in a flush of confusion. “What’s wrong? Why did the blood drain from your face?”

  Ash stepped closer to Emily and whispered. “What just happened? Your entire demeanor shifted in a blink. Are you okay?”

  “Pardon us a moment.” Emily clutched Ash’s arm then shifted her gaze toward Wyatt and gave him an I-need-you-now stare to which he obliged. She strode to the far corner of the room. “It’s Alyssa. She’s––”

  Wyatt took her free hand. “I knew her death would hit you hard at some point, but don’t worry, sis. We’ll work through this loss together.”

  His sentiment warmed her heart. But at the moment, she had a pressing situation demanding consideration. “Thanks, Wyatt. I’m so glad you’re my brother, and I know accepting Alyssa’s death will take time. However, right now” ––she glanced at Ash––“and in answer to your question, Alyssa is…here.” She raised her brows and bit the corner of her lower lip. Wyatt would believe her, but the thought of Ash glaring at her as if she was insane caused her stomach to turn somersaults.

  He pinched his forehead. “What do you mean she’s here?”

  “Em, are you saying what I think you’re saying? She’s communicating with you?” Wyatt’s eyes widened. “Like...talking to you?”

  Emily nodded. As much as she felt thrilled to know Alyssa was here, with her, the reality of the premise sent shivers trickling into every extremity, and she couldn’t stop trembling. The bond between the twins held strong throughout life. Why not through death as well? If Emily would ever experience a connection to an afterworld, Alyssa would be the likely candidate. Still, sensing an anomaly was a far cry from communicating after death, and the proof shook her to the core.

  Wyatt draped an arm around Emily and squeezed her close. “My sister experiences a kind of extra-sensory perception, ever since she was a little girl, and apparently Alyssa is …talking to her…here, now.” He pulled back from his embrace and stared at Emily. “Are you okay with what’s happening? And what’s with the dog remark? Alyssa doesn’t have a dog, does she?”

  Emily shrugged. “Not that I know of, but she said the dog scared her, not Sgt. Steel.” A whisper of cool air flushed over her, causing Emily to take a step backward. Gazing now at both men, she saw a soft dusting of white mist shimmering into a bubble behind them, swirling until the image of Alyssa stood within the sphere. “Holy crap. Alyssa.” Goose bumps rose on her arms and she rubbed them up-and-down to dissuade the sensation and flashed a glance at Wyatt then Ash. “I can see her. She’s standing right behind you.” Emily reached between them. “Lyssa, they can’t see you. Can you touch them or somehow show them you’re here?”

  Through a hazy blur, Alyssa reached forward and brushed Emily’s hand. “Not yet. I don’t quite understand this ghost business. I’m so thankful you can see and hear me, though. Pretty awesome, isn’t it?” Alyssa paused a long moment. “Sgt. Steel was right, Em. Duke scared me. He was going to be Wyatt’s birthday present. You know how worried we’ve both been ever since Wyatt returned home after what happened in Afghanistan. When I read about Pets for Vets, I couldn’t resist the urge...I wanted to surprise him with Duke.”

  Emily gulped before squeaking out a whisper. “Okay then…I’m pretty sure you succeeded in surprising all of us. I had no idea. When were you going to tell me?”

  Ash squeezed Emily’s hand. “Is she seriously talking to you?”

  “He’s pretty hot, Em. I’d say a real keeper.”

  Emily nodded. “I guess so.” She shivered, fighting waves of icy bristles stinging their way down her back and shooting into her toes.

  “I meant to tell you about Duke. But with everything else going on––”

  “We didn’t see a dog, Lyssa. He must have run off.”

  “No. I only had him a few days, but he’s such a smart, wonderful dog. Duke wouldn’t have run off. He could have gone next door, especially if he was hungry. Harris spoils him. Promise me you’ll find him for Wyatt.”

  “I promise.” Emily paused, staring at the glimmering image so close…and yet so far away. “What happened that night, Lyssa?”

  “I was nervous all week, I couldn’t shake the feeling someone was following me. That night, when I got home from work, I poured a glass of wine and walked out back, hoping the river would soothe my nerves and help me decide what to do. I wanted to tell you, but not over the phone. If I was in danger, I couldn’t risk having you or Wyatt involved.” Her gaze drifted to Wyatt and she brushed his arm. “No response. I wish he could see me.” She turned back to Emily. “Anyway, that night, I thought I closed the door behind me, but something must have spooked Duke. When I heard him barking, I spun, dropped my phone, and lost my balance.” Alyssa’s image flickered and faded. “No. Please let me stay a little longer.”

  “Who are you talking to, Lyssa?”

  “I wish I knew.” Alyssa sighed. “I’m in a kind of limbo. I haven’t seen anyone, but I feel the presence of many souls drifting around me. Not in a threatening way…more like others searching to make sense of where we are. I’m not s
cared, though. Little by little, my mind seems to be melding with a vast aura.”

  “Oh Lyssa. I miss you so much and need you. I can’t bear the thought of never seeing you again. Please stay with me.”

  “I want to Em. I want to so badly. And if a way exists, I’ll find or learn or do whatever it takes to hold on to you. I’m so sorry I didn’t reach out to you in time. Please forgive me.” Again, her image flickered and faded further.

  “Don’t blame yourself, Lyssa. I would have done the same thing. But you already know that.”

  She nodded.

  “I won’t stop looking until I find everyone responsible for taking you away from us. Can you remember anything else? Even a minor detail might be important.” Emily trembled. An icy chill snaked around her and she could feel her sister slipping away. Again, Emily reached forward to grab her sister, but the mist paled into nothingness. “Lyssa. No. Please, don’t go.”

  “I don’t want to…I can’t fight this…Find Duke, Em…Duke knows who killed me.” Vanishing into a soft glimmer, Alyssa said nothing more.

  Emily slumped and shook her head. “She’s gone.”

  “You okay, kiddo?” Wyatt pinched his brows together and took her hand in his. “Seeing her must have freaked you out. Although, I wish I could have at least heard her voice again. What did she say?”

  Relaying her sister’s message, Emily attempted to regain her composure, but her knotted stomach refused to comply. She drew in a long breath. “We have to find Duke, but when we do, I guess he’s yours now, Wyatt. Alyssa was right. Despite your hard-ass façade, we’ve both been worried about you.”

  “I’m fine, Emily. I admit there have been some major adjustments in my life, but I’m good. Still, I actually wouldn’t mind having a dog around.”