Cryptid Quest: A Supernatural Thriller (The John Decker Supernatural Thriller Series Book 8)
Page 24
“And I take responsibility for that.” Hunt didn’t sound apologetic. “But I had no way of knowing Barringer would come after you. Our assessments of the mission risks did not include that parameter.”
“Because it was nothing to do with the mission.” Decker could feel his anger rising, but he swallowed it. “Kyle Garrett said that my death was not just meant to be revenge for thwarting Barringer’s plans on Habitat One, it was also meant as a message to you. What did he mean by that?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Hunt said, shrugging. “The man is clearly deranged. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“There’s something you’re not telling me.”
“If there is, it’s for a reason.”
“Not good enough.”
“It will have to be.”
Hunt wasn’t budging. Decker could see that. “Then answer me this. How badly compromised is CUSP? Considering how secretive you were at the beginning of this mission, you already suspected there were people within our organization working against us.”
“I did.” Hunt nodded. “And I still do.”
“Kyle Garrett was a member of the Ghost Team. A low-level operative. That means we can’t trust anyone.”
“I’m aware of that,” Hunt said. “But nevertheless, there are some people I trust within CUSP. People who are working to find and remove those who have other allegiances.”
“Garrett told me that a storm was coming. This thing with Barringer isn’t over.”
“I’m aware of that, as well.”
“When the time comes, I expect you to brief me in full,” Decker said. “He tried to kill me. I’m a part of this, whether or not you like it.”
Hunt nodded. “When the time is right, I’ll tell you everything. You have my word.”
“And in the meantime?”
“You go about your business and do your job,” Hunt said. “On another note, I have some good news.”
“What’s that?”
“Your taxi driver in Manaus, Paulo. We’ve taken care of his son’s medical situation. The boy will get all the care he needs.”
“That’s very nice of you,” Decker said.
“The least I could do, considering he saved your life. Rory’s too. Probably more than once.” Hunt smiled. “We’ve also brought him on board as a resource in Brazil. It’s low-level stuff, nothing too dangerous. Going forward, he will serve as a liaison for operatives in the area.”
“I see.”
“It’s always good to have local help, and it means that he and his family won’t have to worry about money again.”
“Does that include his sister?”
“Naturally. We made sure she was taken care of, too,” Hunt said. “We also retrieved Rory’s watch from that helicopter pilot. He seemed attached to it. The settlement made for her services was well received. It was more than generous and will ensure her help in the future, should it be needed.”
“Good.” Decker stood. “I think that just about covers everything. At least for now.”
“Not quite. There is one more piece of business.”
“Another assignment?”
“Nothing of the sort.” Hunt’s smile turned to a grin. “This is about your wedding. I hear you’re planning to hold it in the spring.”
“We are,” Decker said, suspicious.
“Have you picked a venue yet?”
“Nothing is set in stone,” Decker said, instantly regretting his choice of words as memories of the Gorgon filled his head. “We were thinking something small. We might even have it at the house.”
“You will do no such thing.” Hunt got to his feet. “CUSP owns a small island in the Bahamas. It has everything you will need, including a private beach resort. We’ll also make the jet available to get everyone down there. How does that sound for a venue?”
“What’s the catch?” Decker asked.
“No catch. My wedding present to the pair of you. It’s the least I can do.”
“In that case, I think Nancy would love a Bahamas wedding,” Decker said.
“Perfect. Let me know the dates, and I’ll make it happen.”
“Absolutely. And thank you.” Decker nodded and turned to leave.
“Wait,” Hunt said. “There is one caveat.”
“I knew it,” Decker said, turning back to his boss. “All right, let’s hear it.”
“I have to be there. As do Rory and Colum. It’s non-negotiable.” There was a gleam in Hunt’s eye.
Decker looked back at Hunt for a long moment, resisting the urge to smile. Then he turned toward the door and said over his shoulder, “We’ll see.”
The end.
Ready for another John Decker Adventure?
The next John Decker Thriller
Last Resort
An island with a secret, deep inside the Bermuda Triangle.
After a tumultuous year, the last thing on John Decker’s mind when he and fiancé, Nancy, arrive on the tropical island paradise of Singer Cay, is the Bermuda Triangle. He’s about to marry the woman he loves, surrounded by friends and family. A well-earned break and a dream destination wedding.
But Singer Cay hides a dark and mysterious past. There’s the abandoned resort on the far side of the island, where another bride vanished on her own wedding night one hundred years ago, during a storm that blew up out of nowhere.
A quarter century later, as thunder rumbled and lighting split the sky, a squadron of Navy torpedo bombers on a routine training exercise flew over the island and vanished into thin air.
Now another deadly storm is rolling in, a violent tempest with the power to separate Decker and Nancy before they can even say I do, and plunge them deep into the heart of the Bermuda Triangle…
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Also by Anthony M. Strong
John Decker Thriller Series
What Vengeance Comes
Cold Sanctuary
Crimson Deep
Grendel’s Labyrinth
Whitechapel Rising
Black Tide
Ghost Canyon
Cryptid Quest
Last Resort
John Decker Series Prequel
Soul Catcher
Colum O’Shea Thriller Series
Coming Soon - Deadly Truth
The Remnants Series
The Remnants of Yesterday
The Silence of Tomorrow
Standalone Books and Novellas
The Haunting of Willow House
Crow Song