Elle Kennedy - Hunted, The 03 - Special Ops Exclusive

A WANTED MAN MEETS HIS MATCH

In t h e m idst of r ev olu t ion , a bou t t o be t r a m pled by a r iot in g m ob, st a r jou r n a list Rebecca Pa r k er w on ’t g iv e u p on a st or y —ev en w h en a sex y m ilit a r y m a n lit er a lly sw eeps h er off h er feet t o sa fet y . Nick Pr escot t is a h ot n u m ber , h ot copy a n d a ba d lia r . W h o is h e? W h o n eeds h im dea d? How is h e t ied t o a sin ist er g ov er n m en t plot ? By t ea m in g u p w it h Nick t o u n cov er t h e t r u t h , t h e r ed-h a ir ed spit fir e pu t s h er ow n life in da n g er . Ig n or in g h is w a r n in g s t o w a lk a w a y , Rebecca pr ov es sh e does w h a t sh e w a n t s…bu t does sh e g et t h e lov e t h a t sh e n eeds?

Nick’s lips curved in a faint smile. “This isn’t going to happen, darling.”

Sh e r a ised h er ey ebr ow s. “ Mea n in g ?” “ Y ou a n d m e…sleepin g t og et h er .” A la u g h slipped ou t of h er m ou t h . W ell, t h is w a s a fir st . Sh e fou n d Nick ’s la ck of in t er est oddly r efr esh in g . A n d t ot a l bu ll. “ Oh , r ea lly ?” Sh e in ject ed a t ea sin g n ot e in t o h er v oice. “ So y ou ’r e sa y in g t h a t y ou ’r e n ot a t t r a ct ed t o m e?” Nick let ou t a br ea t h . “ No, beca u se I’d h a v e t o be a m on k not t o be a t t r a ct ed t o y ou . W h a t I’m sa y in g is t h a t I w on ’t sleep w it h y ou .” “ I see.” “ It ’s n ot h in g per son a l,” h e a dded, look in g a n d sou n din g a w k w a r d. “ I ca n ’t focu s on a n y t h in g ot h er t h a n fix in g t h is m ess. I’m a lso n ot t h e k in d of m a n w h o does t h e ca su a l flin g t h in g , so…” “ I t ot a lly g et w h er e y ou ’r e com in g fr om .” Sh e pu r sed h er lips. “ T h er e’s ju st on e pr oblem .” “ W h a t ’s t h a t ?” “ I’m t h e k in d of w om a n w h o w a n t s w h a t sh e ca n ’t h a v e.”

Dea r Rea der , W ell, t h is is it , t h e t h ir d in st a llm en t of t h e Hu n t ed m in iser ies. I’m sa d t o sa y g oodby e t o m y sex y Specia l Ops soldier s, bu t I a m h a ppy t o fin a lly br in g y ou Nick ’s st or y ! Fr om h is in t r odu ct ion in Soldier Under Siege, Nick ca pt u r ed m y h ea r t w it h h is sw eet a n d la id-ba ck per son a lit y . Bu t in Special Forces Rendez vous , w e ca u g h t a g lim pse of Nick ’s n ot -so-sw eet side a s h e v ow ed t o br in g dow n t h e people h u n t in g h im . T h e m or e I g ot t o k n ow Nick , t h e m or e I r ea lized t h a t t h is g ood g u y w a s pa ck in g a bit of a n edg e ben ea t h t h e su r fa ce. For eig n cor r espon den t Rebecca Pa r k er , t h e h er oin e of t h is fin a l book , discov er s t h e sa m e t h in g . Sh e t h in k s g et t in g a scoop ou t of n ice-g u y Nick w ill be a piece of ca k e a n d t h a t sh e ca n h a v e h im w r a pped a r ou n d h er lit t le fin g er in n o t im e—bu t t h e g or g eou s soldier pr ov es t o be m or e st u bbor n , a n d fa r m or e sedu ct iv e, t h a n sh e ev er w ou ld h a v e dr ea m ed. I h ope y ou en joy t h e con clu sion t o t h e Hu n t ed t r ilog y . A n d m a k e su r e t o ch eck ou t t h e fir st t w o book s if y ou h a v en ’t don e so a lr ea dy —T a t e a n d Seba st ia n ’s a dv en t u r es a w a it y ou ! Ha ppy r ea din g . Elle

Elle Kennedy

Special Ops Exclusive

Book s by Elle Ken n edy Ha r lequ in Rom a n t ic Su spen se Mis s ing Mother-To-Be #1680 *Millionaire’s Las t Stand #1686 *The Heartbreak Sheriff #1690 Colton’s Deep Cover #1728 **Soldier Under Siege #1741 **Special Forces Rendez vous #1749 **Special Ops Exclus ive #1753 Silh ou et t e Rom a n t ic Su spen se Silent Watch #1574 Her Private Avenger #1634 Ha r lequ in Bla ze Body Check #458 Witnes s Seduction #637 *Sm a ll-T ow n Sca n da ls **T h e Hu n t ed

Ot h er t it les by t h is a u t h or a v a ila ble in ebook for m a t .

ELLE KENNEDY

A RIT A ® A w a r d-n om in a t ed a u t h or , Elle Ken n edy g r ew u p in t h e su bu r bs of T or on t o, On t a r io, a n d h olds a B.A . in En g lish fr om Y or k Un iv er sit y . Fr om a n ea r ly a g e sh e k n ew sh e w a n t ed t o be a w r it er , a n d a ct iv ely beg a n pu r su in g t h a t dr ea m w h en sh e w a s a t een a g er . Sh e lov es st r on g h er oin es a n d sex y a lph a h er oes, a n d ju st en ou g h h ea t a n d da n g er t o k eep t h in g s in t er est in g . Elle lov es t o h ea r fr om h er r ea der s. V isit h er w ebsit e, w w w .ellek en n edy .com , for t h e la t est n ew s or t o sen d h er a n ot e.

For Cy n di, Roch elle a n d Su sa n for r oom in g w it h m e a n d st ill t h in k in g I’m fu n ev en w h en I’m on dea dlin e! A ck n ow ledg m en t T h a n k y ou t o Roch elle Fr en ch , Gr a ce Ca lla w a y , V a n essa Kier , Ka r in T a bk e, Joy ce La m b, Cy n di Fa r ia , Su sa n Ha t ler , Kr ist in Miller a n d Sa cr a m en t o Sh er iff’s Depu t y Pa u l B., for y ou r h elp w it h t h is on e.

Ch a pt er 1 Ch a pt er 2 Ch a pt er 3 Ch a pt er 4 Ch a pt er 5 Ch a pt er 6 Ch a pt er 7 Ch a pt er 8 Ch a pt er 9 Ch a pt er 1 0 Ch a pt er 1 1 Ch a pt er 1 2 Ch a pt er 1 3 Ch a pt er 1 4 Ch a pt er 1 5 Ch a pt er 1 6 Ch a pt er 1 7 Ch a pt er 1 8 Ch a pt er 1 9 Epilog u e Ex cer pt

Contents

Chapter 1 Mala, Cortega

T

h e cr ow d w a s g r ow in g disr u pt iv e. A n g r y sh ou t s boom ed in t h e a ft er n oon a ir a s h u n dr eds of pr ot est er s r a ised t h eir fist s a n d ch a n t ed t h eir ou t r a g e, st a n din g u n it ed ou t side t h e pa r lia m en t bu ildin g . T h e m ob’s h ost ilit y w a s pa lpa ble, t h e fir st st ir r in g s of v iolen ce com in g a s n o su r pr ise t o Nick Pr escot t , w h o w a t ch ed t h e scen e w it h ou t com m en t . St a n din g u n der t h e pilla r ed en t r a n ce of t h e coffee sh op a cr oss t h e st r eet , h e ex a m in ed t h e t h r on g of people a n d sw a llow ed a fr u st r a t ed g r oa n . Ju st h is lu ck . A ft er n ea r ly t w o w eek s of com in g u p em pt y , h e fin a lly g ot a r ea l lea d t o in v est ig a t e, on ly t o fin d h im self in t h e m iddle of a pr ot est in v olv in g a n elect ion t h a t didn ’t ev en con cer n h im . No w a y w ou ld h is in for m a n t sh ow u p for t h eir m eet in g t oda y . Sa la za r w a s a m em ber of t h e pr iv a t e g u a r d t h a t pr ot ect ed Cor t eg a ’s pr esiden t a n d g ov er n m en t officia ls, a n d ju dg in g by t h e ch a os in t h e st r eet s, t h e cou n t less n ew s v a n s a n d st or y -h u n g r y jou r n a list s, t h e m a n pr oba bly w ou ldn ’t be a ble t o fin d t im e for a cla n dest in e m eet in g . Su r e en ou g h , Nick ’s cell ph on e bu zzed less t h a n t en m in u t es la t er , in dica t in g a t ex t m essa g e fr om Sa la za r . W it h a m u t t er ed cu r se, h e r ea d t h e m essa g e, t h en dia led a n u m ber . W h en Ca pt a in Rober t T a t e pick ed u p t h e ph on e, Nick g ot r ig h t t o t h e poin t . “ Sa la za r ba iled, bu t h e sa id h e’ll t r y t o m eet w it h m e t om or r ow . Let ’s h ope t h e pr ot est er s r ea lize h ow fu t ile t h is ca u se is a n d w ill h a v e disper sed by t h en .” Not t h a t h e bla m ed t h e ir a t e people. T h ey ’d g on e t o t h ose polls in g ood fa it h , t h eir v ot es br in g in g a n ew

liber a l pa r t y in t o pow er , a n d r a t h er t h a n be r ew a r ded w it h a m or e dem ocr a t ic w a y of life, t h ey w er e n ow bein g t old t h e v ot es h a d been m iscou n t ed. Su r pr ise! T h e real w in n er of t h e elect ion w a s t h e oppr essiv e r eg im e t h ey ’d en du r ed for t h e pa st fiv e y ea r s! A n y on e w it h h a lf a br a in cou ld see t h r ou g h t h a t lin e of bu ll, a n d Nick w h oleh ea r t edly su ppor t ed t h e cit izen s’ decision t o m a k e t h eir u n h a ppin ess k n ow n . He ju st w ish ed t h eir big st a n d h a dn ’t fa llen on t h e sa m e da y h e’d h oped t o g et som e a n sw er s. A ft er n ea r ly a y ea r of h idin g ou t on for eig n soil, Nick w a s pr et t y da m n ex h a u st ed. He w a s t ir ed of ly in g low , t ir ed of discr eet ly dig g in g a r ou n d t o fig u r e ou t w h o w a n t ed h im dea d in st ea d of plow in g fu ll speed a h ea d a n d dem anding a n sw er s, con sequ en ces be da m n ed. Bu t a lt h ou g h h e w a s n o lon g er a n a ct iv edu t y soldier in t h e Un it ed St a t es A r m ed For ces, h e st ill follow ed t h e or der s of h is for m er com m a n din g officer , w h o m a in t a in ed t h a t t h is en t ir e m ess n eeded t o be h a n dled delica t ely . “ So w h a t ’s on y ou r a g en da , t h en ?” T a t e a sk ed in t h a t g r u ff v oice of h is. “ I’ll h it t h e st r eet s a n d see if I ca n t r a ck dow n t h e for g er m y self, bu t w it h ou t a n a m e it ’ll be t ou g h . T h is cit y is cr a w lin g w it h sh a dy ch a r a ct er s, m ost of w h o da bble in fa k e IDs.” “ W h ich is pr oba bly w h y W a v er ly m a de a pit st op t h er e.” “ Or t h is cou ld a ll be a n ela bor a t e t r a p,” Nick r eplied, a h in t of a g g r a v a t ion in h is v oice. “ Ma y be W a v er ly n ev er sh ow ed h is fa ce in Cor t eg a a t a ll. Ma y be som eon e t r ick ed u s t o t h in k h is cr edit ca r d w a s u sed t o ch a r t er t h a t pla n e.” “ T o lu r e u s ou t .”

He g a v e a g r im n od ev en t h ou g h T a t e cou ldn ’t see it . “ T o lu r e u s ou t ,” h e con fir m ed. T h er e w a s a bea t . “ Y ou ’v e been in Ma la for t w o da y s. Did y ou g et a sen se t h a t y ou w er e bein g follow ed? Ha v e y ou h ea r d a bou t a n y on e a sk in g qu est ion s a bou t u s?” “ No,” h e a dm it t ed. “ A n d I’v e been k eepin g m y ey es a n d ea r s open .” “ So eit h er y ou r in st in ct s h a v e fa iled y ou , or t h e ba st a r ds w h o w a n t u s dea d h a v e n o idea y ou ’r e in Cor t eg a .” In t u it ion w a s a soldier ’s g r ea t est a sset , a n d Nick h eld h is in h ig h est eem . Not on ly w a s h is g u t t ellin g h im h e w a s in t h e clea r , bu t h e a lso h a dn ’t seen or h ea r d a n y t h in g t o in dica t e t h a t h is pr esen ce h a d been det ect ed or ex pect ed. W h ich m ea n t t h a t Pa u l W a v er ly , t h e m a n t h ey w er e h u n t in g , h a d m ost lik ely been h er e. A n d on ce h e fig u r ed ou t w h a t n a m e W a v er ly w a s n ow g oin g by , fin din g t h e lit t le ba st a r d w ou ld be m u ch , m u ch ea sier . “ A ll r ig h t , w ell, I’ll k eep look in g ,” h e t old T a t e. “ A n y n ew s fr om Seba st ia n ’s fr ien d a t t h e Depa r t m en t of Defen se?” “ Non e. Da v idson h a s been t r y in g t o t r a ck W a v er ly dow n , bu t t o n o a v a il.” A w a v e of dea fen in g ch eer s sw ept t h r ou g h t h e m ob, dr a w in g Nick ’s a t t en t ion t o t h e bla ck w r ou g h t ir on fen ce sepa r a t in g t h e ca pit ol fr om t h e st r eet . Sev er a l pr ot est er s w er e a t t em pt in g t o sca le t h e ba r s, eg g ed on by t h e en r a g ed cr ow d below t h em . A secon d ca coph on y r ock ed t h e a ir —lou d sh ou t s a n d booin g a s la w en for cem en t officer s on t h e scen e beg a n set t in g u p ba r r ica des in a n a t t em pt t o st eer t h e people ou t of t h e r oa d t o let t h e lin e of h on k in g ca r s

t h r ou g h . Sev er a l u n ifor m ed officer s w ieldin g ba t on s sw a r m ed t h e fen ce w it h sh a r p or der s for t h e clim ber s t o descen d. He su ppr essed a sig h a n d t r ied t o focu s on t h e deep v oice g r u m blin g in h is ea r . “ W h a t t h e h ell is g oin g on t h er e, Pr escot t ?” “ T h e people a r e pissed,” h e r eplied fla t ly . “ T h ey g ot scr ew ed ov er by t h eir g ov er n m en t a g a in .” “ Y ea h , I feel t h eir pa in ,” T a t e m u t t er ed. Nick clen ch ed h is t eet h . He w a n t ed so ba dly t o con t r a dict t h e ca pt a in , bu t h e cou ldn ’t , n ot w h en t h e ev iden ce of h is ow n g ov er n m en t ’s bet r a y a l k ept pilin g u p. On ce u pon a t im e h e’d believ ed in h on or . He’d believ ed t h a t t h e g ov er n m en t didn ’t h a r m or oppr ess, bu t t h a t it pr ot ect ed it s cit izen s a n d k ept t h e cou n t r y sa fe fr om ou t side t h r ea t s. Da m n n a iv e of h im m a y be, bu t h e’d been r a ised t o r espect a n d fin d v a lu e in t h e sy st em . Su r e, t h er e w ou ld a lw a y s be a few ba d a pples, bu t t h a t didn ’t m ea n t h e en t ir e t r ee w a s poison ed. If h is fa t h er h a d t a u g h t h im on e t h in g , it w a s t h a t societ y cou ldn ’t fu n ct ion w it h ou t t h e su ppor t of a st r on g g ov er n m en t , a n d h e’d a lw a y s h a d fa it h t h a t his g ov er n m en t t r u ly ca r ed for ea ch a n d ev er y cit izen . Clea r ly t h a t w a sn ’t t h e ca se, seein g a s h ow h is en t ir e u n it h a d been sa cr ificed—a ll so a m y st er iou s h ig h -r a n k in g officia l cou ld con du ct biolog ica l w ea pon s t est in g on in n ocen t people. Nick h a d been h or r ified w h en t h a t g r u esom e t r u t h h a d com e t o lig h t . He’d k n ow n som et h in g h a d been off a bou t h is u n it ’s la st m ission , a n d t h ose in t er n a l a la r m s h a d on ly g r ow n lou der a n d m or e u r g en t a ft er h is t ea m m a t es st a r t ed dr oppin g lik e flies. Mu g g in g , ca n cer , DUI—Nick h a dn ’t bou g h t t h e

lin e of cr a p Com m a n der Ha h n h a d t r ied t o sell h im . A ll t h ose m en h a d been m u r der ed, a n d on ce Nick h a d a close ca ll of h is ow n , h e’d r ea lized h e cou ldn ’t a ffor d t o st a y in D.C., n ot if h e v a lu ed h is ow n life. Join in g for ces w it h T a t e a n d Seba st ia n St on e, a n ot h er m em ber of t h eir u n it , h a d seem ed lik e h is best cou r se of a ct ion . T h e t h r ee m en h a d decided t o ba n d t og et h er t o fin d ou t w h o w a n t ed t h em dea d, a n d a ft er t en m on t h s of dig g in g , t h ey w er e fin a lly g et t in g som ew h er e. A n d Nick , on ce a n a dv oca t e for t h e im por t a n ce a n d in t eg r it y of t h e g ov er n m en t , h a d officia lly becom e disillu sion ed. “ A n y w a y ,” T a t e w a s sa y in g , “ Da v idson a lso a ssu r ed Seb t h a t t h e a n t idot e t o t h e Mer idia n v ir u s is bein g dev eloped by t h e CDC. If t h e v ir u s som eh ow does g et r elea sed a g a in , t h ey ’v e g ot m ea su r es in pla ce t o g et t h e t r ea t m en t ou t a s qu ick ly a n d efficien t ly a s possible.” Nick felt a spa r k of r elief. A lt h ou g h h e h a dn ’t seen t h e effect s of t h e disea se fir st h a n d, m or e t h a n a t h ou sa n d people h a d su ccu m bed t o t h e Mer idia n v ir u s t en da y s a g o a ft er a t er r or ist g r ou p r elea sed it in a sm a ll t ow n in New Y or k . T h e t er r or ist cell h a d been n eu t r a lized, bu t n ot befor e Seba st ia n n ea r ly lost t h e w om a n h e lov ed t o t h e v ir u s. For t u n a t ely , Ju lia h a d been a dm in ist er ed t h e v a ccin e ju st in t im e, a n d t h e sa ssy doct or w a s n ow in Ecu a dor w it h t h e ot h er s, h elpin g t h em fig u r e ou t w h o’d a u t h or ized t h e cr ea t ion of t h e v ir u s in t h e fir st pla ce. T h eir best h ope of lea r n in g t h e t r u t h la y w it h Pa u l W a v er ly . A ft er a t t em pt in g t o in fect Seba st ia n w it h t h e v ir u s, t h e DoD a ide h a d fled W a sh in g t on a n d h a dn ’t been h ea r d fr om sin ce, bu t t h e m a n ’s t ies t o t h e Pen t a g on con fir m ed t h a t som eon e in t h e cu r r en t

a dm in ist r a t ion h a d g iv en t h e or der t o k ill Seba st ia n . T h a t sa m e som eon e h a d a lso a llow ed a biolog ica l w ea pon t o be en g in eer ed, t est ed on a r em ot e Sou t h A m er ica n isla n d a n d pla ced in t h e h a n ds of t er r or ist s. “ Ch eck in a ft er y ou m eet w it h Sa la za r , ok a y ?” T a t e’s com m a n d sn a pped Nick ba ck t o t h e pr esen t . “ Su r e t h in g ,” h e a n sw er ed. A ft er t h e t w o m en h u n g u p, Nick edg ed a w a y fr om t h e con cr et e pilla r . His t em ples w er e beg in n in g t o t h r ob, a n d t h e n oise lev els w er en ’t h elpin g . Ca r h on k s, sh r iek s fr om t h e cr ow d, t h e ea r split t in g police w h ist les. “ I ca n ’t see a da r n t h in g !” Som eh ow , t h e m elodic fem a le v oice pen et r a t ed t h e din a n d su cceeded in sn a g g in g Nick ’s a t t en t ion . He sh ift ed h is g a ze in t im e t o see a pr et t y r edh ea d st a lk dow n t h e sidew a lk . Sh e w or e blu e jea n s, a bla ck T -sh ir t a n d w h it e sn ea k er s, a n d a lt h ou g h sh e w a s pet it e a s h ell, sh e look ed lik e a for ce t o be r eck on ed w it h , ca r r y in g h er self w it h con fiden ce a n d sin g lem in ded pu r pose. A t a ll, m u scu la r ca m er a m a n w it h a sh a v ed h ea d t r a iled a ft er h er , a n a m u sed look in h is ey es. “ St a n d on t h e v a n ,” h e su g g est ed. Fr om t h eir a ccen t s, a n d t h e fa ct t h a t t h ey w er e bot h spea k in g En g lish , it w a s ea sy t o dedu ce t h ey w er e A m er ica n . Nick sea r ch ed t h e n ew s v a n s in t h e dist a n ce, w on der in g w h ich n et w or k t h ese t w o w or k ed for . A few y a r ds a w a y , t h e r epor t er h a lt ed, spu n a r ou n d a n d pr opped h er h a n ds on h er h ips. “ A n d I su ppose I’ll in t er v iew t h e pr ot est er s by sh ou t in g ou t qu est ion s w h ile I’m st a n din g on t op of t h e g ee-dee v a n ?” Gee-dee?

Nick fu r r ow ed h is br ow s, t r y in g t o deciph er t h a t . “ Or ,” t h e ca m er a m a n cou n t er ed, “ m a y be y ou don ’t do any in t er v iew s.” W h en sh e ba lk ed, t h e m a n ’s ex pr ession g r ew ser iou s. “ I’m ser iou s. I don ’t lik e t h e look s of t h ese people, Beck s. T h ey ’r e st a r t in g t o g et r iled u p.” No soon er h a d t h e w or ds left h is m ou t h t h a n t h e sou n d of sh a t t er in g g la ss filled t h e a ir a n d a fr esh w a v e of ch eer s r olled t h r ou g h t h e m ob. Nick ’s h ea r t dr opped t o t h e pit of h is st om a ch w h en h e g lim psed t h e sou r ce of t h e com m ot ion . A dozen pr ot est er s h a d a m bu sh ed on e of t h e ca r s a t t em pt in g t o dr iv e t h r ou g h t h e clog g ed st r eet . A m a n in r a t t y jea n s a n d a sw ea t -st a in ed t a n k t op h a d dr iv en a cr ow ba r t h r ou g h t h e w in dsh ield a n d w a s n ow g oin g t o t ow n on t h e h ood. His coh or t s w er e r ock in g t h e ca r a n d pou n din g t h eir fist s on t h e w in dow s w h ile t h e fa m ily in side t h e v eh icle let ou t t er r ified scr ea m s. T h is r ea lly w as g et t in g ou t of h a n d. Nick g la n ced a t t h e police officer s, w h o w er e t r y in g t o con t r ol t h e cr ow d, t h en a t t h e a r m or ed v a n t h a t h a d ju st a r r iv ed on t h e scen e. Bla ck -cla d soldier s, t h e equ iv a len t of a n A m er ica n SW A T t ea m , pou r ed ou t of t h e v a n , t h eir sh ou t s t o cea se a n d desist g et t in g sw a llow ed by t h e in fu r ia t ed pr ot est er s. “ Cr a p,” t h e ca m er a m a n blu r t ed ou t . “ T h e r u bber bu llet s w ill be m a k in g a n a ppea r a n ce soon . A n d t h ose t h i n g s hurt, da m n it ! Rem em ber t h e r iot in Joh a n n esbu r g la st y ea r ?” T h e r edh ea ded r epor t er la u g h ed, a n d for som e r ea son , t h a t t w in k le of sou n d m a de Nick ’s h ea r t do a st r a n g e lit t le flip. “ W e m a de it ou t of t h er e a liv e,” sh e r eplied. “ A n d w e’ll m a k e it ou t of t h is a liv e, t oo.”

A n d t h en , t o Nick ’s su r pr ise, t h e cu r v y lit t le w om a n m a r ch ed tow ard t h e com m ot ion r a t h er t h a n a w a y fr om it . He t r ied t o k eep h is g a ze on h er , bu t it w a s a difficu lt t a sk , especia lly w h en sh e seem ed det er m in ed t o pu sh h er w a y in t o t h e sw a r m of scr ea m in g people. T h e cr ow d did n ot pa r t for h er lik e t h e Red Sea , it ju st sw a llow ed h er w h ole, a n d on ly t h a t g or g eou s r ed h a ir m a de it possible t o see h er . T h e a ft er n oon su n lig h t ca u g h t in t h ose lon g w a v y t r esses, m a k in g t h em sh in e lik e bu r n ish ed copper . Beca u se m ost of t h e pr ot est er s w er e of Sou t h A m er ica n descen t , boa st in g sw a r t h y com plex ion s a n d da r k h a ir , t h e A m er ica n r epor t er , w it h h er br ig h t h a ir a n d fa ir sk in , st ood ou t lik e w h it e a t a fu n er a l. Beck s . Som et h in g su dden ly click ed, m a k in g Nick su ck in a br ea t h . Da m n , t h a t w a sn ’t ju st any r epor t er . T h a t w a s Rebecca Pa r k er , t h e st a r for eig n cor r espon den t for A BN, t h e A m er ica n Br oa dca st New s n et w or k . Kn ow n for h er g u t sy cov er a g e of t h e w or ld’s m ost da n g er ou s con flict s, Pa r k er w a s a n ew s h er oin e, h a iled a s t h e n ex t Ch r ist ia n e A m a n pou r , a n d on e of t h e m a in r ea son s A m er ica n s t u n ed in t o A BN. Especia lly m en a g ed t w en t y -on e t o for t y -n in e. Hell, m a k e t h a t a n y m a le, a n y dem og r a ph ic. W it h t h ose g or g eou s g ood look s, sh a r p g r een ey es a n d a per pet u a l sm ir k t h a t w a s h a lf m ock in g , h a lf sen su a l, Rebecca Pa r k er w a s a ppea lin g a s h ell. “ Dow n on t h e g r ou n d!” boom ed a m em ber of t h e t a ct ica l t ea m . T h e or der w a s spok en in Spa n ish a n d h a d been dir ect ed a t t h e v a n da ls su r r ou n din g t h e da m a g ed ca r , n on e of w h om follow ed in st r u ct ion s. Nick w a t ch ed t h e r isin g t en sion s w it h u n ea sin ess, feelin g t h e t h r ea t of im pen din g v iolen ce bu ildin g in

t h e a ir . A s u su a l, h is in st in ct s didn ’t lea d h im a st r a y . W h en ch a os br ok e ou t , h e w a s ex pect in g it , a n d y et it st ill m a n a g ed t o ca t ch h im off g u a r d. T h e m ob t u r n ed sa v a g e, a t t a ck in g t h e v eh icles on t h e r oa d, a t t a ck in g t h e police officer s a n d SW A T m em ber s, a t t a ck in g ea ch ot h er . Bot t les a n d food it em s a n d g a r ba g e sa iled t h r ou g h t h e a ir , g la ss sm a sh in g on t h e pa v em en t , police w h ist les bla r in g a s t h e officer s t r ied t o su bdu e t h e su dden ly fer ociou s cr ow d. T h e pr ot est h a d t u r n ed in t o a fu ll-blow n r iot , a n d Nick qu ick ly du ck ed a w a y fr om t h e coffee sh op a s a dozen en r a g ed people st or m ed t h e ca fé a n d pr oceeded t o t h r ow bot t les a t t h e pla t e-g la ss w in dow . He cou ld ba r ely h ea r h is ow n t h ou g h t s beca u se t h e n oise w a s so lou d. T h e sit u a t ion h a d g r ow n cr it ica l in t h e blin k of a n ey e, a n d Nick ’s pu lse sped u p a s h e su dden ly r em em ber ed t h a t Rebecca Pa r k er w a s spla t in t h e m iddle of a ll t h a t a n a r ch y . Squ a r in g h is sh ou lder s, h e t ook a decisiv e st ep for w a r d. A lt h ou g h h e m a de n o m ov e t o g r a b t h e 9 m illim et er t u ck ed u n der t h e w a ist ba n d of h is ca r g o pa n t s a n d h idden by h is T -sh ir t , h e w a s a cu t ely a w a r e of t h e w ea pon . A n y h in t of t r ou ble, a n d h e’d sh oot h is w a y ou t of t h is da m n r iot if n eed be. He sw ept h is g a ze ov er t h e sea of people, sea r ch in g for t h a t t ellt a le fla sh of r ed. W h er e t h e h ell w a s sh e? A n d w h a t k in d of w om a n w illin g ly pla ced h er n eck on t h e lin e? Didn ’t sh e h a v e a n y con cer n for — There. Relief cou r sed t h r ou g h h im a s h e spot t ed h er . Sh e w a s t h ir t y feet a w a y , bein g jost led a n d m a n h a n dled by t h e people a r ou n d h er a s t h ey a t t em pt ed t o ch a r g e t h e fen ce in fr on t of t h e pa r lia m en t bu ildin g . T h e w om a n w a s pu sh in g h er w a y t h r ou g h t h e cr ow d, t r y in g t o m a k e it t o sa fet y . Her ca m er a m a n w a s n ow h er e in sig h t , m u ch t o

Nick ’s dism a y . He qu ick ly t h r ew h im self in t o t h e fr a y . W it h in secon ds h e w a s su r r ou n ded by h u n dr eds of people. T h e scen t of sw ea t a n d body odor a n d fu r y filled h is n ost r ils, t h e h ea t of a ll t h ose bodies m a k in g h is T sh ir t clin g t o h is ch est . He k ept h is g a ze lock ed on t h e r edh ea ded r epor t er , focu sin g on h is t a r g et lik e a h ea t seek in g m issile. T h e u n ea sy flick er in Rebecca Pa r k er ’s g r een ey es w a s ev iden t , bu t it w a sn ’t t h e fla sh of pa n ic h e ex pect ed t o see. T h e w om a n w a s h oldin g h er ow n , t h r ow in g elbow s lik e a st r eet fig h t er . For a m om en t , h e ev en qu est ion ed t h e decision t o com e t o h er r escu e, beca u se sh e seem ed t o be doin g ju st fin e on h er ow n . Or a t lea st sh e w a s u n t il a beer bot t le flew t h r ou g h t h e a ir a n d collided w it h t h e side of h er h ea d. Nick ’s g u t w en t r ig id a s h e w a t ch ed h er st u m ble. A secon d la t er , t h e r edh ea d w en t dow n lik e a lig h t a n d h er body cr u m pled t o t h e pa v em en t . In per fect posit ion t o be t r a m pled by t h e m ob.

Chapter 2 Rebecca

felt lik e som eon e h a d pu lled t h e ca r pet ou t fr om u n der h er feet . On e secon d sh e w a s t ot a lly v er t ica l, t h e n ex t sh e w a s fla t on h er ba ck , pa in sh oot in g t h r ou g h t h e side of h er h ea d a n d bla ck dot s m a r r in g h er v ision . Sh e su ck ed in a deep br ea t h , blin k in g w ildly , t r y in g t o g et h er bea r in g s. T h e pa in in h er t em ple didn ’t a ba t e, bu t h er v ision clea r ed t o r ev ea l ju st h ow pr eca r iou s a sit u a t ion sh e’d fou n d h er self in . A n g r y fa ces a n d m ov in g bodies w h izzed a bov e h er . Sh e br a ced bot h pa lm s on t h e h ot pa v em en t a n d t r ied t o st a n d u p, on ly t o fa ll ba ck w a r d w h en som eon e bu m ped in t o h er . Som eon e else st epped on h er foot , br in g in g a jolt of pa in . Uh -oh . T h is w a s ba d. Ea ch t im e sh e su cceeded in u n st ea dily clim bin g t o h er feet , sh e g ot k n ock ed r ig h t ba ck dow n , a n d n ow sh e w a s seein g st a r s a g a in . Her ey es cou ldn ’t seem t o focu s a n d sh a pes w er e beg in n in g t o look blu r r y . T h e fea r fin a lly h it h er , clog g in g h er t h r oa t a n d m a k in g h er h ea r t pou n d. A g on y bu r n ed u p h er a r m a s sh e g ot st om ped on a g a in . God. Sh e w a s g oin g t o g et cr u sh ed in a st a m pede. W it h a bu r st of a dr en a lin e, sh e m a de a n ot h er a t t em pt t o h u r l h er self t o h er feet —a n d t h is t im e it w or k ed. Sh e w a s off t h e g r ou n d a n d h ov er in g ov er t h e cr ow d—w a it , h ov er in g over it ? Blin k in g a few t im es, Rebecca r ea lized t h e r ea son sh e felt lik e sh e w a s floa t in g w a s beca u se sh e w as floa t in g . Sh e w a s t u ck ed t ig h t ly in a m a n ’s a r m s, a m a n w h o’d t a k en it u pon h im self t o ca r r y h er a w a y t o sa fet y , Kev in Cost n er –st y le.

“ W h o a r e y ou ?” sh e m u r m u r ed, bu t t h e in qu ir y g ot lost in t h e r iot er s’ sh ou t s a n d t h e r a pid poppin g n oises of r u bber bu llet s bein g fir ed in t o t h e cr ow d. Jesse. W h er e w a s Jesse? Her ou t -of-focu s g a ze r oa m ed t h e a r ea bu t sh e cou ldn ’t spot t h a t ba ld h ea d of h is a n y w h er e. Sh e pr a y ed h e w a s ok a y , t h a t h e’d fou n d h is ow n sa v ior t o w h isk h im t o sa fet y . Sh e su dden ly beca m e a w a r e of t h e m ost in t ox ica t in g scen t , a n d sh e in h a led deeply , fillin g h er lu n g s w it h t h a t spicy a r om a . It w a s him , sh e r ea lized. God, h e sm elled g ood. Sh e g la n ced u p t o st u dy t h e fa ce of h er r escu er , ca t ch in g g lim pses of a st r on g , clea n -sh a v en ja w . Sen su a l lips. A st r a ig h t n ose. Sh e w a n t ed t o see h is ey es, bu t t h e a n g le w a s a ll w r on g , so sh e focu sed on h is in cr edible ch est in st ea d. Jeez, t h e g u y m u st w or k ou t . His t or so w a s h a r d a s a r ock , r ippled w it h m u scles t h a t flex ed a t ea ch pu r posefu l st ep h e t ook . A s m u ch a s sh e w a n t ed t o qu est ion t h is m a n , Rebecca decided t o ex er cise som e pa t ien ce a n d w a it u n t il t h ey clea r ed t h e m ob. Sh oot . Sh e w a s g oin g t o r eceiv e a big fa t I told you s o w h en sh e r eu n it ed w it h h er ca m er a m a n . He’d w a r n ed h er n ot t o v en t u r e t oo deep in t o t h e cr ow d, bu t a t t h is poin t , sh e w a sn ’t su r e w h y h e bot h er ed w it h t h e w a r n in g s a n y m or e. A ft er fiv e y ea r s of w or k in g t og et h er , Jesse ou g h t t o k n ow t h a t Rebecca did w h a t sh e w a n t ed, w h en sh e w a n t ed. Sh e h a dn ’t g ot t en t o w h er e sh e w a s by st a n din g m eek ly on t h e sidelin es; h er r epu t a t ion h a d been for g ed by h er a bilit y t o t h r ow h er self in t h e m iddle of t h e a ct ion . Sh e w a s on ly t w en t y -sev en y ea r s old a n d sh e’d r epor t ed fr om cou n t less w a r zon es, cov er ed ev er y t h in g fr om polit ica l sca n da ls t o g en ocide, a n d on ce sh e sa n k h er t eet h in t o a st or y , sh e r efu sed t o let g o u n t il sh e g ot t o t h e h ea r t of t h e m a t t er .

Sh e w a s Rebecca Pa r k er , da r n it . Sh e didn ’t cow er fr om da n g er or a llow som et h in g lik e a m ea sly r iot t o slow h er dow n . Says the w om an w ho nearly got tram pled to death. Rebecca ig n or ed t h e m ock in g in t er n a l v oice a n d clu n g t ig h t er t o h er r escu er ’s sh ou lder s. Ma n , h e h a d big sh ou lder s. A n d h e w a s tall. A t lea st six -on e, a n d sh e felt dow n r ig h t t in y in h is a r m s. Fin e, so m a y be sh e’d r equ ir ed a lit t le a ssist a n ce t o g et ou t of t h is la t est ja m , sh e a m en ded, bu t for t h e m ost pa r t , sh e u su a lly m a n a g ed t o g et in a n d ou t of t ig h t spot s w it h h er ow n qu ick t h in k in g a n d det er m in a t ion . “ Y ou ok a y ?” T h e con cer n ed m a le v oice br ok e t h r ou g h h er t h ou g h t s. Sh e look ed u p a t h er r escu er , fin a lly g et t in g a g ood look a t t h ose elu siv e ey es. Boy , w er e t h ey w or t h t h e w a it . A t fir st g la n ce t h ey w er e br ow n —u n t il y ou look ed closer a n d r ea lized t h ey w er e t h e color of w a r m h on ey w it h fleck s of a m ber a r ou n d t h e pu pils. A n d t h ey w er e so m a g n et ic t h a t sh e felt h y pn ot ized a s sh e g a zed in t o t h em . “ Ms. Pa r k er ?” Sh e blin k ed, for cin g h er self ba ck t o r ea lit y . “ Oh . I’m fin e,” sh e a n sw er ed. “ A lit t le br u ised, bu t I’ll liv e. A n d y ou ca n ca ll m e Rebecca . I t h in k it ’s on ly fit t in g I be on a fir st -n a m e ba sis w it h t h e m a n w h o sa v ed m y life.” His lips cu r v ed. “ If y ou sa y so.” It didn ’t esca pe h er t h a t h e h a dn ’t in t r odu ced h im self in r et u r n , bu t befor e sh e cou ld pr ess h im for a n a m e, fog h or n s st a r t ed bla st in g a n d a m a le v oice bla r ed ou t of a m eg a ph on e. A m em ber of t h e police for ce, u r g in g t h e dem on st r a t or s t o disper se or else ex t r em e m ea su r es w ou ld be t a k en . T h e cr ow d on ly

g ot n oisier , booin g a n d y ellin g in r espon se. Rebecca st ifled a sig h . Sh e’d bor n e w it n ess t o en ou g h r iot s t o k n ow t h a t t h ese people w er en ’t g oin g a n y w h er e. Now t h a t t h e m ob h a d g ot t en a t a st e of blood a n d v iolen ce, t h in g s w ou ld on ly esca la t e. A n d sh e w ou ldn ’t be t h er e t o cov er it . “ Cr a p,” sh e m u t t er ed. “ Y ou h a v e t o pu t m e dow n .” Her r escu er didn ’t m iss a st ep. He k ept bea r in g a h ea d a t fu ll speed. “ I’m ser iou s.” Sh e w ig g led in h is a r m s, t r y in g t o g et fr ee, bu t h is g r ip t ig h t en ed, m a k in g h er r ea lize ju st h ow st r on g t h is m a n w a s. St r u g g lin g didn ’t m a k e a lick of differ en ce. In t h e en d, sh e g r it t ed h er t eet h a n d clu t ch ed t h ose br oa d sh ou lder s. T h er e w a sn ’t a da r n t h in g sh e cou ld do u n t il h e pu t h er dow n . A few m in u t es la t er , w h en t h ey w er e w ell a w a y fr om t h e scr ea m in g pr ot est er s, h er per son a l body g u a r d fin a lly set h er on h er feet . Befor e sh e cou ld sa y a w or d, h e ca pt u r ed h er ch in w it h on e h a n d a n d a n g led h er h ea d w h ile h is ot h er h a n d lig h t ly t ou ch ed h er left t em ple. Pa in jolt ed t h r ou g h h er . “ T h e w ou n d st opped bleedin g ,” h er r escu er m u r m u r ed in t h a t deep, sex y v oice of h is. “ Bu t y ou ’v e g ot a h ell of a bu m p. How ’s y ou r v ision ? A n y n a u sea ? Follow m y fin g er .” A s h e m ov ed h is fin g er ba ck a n d for t h in fr on t of h er fa ce, Rebecca ’s lips t ig h t en ed. “ I’m fin e,” sh e in sist ed. “ Follow m y da m n fin g er .” A h , h e w a s on e of thos e m en , h u h ? Mr . A lph a . Decidin g t o h u m or h im , sh e t r a ck ed t h e m ov em en t of h is fin g er w it h h er ey es. Sh e k n ew sh e

didn ’t h a v e a con cu ssion . Sh e’d h a d sev er a l of t h ose in t h e pa st , a n d a lt h ou g h sh e’d t a k en a g ood k n ock t o t h e side of t h e h ea d, sh e w a s a lr ea dy feelin g bet t er , m or e or ien t ed. Her su r r ou n din g s w er e in per fect focu s n ow , a n d a side fr om a slig h t t h r obbin g in h er t em ple, sh e felt a ler t . Her sa v ior m u st h a v e r ea ch ed t h e sa m e con clu sion , beca u se h e let t h ose big h a n ds dr op fr om h er fa ce. “ Y ou cou ld’v e been k illed,” h e sa id fla t ly . “ T h a t w a s da m n r eck less of y ou , st r ollin g r ig h t in t o t h e m iddle of t h a t m ob.” A n ot e of disa ppr ov a l r a n g in h is v oice, m a k in g h er r oll h er ey es. “ Da n g er com es w it h t h e job,” sh e sa id w it h a sh r u g . “ A lt h ou g h if I’m bein g h on est , I w a sn ’t ex pect in g t h is a ssig n m en t t o be so ex cit in g . Elect ion cov er a g e t en ds t o be bor in g .” T h er e w a s a scr eech of t ir es a s sev er a l police ca r s sk idded t o a st op t en feet a w a y fr om t h em . Her r escu er pla n t ed a h a n d on h er u pper a r m a n d led h er fa r t h er a w a y fr om t h e st r eet , dr a g g in g h er a lon g t h e cobblest on e sidew a lk t ow a r d t h e en d of t h e block . On ly a h a n dfu l of cu r iou s by st a n der s loit er ed h er e, peer in g a t t h e v iolen t spect a cle dow n t h e r oa d w h ile a few u n ifor m ed officer s st ood n ea r by , m a k in g su r e t h e r iot didn ’t spr ea d ou t w a r d. Rebecca a llow ed h im t o dr a g h er t o t h e cor n er , t h en sh r u g g ed h is h a n d off a n d spu n a r ou n d. Sh e squ in t ed, sea r ch ed t h e h a n dfu l of n ew s v a n s in t h e dist a n ce, a n d h it ch ed a h a ppy br ea t h w h en sh e spot t ed Jesse. Sm a r t -a ss w a s a ct u a lly st a n din g on t op of t h e r ed-a n d-w h it e A BN v a n , ju st lik e h e’d en cou r a g ed h er t o do ea r lier . Ch u ck lin g , sh e du g h er cell ph on e fr om t h e ba ck pock et of h er jea n s a n d pr essed a bu t t on on speed dia l.

“ I h a v e t o let m y collea g u e k n ow I’m a ll r ig h t ,” sh e ex pla in ed t o h er r escu er , w h o w a s w a t ch in g h er w it h t h ose sh a r p a m ber ey es. For a m om en t , sh e fa lt er ed, a sen se of fa m ilia r it y w a sh in g ov er h er , bu t befor e sh e cou ld ex a m in e t h a t st r a n g e do-I-k n ow -y ou -fr om -som ew h er e? feelin g , Jesse’s v oice ca m e ov er t h e lin e. “ Beck s! W h er e t h e hell a r e y ou ?” “ I’m a t t h e en d of t h e block , ju st ea st of y ou . A n d don ’t w or r y , I’m fin e. I m a de it ou t a liv e.” “ Ba r ely ,” sh e h ea r d h er r escu er sa y . Ig n or in g t h e a n g r y m u m ble, sh e r a ised h er a r m a n d w a v ed a few t im es. “ Y ou see m e?” “ I see y ou .” Jesse sig h ed. “ Don ’t m ov e. Da v e ’n ’ I w ill m a k e ou r w a y ov er t o y ou .” “ No, st a y t h er e,” sh e sa id, sh ov in g a st r a n d of h a ir ou t of h er ey es. “ Get som e foot a g e of t h e r iot . I’ll h ea d ba ck in a m in u t e a n d do a liv e r epor t .” “ A r e y ou fr ick in ’ k idding—” “ Fr om t h e v a n ,” sh e qu ick ly cu t in . “ Pr om ise.” “ Fin e. Get ba ck h er e, Beck s. T h is cr ow d is n u t s.” T h ey h u n g u p, a n d Rebecca g la n ced a t t h e m a n w h o’d sa v ed h er life. “ So…” Sh e t ilt ed h er h ea d. “ Y ou st ill h a v en ’t t old m e y ou r n a m e.” “ I’m Nick . Nick Pr escot t .” He r a n a h a n d t h r ou g h h is h a ir , w h ich w a s da r k a n d t h ick , w it h a slig h t w a v e t o it . A g a in , t h a t a ppea lin g scen t floa t ed in h er dir ect ion . Su bt le a ft er sh a v e, soa p, pu r e m a scu lin it y . Sh e st u died h im , t a k in g in t h e da r k blu e T -sh ir t t h a t clu n g t o ev er y r idg e a n d con t ou r of h is defin ed ch est . T h e lon g leg s en ca sed in oliv e-g r een ca r g o pa n t s. T h a t cla ssica lly h a n dsom e fa ce. It w a s odd—t h e m a n m ov ed a n d beh a v ed lik e a soldier , y et h e g a v e off a n a r ist ocr a t ic a ir . He ca m e

fr om w ea lt h . Sh e’d w a g er a n y t h in g on it , ev en h er m ost pr ized possession : t h e cer t ifica t e list in g h er a s a Pu lit zer pr ize fin a list , w h ich w a s pin n ed t o h er bu llet in boa r d ba ck h om e. Beca u se sh e’d w or k ed t h e W h it e Hou se bea t w h en sh e’d fir st st a r t ed ou t , sh e’d g r ow n sk illed a t fig u r in g ou t w h o w a s r ich a n d w h o w a sn ’t , som et im es fr om ju st on e qu ick look . A n d t h is m a n w a s defin it ely r ich . Nick . T h e n a m e su dden ly r eg ist er ed in h er h ea d. W a it a m in u t e… “ W h a t ?” h e m u t t er ed, seem in g ly u n com for t a ble by h er scr u t in y . “ Nick Pr escot t ,” sh e ech oed, fig h t in g a r u sh of su spicion . “ A n d w h a t ex a ct ly do y ou do, Nick ?” He sh r u g g ed. “ I’m a jou r n a list , sa m e a s y ou .” Bu llcr a p. Sh e n a r r ow ed h er ey es. “ Pr in t or t elev ision ?” “ Pr in t . Fr eela n ce.” He a n sw er ed sm oot h ly , h is pr ev iou s discom for t h a v in g v a n ish ed. “ Most of m y pieces a r e fea t u r ed in sm a ller pu blica t ion s. Not h in g qu it e a s im pr essiv e a s y ou r r ésu m é.” He fla sh ed h er a boy ish g r in , bu t Rebecca sa w r ig h t t h r ou g h it . Ha . Did h e h on est ly t h in k h e cou ld dist r a ct h er by st r ok in g h er eg o? Sh e w a s a sh a r k , for Pet e’s sa k e. A n d sh a r k s n ev er g ot dist r a ct ed fr om t h eir cou r se, n ot a ft er t h ey ’d ca u g h t a w h iff of blood. T h a t feelin g of fa m ilia r it y g r ew st r on g er , t ea sed h er , n u dg ed t h e ba ck of h er m in d. Da r n it . W h er e t h e h eck did sh e k now h im fr om ? Sh e sw ift ly sca n n ed h er m en t a l da t a ba ses, r eca llin g t h e sou r ces sh e’d r elied on ov er t h e y ea r s, t h e con flict s sh e’d cov er ed, t h e polit ica l fig u r es sh e’d in t er v iew ed, t h e— Back it up, Beck s .

Sh e fr ow n ed. Polit ica l fig u r es. A ll r ig h t . W a s t h is m a n a polit icia n ? A m em ber of a n in flu en t ia l fa m ily w it h fin g er s in t h e W h it e Hou se pie? A s fa r a s sh e k n ew , t h er e w er en ’t a n y pow er fu l Pr escot t s in D.C. Sh e w or k ed t h e n a m e ov er in h er h ea d a few t im es. Nick Pr escot t . Pr escot t . Nick . Nick Pr es— Recog n it ion sla m m ed in t o h er lik e a t ida l w a v e. No, sh e w a sn ’t fa m ilia r w it h a Nick Pr escot t . Sh e did, h ow ev er , k n ow of a Nick Barrett. Holy crap! Rebecca n ea r ly g a sped, bu t m a n a g ed t o cu r b t h e r ea ct ion a t t h e la st secon d. Sh e cou ldn ’t let h im k n ow sh e’d fig u r ed it ou t . If h e w a s u sin g a fa k e n a m e, t h en t h a t m ea n t h e didn ’t w a n t t o a ler t a n y body t o h is pr esen ce, a n d if h e w a s g oin g ou t of h is w a y t o h ide h is pr esen ce, t h en t h a t m ea n t … Oh y ea h , t h er e w a s a st or y h er e, a ll r ig h t . No dou bt a bou t it . A n d t h er e w a s a lso n o dou bt in h er m in d t h a t sh e w a s, a t t h is v er y m om en t , in t h e com pa n y of Nick Ba r r et t . T h e son of A m er ica ’s secr et a r y of defen se.

Chapter 3 Da m n ,

t h is w om a n w a s a ppea lin g . Her m ou t h fa scin a t ed h im en t ir ely t oo m u ch . Sex y a n d pou t y a n d r osy -r ed, w it h a plu m p bot t om lip t h a t m a de Nick ’s ow n m ou t h t in g le w it h t h e u r g e t o k iss h er . A n d h is fin g er s it ch ed t o ex plor e t h ose delect a ble cu r v es. Her jea n s a n d T -sh ir t w er en ’t sk in t ig h t , bu t t h ey h u g g ed a set of r ou n d, h ig h br ea st s a n d a pa ir of sh a pely leg s t h a t w ou ld pr oba bly feel in cr edible w r a pped a r ou n d h is w a ist w h ile h e t h r u st in t o h er a n d— W h oa . T h e w ick ed im a g es h a d com e ou t of left field, floodin g h is m in d a n d m a k in g h is m ou t h w a t er . He’d been celiba t e for so lon g t h a t t h e for ce of h is lu st didn ’t su r pr ise h im , bu t h is lu st y u r g es didn ’t n or m a lly ca t ch h im off g u a r d lik e t h is. He qu ick ly for ced h is libido in ch eck , h opin g Rebecca h a dn ’t n ot iced t h a t fla r e of h ea t in h is ey es. Her t in y sm ir k r ev ea led t h a t sh e’d n ot iced a ll r ig h t . “ So…Nick ,” sh e sa id, h is n a m e r ollin g off h er t on g u e lik e a sen su a l m elody . “ How ca n I t h a n k y ou for w h a t y ou did ba ck t h er e?” Ha lf a dozen n a u g h t y r espon ses ca m e t o m in d, bu t h e w a s n ot h in g if n ot a g en t lem a n . He a ll bu t t ipped h is im a g in a r y h a t a n d sm iled g r a ciou sly . “ No t h a n k s n ecessa r y . Sa v in g y ou fr om t h a t st a m pede w a s m y plea su r e.” Her lips t w it ch ed a s if sh e w er e fig h t in g a la u g h . “ Uh -h u h . W ell, ev en so, m y da ddy t a u g h t m e t h a t ev er y debt m u st be r epa id. So h ow a bou t I bu y y ou a dr in k t on ig h t ?” W h en h er v oice t ook on a Sou t h er n dr a w l, a sm ile

t u g g ed a t h is lips. “ Do I h ea r Geor g ia in y ou r v oice or is t h a t ju st a da m n g ood fa k e a ccen t ?” “ A t la n t a bor n a n d r a ised,” sh e con fir m ed. “ I didn ’t k n ow t h a t . I a lw a y s a ssu m ed y ou w er e fr om D.C.” “ T h e n et w or k for ced v oice lesson s on m e w h en I g ot h ir ed. T h ey w a n t ed m e t o t on e dow n t h e a ccen t beca u se it w a s t oo low -brow .” A t w in k le lit h er g r een ey es. “ A n d I ca n g u a r a n t ee t h a t t h er e a r e m a n y ot h er in t er est in g t h in g s y ou don ’t k n ow a bou t m e.” He didn ’t dou bt it on e bit . T h is w om a n w a s in t r ig u in g a s h ell, a n d h e w a s sw ift ly r ea lizin g sh e w a s m u ch m or e t h a n t h e fea r less cor r espon den t h e’d seen on t h e T V scr een cou n t less t im es befor e. In per son , it w a s h a r d t o m iss t h e la u g h t er in h er ey es, or t h e su bt le sex u a lit y r a dia t in g fr om h er pet it e fr a m e. A n d ev en t h ou g h h e h a t ed st er eot y pin g people, h e w a s fa ir ly con fiden t t h a t Rebecca Pa r k er ’s fla m in g r ed h a ir w a s a su r efir e sig n t h a t t h e w om a n w a s st u bbor n a s a m u le. “ W e’ll g et t o k n ow ea ch ot h er ov er dr in k s,” sh e sa id in a t on e t h a t br ook ed n o a r g u m en t . “ I w on ’t t a k e n o for a n a n sw er , so don ’t bot h er t u r n in g m e dow n .” Y u p, st u bbor n . Nick cou ldn ’t h elp bu t ch u ck le. “ Sh ou ld I be in su lt ed t h a t y ou im m edia t ely a ssu m e I don ’t h a v e ot h er pla n s?” Sh e a r ch ed h er br ow . “ Do y ou ?” He g r in n ed. “ No.” “ Y ou a lso a r en ’t w ea r in g a w eddin g r in g ,” sh e poin t ed ou t , “ w h ich lea ds m e t o believ e y ou ’r e n ot m a r r ied.” Sh e cock ed h er h ea d. “ Un less y ou ’r e t h a t br eed of a -h ole t h a t h ides t h e r in g in h is su it ca se w h en h e t r a v els?”

“ I a ssu r e y ou , I’m n ot t h a t k in d of a -h ole.” Her a n sw er in g la u g h t er w a s a sw eet son g t h a t m a de h is pu lse speed u p. “ Y ou ’r e a g ood boy , a r en ’t y ou , Nick Pr escot t ?” Now h er ex pr ession w en t sh r ew d. Hea t r ippled t h r ou g h h im , pu lsin g in h is blood a n d st ir r in g h is g r oin . If sh e cou ld r ea d h is dir t y m in d a t t h e m om en t , sh e m ig h t be in clin ed t o a lt er t h a t opin ion , bu t h e decided n ot t o v oice t h a t t h ou g h t ou t lou d. “ Som et h in g w r on g w it h g ood g u y s?” h e sa id lig h t ly . Her ey es g r ew pen siv e. “ I don ’t k n ow . I’v e on ly ev er g on e ou t w it h ba d boy s.” Sh e sh r u g g ed. “ Bu t I g u ess I’ll fin d ou t t on ig h t . W h a t h ot el a r e y ou st a y in g a t ?” “ T h e Liber t y .” T h ose sex y lips qu ir k ed. “ W h a t do y ou k n ow ? T h a t ’s w h er e I’m st a y in g , t oo. W e’ll m eet dow n st a ir s a t t h e ba r , t h en . I’d a sk y ou t o din n er bu t I ea t w it h m y cr ew —it ’s sor t of a t r a dit ion . How ’s n in e o’clock for dr in k s?” Nick k n ew h e ou g h t t o sa y n o. He w a s h er e t o t r a ck dow n t h a t sn a k e W a v er ly , n ot t o g o ou t w it h a bea u t ifu l r edh ea d h e su spect ed m ig h t be n ot h in g bu t t r ou ble. Y et a s h e m et Rebecca Pa r k er ’s ex pect a n t g r een ey es, h e cou ldn ’t fin d t h e w illpow er t o t u r n h er dow n . “ Nin e o’clock ,” h e a g r eed. Plea su r e w a sh ed ov er h er pr et t y fa ce. “ Good. I’ll see y ou t on ig h t .” Sh e t ook a st ep ba ck , t h en m et h is ey es a n d g r in n ed. “ A n d t h a n k s a g a in for h elpin g m e ou t of t h a t lit t le ja m ba ck t h er e.” Sh e da sh ed off w h ile h e st a r ed a ft er h er w it h a com bin a t ion of disbelief a n d a m u sem en t .

Lit t le ja m ? Sh e’d n ea r ly been t r a m pled t o dea t h , for Ch r issa k e. He didn ’t t h in k h e’d ev er m et a w om a n a s bla sé a bou t da n g er a s t h is on e. T h a t r eck lessn ess w a s defin it ely a t u r n off—if h e w a s pla n n in g on m arrying t h e w om a n . Bu t if h e pla n n ed on t a k in g h er t o bed…w ell, t h en h e cou ld t ot a lly see t h e a dv a n t a g es of h a v in g a w ildca t lik e Rebecca Pa r k er bet w een t h e sh eet s. *** Nin e o’clock didn ’t com e soon en ou g h . Nick h a d been h oled u p in h is h ot el r oom for t h e pa st t w o h ou r s, w a t ch in g t h e clock a n d m en t a lly u r g in g it t o t ick fa st er . T h e r est of h is a ft er n oon a n d m ost of h is ev en in g h a d been a t ot a l w a sh . Non e of t h e for g er s h e’d qu est ion ed h a d r ecog n ized Pa u l W a v er ly ’s ph ot o or a dm it t ed t o pr ocu r in g a n y docu m en t s for h im , bu t Nick w a sn ’t discou r a g ed. T h e m en h e’d spok en t o w er e sm a ll pla y er s in Cor t eg a ’s sh a dy u n der w or ld. T h er e w a s r ea lly on ly on e per son W a v er ly w ou ld’v e g on e t o, a cr im in a l k in g pin k n ow n on ly a s El Nu ev o Dia blo. T h e New Dev il. T h e m on ik er m a de Nick r oll h is ey es. Da m n m elodr a m a t ic. A ccor din g t o t h e g r a pev in e, t h ou g h , El Nu ev o Dia blo w a s t h e m a n t o t a lk t o if y ou w a n t ed t o g et som et h in g don e. En r iqu e Sa la za r h a d been su pposed t o a r r a n g e t h e m eet in g bet w een Nick a n d t h e cr im e boss, bu t t h e cor r u pt g ov er n m en t g u a r d h a d r esch edu led t h eir r en dezv ou s for t om or r ow , so Nick h a d n o ch oice bu t t o w a it a r ou n d for Sa la za r ’s ph on e ca ll. Bu t a t lea st h e cou ld a m u se h im self w h ile h e w a it ed. A n t icipa t ion g a t h er ed in h is g r oin a s h e left t h e

r oom a n d cr ossed t h e ca r pet ed h a llw a y t ow a r d t h e elev a t or . Fin e, so h e m ig h t be g et t in g a h ea d of h im self h er e. Ch a n ces w er e, h is da t e w it h Rebecca Pa r k er w ou ld beg in a n d en d w it h dr in k s a n d n ot a for a y in t o t h e bedr oom , bu t h e su r e a s h ell w a sn ’t g oin g t o com pla in if t h ey som eh ow w ou n d u p n a k ed. W h ich w a s sh ock in g in a n d of it self, beca u se h e w a sn ’t t h e k in d of m a n t o in du lg e in ca su a l flin g s. T h e ot h er g u y s in h is for m er u n it u sed t o r a g h im m er cilessly a bou t h is self-pr ocla im ed g en t lem a n st a t u s. W h en ev er t h ey w er e st a t eside, Dia z a n d Ber k ow sk i w ou ld a t t em pt t o dr a g h im ou t on t h e t ow n in sea r ch of a h ot piece of a ss, bu t a lt h ou g h Nick oft en t a g g ed a lon g , h e u su a lly w en t h om e a lon e. He w a s t w en t y -eig h t -y ea r s old, bu t h e’d n ev er sow n a n y w ild oa t s. Nev er h a d t h e u r g e t o eit h er . Hell, if h e fou n d a w om a n w h o m a de h im half a s h a ppy a s h is m ot h er h a d m a de h is fa t h er , t h en h e’d con sider h im self t h e lu ck iest m a n on ea r t h . T on ig h t , t h ou g h …h e cou ld t ot a lly be sa t isfied w it h a ca su a l la y . It h a d been that lon g . Sw a llow in g a r u sh of fr u st r a t ion , h e r ode t h e elev a t or dow n t o t h e lobby a n d h ea ded for t h e h ot el ba r . T h e Liber t y w a s on e of t h e n icer h ot els in Cor t eg a , boa st in g clea n m a r ble floor s, ex pen siv e fu r n ish in g s a n d ex t r em ely pr ofession a l st a ff. Nick h a dn ’t v isit ed t h e ba r y et , a n d w h en h e st r ode in , h e w a s su r pr ised t o discov er h ow cozy it w a s. T h e la r g e r oom offer ed plu sh sofa s, big a r m ch a ir s a n d low t a bles sit u a t ed in a w a y t h a t pr ov ided pa t r on s w it h t h e illu sion of pr iv a cy . Hu g e cer a m ic pla n t er s con t a in in g g r een lea fy fer n s a dded t o t h a t feelin g of seclu sion . Nick spot t ed h er im m edia t ely —it w a s h a r d t o m iss a ll t h a t g or g eou s r ed h a ir t u m blin g dow n h er

sh ou lder s. Sh e w a s sit t in g w it h h er ba ck t u r n ed t o h im , bu t h er h ea d sh ift ed a s h e beg a n w a lk in g in h er dir ect ion . T h eir ey es lock ed, a n d h e w en t h a r d so sw ift ly t h a t h e w a s a ct u a lly t a k en a ba ck . He’d n ev er been t u r n ed on fr om eye contact befor e a n d h e m ig h t ’v e la u g h ed a t h is ow n pa t h et ic ea g er n ess if h e w er en ’t so en t r a n ced by t h e w om a n a cr oss t h e r oom . Sh e w or e a dr ess, a n em er a ld-g r een n u m ber t h a t sw ir led a r ou n d h er ba r e k n ees a s sh e st ood u p t o g r eet h im . T h e bodice w a sn ’t low cu t , r ev ea lin g on ly a m odest a m ou n t of clea v a g e, y et t h e sig h t h it h im w it h a pu n ch of lu st . Rebecca look ed a m u sed. “ Y ou ok a y t h er e, Nick ?” His m ou t h h a d g on e dr y , so h e w a s for ced t o g u lp a few t im es befor e h e cou ld m a k e h is v oice w or k . “ I’m fin e.” He sw ept h is g a ze ov er h er on ce m or e. “ Y ou look a m a zin g .” Plea su r e color ed h er ch eek s. “ T h a n k y ou . Y ou clea n u p w ell y ou r self.” His g a ze low er ed t o h is k h a k i ca r g o pa n t s a n d pla in w h it e T -sh ir t , t h e n icest it em s of clot h in g h e’d pa ck ed in h is g o ba g . “ If y ou sa y so,” h e sa id w r y ly . “ Oh , I sa y so.” T h eir ey es m et a n d h eld a g a in . A w a r en ess cr a ck led in t h e a ir bet w een t h em . Nick clea r ed h is t h r oa t . “ Let ’s sit dow n .” T h ey set t led in t h e a r m ch a ir s, w h ich w er e posit ion ed side by side bu t a n g led in a w a y t h a t a llow ed t h em t o sit fa ce-t o-fa ce. W h en Rebecca dem u r ely cr ossed h er leg s, t h e bot t om of h er dr ess r ode u p h er t h ig h s, dr a w in g Nick ’s a t t en t ion t o h er cr ea m y w h it e flesh . Her sk in look ed so soft h e h a d t o pr ess h is pa lm s on h is t h ig h s t o st op h im self fr om pu t t in g h is h a n ds a ll ov er h er .

For t u n a t ely , a w a it er a ppr oa ch ed t h e t a ble befor e Nick com m it t ed a m a jor fa u x pa s on t h e fir st da t e h e’d h a d in n ea r ly a y ea r . Nick or der ed w h isk ey , a n d h e w a sn ’t a t a ll su r pr ised w h en Rebecca or der ed t h e sa m e. T h e w om a n w a s bold a n d fier y —of cou r se sh e’d or der a dr in k t h a t m a t ch ed t h a t per son a lit y of h er s. “ No a pplet in is for y ou , h u h ?” h e sa id w it h a w r y sm ile. “ Do I look lik e a sor or it y g ir l t o y ou ?” He la u g h ed. “ Not in t h e slig h t est .” “ Good, beca u se I’m n ot .” A g lea m of ch a llen g e cr ept in t o h er ey es. “ How did t h e r est of y ou r da y g o, by t h e w a y ? Did y ou st ick a r ou n d t o r epor t on t h e r iot ?” “ Na h , I ca m e ba ck t o t h e h ot el t o w r it e. Bu t I ca u g h t t h e t a il en d of y ou r seg m en t on A BN. T h a t w a s a g r ea t in t er v iew w it h t h e lea der of t h e t a ct ica l t ea m .” “ T h a n k s.” Sh e t w in ed a st r a n d of h a ir a r ou n d h er fin g er s, t ilt in g h er h ea d pen siv ely . “ W h a t a n g le a r e y ou u sin g for y ou r piece? Big ba d g ov er n m en t or u n g r a t efu l ou t -of-lin e cit izen s?” He lift ed h is br ow s. “ Uh -u h , Pa r k er , y ou k n ow w e’r e n ot su pposed t o sh ow bia s. Jou r n a lism 1 0 1 .” Sh e sn or t ed. “ T h a t ’s bu llcr a p a n d y ou effin g k n ow it .” A la u g h flew ou t of h is m ou t h . “ Ok a y , befor e w e deba t e t h is, y ou ’v e g ot t o ex pla in t h e w eir d n on ex plet iv es. I don ’t t h in k I’v e h ea r d y ou u t t er a sin g le cu r se w or d sin ce w e’v e m et .” “ T h a t ’s beca u se I don ’t cu r se.” Sh e g a v e a selfdepr eca t in g sig h . “ I u sed t o sw ea r lik e a sa ilor , bu t I h a d t o r id m y self of t h e h a bit a ft er I a cciden t a lly dr opped a n F-bom b on a ir . I a lm ost g ot fir ed for it ,

a n d I k n ew I cou ldn ’t let it h a ppen a g a in , so I qu ick ly lea r n ed t o clea n u p m y la n g u a g e. Bu t I st ill sw ea r cr ea t iv ely . Sh oot , fu dg e, eff, cr a p, g ee-dee—” W h en h e look ed a t h er qu est ion in g ly , sh e low er ed h er v oice t o a w h isper a n d cla r ified, “ Godda m n . Bu t don ’t t ell a n y on e I ju st sa id t h a t .” Nick la u g h ed a g a in . He cou ldn ’t r em em ber t h e la st t im e h e’d been t h is en t er t a in ed. Rebecca Pa r k er w a s n ot a t a ll w h a t h e’d ex pect ed h er t o be. On ca m er a sh e ca m e off a s a sser t iv e a n d ser iou s, t h ou g h sh e did r ev ea l a sa ssy , sedu ct iv e side on occa sion . St ill, sh e w a s clea r ly sa ssier a n d m or e sedu ct iv e t h a n h er a u dien ce k n ew , n ot t o m en t ion pla y fu l, fu n n y , in t ellig en t , ou t r a g eou sly sex y …. “ A n y w a y , let ’s sk ip t h e bia s deba t e,” sh e sa id w it h a dism issiv e w a v e of h er h a n d. “ Beca u se w e bot h k n ow ev er y r epor t er ’s g ot on e. W h er e a r e y ou fr om , Nick ?” T o h is r elief, t h e w a it er r et u r n ed befor e h e cou ld a n sw er . W it h a qu ick t h a n k s, Nick slipped a t w en t y in t o t h e m a n ’s h a n d, a ll t h e w h ile g oin g ov er h is cov er st or y in h is h ea d. T a t e’s fia n cée, Ev a , h a d u sed h er h a ck in g sk ills t o cr ea t e a n en t ir e fa k e ca r eer for Nick Pr escot t t h e jou r n a list , a n d h is “ w or k ” w a s a ll ov er t h e in t er n et . He’d r ea d m ost of t h e a r t icles on t h e pla n e r ide h er e, bu t h e sin cer ely h oped t h a t Rebecca w ou ldn ’t a sk a n y specific qu est ion s. He h a d a sin k in g su spicion t h a t sh e w ou ld. T h e w om a n w a s a lot sh a r per t h a n h e’d g iv en h er cr edit for . “ I’m fr om V er m on t ,” h e r eplied befor e t a k in g a sip of h is dr in k . T h e a lcoh ol h ea t ed h is g u t a n d fu eled h is con fiden ce. “ Bu t m y fa m ily m ov ed a r ou n d a lot w h en I w a s a k id. I w a s a m ilit a r y br a t .” He pa u sed. “ W h a t a bou t y ou ?”

Rebecca br ou g h t h er g la ss t o h er lips a n d dow n ed h a lf h er w h isk ey , t h en pr oceeded t o ch a t a bou t h er self for a few m in u t es. Sh e t old h im a few st or ies a bou t g r ow in g u p in A t la n t a , ex pla in ed h ow sh e’d w a n t ed t o g o in t o jou r n a lism ev er sin ce sh e w a s a lit t le g ir l, a n d t h en sh e pr om pt ly st eer ed t h e con v er sa t ion ba ck t o h im , m u ch t o h is discom for t . If it w er e a n y ot h er w om a n , h e w ou ld’v e felt bet t er a bou t h is r espon ses, con fiden t t h a t sh e w a s bu y in g h is bog u s ba ck st or y , bu t t h is w a s Rebecca Park er. Ea ch t im e h e a n sw er ed a qu est ion , t h ose g r een ey es n a r r ow ed slig h t ly , a s if sh e w er e a n a ly zin g ev er y sin g le w or d t h a t left h is m ou t h . “ W h a t a bou t y ou ?” h e a sk ed a ft er h e’d t old h er h e’d st u died jou r n a lism a t Colu m bia . “ W h er e did y ou g o t o sch ool?” “ Nor t h w est er n .” Sh e lobbed a n ot h er qu er y h is w a y . “ How did y ou lik e liv in g in New Y or k ?” Nick st ifled a g r oa n . T h e ba ck a n d for t h w en t on in t h e sa m e fa sh ion for t h e n ex t t w en t y m in u t es. It w a s lik e a g a m e of pin g -pon g . Qu est ion , a n sw er . Qu est ion , a n sw er . By t h e t im e t h ey ’d fin ish ed a secon d r ou n d of dr in k s, it beca m e g la r in g ly obv iou s t h a t Rebecca h a d a n a g en da . She’s fis hing. Cr a p. Sh e w a s a bsolu t ely , in dispu t a bly fish in g . Nick ’s sh ou lder s st iffen ed, h is g u a r d sh oot in g u p a s h e st u died Rebecca ’s k n ow in g ex pr ession . “ Ev er y t h in g ok a y , Nick ?” sh e dr a w led. His h a ck les r ose. T h e lit t le m in x k n ew h e’d fig u r ed h er ou t . “ Ev er y t h in g ’s g r ea t ,” h e r espon ded. He polish ed off t h e r est of h is dr in k , bu t didn ’t sig n a l t h e w a it er for a n ot h er . Nope, beca u se it h a d

becom e im per a t iv e t h a t h e k eep a clea r h ea d. So m u ch for g et t in g la id t on ig h t . W h a t st a r t ed ou t a s a pr om isin g ev en in g h a d t u r n ed in t o a n a g g r a v a t in g ba t t le of w it s. Did Rebecca k n ow w h o h e w a s? W a s sh e som eh ow con n ect ed t o t h e people w h o’d k illed h is u n it , t h e people t r y in g t o k ill him ? Or did sh e t h in k h e w a s sim ply a r iv a l jou r n a list a n d w a s t r y in g t o u n n er v e h im for som e r ea son ? “ A n y w a y , w h a t w er e w e t a lk in g a bou t ? Oh r ig h t , fin din g m a t er ia l t o r epor t on ,” sh e sa id ca su a lly . “ Y ou k n ow w h er e t o fin d t h e best scoops? D.C. Ser iou sly , a ll y ou ’v e g ot t a do is w a lk dow n t h e st r eet a n d y ou ’ll st u m ble a cr oss n o less t h a n t en sca n da ls.” Sh e m et h is ey es. “ Ha v e y ou ev er been t o D.C.?” “ Of cou r se. I w ou ldn ’t be a g ood fr eela n cer if I didn ’t pa y fr equ en t v isit s t o ou r n a t ion ’s ca pit a l.” He k ept h is v oice lig h t . Sh e cock ed h er h ea d. “ W h a t do y ou t h in k of ou r cu r r en t a dm in ist r a t ion ? A lit t le t oo m ilit a r y -focu sed, w ou ldn ’t y ou a g r ee?” He sh r u g g ed. “ Defen se is im por t a n t .” “ Of cou r se it is. Bu t sh ou ld w e r ea lly spen d so m u ch m on ey on it ?” A ccor din g t o h is fa t h er , h ell t o t h e y es. In fa ct , Nick ’s da d w a s pa r t ia lly r espon sible for t h e pr esiden t ’s defen se-focu sed pla t for m . Bu t h e k ept t h a t t idbit t o h im self. “ W h er e do you t h in k t h e fu n ds sh ou ld g o?” h e cou n t er ed, y et a g a in pit ch in g t h e pr ov er bia l pin g pon g ba ll h er w a y . “ Edu ca t ion , h ea lt h ca r e, socia l r efor m .” Her t on e w a s a bsen t , a n d fr u st r a t ion cr ea sed h er for eh ea d, a s if sh e cou ldn ’t decide t h e best w a y t o r eg a in g r ou n d. He su ppr essed a ch u ck le. “ Ev er y t h in g ok a y ,

Rebecca ?” h e m im ick ed. A n n oy a n ce ig n it ed t h ose big g r een ey es of h er s, bu t it fa ded fa st . A s t h e cor n er s of h er m ou t h lift ed in r esig n a t ion , sh e lea n ed for w a r d a n d set h er g la ss on t h e t a ble, t h en st r a ig h t en ed h er sh ou lder s a n d m et h is g a ze h ea d-on . “ A ll r ig h t , let ’s cu t t h e cr a p,” sh e a n n ou n ced. “ I k n ow exactly w h o y ou a r e, so sa v e y ou r lies for a w om a n w h o’s st u pid en ou g h t o believ e t h em . A ll I w a n t t o k n ow is, w h y did y ou lie a bou t y ou r n a m e a n d w h a t on ea r t h a r e y ou doin g in Sou t h A m er ica ?”

Chapter 4 For

a m om en t , Nick con sider ed pla y in g du m b, bu t Rebecca m u st h a v e r ea d h is m in d, beca u se sh e cr ossed h er a r m s a n d scow led a t h im . “ Don ’t y ou da r e in su lt m y in t ellig en ce by den y in g it .” Sh e sm ir k ed. “ Mr . Barrett.” A sig h lodg ed in h is t h r oa t . He’d k n ow n sh ow in g u p t o a pla ce t h a t w a s cr a w lin g w it h A m er ica n jou r n a list s w ou ld be r isk y , bu t t h e a lt er n a t iv e h a d m ea n t let t in g T a t e or Seba st ia n h a n dle it , a n d Nick w ou ldn ’t h a v e felt r ig h t a bou t t h a t . T a t e a n d Seb h a d m or e t o lose n ow a da y s—w om en t h ey lov ed, a n d in T a t e’s ca se, a t h r ee-y ea r -old boy t o pr ot ect . Nick , on t h e ot h er h a n d, w a s n ot a s em ot ion a lly en cu m ber ed. No w om a n or ch ildr en t o m ou r n h im if h e died, ju st h is fa t h er a n d older sist er , V iv ia n . Of cou r se, h is fa t h er w a s t h e r ea son h e w a s cu r r en t ly fa cin g off w it h t h is t oo-sm a r t -for -h er -ow n g ood n ew s cor r espon den t . He’d been m a k in g a n effor t t o st a y ou t of sig h t a n d a v oid t h e jou r n a list s cov er in g t h e elect ion . T h e on ly r ea son h e’d m a de con t a ct w it h Rebecca in t h e fir st pla ce w a s beca u se t h e foolish w om a n h a d decided t o a lm ost g et h er self k illed. Bu t beca u se h e cou ldn ’t unr escu e h er , h e h a d n o ch oice bu t t o dea l w it h t h e con sequ en ces of h is h er o com plex . “ No r espon se?” Rebecca a r ch ed h er br ow . Nick ju st sh r u g g ed. “ W h a t do y ou w a n t m e t o sa y ? Y ou ’v e g ot m y n u m ber . Giv e y ou r self a g old st a r .” “ So y ou ’r e con fir m in g t h a t y ou are Nick Ba r r et t ?” He a ppr ecia t ed t h a t sh e low er ed h er v oice w h en sh e posed t h e qu est ion . A g la n ce a r ou n d t old h im t h a t n obody w a s pa r t icu la r ly in t er est ed in h im a n d

Rebecca , bu t h e k ept h is v oice equ a lly soft a s h e r eplied w it h , “ I a m . Bu t I w ou ld be g r a t efu l if y ou didn ’t m en t ion t o a n y on e t h a t I’m in t ow n .” T h a t sa ssy lit t le sm ir k m a de a n ot h er a ppea r a n ce. “ On ly if y ou pr om ise m e a n ex clu siv e.” He st ifled a g r oa n . “ I’m n ot g iv in g y ou a n ex clu siv e—beca u se t h er e’s n o st or y h er e.” “ Y ea h , t h en w h y a r e y ou in Cor t eg a ?” sh e ch a llen g ed. “ It ’s per son a l.” “ W h y did y ou lie a bou t y ou r n a m e?” “ I a lw a y s u se a fa k e n a m e w h en I’m t r a v elin g .” “ A n d do y ou a lw a y s lie a bou t y ou r pr ofession ?” Defia n ce flick er ed in h er ey es. “ Is t h is a bou t t h e elect ion ? Did y ou r fa t h er sen d y ou h er e a s a r epr esen t a t iv e of sor t s? Ma y be t o t a lk t o Pr esiden t Ga r za or Gen er a l A lv es a bou t …” Sh e fu r r ow ed h er br ow . “ A bou t w h a t ? W h a t cou ld y ou r pr esen ce possibly a ccom plish ?” “ Ex a ct ly ,” Nick sa id t r iu m ph a n t ly . “ Not h in g . My pr esen ce is t ot a lly u n r ela t ed t o t h is t r a v est y of a n elect ion , ok a y ?” Sh e w en t qu iet . He cou ld see t h a t sh a r p br a in of h er s w or k in g , dissect in g , dism issin g . Her pr et t y fa ce con v ey ed bot h cu r iosit y a n d su spicion , t h e la t t er becom in g m or e pr om in en t t h e lon g er sh e r em a in ed silen t . “ T h is h a s t o be polit ica l,” sh e a n n ou n ced. “ It ’s n ot .” Her ch in lift ed st u bbor n ly . “ I don ’t believ e y ou .” A g r in spr a n g t o h is lips bu t it didn ’t st a y t h er e lon g . He didn ’t lik e t h e pr eda t or y g lea m t h a t en t er ed h er ex pr ession . It t old h im t h a t sh e w a sn ’t g oin g t o let it g o. Sh e’d su n k h er t eet h in t o t h is “ st or y ” a n d Nick su spect ed t h a t n ot h in g sh or t of dea t h w ou ld per su a de

h er t o dr op it . Un for t u n a t ely , h e cou ldn ’t ex a ct ly k ill t h e w om a n . A ll h e cou ld do w a s pla ca t e h er , t r y t o st eer h er a w a y fr om t h is pot en t ia lly da n g er ou s pa t h . “ Look ,” h e spok e in a qu iet v oice, “ obv iou sly y ou k n ow w h o I a m . Bu t ca n y ou t ell m e w h a t I’v e been doin g t h e pa st n in e y ea r s?” Rebecca look ed ba ffled. “ Um …w ell…” “ Ex a ct ly ,” h e sa id a g a in . “ I’v e been off t h e polit ica l r a da r . W h y ? Beca u se I’m n o polit icia n , da r lin g . A side fr om a few oblig a t or y a ppea r a n ces I m a k e w it h m y da d, I a v oid t h a t w h ole scen e, a n d t h ese la st fiv e y ea r s, I’v e been off t h e m edia g r id com plet ely .” “ W h y ?” “ Beca u se pu blic a ppea r a n ces w er en ’t con du civ e t o t h e u n it I ser v ed on .” “ A r m y ?” W h en h e n odded, h er ey es n a r r ow ed. “ Specia l For ces?” A lt h ou g h h e h a t ed con fidin g in a w om a n h e’d ju st m et , h e k n ew h e h a d t o offer a few m or e det a ils if h e w a n t ed t o con v in ce Rebecca t o ba ck off. “ W h en I join ed t h e a r m y , m y fa t h er a n d I decided it w ou ld be w ise if I didn ’t u se m y r ea l n a m e. A s m u ch a s I h a t e a dm it t in g it , t h e offspr in g of w ellk n ow n pu blic fig u r es t en d t o h a v e a n ea sier r ide, w h et h er it ’s in t h e cor por a t e w or ld or in g ov er n m en t or t h e m ilit a r y .” Nick sh r u g g ed. “ I w a n t ed t h e ot h er r ecr u it s t o t r ea t m e lik e a n equ a l, a n d I didn ’t w a n t pr efer en t ia l t r ea t m en t fr om m y com m a n din g officer s. Not on ly t h a t , bu t I’d a lw a y s in t en ded on becom in g Specia l Ops, a n d t h a t ’s h a r d t o do w h en y ou r la st n a m e is Ba r r et t .” “ I im a g in e a lot of ou r en em ies w ou ld lov e it if t h ey fou n d ou t t h ey ’d ca pt u r ed t h e son of A m er ica ’s

sec def.” “ Y ep. T h a t ’s w h y I u sed m y m ot h er ’s m a iden n a m e—Pr escot t .” Now sh e look ed fa scin a t ed. “ A n d t h r ou g h ou t y ou r en t ir e ca r eer , n obody k n ew t h e t r u t h ?” “ Som e people did. My fa t h er , obv iou sly , a n d a few h ig h -r a n k in g a r m y officia ls, in clu din g m y u n it com m a n der . Bu t n on e of t h e m en I ser v ed w it h k n ew .” “ So, w h a t , y ou ’r e h er e on som e su per secr et a r m y m ission ?” Rebecca ’s t on e t ook on a sk ept ica l n ot e. “ A r e t h e r est of y ou r m en h er e?” “ No t o bot h of t h ose qu est ion s.” Nick pa u sed, k n ow in g t h is w a s w h er e h e n eeded t o t r ea d ca r efu lly . “ I ca n ’t g iv e y ou a n y m or e det a ils, a n d it ’s n ot beca u se I’m t r y in g t o be difficu lt or coy or a jer k . T h is is a m a t t er of life a n d dea t h .” Sh e g r in n ed. “ Sou n ds lik e m y k in d of st or y .” “ T h er e’s n o st or y ,” h e sa id da r k ly . “ I m ea n it , Rebecca . I n eed y ou t o pr et en d y ou n ev er sa w m e. Y ou ca n ’t t ell a n y on e t h a t w e m et , ok a y ?” “ W h y ? W h a t ’s g oin g on h er e, Nick ?” Fr u st r a t ion clim bed u p h is t h r oa t . “ I ca n ’t sa y a n y m or e t h a n w h a t I’v e a lr ea dy t old y ou , bu t t h is is n o jok e. If y ou v a lu e y ou r ow n life, y ou n eed t o let t h is g o.” Her lips t ig h t en ed. “ A r e y ou t h r ea t en in g m e?” “ T h e t h r ea t isn ’t com in g fr om m e, da r lin g . Bu t believ e m e w h en I sa y t h a t if t h e people in v olv ed discov er y ou ’v e been in con t a ct w it h m e, y ou r life w ill be in da n g er .” A la r m w a sh ed ov er h er fa ce. “ W h a t t h e h eck h a v e y ou g ot t en m ix ed u p in ?” W it h ou t a n sw er in g , h e r ose t o h is feet . “ Good n ig h t , Rebecca .”

Sh e sh ot u p lik e a lig h t , h er h a n d da r t in g ou t t o cu r l ov er h is biceps. “ Y ou ca n ’t ju st lea v e,” sh e sa id in a h u sh ed v oice. “ Let m e h elp y ou . W h a t ev er cr a zy sit u a t ion y ou ’v e fou n d y ou r self in , I ca n h elp. I’v e g ot sou r ces a n d—” “ Y ou ca n h elp by for g et t in g y ou ev er sa w m e.” He g en t ly r em ov ed h er h a n d fr om h is a r m a n d t ook a st ep ba ck . “ I m ea n it , Rebecca . Y ou need t o let t h is g o.” “ Bu t I—” Sh e w a s st ill pr ot est in g a s h e w a lk ed a w a y . *** Rebecca g a ped a t Nick ’s r et r ea t in g ba ck . Sh e fou g h t t h e u r g e t o h u r r y a ft er h im , k n ow in g t h a t ch a sin g t h e m a n w ou ldn ’t a ch iev e a da r n t h in g . He w a sn ’t g oin g t o con fide in h er —h e’d m a de t h a t v er y clea r . If you value your ow n life, you need to let this go. A t r em or of fea r r a n t h r ou g h h er , a n d y et it didn ’t com e close t o ov er pow er in g t h e ex cit em en t bu ildin g in h er g u t . Her in st in ct s w er e h u m m in g , h er br a in a lr ea dy w or k in g ov er t h e m ea g er det a ils Nick Ba r r et t h a d fed in t o it . He w a s m ix ed u p in som et h in g big . Life-a n d-dea t h big . A n d h e w a s t h e son of t h e secr et a r y of defen se. T h er e w a s a st or y h er e. A h u g e, pot en t ia lly Pu lit zer -w in n in g st or y . Y ou need to let this go. Nick ’s v oice con t in u ed t o bu zz in h er h ea d lik e a per sist en t fly , bu t Rebecca y et a g a in ig n or ed it . Sh e w a sn ’t t h e k in d of w om a n w h o let g olden oppor t u n it ies pa ss h er by . How cou ld h e possibly ex pect h er t o w a lk a w a y fr om w h a t cou ld qu it e possibly be t h e scoop of a lifet im e?

Gr a bbin g h er pu r se, sh e left t h e ba r a n d r ode t h e elev a t or u p t o h er six t h -floor r oom . Jesse a n d Da v e w er e sh a r in g t h e su it e n ex t door , bu t sh e w a sn ’t r ea dy t o fill t h em in y et . In st ea d, sh e st r ode in t o t h e liv in g r oom of h er su it e a n d fish ed ou t h er cell ph on e. Ha r r y Dr ex ler pick ed u p on t h e t h ir d r in g , sou n din g h a r r ied a s u su a l. A n a w a r d-w in n in g edit or a n d pr odu cer , Ha r r y h a d been Rebecca ’s m en t or ev er sin ce h er fr esh m a n y ea r of colleg e w h en h e’d been g iv in g a g u est lect u r e in on e of h er jou r n a lism sem in a r s. Sh e’d a ppr oa ch ed h im a ft er w a r d t o g u sh a bou t h is speech a n d a sk if h e h a d a n y a dv ice for a n a spir in g br oa dca st jou r n a list , a n d t h ey ’d en ded u p h a v in g lu n ch t h e follow in g w eek , a g et -t og et h er t h a t h a d becom e a r it u a l on ce Ha r r y decided t o t a k e h er u n der h is w in g . Ha r r y w a s t h e on e w h o’d h elped h er la n d t h e h ig h ly sou g h t -a ft er in t er n sh ip a t A BN, a n d n o m a t t er h ow im pa t ien t a n d pr ick ly h e cou ld be, Rebecca a dor ed h er g r u m py old m en t or . “ W h a t is it , Beck s?” h e ba r k ed in h er ea r . “ T h e st or y of t h e y ea r .” Sh e pa u sed. “ Ma y be.” “ W e don ’t pu t m a y bes on t h e a ir , sw eet h ea r t ,” Ha r r y r eplied in a dr oll v oice. “ Du h . T h a t ’s w h y I’m ca llin g y ou . I n eed y ou t o look in t o som et h in g for m e.” Sh e sa t dow n on t h e sm a ll cou ch , ba la n ced t h e ph on e on h er sh ou lder a n d r ea ch ed for h er la pt op ca se. “ W h a t is it ?” Ha r r y a sk ed br isk ly . “ Fin d ou t w h y t h e secr et a r y of defen se’s son is in Ma la .” Ha r r y w en t qu iet , t h en let ou t a n a m a zed cu r se. “ Nick Ba r r et t is in Ma la ? A r e y ou su r e a bou t t h is?” “ Dea d su r e. I ju st h a d dr in k s w it h t h e m a n .”

“ Y ou h a d dr in k s w it h t h e sec def’s son .” “ Y ep.” “ W h y ?” Ha r r y ’s t on e g r ew bew ilder ed. “ W h y is Ba r r et t in Cor t eg a ?” Sh e h a d t o la u g h . “ T h a t ’s w h a t I n eed y ou t o fin d ou t . Su pposedly h e’s been ser v in g in t h e a r m y for t h e pa st n in e y ea r s. Specia l For ces, u n der t h e n a m e Nick Pr escot t , a n d I g u ess h e w a s disch a r g ed? I don ’t k n ow . Ma y be y ou r a r m y con t a ct s ca n sh ed som e lig h t on it .” “ A r e y ou t h in k in g h e’s st ill a ct iv e du t y a n d ca r r y in g ou t a m ission ? T h a t h e’s t h er e for som et h in g u n r ela t ed t o t h e elect ion ?” “ I h a v e n o idea w h a t I’m t h in k in g ,” sh e a dm it t ed. “ Ju st g et m e som e ba ck g r ou n d in fo on t h e g u y . T h er e’s som et h in g h er e, Ha r r y . He w a s r a t t led, a n d h e or der ed m e t o pr et en d I n ev er sa w h im . He sa id h e w a s in v olv ed in som et h in g da n g er ou s.” “ Da n g er ou s h ow ?” “ I don ’t k n ow .” Fr u st r a t ion r ose in side h er . “ I’m ca llin g y ou w it h t h e ba r e bon es h er e. T h is is n ot h in g m or e t h a n a h u n ch ba sed on som e cr y pt ic com m en t s fr om Ba r r et t a k a Pr escot t . W ill y ou do som e dig g in g ?” “ Of cou r se. Let m e r u n a qu ick su r fa ce sea r ch r ig h t n ow . I’ll ca ll y ou ba ck .” A ft er Ha r r y h u n g u p, Rebecca open ed h er la pt op a n d t y ped in h er pa ssw or d so sh e cou ld do h er ow n dig g in g . A qu ick Goog le sea r ch br ou g h t u p sev er a l n ew s a r t icles, a ll of w h ich focu sed on Secr et a r y Kir k Ba r r et t , Nick ’s fa t h er . Most of t h e pieces offer ed on ly a br ief m en t ion of Ba r r et t ’s ch ildr en —V iv ia n , a m a r r ied h om em a k er liv in g in A r lin g t on . A n d Nick , w h o ser v ed in t h e U.S. A r m ed For ces. “ So y ou w er en ’t ly in g a bou t t h a t ,” sh e m u r m u r ed t o h er self.

Sh e k ey ed in a n ew sea r ch , h opin g for Nick cen t er ed r esu lt s, bu t t h e m a n h a dn ’t been k iddin g . He r ea lly did st a y ou t of t h e lim elig h t , sa v e for a few pu blic a ppea r a n ces a t ch a r it y ev en t s. T h er e w er e a bsolu t ely n o det a ils a bou t t h e m a n ’s m ilit a r y ca r eer , bu t t h a t m a de sen se if h e’d been u sin g a differ en t la st n a m e du r in g h is a r m y st in t . Her im a g e sea r ch w a s a t a d m or e su ccessfu l—bu t on ly beca u se it a llow ed h er t o dr ool ov er t h e g u y . Whoa, baby. Rebecca ’s t on g u e w a s pr a ct ica lly h a n g in g ou t a s sh e st a r ed a t a pict u r e of Nick a n d Kir k Ba r r et t a t a polit ica l fu n d-r a iser in D.C. Ok a y , t h e m a n filled ou t a t u x lik e n obody ’s bu sin ess. His body w a s so br oa d a n d m u scu la r t h a t h er pu lse sped u p a t t h e m er e sig h t of it . A n d t h ose ey es. Gosh , h e h a d a m a zin g ey es. Rea lizin g h er m ou t h h a d g on e dr y , Rebecca g u lped a few t im es a n d t r ied t o dr a g h er h ea d ou t of t h e g u t t er . Sh e n eeded t o focu s. Nick Ba r r et t ’s sh eer sex in ess w a sn ’t t h e h ea dlin e h er e. Well, it s hould be. Sh e ig n or ed t h e n a u g h t y v oice in h er h ea d a n d r esu m ed h er fa ct -fin din g m ission , bu t t h e da t a sh e m a n a g ed t o a cqu ir e didn ’t h elp h er solv e t h e pu zzle. Nick Ba r r et t w a s t w en t y -eig h t y ea r s old. He’d g r ow n u p in u pst a t e New Y or k , a t t en ded colleg e a t Pr in cet on a n d w a s a n a ct iv e du t y officer in t h e a r m y . Rebecca didn ’t k n ow h ow cu r r en t t h a t in for m a t ion w a s, beca u se Nick h a d im plied h e n o lon g er ser v ed in t h e m ilit a r y . So w h ich w a s it ? Cu r r en t or for m er m ilit a r y ? T h e a n sw er t o t h a t ca m e w h en Ha r r y ph on ed ba ck less t h a n t w en t y m in u t es la t er . “ Y ou g ot som et h in g a lr ea dy ?” sh e dem a n ded in

lieu of g r eet in g . “ Y ea h , a lot of r ed fla g s.” His v oice t ook on t h a t su spiciou s n ot e t h a t t old h er h e sm elled a con spir a cy . Su r e en ou g h , Ha r r y ’s n ex t w or ds w er e, “ I sm ell a con spir a cy .” Sh e h a d t o sm ile. “ Hit m e.” “ I ju st spok e t o a n a r m y bu ddy ba sed on t h e Ea st Coa st . He did a sea r ch on Nick Pr escot t . T u r n s ou t Pr esc ot t did ser v e, bu t t h er e’s n ot h in g in h is file for t h e pa st fiv e y ea r s, w h ich is m ost lik ely con fir m a t ion t h a t h e did in deed g o t h e Specia l Ops r ou t e.” “ Ok a y , w h a t else?” “ T h e file sa y s h e w a s h on or a bly disch a r g ed a y ea r a g o, bu t I cou ldn ’t fin d a n y t r a ce of h im sin ce t h en . Nick Pr escot t , t h a t is.” “ W h a t a bou t Nick Ba r r et t ?” “ T h a t ’s t h e fish y pa r t . A ccor din g t o m y sou r ce a t t h e Depa r t m en t of Defen se, Nick Ba r r et t w a s a lso disch a r g ed fr om t h e a r m y la st y ea r , w h ich m a k es sen se if h e r ea lly did u se t h e n a m e Pr escot t . Bu t Ba r r et t is a lleg edly pla y boy in g it u p in t h e Ca r ibbea n sin ce h e left t h e a r m y . Su pposedly h e’s in St . Ba r t s a t t h e m om en t .” Rebecca fr ow n ed. “ Is y ou r sou r ce r elia ble?” “ He w or k s u n der t h e depu t y secr et a r y , a n d h e’s ba sin g t h is in t el on a con v er sa t ion h e per son a lly h a d w it h Secr et a r y Ba r r et t —yes terday.” “ So y est er da y , t h e sec def t old som eon e t h a t h is son , Nick , w a s in St . Ba r t s.” “ Y essir ee.” “ Bu t w e k n ow for a fa ct t h a t Nick is n ot in St . Ba r t s. He’s h er e in Cor t eg a .” Sh e ch ew ed on t h e in side of h er ch eek , t r y in g t o m a k e sen se of it a ll. “ W h y is h e h er e, Ha r r y ?” “ Look s lik e w e n eed t o dig deeper , sw eet h ea r t . I’ll

k eep look in g in t o it . In t h e m ea n t im e, t r y t o g et a n ot h er m eet in g w it h Ba r r et t .” “ If h e h a sn ’t sk ipped t ow n a lr ea dy ,” sh e m u t t er ed. “ W ell, see w h a t y ou ca n do. Oh , a n d w or d ca m e fr om u pst a ir s—t h e pow er s t h a t be w a n t m or e r iot cov er a g e. Y ou in t h e m iddle of t h e a ct ion , if possible.” “ T on ig h t ?” sh e sa id in a la r m . “ T om or r ow m or n in g , bu t on ly if t h e cr ow d is st ill u n r u ly .” Rebecca su ppr essed a sig h . W on der fu l. Get T r a m pled in a St a m pede, Pa r t T w o. “ Fin e. Ca ll m e if y ou fin d ou t m or e a bou t Ba r r et t , ok a y ?” “ Of cou r se. Good n ig h t , Beck s. Gr ea t r epor t in g t oda y .” Sh e h u n g u p t h e ph on e a n d st a r ed a t t h e pict u r e of Nick on h er com pu t er scr een . Lor d, t h e m a n w a s delicious . A pa r t of h er a lm ost w ish ed sh e’d sa v ed t h e big Ik n ow -w h o-y ou -a r e r ev ea l u n t il after sh e’d slept w it h th e m an. A sh iv er r olled t h r ou g h h er a s sh e w on der ed w h a t h e’d be lik e in bed. He look ed a n d a ct ed lik e su ch a g en t lem a n , bu t sh e’d g lim psed t h e pa ssion in h is a m ber -color ed ey es a s t h ey ’d sw ept ov er h er body . W ou ld h e be sw eet a n d g en t le ben ea t h t h e sh eet s? Or did h e lea v e h is ch iv a lr y a t t h e door w h en it ca m e t o sex ? Disa ppoin t m en t filled h er belly a s sh e r ea lized sh e’d n ev er g et t h e ch a n ce t o fin d ou t . What’s m ore im portant, Beck s —s ex or a Pulitz er? Rig h t . Sh e defin it ely n eeded t o focu s on t h e la t t er . No m a t t er h ow a t t r a ct iv e Nick Ba r r et t w a s, h is delect a ble body w a sn ’t t h e u lt im a t e pr ize.

No, h is secr et s w er e w h a t sh e w a s a ft er . *** T h e ca ll ca m e t o on e of h is pr iv a t e cell ph on es. Not t h e on e r eser v ed for bu sin ess or t h e on e h e u sed for per son a l ca lls. T h is ph on e w a s for pers onal bus ines s . T h e k in d of bu sin ess t h a t ev er y la st m a n in D.C.’s polit ica l a r en a da bbled in —a n d w ou ld den y t o t h eir la st br ea t h . “ W h a t is it ?” He k ept h is v oice low a n d h is g a ze fix ed on t h e closed office door . A lt h ou g h h e w a s bu r n in g t h e m idn ig h t oil, t h er e w a s a lw a y s a n ov er ea g er a ide or t w o bey on d t h a t door , ju st w a it in g t o do som e a ss k issin g . “ W e m ig h t h a v e fou n d t h em .” He didn ’t n eed t o a sk w ho? T h e h u n t for t h ose bot h er som e soldier s h a d been t h e pr ov er bia l t h or n in h is side t h is pa st y ea r . “ W h ich on e slipped u p?” h e dem a n ded. “ If t h e in t el ch eck s ou t ? Ba r r et t .” Fr u st r a t ion seized h is in sides. Da m n it . Ba r r et t w a s t h e las t m a n h e w a n t ed t o k ill. Hell, h e h a d n o desir e t o k ill anyone. “ W h er e is h e?” “ Cor t eg a . He m et w it h a jou r n a list w h o’s cov er in g t h e elect ion cr isis dow n t h er e. Rebecca Pa r k er .” Ch r ist . A r epor t er ? A n d Pa r k er , in pa r t icu la r ? T h a t w om a n w a s fa r t oo sm a r t for h er ow n g ood. A n d da m n a m bit iou s. W h y w ou ld Ba r r et t be t a lk in g t o h er ? He sh ift ed u n ea sily in h is ch a ir . Ha d t h e soldier s fou n d som et h in g t o con n ect h im t o t h e Mer idia n v ir u s? “ Pa r k er ’s pr odu cer h a s been m a k in g ph on e ca lls

a ll n ig h t ,” t h e m a n on t h e ot h er en d of t h e lin e con t in u ed. “ He r a ised sev er a l fla g s w h en h e st a r t ed a sk in g qu est ion s a bou t Ba r r et t .” A pa u se. “ If Ba r r et t is in Cor t eg a , w h a t w ou ld y ou lik e t o do a bou t it ?” He w en t silen t , m u lled it ov er , sig h ed in r elu ct a n ce. “ Sen d a t ea m dow n t h er e. T a k e ca r e of t h e pr oblem —bu t n ot u n t il h e g iv es u p t h e loca t ion of t h e ot h er t w o.” “ Sir , w it h a ll du e r espect …” He clu ck ed in ir r it a t ion . “ Spit it ou t , Ca r r a w a y .” “ Ou r pr im a r y con cer n w a s t h a t t h e soldier s w ou ld r ea lize t h e dea t h s in Cor a zón w er e ca u sed by a v ir u s r a t h er t h a n t h e ULF r ebels. A t t h a t poin t , t h e g oa l w a s t o silen ce t h e u n it befor e t h ey qu est ion ed w h a t h a ppen ed in t h e v illa g e.” A n ot h er pa u se. “ Bu t n ow t h e w h ole cou n t r y k n ow s t h a t a v ir u s w a s bein g t est ed in Sa n Ma r qu ez.” Bit t er n ess cla m ped a r ou n d h is t h r oa t . T h e w h ole c ou n t r y did k n ow , a fa ct t h a t con t in u ed t o in fu r ia t e h im . Pr oject A r ies h a d been sh r ou ded in secr ecy fr om t h e g et -g o. Nobody w a s ev er su pposed t o k n ow t h a t a n A m er ica n -en g in eer ed biolog ica l w ea pon w a s bein g t est ed on for eig n soil, a n d t h e t r u t h w ou ld h a v e st a y ed h idden if it w er en ’t for t h a t g r eedy scien t ist a t t h e la b t h a t cr ea t ed t h e Mer idia n v ir u s. T h a t slim eba ll St eph en La n g ley h a d sold t h e v ir u s t o a t er r or ist g r ou p, w h o in t u r n r ev ea led t o t h e w or ld t h a t t h e v ir u s w a s U.S.-m a de a n d g ov er n m en t a u t h or ized. A n d n ow , t h a n k s t o La n g ley ’s bet r a y a l, t h e DoD h a d for m ed a da m n t a sk for ce t o det er m in e w h o w a s r espon sible for Pr oject A r ies. Not t h a t h e w a s w or r ied a bou t it lea din g ba ck t o h im —h e h a d sev er a l fa il-sa fes in pla ce. Sev er a l sca peg oa t s, t oo. “ Now t h a t t h e t r u t h is ou t , t h e soldier s a r en ’t a

t h r ea t ,” Ca r r a w a y w en t on . “ It ’s n ot lik e t h ey ca n ex pose u s.” “ Not a t h r ea t ?” He ch u ck led h a r sh ly . “ Specia l Ops soldier s a r e a differ en t br eed. T h ey ’r e r u t h less, sm a r t , u n for g iv in g . T h ey w on ’t st op u n t il t h ey fin d t h e per son r espon sible for or der in g t h e elim in a t ion of t h eir u n it .” “ A u n it t h a t sh ou ldn ’t h a v e been sen t t o Cor a zón in t h e fir st pla ce,” w a s t h e em bit t er ed r espon se. “ A clea n u p t ea m w a s a lr ea dy on it s w a y . T h e r ebels w ou ld’v e been t a k en ca r e of a n d t h e dea t h s of t h e v illa g er s a n d t h e m edica l st a ff w ou ld’v e been bla m ed on Hect or Cr u z a n d h is m en . Bu t n o, t h a n k s t o a com m u n ica t ion m ix -u p, a Specia l For ces t ea m w a s sen t t o a n sw er Dr . Ha r r ison ’s SOS.” “ T h er e’s n ot h in g w e ca n do a bou t t h a t n ow ,” h e sa id w it h a h ea v y br ea t h . “ Mist a k es w er e m a de. T h e u n it w a s er r on eou sly dispa t ch ed, a n d n ow w e h a v e t h r ee loose en ds t o t a k e ca r e of. So sen d a t ea m t o Cor t eg a a n d dea l w it h it .” “ W h a t a bou t Pa r k er ?” He t h ou g h t it ov er , h is st om a ch g oin g r ig id w it h a n g er . Da m n it . W h y h a d Ba r r et t m et w it h Pa r k er ? A n d w h a t t h e h ell h a d h e t old t h e w om a n ? “ T a k e ca r e of h er , t oo,” h e fin a lly r eplied. A lon g bea t . “ It w ill be difficu lt t o sepa r a t e h er fr om h er cr ew , a n d a n y sor t of in t er r og a t ion w ou ld h a v e t o be h a n dled delica t ely . Sh e ca n ’t k n ow w h y sh e’s bein g qu est ion ed.” “ T h en don ’t qu est ion h er . T h e w om a n is sm a r t . Sh e’ll see t h r ou g h a n y ph on y in t er r og a t ion a t t em pt s, a n d sh e’ll k eep in v est ig a t in g , especia lly if sh e’s a sk ed t o st op.” “ W h a t a r e y ou sa y in g , sir ?” “ T h e pr ot est er s a r e st ill ca u sin g t r ou ble in Ma la ,

a r e t h ey n ot ?” h e sa id slow ly . “ A s fa r a s I k n ow , y es.” “ A n d Pa r k er is r ig h t in t h e m iddle of t h e a ct ion .” He r elea sed a w ea r y sig h . “ T a k e h er ou t of t h e equ a t ion . Ma k e it look lik e pa r t of t h e r iot . Her w h ole cr ew , if possible.” He pa u sed. “ T h e pr odu cer , t oo.” “ T h is is r isk y . Ha s t h e pot en t ia l t o blow u p in ou r fa ces.” “ W e don ’t h a v e a n y ot h er ch oice.” “ I su ppose.” Ca r r a w a y sou n ded u n con v in ced. He su dden ly felt in cr edibly fr a zzled, lik e t h is en t ir e sit u a t ion w a s slippin g ou t of h is con t r ol. “ Ju st g et it don e,” h e sn a pped. “ Ba r r et t , Pa r k er , t h eir a ssocia t es…g et r id of t h em a ll.”

Chapter 5 Mu ch

t o Nick ’s displea su r e, Sa la za r t ex t ed t h e n ex t m or n in g t o r esch edu le t h eir m eet in g . A g a in . W it h t h e st r eet s of Ma la st ill in u pr oa r , t h e pr esiden t ia l g u a r d w a s com m it t ed t o k eepin g t h e cou n t r y ’s lea der sa fe fr om t h e u n r u ly people w h o r efu sed t o a ck n ow ledg e Ga r za ’s pow er . Cor t eg a ’s m ilit a r y a n d la w en for cem en t officer s w er en ’t equ ipped t o dea l w it h a r iot of t h is m a g n it u de. Ba r r ica des w er e bein g k n ock ed dow n by t h e a n g r y m ob, a ll a t t em pt s by t h e t a ct ica l t ea m t o con t r ol t h e cr ow d h a d g on e n ow h er e, a n d m or e a n d m or e people con t in u ed t o a r r iv e; som e h a iled fr om Cor t eg a , ot h er s ca m e fr om a ll ov er t h e w or ld t o sh ow t h eir su ppor t for t h e st r u g g lin g cit izen s. Nick h a d h a d en ou g h of it a ll. He’d spen t t h e m or n in g in on e of t h e cit y ’s m ost da n g er ou s a n d der elict n eig h bor h oods t r y in g t o t r a ck dow n El Nu ev o Dia blo. Nea r ly ev er y m a n , w om a n a n d ch ild liv in g in t h ose pr oject s h a d r efu sed t o spea k t o h im . T h ose w h o did dem a n ded com pen sa t ion for t h eir t im e, bu t on ce h e t old t h em w h o h e w a s look in g for , t h ey sw ift ly h a n ded h im ba ck t h e ca sh a n d cla im ed ig n or a n ce. T h ey w er e so t er r ified of El Nu ev o Dia blo t h a t t h ey w ou ldn ’t ev en a ccept a ca sh br ibe t h a t cou ld’v e pu t food on t h eir t a bles for m on t h s. Now Nick w a s on ce a g a in r idin g t h e elev a t or u p t o h is h ot el r oom . He h a d n ot h in g t o do bu t w a it for Ev a t o g et h im t h e n a m e of a con m a n w h o su pposedly sold fa k e IDs dow n by t h e dock s, bu t Nick dou bt ed Pa u l W a v er ly w ou ld’v e u sed a n y on e less t h a n t h e best . It w a s st ill w or t h look in g in t o, t h ou g h . T h e elev a t or door s open ed w it h a lou d ch im e a n d Nick h ea ded dow n t h e ca r pet ed h a llw a y t ow a r d h is

r oom . He w a s t en st eps fr om t h e door w h en h is in st in ct s beg a n t o bu zz a n d t h e lit t le h a ir s a t h is n a pe st ood on en d. Som et h in g w a s off. W it h ou t slow in g or a lt er in g h is pa ce, h e con t in u ed h is a ppr oa ch , h is g a ze im m edia t ely n ot in g t h e ba r ely v isible scr a t ch es a r ou n d t h e k ey h ole on t h e door k n ob. Som eon e h a d pick ed t h e lock . Nick k ept w a lk in g . Rig h t pa st h is r oom . A ll t h e w a y t o t h e st a ir w ell door a t t h e en d of t h e h a ll. His h a n d slid ben ea t h h is lon g -sleev ed sh ir t a n d dow n t o t h e w a ist ba n d of h is ca r g o pa n t s w h er e h e’d t u ck ed h is 9 -m illim et er SIG SA UER. He’d ju st g ot t en a g r ip on t h e w ea pon w h en a door flew open fr om beh in d. He spa r ed a h a st y g la n ce ov er h is sh ou lder a n d sa w a t a ll, m u scu la r m a n fillin g t h e door w a y of Nick ’s h ot el r oom . A s t h eir ey es lock ed, t r iu m ph lit t h e st r a n g er ’s ey es a n d h is h a n d w h ipped u p t o r ev ea l a .4 5 h a n dg u n w it h a su ppr essor a ffix ed t o it s m u zzle. “ W e’v e g ot h im !” t h e m a n sh ou t ed. Son of a bitch. Nick div ed in t o t h e st a ir w ell, a dr en a lin e bu r n in g in h is blood a n d fu elin g h is a ct ion s. He r a ced dow n t h e st a ir s, h is boot s sla ppin g t h e con cr et e floor w it h ea ch h u r r ied st ep. He’d ju st r ea ch ed t h e t h ir d-floor la n din g w h en h e h ea r d t h e fift h -floor st a ir w ell door bu r st open fr om a bov e. Foot st eps t h u dded on t h e st a ir s, spu r r in g h im t o m ov e fa st er . His br ea t h in g didn ’t ch a n g e. His h ea r t bea t r em a in ed st ea dy . On e foot in fr on t of t h e ot h er . T h er e w a s n o t im e t o be a fr a id. No t im e t o pa n ic. No t im e t o dw ell on t h e m et a llic pop t h a t ech oed

in t h e st a ir w ell a s a bu llet lodg ed in t o t h e w a ll a bov e Nick ’s h ea d. He m a de it t o t h e lobby , t h r ow in g t h e door open w it h su ch for ce t h a t it sla m m ed in t o t h e w a ll w it h a lou d cr a sh . Ig n or in g t h e st a r t led look s of t h e cler k s a t t h e fr on t desk , Nick t or e ou t of t h e h ot el. He didn ’t t u r n a r ou n d. Didn ’t ch eck t o see if a n y on e w a s beh in d h im . “ He’s on t h e m ov e!” T h e m a le v oice h a d com e fr om t h e pa ssen g er side of t h e u n m a r k ed bla ck v a n pa r k ed a t t h e cu r b. A secon d la t er , a m a n in ca m o pa n t s a n d a bla ck t ee flew ou t of t h e v a n a n d g a v e ch a se. Dam n it. Nick r a n fa st er , dodg in g people left a n d r ig h t . He m a de a con sciou s effor t t o k eep h is g u n t u ck ed ben ea t h h is sh ir t , bu t t h e m a n ch a sin g h im didn ’t deem it im por t a n t t o con cea l h is w ea pon . Sev er a l pa sser sby g a sped w h en t h ey g lim psed t h e g u n in t h e g oon ’s h a n d. A w om a n scr ea m ed, a n d t h en sev er a l sh r iek s pier ced t h e a ir a s m or e people on t h e sidew a lk beca m e a w a r e of t h e g u n -w ieldin g m a n r u n n in g by . Godda m m it ! Nick didn ’t da r e t u r n a r ou n d, bu t h e k n ew h is pu r su er w a sn ’t t oo fa r beh in d. For t u n a t ely , t h e Liber t y h a ppen ed t o be t w o block s fr om t h e cit y ’s r en ow n ed a n t iqu es m a r k et —w h ich w a s pr ecisely w h y Nick h a d ch osen t h a t pa r t icu la r h ot el. T h e m a r k et w a s a n en or m ou s m a ze of en dless boot h s a n d t a bles a n d cu r t a in ed k iosk s, t h e per fect pla ce t o disa ppea r . Relief pou r ed in t o h im w h en t h e m a r k et pla ce ca m e in t o v iew . Less t h a n a m in u t e la t er , h e w a s lost in a cr ow d of a n t iqu er s. A g la n ce beh in d sh ow ed h is fr u st r a t ed pu r su er elbow in g h is w a y t h r ou g h t h e t h r on g of people. Ev er y t h in g a bou t t h e m a n sa id m ercenary. T h e

clot h es, t h e sh a v ed h ea d, t h e m ilit a r y pr ecision of h is m ov em en t s. Nick r ea ch ed a la r g e a r ea w h er e h u n dr eds of ca r pet s h u n g fr om v a r iou s clot h eslin es. He du ck ed beh in d a du st y Per sia n r u g a n d beg a n w ea v in g h is w a y t h r ou g h t h e ca n opy of ca r pet , w h ich pr ov ided per fect cov er . He didn ’t t u r n a r ou n d, didn ’t slow dow n , ju st m ov ed t h r ou g h t h e m a r k et w it h qu ick m et h odica l st r ides, n ot st oppin g u n t il h e w a s cer t a in h e’d lost h is t a il. He en ded u p a t a cor n er ba r t w en t y block s fr om t h e a n t iqu es m a r k et . His m er cen a r y fr ien d w a s n ow h er e t o be seen , a n d t h e ba ck of Nick ’s n eck w a sn ’t t in g lin g a n y m or e, a su r e sig n t h a t h e w a s n o lon g er bein g h u n t ed. T h e ba r w a s deser t ed sa v e for t h e st ock y ba r t en der a n d a lon e pa t r on a t t h e fa r en d of t h e cou n t er . Bot h m en ey ed Nick in su spicion a s h e a ppr oa ch ed t h e cou n t er . “ W h a t ca n I do for y ou ?” t h e ba r t en der a sk ed in Spa n ish . Nick r espon ded in t h e sa m e t on g u e. “ A pin t . W h a t ev er y ou ’v e g ot on t a p.” A s t h e bu r ly , oliv e-sk in n ed m a n m ov ed a w a y t o pou r t h e beer , Nick slid on t o a t a ll st ool, posit ion in g h im self so t h a t h e w a sn ’t close t o t h e fr on t w in dow bu t st ill h a d a lin e of sig h t t o t h e door . T h e sm a ll t elev ision h a n g in g ov er t h e ba r w a s t u r n ed t o a loca l n ew s ch a n n el, t h e m a le r epor t er on t h e scr een cov er in g t h e dow n t ow n r iot t h a t w a s g oin g st r on g . T h e loot in g h a d st a r t ed in t h e w ee h ou r s of t h e m or n in g , a n d t h er e w a s n ow t a lk of Cor t eg a seek in g a id fr om t h e Br a zilia n a r m y t o con t r ol t h e m obs. “ Cr a zy people,” t h e ba r t en der m u t t er ed, h is

disa ppr ov in g g a ze fix ed on t h e T V . He set a t a ll beer g la ss n ea r ly ov er flow in g w it h foa m in fr on t of Nick . Nick pa id for t h e beer a n d t h a n k ed t h e m a n , t h en fish ed ou t h is cell ph on e a n d ca lled T a t e. “ T h ey fou n d m e,” h e m u r m u r ed, k eepin g h is g a ze t r a in ed on t h e door . He k ept a close w a t ch on t h e people bey on d t h e pla t e-g la ss w in dow , bu t t h e m er c w it h t h e sh a v ed h ea d w a s n ow h er e in sig h t . “ W h o?” T a t e a sk ed sh a r ply . “ Mer cs. T h ey br ok e in t o m y h ot el r oom , t h en ch a sed m e for t en fr ick in ’ block s.” “ Y ou su r e t h ey w er e soldier s for h ir e a n d n ot U.S. m ilit a r y ?” “ T h ey w er e t oo bold t o be m ilit a r y . T h e on e on t h e st r eet w a s w a v in g a g u n a r ou n d in fr on t of pedest r ia n s. He w a sn ’t t r y in g t o be cov er t . If Un cle Sa m h a d sen t t h ese g u y s, t h ey w ou ld’v e u sed som e st ea lt h .” “ Did y ou lose t h e t a il?” “ Y ea h . I’ll h ea d t o a n ot h er h ot el, h ole u p t h er e u n t il Sa la za r g et s in t ou ch .” A fa m ilia r v oice su dden ly ca u g h t Nick ’s a t t en t ion , dr a w in g h is g a ze ba ck t o t h e t elev ision scr een . Rebecca Pa r k er . Sh e w a s doin g a liv e r epor t fr om ou t side t h e pa r lia m en t bu ildin g , sh ou t in g ov er t h e r oa r of t h e cr ow d. A spa r k of con cer n lit Nick ’s g u t , bu t a t lea st t h e w om a n h a d t h e sen se t o st ick close t o t h e n ew s v a n t h is t im e. A s sh e spok e, t h e ca m er a pa n n ed t o t h e fu r iou s m ob, t h en focu sed on a ca r t h a t w a s en g u lfed in fla m es t h ir t y feet a w a y . T h e sh een of sw ea t on Rebecca ’s for eh ea d t old h im t h a t sh e m u st be h ot a s h ell st a n din g n ea r t h a t con fla g r a t ion , bu t sh e

sou n ded cool a s a cu cu m ber a s sh e a ddr essed h er v iew er s. “ A s y ou ca n see, t h e v iolen ce h a s esca la t ed ov er n ig h t . T w o m em ber s of t h e a r m ed g u a r d w er e n ea r ly bea t en t o dea t h by fiv e y ou t h s w h o h a v e sin ce been t a k en in t o cu st ody , a n d sev er a l v eh icles h a v e been set on fir e in t h e pa st h ou r . W e’r e seein g Molot ov cock t a ils bein g t h r ow n a t t h e pa r lia m en t bu ildin g a n d—” “ —st ill look in g in t o it , bu t Ha r r ison w a s t h e on ly m em ber of t h e t ea m w h o spok e t o W a v er ly .” Nick jer k ed h is g a ze a w a y fr om t h e scr een a s h e r eg ist er ed T a t e’s la st r em a r k . “ Sor r y , w h a t w a s t h a t ?” “ I sa id t h a t t h e scien t ist s a t t h e la b t h a t cr ea t ed t h e v ir u s, D&M In it ia t iv e, a r e bein g qu est ion ed, bu t t h ey a ll m a in t a in t h a t t h ey don ’t k n ow w h o con t r a ct ed t h em t o w or k on Pr oject A r ies. A ppa r en t ly Rich a r d Ha r r ison w a s t h e poin t m a n for t h e pr oject — a ll h e t old h is st a ff w a s t h a t t h ey w er e w or k in g on a t op-secr et g ov er n m en t pr oject .” “ He didn ’t g iv e t h em a n y n a m es?” “ Nope, bu t h is ph on e r ecor ds in dica t e t h a t h e w a s in t ou ch w it h Pa u l W a v er ly .” W a r in ess flooded Nick ’s ch est . “ Do w e t h in k som eon e in t h e Depa r t m en t of Defen se a u t h or ized t h e v ir u s pr oject ?” “ Ma y be.” T a t e pa u sed. “ Secr et a r y Ba r r et t h a s a lw a y s been g u n g h o a bou t defen se. I ca n ea sily see t h e m a n g r een -lig h t in g a biolog ica l w ea pon s pr oject lik e t h is.” Nick bit ba ck a n in dig n a n t den ia l, bu t in side, h e w a s seet h in g . His fa t h er w ou ld never a llow a dea dly v ir u s t o be t est ed on in n ocen t people. Kir k Ba r r et t w a s t h e m ost h on or a ble m a n Nick h a d ev er k n ow n . A

m a n w h o ca r ed n ot on ly a bou t t h e A m er ica n people, bu t a lso a bou t all people, a m a n w h o con sider ed it h is du t y t o h elp t h ose w h o n eeded it , n o m a t t er w h a t . Not on ly t h a t , bu t Nick ’s fa t h er possessed a n ir on cla d sen se of r ig h t a n d w r on g . It u sed t o dr iv e h im n u t s w h en h e w a s g r ow in g u p—ev er y m ist a k e h e’d m a de r equ ir ed pu n ish m en t , ev en if h e’d lea r n ed h is lesson fr om it . Kir k Ba r r et t didn ’t t oler a t e w r on g doin g , w h et h er it w a s br ea k in g cu r few or for g et t in g t o t a k e t h e t r a sh ou t or t ellin g a lit t le w h it e lie. Nick k n ew w it h ou t a sh r ed of dou bt t h a t h is fa t h er w a s in ca pa ble of bein g in v olv ed in som et h in g a s despica ble a s Pr oject A r ies, bu t h e cou ldn ’t sa y a n y t h in g t o T a t e. Not w it h ou t con fessin g t h a t h e’d been ly in g a bou t w h o h e w a s in t h e fiv e y ea r s t h ey ’d ser v ed t og et h er . A lt h ou g h h is com m a n der h a d k n ow n w h o Nick w a s, t h e ot h er m en in t h e u n it h a d been k ept in t h e da r k , a n d h e w a sn ’t r ea dy t o con fess t o t h e decept ion . Not n ow , a n y w a y . “ Y ou ’v e g ot t a lig h t a fir e u n der Sa la za r ’s a ss, m a n ,” T a t e w en t on . “ T h e m or e t im e y ou spen d w a it in g , t h e less ch a n ce w e h a v e of fin din g W a v er ly .” “ T r u st m e, I k n ow .” On t h e T V , Rebecca w a s u r g en t ly in for m in g t h e a u dien ce t h a t a Molot ov cock t a il h a d ju st been h u r led a t a m em ber of t h e t a ct ica l squ a d. “ W e’v e g ot a m a n on fir e!” sh e sa id sh a r ply . “ Folk s, t h ese im a g es a r e g r a ph ic. Plea se, if y ou ’v e g ot y ou n g ch ildr en , I u r g e y ou t o m ov e t h em a w a y fr om t h e scr een .” T h e ca m er a sh ift ed t o pr ov ide a g r u esom e t a blea u of a u n ifor m ed m a n en g u lfed in fla m es a s h e r olled on t h e pa v em en t . T w o policem en w er e desper a t ely

a t t em pt in g t o st om p ou t t h e fla m es t h a t w er e dev ou r in g t h e m a n , w h o w a s scr ea m in g in a g on y . Nick bla n ch ed. Ch r ist , t h is w a s ins anity. “ A n y w a y ,” T a t e w a s sa y in g . A dea fen in g boom a n d a h or r ified scr ea m bla r ed ou t of t h e scr een . T w o secon ds la t er , g la ss sh a t t er ed a s t h e ba r t en der dr opped t h e em pt y beer pit ch er h e’d been dr y in g w it h a dish r a g . “ Oh , blessed m ot h er ,” t h e m a n sa id in Spa n ish . Nick su ck ed in a br ea t h a n d w a t ch ed t h e scen e in h or r or . “ Oh , Jesu s.” He sh ot t o h is feet , n ea r ly dr oppin g t h e ph on e. “ T a t e, I’ll ca ll y ou ba ck .” Fla m es. Or a n g e fla m es. Fillin g t h e scr een . Nick ’s h ea r t h a m m er ed ou t a fr en et ic r h y t h m . T h e ca m er a w a s n o lon g er a im ed on Rebecca . It h a d cla t t er ed t o t h e g r ou n d, t ilt ed a t a n a w k w a r d a n g le t h a t m a de it h a r d t o deciph er w h a t w a s h a ppen in g . A fa m ilia r fem a le v oice cr ied ou t in t er r or . “ Jesse! Jes s e!” Rebecca . W it h t r em blin g pa lm s, Nick g la n ced a t t h e ba r t en der a n d sa id, “ T u r n it u p!” T h e m a n did a s h e w a s or der ed, a n d Rebecca ’s v oice g ot lou der . Sh e w a s pa n ick ed. Fr ea k in g ou t . Nick cou ldn ’t see h er , bu t h e cou ld h ea r h er . He su spect ed ev er y on e in t h e w or ld w a s h a n g in g on Rebecca Pa r k er ’s ev er y w or d. “ T h e v a n ’s been h it ! It ’s on fir e! Jesse’s dow n ! Oh God, Jes s e!” A blu r of m ov em en t fla sh ed pa st t h e len s, follow ed by a secon d ex plosion t h a t y et a g a in a lt er ed t h e ca m er a a n g le. Sn ea k er s. Nick m a de ou t a pa ir of w om en ’s sn ea k er s, a soot -cov er ed h a n d w h izzin g pa st t h e

ca m er a . “ Jesse, open y ou r ey es! Look a t m e!” A n d t h en t h e scr een w en t bla ck . “ Go t o a differ en t ch a n n el,” Nick sn a pped. “ Now !” A g a in , n o h esit a t ion on t h e ba r t en der ’s pa r t . T h e secon d n ew s ch a n n el t h ey t u n ed in t o w a s a lr ea dy cov er in g t h is la t est ca t a st r oph e, a n d t h ey ca u g h t t h e m a le a n ch or m idsen t en ce. “ —sev er a l in cen dia r y dev ices t h r ow n a t t h e A m er ica n Br oa dca st New s v a n .” T h e a n ch or w a s sit t in g beh in d a n ew s desk in t h e st u dio, a n d a pict u r e of Rebecca a ppea r ed on t h e scr een n ex t t o h is h ea d. Nick ’s pu lse sped u p a t t h e sig h t of h er fa m ilia r g r een ey es a n d t ou sled r ed h a ir . “ W e’v e ju st r eceiv ed con fir m a t ion t h a t t h e dr iv er w a s k illed in t h e ex plosion . Pa r k er ’s ca m er a m a n h a s been ba dly in ju r ed—w e’r e g et t in g r epor t s t h a t h e’s bein g r u sh ed t o t h e h ospit a l w it h t h ir d-deg r ee bu r n s. T h er e is n o w or d on Pa r k er y et . W e sim ply do n ot k n ow if sh e—” T h e m a n h a lt ed, t ou ch ed h is ea r piece. “ W a it , w e’v e g ot a n u pda t e. Rebecca Pa r k er , a w a r dw in n in g cor r espon den t for A BN, w a s n ot in ju r ed in t h e ex plosion s. Sh e ju st depa r t ed t h e scen e in t h e a m bu la n ce w it h h er ca m er a m a n , w h o h a s been iden t ified a s Jesse W illia m s.” Relief cr a sh ed ov er h im lik e a t ida l w a v e. Rebecca w a sn ’t h u r t . T h a n k God. Bu t h er dr iv er w a s dea d. Her ca m er a m a n w it h t h ir d-deg r ee bu r n s. Beca u se a few pr ot est er s h a d t h r ow n Molot ov cock t a ils a t t h e A BN cr ew . Why ? Nick ’s g u t w en t r ig id a s t h e qu est ion floa t ed in t o h is h ea d. W h y w ou ld t h e pr ot est er s t r y t o h a r m t h e

v er y people w h o w er e sh eddin g lig h t on t h eir ca u se? On t h e T V , t h e n ew s a n ch or w a s a t t em pt in g t o m a k e sen se of it , a s w ell. “ Officia ls on t h e scen e su spect t h a t t h e ex plosiv e dev ices w er e in t en ded for t h e t a ct ica l t ea m t h a t h a d ju st pu lled u p n ea r t h e A BN v a n . T h e t h r ee Molot ov cock t a ils, h ow ev er , m issed t h eir m a r k .” Three Molot ov cock t a ils? A n d a ll t h r ee h a d fa iled t o h it t h e in t en ded t a r g et ? Eit h er t h ose pr ot est er s h a d t h e cr a ppiest a im on t h e pla n et , or … Or t h e SW A T t ea m hadn’t been t h e in t en ded t a r g et . Rebecca. A s t h e a la r m in g t h ou g h t sliced in t o h is h ea d, Nick g la n ced a t t h e ba r t en der a n d sa id, “ Is t h er e a ba ck door I ca n lea v e ou t of?” T h e m a n n odded, h is sh ock ed g a ze st ill g lu ed t o t h e scr een . He a bsen t ly poin t ed t o t h e cor r idor lea din g t o t h e r est r oom s. “ Em er g en cy ex it , ba ck t h er e.” W it h a n od of g r a t it u de, Nick h u r r ied t o t h e cor r idor . He’d a ll bu t for g ot t en a bou t t h e t r ig g er h a ppy m er cen a r ies w h o w er e cu r r en t ly pu r su in g h im ; a ll h e cou ld focu s on w a s Rebecca . Her cr y of h or r or . Her sh a k y plea s for h er ca m er a m a n t o open h is ey es a n d look a t h er . T h e h ospit a l. He h a d t o g et t o t h e h ospit a l A SA P. His in n er a la r m s w er e r in g in g , h is in st in ct s scr ea m in g for h im t o g et t o Rebecca —a n d fa st . Sh e w a s in da n g er . W h a t ev er w en t dow n ju st n ow , it h a d been n o a cciden t . Som eon e h a d in t en t ion a lly t r ied t o blow u p Rebecca a n d h er cr ew . Nick k n ew it w it h a cer t a in t y t h a t r a n bon e-deep. A n d h e g ot t h e feelin g t h a t it w a s a ll h is fa u lt .

*** Nu m b. Rebecca w a s u t t er ly n u m b. Sh e cou ldn ’t t h in k , cou ldn ’t br ea t h e, cou ldn ’t m ov e. Ea ch t im e sh e t r ied t o sn a p h er self ou t of it , t h e im a g e of Jesse g oin g u p in fla m es a ssa u lt ed h er m in d a n d n a u sea sca m per ed u p h er t h r oa t . T h e odor of bu r n ed flesh st ill per m ea t ed h er clot h es, h er h a ir , h er n ost r ils. T h e look of t er r or a n d a g on y in Jesse’s ey es w a s on e sh e w ou ld n ev er for g et . People w er e t a lk in g t o h er . Y ellin g a t h er . Sh e cou ld h ea r t h eir v oices, bu t t h ey sou n ded so v er y fa r a w a y , lik e t h ey w er e com in g fr om t h e ot h er en d of a lon g t u n n el. It w a sn ’t u n t il sh e felt t h e st in g of pa in on h er a r m t h a t sh e r eg ist er ed w h a t w a s h a ppen in g — t h e em er g en cy r oom n u r ses w er e for cibly pu llin g h er a w a y fr om Jesse’s g u r n ey . “ Y ou ca n ’t g o in t h er e w it h h im , Ms. Pa r k er ,” on e of t h e n u r ses sn a pped. “ Plea se, let u s h a n dle it .” Sh e n odded w ea k ly a n d st epped ba ck , h er g a ze g lu ed t o Jesse’s fa ce. Or w h a t u sed t o be h is fa ce. Sick n ess ch u r n ed in h er belly a n d sh e sw a llow ed h a r d, t r y in g t o k eep t h e n a u sea a t ba y . Sh e’d en cou n t er ed som e g or y v isu a ls in h er ca r eer , bu t t h is…t h is… Rebecca t or e h er ey es off h er fr ien d’s ch a r r ed, bla ck en ed flesh . Sor r ow t ig h t en ed h er t h r oa t a s t h e r ea lit y of t h e sit u a t ion sa n k in . Jesse w a sn ’t g oin g t o m a k e it . Nobody cou ld possibly su r v iv e t h e sev er it y of t h ese bu r n s. “ Fou r t h -deg r ee bu r n s,” sh e h ea r d a m a le v oice ba r k . Sh ift in g h er h ea d, sh e spot t ed a doct or in g r een scr u bs r u sh in g a lon g side t h e g u r n ey , w h ich w a s

bein g r olled t ow a r d a pa ir of dou ble door s bea r in g a r est r ict ed-a ccess sig n . T h e m edica l w or k er s flock in g Jesse disa ppea r ed t h r ou g h t h e sw in g in g door s, bu t n ot befor e Rebecca h ea r d t h e w or ds hypovolem ic s hock bein g t ossed ou t . T h a t didn ’t sou n d g ood. God, n on e of t h is w a s g ood. Sh e st ill cou ldn ’t believ e it . On e secon d sh e’d been deliv er in g a r ou t in e r epor t in t o Jesse’s ca m er a , t h e n ex t sh e w a s w a t ch in g h er ca m er a m a n en g u lfed by fla m es. A n d t h en a n ot h er ex plosion . T h e ex plosion t h a t r ock ed t h e v a n . Da v e’s scr ea m s of pa in a s h e bu r n ed t o dea t h . Rebecca g a g g ed, ch ok in g on bile. Sh e g lim psed a sig n for t h e la dies’ w a sh r oom a t t h e en d of t h e h a ll a n d da sh ed t ow a r d it , t h r ow in g h er self in t o t h e fir st a v a ila ble st a ll a n d fly in g t o h er k n ees. Sh e t h r ew u p, h er ey es w a t er in g , h er t h r oa t bu r n in g . Sh e didn ’t k n ow h ow lon g sh e h u ddled ov er t h a t t oilet , bu t h er in sides felt r a w a n d a ch y by t h e t im e sh e u n st ea dily r ose t o h er feet . Sh e left t h e st a ll a n d a ppr oa ch ed t h e sin k w h er e sh e r in sed ou t h er m ou t h , t h en st u died h er r a v a g ed a ppea r a n ce in t h e m ir r or . Soot sm u dg ed h er fa ce, a n d sh e h a d a t in y n ick on h er left ch eek fr om t h e pebble t h a t h a d du g in t o h er sk in w h en sh e’d h it t h e pa v em en t . Her w h it e T -sh ir t w a s sin g ed, st r ea k ed w it h bla ck a n d g r a y —a n d r ed…. Blood. A qu ick in v est ig a t ion r ev ea led t h a t sh e h a d a m in or scr a pe on h er left h ip. Dr a w in g in a sh a k y br ea t h , sh e ben t ov er t h e sin k a g a in a n d w a sh ed t h e a sh off h er fa ce, bu t t h e sm ell of sm ok e con t in u ed t o lin g er in t h e a ir . T h a t bon e-n u m bin g pa r a ly sis follow ed h er ou t of t h e ba t h r oom . Sh e cou ldn ’t seem t o focu s on a sin g le

t h ou g h t . Sh e k n ew sh e n eeded t o fin d a doct or a n d a sk a bou t Jesse. Sh e n eeded t o ca ll t h e n et w or k . Sh e n eeded t o con t a ct Ha r r y . Bu t sh e w a s so u n believ a bly num b. Sh e st ood in t h e flu or escen t -lit cor r idor a n d sa g g ed a g a in st t h e w h it e w a ll, t h en slid in t o a sit t in g posit ion a n d w r a pped h er a r m s a r ou n d h er k n ees. Fiv e m in u t es or fiv e h ou r s—sh e cou ld’v e been dow n t h er e on t h e floor for eit h er a m ou n t of t im e for h ow ou t of it sh e w a s. “ Ms. Pa r k er ?” Sh e lift ed h er h ea d a t t h e sou n d of t h e su bdu ed m a le v oice a n d fou n d t h e doct or w h o’d been t r ea t in g Jesse loom in g ov er h er . Rebecca t ook on e look a t h is fa ce a n d let ou t a soft m oa n . “ Oh , God.” “ I’m sor r y ,” h e sa id g en t ly . “ Mr . W illia m s’s bu r n s w er e sim ply t oo sev er e. W e w er e dea lin g w it h bu r n s on m or e t h a n t w en t y -fiv e per cen t of t h e t ot a l body su r fa ce a r ea a n d I’m a fr a id t h a t …” Sh e t u n ed h im ou t . Beca u se r ea lly , w h a t w a s t h e poin t in list en in g a n y m or e? Jesse w a s dea d. Da v e w a s dea d. W h en y ou spen t t en m on t h s of t h e y ea r on a ssig n m en t , y ou didn ’t h a v e m u ch t im e for socia lizin g , a n d t h ese pa st fiv e y ea r s, Jesse a n d Da v e h a d been h er on ly fr ien ds. T h e t w o m en , bot h in t h eir m id-for t ies, h a d t a k en Rebecca u n der t h eir w in g , t r ea t ed h er lik e t h e lit t le sist er t h ey ’d n ev er h a d, sh ow n h er u n fa ilin g su ppor t a n d pr ov ided h er w it h en dless h ou r s of la u g h t er . A n d n ow t h ey w er e bot h g on e. “ Ms. Pa r k er ?” t h e doct or pr om pt ed. Sh e a bsen t ly m et h is g a ze. “ Sor r y , w h a t w a s

t h a t ?” “ I w a s sa y in g t h a t t h e r elea se of t h e body ca n be a r r a n g ed w it h t h e cor on er .” T ea r s st u n g h er ey es. “ Rig h t . Ok a y .” W it h a sy m pa t h et ic look , t h e doct or con v ey ed h is a polog ies a g a in , t h en w a lk ed a w a y . W ipin g h er ey es, Rebecca g ot t o h er feet , k n ow in g sh e h a d t o g et it t og et h er . Sh e w ou ld g r iev e la t er . Rig h t n ow , sh e n eeded t o be st r on g . “ Rebecca Pa r k er ?” Sh e t u r n ed a r ou n d a n d sa w t w o u n fa m ilia r m en in bla ck su it s a ppr oa ch in g . T h e t a ller of t h e t w o fla sh ed a g old ba dg e, t h en offer ed a r u efu l sm ile. “ Det ect iv e Ra ou l Flor es,” h e in t r odu ced. “ T h is is m y pa r t n er , Da n t e V a llet i. W e’r e w it h t h e Ma la P.D.” V a llet i, a st ock y m a n w it h a sh a v ed h ea d, sh ot h er a g r a v e look . “ W e’r e sor r y t o bot h er y ou in y ou r t im e of g r ief, bu t w e n eed t o g et a st a t em en t fr om y ou r eg a r din g t h e ev en t s t h a t t r a n spir ed.” Sh e st ifled a sig h . “ Does it h a v e t o be n ow ?” “ I’m a fr a id so,” Flor es sa id br isk ly . “ It ’s im per a t iv e t h a t w e qu est ion y ou w h ile t h e det a ils a r e st ill fr esh in y ou r m in d—” Fr esh in h er m in d? Sh e a lm ost bu r st in t o h y st er ica l la u g h t er . God! Lik e sh e w ou ld ev er for g et seein g Jesse dev ou r ed by fla m es. “ —if w e w a n t t o fin d t h e cu lpr it s r espon sible for t h e bom bin g .” “ W h y don ’t w e do t h is in t h e com m issa r y r a t h er t h a n t h e st a t ion ?” V a llet i su g g est ed in a k in d t on e. “ If y ou ’d be m or e com for t a ble w it h t h a t .” Sh e fin a lly n odded. “ Fin e. Bu t let ’s m a k e it fa st . I h a v e t o con t a ct Jesse’s fa m ily a n d…” Her t h r oa t squ eezed. “ I…h a v e t h in g s t o t a k e ca r e of.” “ W e u n der st a n d,” Flor es sa id, h is da r k ey es

flick er in g w it h sy m pa t h y . A n d a n n oy a n ce. Sh e defin it ely didn ’t m iss t h e t in y spa r k of a n n oy a n ce in t h e det ect iv e’s ey es. Rebecca ’s lips t ig h t en ed a s sh e follow ed t h e t w o m en t ow a r d t h e elev a t or . T h e la st t h in g sh e w a n t ed t o do w a s dr in k a cu p of coffee a n d descr ibe h ow sh e’d ju st w a t ch ed h er fr ien ds die befor e h er ey es, a n d t h ese policem en w er e in sen sit iv e jer k s for m a k in g h er do t h is. T h e on ly r ea son sh e’d a g r eed w a s beca u se sh e w a n t ed t h e people r espon sible t o be pu n ish ed for w h a t t h ey ’d don e t o Jesse a n d Da v e. A s t h e elev a t or door s open ed, t h e t r io st epped in t o t h e ca r . V a llet i pu n ch ed t h e bu t t on for t h e lobby , ca u sin g Rebecca t o k n it h er ey ebr ow s t og et h er in a fr ow n . “ T h e ca fet er ia is on t h e secon d floor ,” sh e t old t h e det ect iv e. He ig n or ed h er . Su ppr essin g a n a n g r y r et or t , sh e r ea ch ed ou t a n d t r ied t o pr ess t h e r ig h t bu t t on , on ly t o fr eeze w h en som et h in g h a r d su dden ly ja bbed h er t a ilbon e. A gun. “ Det ect iv e” Ra ou l Flor es h a d pu lled a g u n a n d w a s n ow pr essin g t h e m u zzle in t o Rebecca ’s low er ba ck . A s fea r pu m m eled in t o h er , Flor es’s low w a r n in g h u n g in t h e elev a t or ca r . “ On e m or e m ov e a n d I pu t a bu llet in y ou r spin e, sw eet h ea r t .”

Chapter 6 Nick

ca m e t o a scr eech in g st op a t t h e cu r b in fr on t of t h e h ospit a l en t r a n ce, ig n or in g t h e n opa r k in g sig n s a n d t h e fr ow n s fr om t h e scr u bsw ea r in g , cig a r et t e-h oldin g h ospit a l w or k er s loit er in g a t t h e n ea r by sm ok in g a r ea . He’d t u n ed in t o t h e r a dio on t h e dr iv e ov er , a n d a lt h ou g h t h er e h a d been n o fu r t h er u pda t es a bou t Rebecca or h er ca m er a m a n , t h a t feelin g of u r g en cy r efu sed t o lea v e h im . Rebecca h a d n ea r ly died—t h e m or n in g a ft er sh e’d m et w it h h im . It w a s t oo big a coin ciden ce t o ig n or e, a n d w h en y ou fa ct or ed in t h e h it squ a d t h a t h a d a m bu sh ed Nick a t t h e h ot el ea r lier , it didn ’t t a k e a g en iu s t o fig u r e ou t t h a t h is loca t ion h a d been com pr om ised. Sh u t t in g off t h e en g in e, h e t h r ew open t h e dr iv er ’s door a n d ju m ped ou t of t h e t a n -color ed seda n , bu t h e’d ba r ely t a k en t h r ee st eps w h en h is g a ze collided w it h a st a r t lin g scen e. Rebecca h a d ju st w a lk ed t h r ou g h t h e a u t om a t ic door s a t t h e en t r a n ce. Sh e w a s fla n k ed by t w o m en in da r k su it s—on e of w h om h a ppen ed t o be t h e m er cen a r y t h a t h a d popped ou t of Nick ’s h ot el r oom less t h a n a n h ou r a g o. Rebecca ’s g r een ey es w iden ed in r ecog n it ion w h en sh e spot t ed Nick a cr oss t h e n a r r ow r oa dw a y . “ Nick !” sh e sh ou t ed, t h e fea r a n d pa n ic on h er fa ce u n m ist a k a ble. T h e m er cen a r ies on eit h er side of h er im m edia t ely sw iv eled t h eir h ea ds in Nick ’s dir ect ion , a n d a secon d la t er , t w o g u n s w er e a im ed a t h im . Y et a g a in , t h e sh eer boldn ess of t h ese ba st a r ds a m a zed h im . T h ey h a d n o qu a lm s a bou t open in g fir e —in pu blic—a n d Nick fou n d h im self div in g beh in d t h e

seda n for cov er a s t h e m er cen a r ies st a r t ed sh oot in g . Scr ea m s er u pt ed fr om t h e sm ok in g sect ion n ea r t h e cu r b. Nick ig n or ed t h e din a n d dr ew h is w ea pon . Sit t in g on t h e a sph a lt , h e fla t t en ed h is ba ck a g a in st t h e pa ssen g er -side door , t ook a deep br ea t h , t h en r isk ed a g la n ce a t t h e sh oot er s. Met a llic pin g s ech oed in t h e a ir a s a spr a y of bu llet s em bedded in t o t h e side of t h e seda n . T h e m en w er e u sin g silen cer s. So w a s Nick , a n d h is n ex t sh ot ca m e ou t a s a sh a r p h iss. He h it on e of t h e m er cen a r ies squ a r e in t h e ch est , a n d sa t isfa ct ion ig n it ed in h is g u t a s h e w a t ch ed t h e m a n g o dow n . Mor e h or r ified sh ou t s cu t t h e a ir . It w a s t en o’clock in t h e m or n in g , t oo br ig h t a n d su n n y for a g odda m n sh oot -ou t ou t side a h ospit a l. A sw ift peek a r ou n d t h e fr on t bu m per r ev ea led t h e r em a in in g m er cen a r y dr a g g in g Rebecca t ow a r d t h e police cr u iser pa r k ed n ea r t h e E.R. en t r a n ce. Nick didn ’t k n ow h ow t h e m er cs h a d m a n a g ed t o g et t h eir h a n ds on a cop ca r , bu t t h ese m en su r e a s h ell w er en ’t police officer s. “ Rebecca !” Nick y elled fr om h is posit ion beh in d t h e ca r . “ Get dow n !” Ra t h er t h a n obey , t h e st u bbor n w om a n did t h e ex a ct opposit e—sh e su dden ly lu n g ed a t t h e m a n w h o w a s g lu ed t o h er side, disa r m in g h im w it h a n ift y lit t le k ick box in g m ov e t h a t w ou ld’v e m a de Nick g r in if h e w a sn ’t so fr ick in ’ fu r iou s. Bot h Rebecca a n d t h e m er c div ed a ft er t h e fa llin g w ea pon , bu t t h e r edh ea d r ea ch ed it fir st . Sh e poin t ed t h e g u n a t h er a lm ost -a bdu ct or a n d bou n ced t o h er feet , t ossin g Nick a fr a n t ic g la n ce ov er h er sh ou lder . T h e qu est ion in g look in h er ey es t old h im sh e w a s deba t in g w h et h er t o sh oot t h e m er cen a r y , bu t Nick qu ick ly v et oed t h a t idea by sh ou t in g , “ Get in t h e ca r !

I’ll cov er y ou .” A ft er a bea t of h esit a t ion , Rebecca spu n on h er h eels a n d r a ced t ow a r d t h e seda n w h ile Nick k ept h is g u n t r a in ed on t h e m er cen a r y . T h e st ock y m a n w a s st a g g er in g t o h is feet , h is ey es a lig h t w it h r a g e a s h e w a t ch ed h is pr ey esca pe. Nick w ou ld’v e lik ed t o pu t a bu llet in t h e son of a bit ch ’s h ea d, bu t t h e w a il of sir en s a n d t h e sh ock ed fa ces of t h e cr ow d beg in n in g t o for m st opped h im fr om bein g st u pid. T h is w a s a disa st er . On e m er c dea d, t h e ot h er n ow fleein g t h e scen e, h is h ea v y foot st eps t h u ddin g on t h e pa v em en t . Rebecca slid in t o t h e pa ssen g er sea t a n d sla m m ed t h e door , pr om pt in g Nick t o m ov e. Keepin g h is h ea d dow n , h e da sh ed t o t h e dr iv er ’s side a n d ju m ped in t o t h e ca r . Secon ds la t er , h e’d st a r t ed t h e en g in e a n d w a s h ig h t a ilin g it ou t of t h er e. No m edia . He clu n g t o t h e t h ou g h t a s h e sped a w a y in a squ ea l of t ir es. T h er e h a d been n o ca m er a s or r epor t er s ou t side t h e h ospit a l, so a t lea st h e didn ’t h a v e t o w or r y a bou t h is pr et t y m u g a ppea r in g on a n y t elev ision scr een s. Bu t t h ose people on t h e cu r b h a d seen h is fa ce—w h a t if on e of t h em h a d r ecog n ized h im a s Nick Ba r r et t ? His g a ze m ov ed t o t h e silen t , a sh en -fa ced r edh ea d beside h im . No, Rebecca w a s t h e m or e r ecog n iza ble of t h e t w o of t h em . If a n y on e h a d been r ecog n ized, it w a s h er . “ A r e y ou ok a y ?” h e a sk ed t er sely , k eepin g h is ey es on t h e r oa d a h ea d. Sh e didn ’t a n sw er . Fr om t h e cor n er of h is ey e, Nick sa w t h a t h er h a n ds w er e st ill w r a pped a r ou n d t h e m er cen a r y ’s .4 5 HK. St ea dy h a n ds. Jeez, t h e w om a n h a d n er v es of st eel. Sh e w a sn ’t t r em blin g , h er br ea t h in g w a s

st ea dy , h er ey es a ler t . On ly t h a t w h it e-a s-sn ow com plex ion r ev ea led h er fea r . “ Rebecca .” He sh a r pen ed h is t on e. “ A r e y ou a ll r ig h t ?” Sh e blin k ed. Sh ook h er h ea d a cou ple of t im es. T h en sh e t u r n ed t o m eet h is con cer n ed g a ze. “ W h a t t h e h eck is g oin g on ?” sh e blu r t ed ou t . “ W h o w er e t h ose m en ? W h a t did t h ey w a n t fr om m e?” “ T h ey w er e m er cen a r ies. A pr iv a t e h it squ a d.” Her fa ce w en t a n ot h er sh a de pa ler . “ Hit squ a d? T h ey w er e sen t h er e t o k ill m e?” “ Most lik ely .” T h ose g r een ey es bla zed a t h is n on ch a la n t r espon se. “ W h y ? W h y w ou ld t h ey w a n t t o k ill m e?” “ Beca u se y ou t a lk ed t o m e,” h e sa id sim ply . Her br ea t h h it ch ed. Nick dr ov e t h r ou g h a n in t er sect ion a n d ex ecu t ed a h a r d left , speedin g t h r ou g h t h e n a r r ow st r eet s of Ma la . “ I t old y ou t h is w ou ld h a ppen ,” h e w en t on , h is t on e h a r sh er t h a n h e in t en ded. “ Y ou spok e t o som eon e a bou t m e, didn ’t y ou ?” “ Y es.” T h er e w a s n o g u ilt in h er v oice, n o r em or se on h er fa ce, bu t sh e look ed sh a k en a s h ell. “ W h o?” “ My pr odu cer , Ha r r y Dr ex ler .” Sh e let ou t a w obbly br ea t h . “ I a sk ed h im t o dig a r ou n d, fin d ou t w h y t h e sec def’s son w ou ld be in Cor t eg a .” Nick cu r sed u n der h is br ea t h . “ He pr oba bly t r ig g er ed a h u n dr ed a la r m s w h en h e st a r t ed a sk in g qu est ion s.” Not t o m en t ion br oa dca st ed Nick ’s loca t ion t o t h e people w h o w er e h u n t in g h im . W on der fu l. Now it w a s ev en m or e im per a t iv e

t h a t h e m eet w it h Sa la za r a n d g et t h e h ell ou t of Cor t eg a . “ I’m sor r y ,” Rebecca sa id qu iet ly . “ Y ou t old m e t o for g et I ev er sa w y ou , a n d I didn ’t list en , bu t y ou ’v e g ot t o u n der st a n d, t h is is m y job—” “ T h is is y ou r life,” h e cu t in . “ I t old y ou t h a t g et t in g in v olv ed in t h is w ou ld pu t y ou in da n g er , bu t y ou ju st cou ldn ’t let it g o, cou ld y ou ?” “ In v olv ed in w hat?” sh e sa id a n g r ily . “ Ma y be if y ou ’d offer ed a few m or e det a ils la st n ig h t , I w ou ld h a v e been a ble t o dr op it t h e w a y y ou a sk ed—n o, t h e w a y y ou dem anded. Bu t w h a t t h e h eck did y ou ex pect w ou ld h a ppen w h en y ou da n g led t h a t g ee-dee ca r r ot u n der m y n ose? I’m a jou r n a list ! I don ’t st op a sk in g qu est ion s, I don ’t st op dig g in g , n ot u n t il I h a v e t h e w h ole st or y , a n d I r efu se t o a polog ize for bein g dedica t ed t o m y job!” He sped t h r ou g h a n ot h er in t er sect ion befor e t u r n in g t o g la r e a t h er . “ How clea r er cou ld I h a v e been ? I t old y ou y ou r life w ou ld be a t r isk if y ou t old a n y on e a bou t m e.” “ My life is a lw a y s a t r isk ,” sh e r et or t ed, h er ja w t ig h t er t h a n a dr u m . “ It w a s a t r isk w h en I g ot sh ot a t by t h ose r ebels in Joh a n n esbu r g . It w a s a t r isk w h en I cov er ed t h e civ il w a r in Con g o a n d w h en I v isit ed a w a r lor d’s pr ison in Nig er ia a n d w h en —” “ I g et t h e poin t .” “ Do y ou ? Beca u se I don ’t t h in k y ou u n der st a n d w h a t I do for a liv in g .” Her t on e g r ew su r ly . “ I don ’t w a lk a w a y fr om a st or y . Per iod.” “ W ell, h ow ’s t h a t w or k in g ou t for y ou r ig h t n ow ?” h e sa id sa r ca st ica lly . Rebecca fell silen t , bu t h e cou ld feel t h e a n g er v ibr a t in g fr om t h a t pet it e body of h er s. A n g r y . Sh e w a s fr ick in ’ angry a t h im . A ft er h e’d ju st sa v ed h er

life. She s aved hers elf, buddy boy. Fin e, so sh e’d displa y ed som e im pr essiv e sk ills w h en sh e’d k ick ed t h a t g u n ou t of h er ca pt or ’s h a n ds, bu t if Nick h a dn ’t t a k en dow n t h e m er c’s collea g u e, Rebecca w ou ldn ’t h a v e h a d t h e oppor t u n it y t o a ct . T h e w om a n ou g h t t o be sh ow in g h im som e g r a t it u de in st ea d of st ew in g t h er e a s if h e’d w r on g ed h er . Nick t u r n ed in t o t h e pa r k in g lot of a sm a ll pla za a n d dr ov e t o t h e a lley in t h e ba ck w h er e h e pa r k ed n ex t t o a bla ck SUV . “ W h a t a r e w e doin g ?” Rebecca a sk ed w a r ily . “ Dit ch in g t h e ca r .” “ Y ou ’r e ju st g oin g t o a ba n don y ou r ca r in t h is a lley ?” Sh e sou n ded bew ilder ed. “ T h is isn ’t m y ca r .” “ T h en w h ose is it ? Did y ou st ea l it ?” “ Do y ou a lw a y s a sk so m a n y qu est ion s?” h e sa id ir r it a bly . “ I’m a journalis t. W h y do y ou k eep for g et t in g t h a t ?” Nick r ea ch ed for t h e door h a n dle. “ Get ou t of t h e ca r , Rebecca .” T h ey h opped ou t , a n d h e qu ick ly u sh er ed h er t o t h e SUV a n d open ed t h e pa ssen g er door for h er . A su spiciou s clou d floa t ed a cr oss h er fa ce. “ Did y ou st ea l t h is on e, t oo?” He sig h ed. “ No, t h is on e is m in e. I st a sh ed it h er e befor e I w en t t o t h e h ospit a l. Now g et in befor e I pu sh y ou in .” T o h is dism a y , a m u sem en t da n ced in h er g r een ey es. “ Y ou ’r e so bossy . I k in da lik e it . Som et im es.” He decided n ot t o t ou ch t h a t r em a r k . In fa ct , h e w a s h a v in g a difficu lt t im e m a k in g sen se of anything t h is w om a n sa id a n d did. Rebecca Pa r k er w a s fea r less.

T er r ify in g ly fea r less. Sh e sh ou ld’v e been fa r m or e sh a k en u p ov er ev er y t h in g t h a t h a d h a ppen ed, y et sh e seem ed u n fa zed by it a ll. Or so h e t h ou g h t ; it w a sn ’t u n t il t h ey w er e in t h e SUV a n d on t h e m ov e a g a in t h a t Rebecca ’s com posed fr on t fin a lly beg a n sh ow in g sig n s of cr a ck in g . “ I n eed t o k n ow w h a t ’s g oin g on .” Her v oice w a v er ed. “ Jesse…m y ca m er a m a n …h e’s dead.” T h e ch or d of sor r ow in h er v oice m a de h is ch est a ch e. “ A h , Rebecca , I’m sor r y .” “ Fou r t h -deg r ee bu r n s.” Now sh e sou n ded a n g r y a g a in . “ He’s dea d, Nick . Jesse’s dea d a n d Da v e is dea d, a n d I a lm ost died, a n d I don ’t t h in k it w a s pa r t of t h e r iot . I don ’t t h in k it w a s a n a cciden t .” “ Neit h er do I.” His h a n ds slid ov er t h e st eer in g w h eel a s h e pu lled on t o t h e on -r a m p of Ma la ’s sole fr eew a y . T h e r oa d w a s lit t er ed w it h pot h oles, t h e pa v em en t u n ev en , bu t it su r e bea t t h e n a r r ow m a ze of st r eet s t h a t m a de u p t h e cit y ’s cor e. “ W h er e a r e w e g oin g ?” Rebecca a sk ed a s t h e SUV pick ed u p speed. “ Nor t h . I’v e g ot a pla ce w h er e w e ca n lie low u n t il w e fig u r e ou t ou r n ex t m ov e. It ’s a bou t a n h ou r ’s dr iv e.” “ A n h ou r , h u h ?” He felt h er sh a r p g a ze bu r n in g a h ole in t o t h e side of h is fa ce. St iflin g a t ir ed sig h , h e g a v e h er a sidelon g g a ze a n d sa id, “ W h a t ?” “ A r e y ou k iddin g m e?” Sh e sh ook h er h ea d in disbelief. “ W e’v e g ot a n h ou r ’s dr iv e a h ea d of u s. So st a r t t a lk in g , Nick ! T ell m e w h a t t h e fu —fudge is g oin g on , da r n it !” Rebecca cou ldn ’t r em em ber t h e la st t im e sh e’d felt t h is fr u st r a t ed. It didn ’t h elp t h a t t h e m a n beside

h er w a s m or e t ig h t -lipped t h a n a m ob boss. W ou ld it k ill Nick t o offer som e in sig h t on t h is m essed-u p sit u a t ion ? T w o m en h a d n ea r ly a bdu ct ed h er in br oa d da y lig h t . W it h t h e in t en t of k illing h er , if t h ey t r u ly w er e m em ber s of a h it squ a d lik e Nick cla im ed. Left ov er a dr en a lin e t r a v eled in h er v ein s, m a k in g h er feel lig h t -h ea ded. Sh e su dden ly beca m e a w a r e t h a t sh e w a s st ill h oldin g t h a t h it m a n ’s g u n , a n d sh e qu ick ly open ed t h e g lov e com pa r t m en t a n d sh ov ed t h e w ea pon in side. Nex t t o h er , Nick st ill h a dn ’t u t t er ed a w or d. “ St a r t . T a lk in g ,” sh e or der ed t h r ou g h g r it t ed t eet h . He let ou t a h ea v y br ea t h . “ It ’s a lon g st or y .” “ A n d g ee, w e h a v e a n hour for y ou t o t ell it . So, for t h e lov e of God, t ell m e w h a t ’s g oin g on . W h y do people w a n t t o k ill y ou ?” Nick w en t qu iet for a bea t . “ W h a t do y ou k n ow a bou t t h e Mer idia n v ir u s?” T h e qu est ion su cceeded in st a r t lin g h er . “ W a it , t h is is a bou t t h e Mer idia n v ir u s?” W h en h e n odded, sh e fu r r ow ed h er br ow in con fu sion . “ Ok a y . W ell, I k n ow a lot a bou t it . A t er r or ist g r ou p—som e splin t er fa ct ion of t h e ULF—r elea sed it in t h e w a t er su pply of Dix ie, New Y or k , t w o w eek s a g o, k illin g a t h ou sa n d people. T h e g r ou p t h r ea t en ed t o r elea se t h e v ir u s in a m a jor cit y if A m er ica didn ’t r em ov e it s in flu en ce fr om Sa n Ma r qu ez.” “ Rig h t ,” Nick sa id w it h a n od. “ W h a t else?” Beca u se sh e’d r epor t ed on t h e v ir u s cr isis dir ect ly ou t side t h e sm a ll t ow n of Dix ie, Rebecca h a d n o sh or t a g e of det a ils. “ T h e ULF cell cla im ed t h a t t h e v ir u s w a s en g in eer ed in t h e Un it ed St a t es, a n d t h a t ou r g ov er n m en t a u t h or ized t h e t est in g of it in Sa n Ma r qu ez. T h ey sa id w e k illed h u n dr eds of t h eir

v illa g er s.” “ W e did.” Nick ’s m a t t er -of-fa ct r espon se sen t h er ey ebr ow s soa r in g . “ A r e y ou ser iou s?” sh e dem a n ded. He t u r n ed h is h ea d t o m eet h er su r pr ised g a ze, n odded, t h en focu sed on t h e st r et ch of h ig h w a y u p a h ea d. “ T h e fir st t est sit e w a s Cor a zón . It ’s a r em ot e v illa g e in t h e w est er n r eg ion of Sa n Ma r qu ez. My u n it a n d I w er e sen t t h er e t o ex t r a ct a n A m er ica n doct or w h o w a s su pposedly bein g h eld h ost a g e by t h e ULF r ebels, bu t w h en w e g ot t h er e, t h e doct or w a s a lr ea dy dea d. So w er e a ll t h e v illa g er s.” “ T h ey w er e k illed by t h e v ir u s?” “ Y es, bu t w e didn ’t k n ow it a t t h e t im e. My u n it sh ow ed u p t o fin d Hect or Cr u z a n d h is fellow r ebels bu r n in g a ll t h e bodies.” Rebecca bla n ch ed. Befor e sh e cou ld st op it , t h e im a g e of Jesse on fir e fla sh ed in t o h er h ea d, a n d h er m in d cr u elly con ju r ed u p t h e a cr id st en ch of sm ok e a n d flesh . It w a s so r ea l sh e cou ld sw ea r sh e w a s sm ellin g it in t h e SUV , a n d sh e h a d t o t a k e a deep ca lm in g br ea t h befor e sh e fell a pa r t a g a in . “ W h a t h a ppen ed a ft er w a r d?” sh e a sk ed, t r y in g t o focu s on Nick ’s st or y . “ Cr u z g ot a w a y , a n d w e w er e r eca lled ba ck t o t h e St a t es for debr iefin g . W e w er e a ll oper a t in g u n der t h e a ssu m pt ion t h a t Cr u z a n d h is m en h a d k illed t h e Cor a zón v illa g er s.” Nick ’s pr ofile h a r den ed. “ Bu t t h en m y t ea m m a t es st a r t in g dy in g . On e a cciden t a l dea t h a ft er t h e ot h er . It beca m e obv iou s t h a t som eon e w a s t r y in g t o elim in a t e u s, bu t w e didn ’t k n ow w h y . W h en t h er e w er e on ly t h r ee of u s left , w e decided t o sk ip t ow n a n d h ide ou t u n t il w e cou ld fig u r e ou t w h y w e w er e bein g h u n t ed.” Sh e w r in k led h er br ow . “ A n d y ou t ied it t o t h e

Mer idia n v ir u s?” He n odded a g a in . “ T h e Cor a zón v illa g er s died fr om t h e v ir u s. W e t h in k som eon e in t h e g ov er n m en t w a n t ed t o sh u t u s u p, g et u s ou t of t h e w a y in ca se w e g a v e t oo m u ch t h ou g h t t o w h a t w e sa w in t h a t v illa g e.” “ W h o’s w e?” “ Me. My u n it ’s ca pt a in , T a t e. A n d Seba st ia n , a n ot h er soldier . W e’v e been m ov in g a r ou n d t h is pa st y ea r , t r y in g t o m a k e sen se of it a ll. A cou ple of m on t h s a g o, t h e v ir u s w a s r elea sed in a n ew t est sit e, a n ot h er Sa n Ma r qu ez v illa g e ca lled V a ler o, a n d soon a ft er t h a t , on e of t h e scien t ist s r espon sible for cr ea t in g t h e v ir u s sold a v ia l of it t o t h e ULF cell. Seba st ia n w a s a ct u a lly pa r t of t h e a ssa u lt t ea m t h a t r a ided t h e t er r or ist s’ h idea w a y .” Nick ch u ck led, bu t h e didn ’t sou n d t h e slig h t est bit a m u sed. “ Som eon e in t h e Depa r t m en t of Defen se decided t o t h a n k Seb by in fect in g h im w it h t h e v ir u s.” Her ey es w iden ed. “ Y ou r t ea m m a t e died fr om t h e v ir u s?” “ No, h e’s st ill a liv e.” Nick ’s ja w t en sed. “ Seba st ia n ’s g ir lfr ien d a cciden t a lly in g est ed t h e w a t er in st ea d, bu t lu ck ily sh e w a s a dm in ist er ed t h e a n t idot e in t im e. Bu t t h e a t t em pt on Seb’s life t old u s t h a t w h oev er a u t h or ized t h e cr ea t ion of t h e v ir u s st ill w a n t s u s dea d.” “ Bu t w h y ? T h e v ir u s is com m on k n ow ledg e n ow ,” sh e poin t ed ou t . “ Y ea h , bu t t h e iden t it y of t h e per son w h o g r een lig h t ed t h e pr oject ? T h a t ’s st ill u p for g r a bs, a n d t h a t ba st a r d k n ow s m y m en a n d I w on ’t r est u n t il w e t r a ck h im dow n .” T h e let h a l t on e of h is v oice sen t a sh iv er u p Rebecca ’s spin e. Sh e st u died h is r ig id pr ofile,

in t r ig u ed by t h e con t r a st bet w een h is h a n dsom e g ood look s a n d v ola t ile ex pr ession . T h is m a n w a s a w a r r ior . It w a s ea sy t o for g et t h a t w h en y ou look ed in t o t h ose w a r m ey es, w h en y ou a dm ir ed t h ose cla ssica lly ch iseled fea t u r es. T h a t cold sh iv er dissolv ed in t o a r u sh of w a r m t h t h e lon g er sh e scr u t in ized Nick Ba r r et t . His w h it e T sh ir t ou t lin ed ev er y deliciou s r idg e of h is t ig h t six pa ck , a n d h er fin g er s it ch ed t o st r ok e t h a t h a r d, br oa d ch est . T o r u n t h r ou g h h is m essy br ow n h a ir , w h ich look ed so soft t o t h e t ou ch . Sh e cou ldn ’t believ e sh e w a s ca pa ble of g et t in g a r ou sed a t a t im e lik e t h is, bu t a ppa r en t ly sh e w a s. So pa in fu lly a r ou sed t h a t h er t h ig h s clen ch ed t og et h er in v olu n t a r ily . Nick seem ed obliv iou s t o h er cu r r en t st a t e of a g it a t ion . “ So t h a t ’s it ,” h e fin ish ed. “ Som eon e in t h e g ov er n m en t , m ost lik ely a big pla y er in t h e W h it e Hou se, w a n t s m e dea d.” Sh e bit h er lip. “ A n d w h en I ca lled Ha r r y , I pr et t y m u ch a dv er t ised y ou r loca t ion t o…let ’s ju st ca ll h im Mr . X .” Nick sou n ded a n n oy ed a g a in . “ I t old y ou t o dr op it .” “ W ell, I didn ’t , a n d n ow I’m a t a r g et ,” sh e sa id m a t t er -of-fa ct ly . “ So let ’s m ov e pa st it a n d com e u p w it h a pla n .” Sh a k in g h is h ea d, h e let ou t a n a m a zed la u g h . “ Not h in g fa zes y ou , does it , Rebecca ?” “ Not u su a lly .” Sh e sw a llow ed h a r d a s Jesse’s a g on izin g scr ea m s r a n g in side h er h ea d. Sh e sw ift ly ba n ish ed t h e m em or ies, for cin g h er self t o focu s. Gr ief w ou ld com e la t er . Rig h t n ow , h er pr ior it y w a s st a y in g a liv e. A t h ou g h t su dden ly occu r r ed t o h er . “ Y ou st ill h a v en ’t t old m e w h y y ou ’r e in Cor t eg a ,” sh e a ccu sed.

“ Rem em ber h ow I m en t ion ed som eon e in t h e DoD t r ied t o k ill Seba st ia n ? It w a s a n a ide n a m ed Pa u l W a v er ly , a n d h e fled D.C. r ig h t a ft er t h e a t t em pt on Seba st ia n ’s life. W e t r a ck ed h im t o Cor t eg a ,” Nick ex pla in ed. “ A ppa r en t ly h e pa id a v isit t o a m a n w h o r u les t h e cr im in a l u n der w or ld h er e, El—” “ Nu ev o Dia blo,” sh e fin ish ed. “ Y ea h , I’v e h ea r d of h im . Mr . New Dev il r epor t edly r u n s g u n s a n d dr u g s, da bbles in pr ost it u t ion a n d dea ls w it h fa k e IDs. Is t h a t w h a t W a v er ly w a s doin g ? Get t in g pa per s?” “ I t h in k so. Bu t I ca n ’t be su r e u n t il I m eet w it h Mr . New Dev il for con fir m a t ion , a n d I h a v en ’t been a ble t o a r r a n g e a m eet in g y et . My sou r ce h a s been dist r a ct ed w it h t h e r iot .” Rebecca pu r sed h er lips. “ A ll r ig h t . So w e sit t ig h t u n t il y ou r sou r ce is r ea dy t o m eet u s, t h en —” “ T h er e is n o u s,” Nick in t er r u pt ed. “ Y ou ’r e n ot a pa r t of t h is.” Her ja w fell open . “ Ex cu se m e?” “ Y ou h ea r d m e. Y ou ’r e n ot g et t in g in v olv ed,” h e sa id in a t on e t h a t in v it ed n o a r g u m en t . “ I ca n h a n dle t h is on m y ow n .” “ Oh , y ea h ? A n d pr a y t ell, w h a t a m I su pposed t o do w h ile y ou ‘h a n dle’ t h is a ll by y ou r lon esom e?” “ I’ll st a sh y ou som ew h er e sa fe a n d—” “ St a sh m e som ew h er e sa fe?” Disbelief h u n g fr om ea ch w or d, a n d h er pu lse sped u p in a n g er . “ A r e y ou effin g k idding m e?” “ T w o m en dr a g g ed y ou ou t of t h e h ospit a l a t g u n poin t ,” h e sn a pped. “ Y ou r ca m er a m a n a n d dr iv er ju st bu r n ed t o dea t h !” Sh e flin ch ed a t t h e r em in der . “ Y ou ’r e in da n g er , Rebecca . W h oev er is a ft er m e pr oba bly t h in k s t h a t I con fided in y ou a bou t t h is w h ole m ess. Y ou ’r e a t h r ea t t o h im n ow .”

“ W e don ’t ev en k n ow w h o Mr . X is,” sh e pr ot est ed. “ Bu t Mr . X doesn ’t k n ow t h a t . For a ll he k n ow s, m y m en a n d I a r e fu lly a w a r e of h is t r u e iden t it y , a n d I ca m e t o Cor t eg a t o t ell m y st or y t o w or ldr en ow n ed cor r espon den t Rebecca Pa r k er .” Nick flick ed t h e t u r n sig n a l a n d ch a n g ed la n es, qu ick ly speedin g pa st a slow -m ov in g t r u ck t h a t w a s ch u g g in g clou ds of ex h a u st in t o t h e m or n in g a ir . Mor n in g . Jeez, h ow w a s it on ly m or n in g ? Rebecca felt lik e colla psin g a n d sh e’d on ly been u p for fou r h ou r s. God, so m u ch h a d h a ppen ed in t h ose fou r h ou r s—sh e’d lost t w o of h er closest fr ien ds, sh e’d n ea r ly been k idn a pped a n d k illed by a pa ir of m er cen a r ies, a n d n ow sh e w a s fleein g t h e cit y w it h a g or g eou s soldier w h o seem ed in t en t on r eleg a t in g h er t o t h e sidelin es. W ell, t oo ba d for h im , beca u se Rebecca h a d n ev er spen t a sin g le secon d on t h e sidelin es h er en t ir e life. Fr om t h is poin t on , sh e a n d Nick w er e in t h is t og et h er . W h et h er h e lik ed it or n ot .

Chapter 7 Rebecca

Pa r k er w a s t h e m ost a g g r a v a t in g fem a le Nick h a d ev er en cou n t er ed. T h e w om a n h a d deem ed it n ecessa r y t o a r g u e a bou t ev er y sin g le sen t en ce t h a t ca m e ou t of h is m ou t h , a n d it w a s beg in n in g t o dr iv e h im cr a zy . “ W e’r e h er e,” h e sa id cu r t ly . He ca m e t o a st op in fr on t of t h e r a m blin g old fa r m h ou se t h a t Rebecca h a d been ey ein g w it h disda in ev er sin ce t h ey ’d t u r n ed on t o t h e ov er g r ow n dr iv ew a y h a lf a m ile ba ck . “ T h is is y ou r sa fe h ou se? It doesn ’t look v er y sa fe.” Sh e pa u sed. “ Is t h is w h er e I’m su pposed t o be s tas hed?” Nick br iefly closed h is ey es a n d cou n t ed t o t h r ee. Y ou cannot m urder this w om an, h e t old h im self. He sh u t off t h e en g in e a n d y a n k ed t h e k ey s ou t of t h e ig n it ion . “ It ’s sa fe en ou g h ,” h e sa id, t h en r ea ch ed for t h e door h a n dle. Rebecca st u ck close t o h is side a s t h ey a ppr oa ch ed t h e pa in t -ch ipped fr on t door of t h e sin g le-st or y fa r m h ou se. T h e h ou se h a d seen bet t er da y s—it s t h a t ch ed r oof look ed r ea dy t o colla pse, a ll t h e w in dow s w er e boa r ded u p, a n d t h e su r r ou n din g la w n w a s ov er r u n w it h y ellow in g g r a ss a n d t a ll w eeds. “ W h o ow n s t h is pla ce?” Rebecca a sk ed cu r iou sly . “ A s of fiv e da y s a g o, I do. W e bou g h t t h e pr oper t y on lin e t h e da y befor e I ca m e t o Ma la . W e’v e lea r n ed t o t a k e pr eca u t ion s ov er t h e pa st y ea r . Now w e a lw a y s m a k e su r e t o a r r a n g e for a sa fe h ou se befor e w e v en t u r e ou t in t o t h e w or ld.” He r ea ch ed in t o h is pock et for t h e k ey h e’d pick ed u p fr om t h e Rea lt or ’s office t h e m or n in g h e’d a r r iv ed in Cor t eg a .

“ Y ou r ea lly bought t h is fa r m ?” Rebecca sou n ded a m a zed. “ On t h e off ch a n ce t h a t y ou m ig h t n eed a sa fe h ou se?” “ T r u st m e, it didn ’t cost m u ch ,” h e sa id w r y ly . A s if t o pu n ct u a t e t h a t , t h e fr on t door cr ea k ed lik e a h a u n t ed h ou se pr op a n d r elea sed a clou d of du st w h en Nick pu sh ed it open . T h ey w a lk ed in t o fin d t h e h ou se’s in t er ior a s desola t e a n d r u n -dow n a s t h e ex t er ior . T h e m a in r oom offer ed a w ooden cou ch w it h r a t t y pla id cu sh ion s, a din in g a r ea w it h a br ok en t a ble a n d a pplia n ces t h a t w er e cov er ed in a t h ick la y er of du st . T h e en t ir e pla ce sm elled lik e m ildew , u r in e a n d sou r m ilk . Rebecca m a de a g a g g in g n oise a s sh e br ea t h ed in t h e n ot -so-a ppet izin g scen t . “ Ok a y , fir st t h in g on ou r t o-do list ? Open t h e g ee-dee w in dow s.” Nick didn ’t w a n t t o sm ile, bu t h er ba ck door ex plet iv es n ev er fa iled t o br in g a g r in t o h is lips. “ Don ’t w or r y , w e w on ’t be h er e lon g ,” h e a ssu r ed h er , bu t h e did st a lk a cr oss t h e r oom t o cr a n k open t h e k it ch en w in dow . A w a r m br eeze w a ft ed in t o t h e r oom , m a k in g du st m ot es da n ce in t h e a ir . Nick dr opped h is g o ba g on t h e u n ev en w ood floor a n d pu lled h is cell ph on e fr om h is pock et . A s h e k ey ed in a qu ick t ex t , h e felt Rebecca ’s g a ze on h im . “ W h o a r e y ou t ex t in g ?” sh e dem a n ded. “ En r iqu e Sa la za r . T ellin g h im I n eed t o m eet h im A SA P. I ca n ’t a ffor d a n y m or e dela y s.” Rebecca offer ed a sw eet sm ile. “ Y ou m ea n , w e ca n ’t a ffor d a n y m or e dela y s.” A fr u st r a t ed g r oa n lodg ed in h is ch est . Ch r ist , t h is w om a n w a s t en a ciou s. Sh e r efu sed t o a ccept r ea lit y — h e w a s not in v olv in g h er in t h is qu est for W a v er ly . In

fa ct , t h e secon d h e cou ld m a k e it h a ppen , h e w a s sen din g h er t o t h eir ba se ca m p in Ecu a dor w h er e T a t e a n d t h e ot h er s cou ld k eep a n ey e on h er . He’d a lr ea dy br oa ch ed t h e idea in t h e ca r , bu t sh e’d sh ot it dow n so fa st a n d so fir m ly t h a t h e h a dn ’t m en t ion ed it a g a in . St ill, h e h a d n o in t en t ion of t ea m in g u p w it h t h is pig h ea ded r edh ea d. For som e in ex plica ble r ea son , h e’d felt pr ot ect iv e of Rebecca sin ce t h e m om en t h e’d seen h er g et sw a llow ed u p by t h a t m ob. He w a sn ’t w illin g t o pu t h er n eck on t h e lin e, especia lly beca u se t h is en t ir e m ess h a d n ot h in g t o do w it h h er . He r eit er a t ed t h a t n ow w it h a scow l. “ T h is isn ’t y ou r fig h t , a n d n o disr espect , bu t if y ou t a g a lon g y ou ’ll on ly g et in m y w a y . I w or k bet t er a lon e.” T h a t st u bbor n ch in of h er s ju t t ed ou t a n d h e r esist ed t h e u r g e t o m a r ch ov er a n d pla n t a k iss on h er r osy -r ed lips. Ev en w it h h er T -sh ir t st r ea k ed w it h soot a n d blood a n d h er r ed h a ir a t a n g led m ess, t h e w om a n w a s a da m n k n ock ou t . His body r ea ct ed t o t h e m er e sig h t of h er , pr om pt in g h im t o br ea k t h e g a ze a n d focu s on t h e t ex t h e w a s in t h e pr ocess of com posin g . A ft er pr essin g Sen d, h e h eld ou t t h e ph on e t o Rebecca . “ Ca ll y ou r pr odu cer ,” h e t old h er . “ T ell h im t o g et ou t of t ow n .” A n x iet y filled h er ex pr ession . “ Y ou r ea lly t h in k Ha r r y is in da n g er ?” Nick n odded g r a v ely . Her w or r y in t en sified, bu r n in g in h er br ig h t g r een ey es. W it h a sh a k y ex h a le, sh e a ccept ed t h e cell ph on e, t h en h esit a t ed. “ W h a t if Mr . X t a pped y ou r ph on e or som et h in g ?” “ Don ’t w or r y , it ’s secu r e. Un t r a cea ble.” Rebecca dia led a n u m ber a n d br ou g h t t h e ph on e t o h er ea r .

A n d t h en sh e w a it ed. A n d w a it ed. T h e lon g er h er ca ll w en t u n a n sw er ed, t h e u n ea sier Nick g ot . “ His cell w en t t o v oice m a il.” Her t on e w a s fla t , h er fin g er s sh a k y a s sh e qu ick ly pu n ch ed in a n ot h er n u m ber . Sh e w a it ed a g a in , t h ose pr et t y fea t u r es st r a in in g w it h con cer n . “ Office lin e is g oin g t o v oice m a il, t oo.” Her st r a ig h t w h it e t eet h w or r ied h er bot t om lip. “ Ha r r y ’s a t h is desk a t 5 :0 0 a .m ., sev en da y s a w eek . He sh ou ld be a t t h e st u dio. W h y isn ’t h e a t t h e st u dio, Nick ?” He m et h er ey es. “ Y ou k n ow w h y , da r lin g .” “ Bu llcr a p!” Her v oice cr a ck ed. “ He’s pr oba bly a t h om e. Let m e ca ll h is h ou se.” Sh e ca lled h er pr odu cer ’s h ou se. No a n sw er . Her br ea t h in g g r ew sh a llow . W h en sh e dia led a n ot h er n u m ber , Nick sw a llow ed a sig h a n d sa id, “ W h o a r e y ou ca llin g n ow ?” “ A BN’s m a in sw it ch boa r d,” sh e sa id t ig h t ly . He n ot iced t h a t h er fin g er s w er e t r em blin g w ildly a s sh e g r ipped t h e ph on e. “ Ma r len e,” sh e sa id a few secon ds la t er , “ it ’s Rebecca Pa r k er . I’m t r y in g t o g et in t ou ch w it h Ha r r y , bu t h e’s n ot a n sw er in g h is ph on e. Do y ou k n ow w h er e h e is?” T h er e w a s a lon g pa u se, a n d w h en Rebecca g a sped in h or r or , Nick ’s h ea r t dr opped t o t h e pit of h is st om a ch lik e a sin k in g r ock . “ W h en did t h is h a ppen ?” sh e w h isper ed. Sh e look ed so pa le a n d st r ick en t h a t Nick cou ldn ’t h elp bu t m ov e closer . He r est ed h is h a n d on h er a r m in a pr ot ect iv e g est u r e, a n d w h en sh e lea n ed in t o h im , h e cou ldn ’t r esist w r a ppin g on e a r m a r ou n d h er sh ou lder s.

He h ea r d a t in n y fem a le v oice em er g in g fr om t h e spea k er , bu t h e cou ldn ’t m a k e ou t t h e w or ds. W h a t ev er w a s bein g sa id, it w a s ba d. V er y , v er y ba d. “ I’m fin e,” Rebecca m u r m u r ed in t o t h e ph on e. “ Y es…I k n ow …Jesse…” Her v oice w a v er ed. “ I don ’t k n ow y et . W h en is t h e m em or ia l ser v ice?” Nick g en t ly st ea died h er w h en a sh u dder r olled t h r ou g h h er body . “ I don ’t k n ow …I’ll be ba ck in D.C. soon …Ca n y ou t ell St a n a n d Ber n ie t h a t I’m a ll r ig h t a n d t h a t I’m t a k in g som e t im e t o pr ocess ev er y t h in g ?…T h a n k s, Ma r len e.” Rebecca h u n g u p w it h ou t a n ot h er w or d. A s a n ot h er sh u dder r a ck ed h er pet it e body , sh e sh ov ed t h e ph on e in t o Nick ’s h a n d a n d for t h e fir st t im e sin ce h e’d m et h er , sh e look ed t r u ly a ffect ed by t h e t r a g ic ev en t s of t h e pa st cou ple of da y s. “ Hea r t a t t a ck . Ha r r y h a d a h ea r t a t t a ck la t e la st n ig h t .” Sh e spok e t h r ou g h r a g g ed br ea t h s. “ His clea n in g la dy fou n d h im t h is m or n in g .” “ I’m sor r y —” “ Ha r r y w a s h ea lt h y a s a h or se! His h ea r t w a s st r on g ,” sh e in sist ed. “ He didn ’t die of a h ea r t a t t a ck ! He cou ldn ’t h a v e.” “ Rebecca —” “ He cou ldn ’t h a v e,” sh e r epea t ed. T ea r s br im m ed in t h ose big g r een ey es a n d sh e st a r t ed sh a k in g so h a r d t h a t Nick k n ew it w ou ld be cr u el n ot t o offer com for t . So h e y a n k ed h er in t o h is a r m s a n d h eld h er t ig h t , st r ok in g h er t a n g led h a ir a s sh e pr essed h er fa ce a g a in st h is ch est a n d cr ied h er h ea r t ou t . “ It ’s ok a y , da r lin g . It ’ll be ok a y .” His m u r m u r ed w or ds didn ’t seem t o h elp, so h e h eld h er ev en t ig h t er a n d offer ed ev er y ou n ce of st r en g t h h e possessed. T h e scen t of sm ok e a n d dea t h

dr ift ed u p fr om h er h a ir , br in g in g a deep a ch e t o h is ch est . T h is w om a n h a d w a t ch ed t w o of h er fr ien ds g et blow n u p t h is m or n in g , a n d n ow a n ot h er per son sh e’d been close t o h a d died. “ He w a s su ch a g ood m a n .” Her a g on ized w h isper h ea t ed t h e a ir , a n d t h en sh e w a s t ilt in g h er h ea d t o look u p a t h im , h er ch eek s st a in ed w it h t ea r s. “ T h is is m y fa u lt , Nick .” “ It ’s n ot y ou r fa u lt .” He cu pped h er ch in a n d fix ed h er w it h a st er n look . “ Y ou didn ’t ca u se t h is. If a n y on e’s t o bla m e, it ’s m e. I sh ou ldn ’t h a v e g on e for dr in k s w it h y ou . I sh ou ldn ’t h a v e pu t y ou in t h e posit ion t o sn oop a r ou n d.” Miser y h u n g fr om h er t on e. “ I a sk ed Ha r r y t o look in t o it .” Nick sw ept h is t h u m bs ov er h er ch eek s t o w ipe a w a y t h e m oist u r e spa r k lin g t h er e. Lor d, ev en w it h h er r ed-r im m ed ey es a n d splot ch y ch eek s, Rebecca Pa r k er w a s a bsolu t ely st u n n in g . “ Mr . X did t h is, didn ’t h e?” T h e sh a r p bit e t h a t en t er ed h er t on e, m in g led w it h a n ot e of r a g e, st a r t led h im . He w a sn ’t su r e h e lik ed t h e g lin t of r esolv e t h a t lit u p h er g r een ey es. Or t h e w a y h er delica t e h a n ds cu r led in t o fist s a s sh e st epped ou t of h is em br a ce. “ W h oev er k illed t h e ot h er m en in y ou r u n it is r espon sible for t h is,” sh e sa id a n g r ily . “ He k illed m y cr ew , a n d n ow h e sen t som eon e t o k ill Ha r r y .” “ I t old y ou —” “ Don ’t y ou da r e sa y I t old y ou so,” sh e bu r st ou t . “ I g et it , a ll r ig h t ? I sh ou ldn ’t h a v e g ot t en in v olv ed. Bu t t h er e’s n ot h in g I ca n do t o ch a n g e t h a t . I ca n ’t r ew r it e t h e pa st . A ll I ca n do is dea l w it h t h e pr esen t . A n d pr esen t ly ?” For t it u de bla zed in h er ey es. “ W e’v e g ot a cor r u pt DoD a ide t o t r a ck dow n .”

A s if on cu e, Nick ’s ph on e bu zzed. Sa t isfa ct ion a n d r elief r ippled t h r ou g h h im a s h e r ea d Sa la za r ’s m essa g e. “ It ’s don e,” h e t old Rebecca . “ Sa la za r a r r a n g ed t h e m eet in g .” “ W it h El Nu ev o Dia blo? W h en ?” “ T on ig h t . Sa la za r w ill be t h er e, t oo.” Sh e r espon ded w it h a du biou s look . “ How is it ex a ct ly t h a t a m em ber of t h e pr esiden t ia l g u a r d is bu ddy -bu ddy w it h Ma la ’s n u m ber -on e cr im in a l?” “ Do y ou r ea lly n eed m e t o ex pla in t h e n a t u r e of cor r u pt ion t o y ou ?” W h en sh e r olled h er ey es, sh e look ed lik e h er old self a g a in . T h e ch a n g e of dem ea n or floor ed h im , a s did t h e det er m in a t ion lin in g h er ex pr ession . T h is w om a n w a s n o sh r in k in g v iolet . Sh e w a s t ou g h a s n a ils, a n d for a m om en t h e w a s r em in ded of Ev a a n d Ju lia , T a t e a n d Seba st ia n ’s r espect iv e w om en . T h ose t w o possessed a w e-in spir in g st r en g t h t h a t con t in u ed t o t a k e Nick ’s br ea t h a w a y , a n d n ow h er e h e w a s, st a n din g in fr on t of a n ot h er g u t sy w om a n w h o seem ed im per v iou s t o t h e da n g er a r ou n d h er . “ Y ou k n ow I’m com in g w it h y ou t o t h a t m eet in g , r ig h t ?” Her n o-n on sen se t on e br ou g h t a sig h t o h is lips. “ No, y ou ’r e n ot .” He h eld u p h is h a n d befor e sh e cou ld object . “ A n d n ot ju st beca u se it ’s t oo da n g er ou s. Do y ou h on est ly t h in k Sa la za r w ill be ea g er t o t a lk t o m e if I sh ow u p w it h a jou r n a list ? He’s a cr ook ed g ov er n m en t g u a r d. Y ou ’r e a h a r d-h it t in g , v er y r ecog n iza ble r epor t er . T h er e’s n o w a y h e’ll r isk h is posit ion by t a lk in g t o y ou . So I don ’t ca r e if I h a v e t o t ie y ou u p t o t h a t pipe ov er t h er e—y ou ’r e n ot g oin g w it h m e.”

“ T ie m e u p?” Sh e sm ir k ed. “ Let ’s sa v e t h e k in k y st u ff for t h e bedr oom , darling. A n d w h y don ’t y ou ju st r ela x ? I see y ou r poin t , a n d I con cede t o it .” He blin k ed in su r pr ise. “ Ser iou sly ?” “ I didn ’t g et t o w h er e I a m t oda y by bein g a m or on , Nick . Y ou ’r e r ig h t . Sa la za r w ill be less lik ely t o t a lk if I’m t h er e. W e n eed t o t r ea d ca r efu lly h er e.” A g a in w it h t h e w e, bu t Nick decided n ot t o a r g u e. Mig h t a s w ell pick h is ba t t les. Ma y be if h e h u m or ed Rebecca a bou t t h eir “ pa r t n er sh ip” for a bit , sh e’d be m or e a g r eea ble la t er w h en h e in for m ed h er sh e w a s h ea din g t o t h e Ecu a dor sa fe h ou se. Agreeable? He n ea r ly sn or t ed a s t h e t h ou g h t en t er ed h is h ea d. Y ea h , h e dou bt ed t h a t w a s a w or d t h a t cou ld ev er be u sed t o descr ibe Rebecca Pa r k er . *** Sa la za r h a d a r r a n g ed t o m eet a t a ba r sit u a t ed h a lfw a y bet w een Ma la a n d t h e sm a ll v illa g e n ea r t h e fa r m h ou se. Nick h a d a ppr ecia t ed t h a t Sa la za r h a d ch osen a loca t ion ou t side t h e ca pit a l cit y , bu t n ow , a s h e a r r iv ed a t t h e r u n -dow n r u r a l ca n t in a , h e w on der ed if h e ou g h t t o h a v e in sist ed on m eet in g som ew h er e m or e…pu blic. Set a w a y fr om t h e r oa d, t h e ba r w a s a on e-st or y w ooden st r u ct u r e w it h n o discer n ible sig n s la belin g it a s a com m er cia l v en u e. Moon lig h t r eflect ed off a sloped t in r oof, a n d a lt h ou g h t h e pla ce h a d n o w in dow s, t h e g low of lig h t s spilled ou t fr om t h e fr on t door s. Sa la za r sa id t h a t Nick w ou ld k n ow h e w a s in t h e r ig h t pla ce by t h e pa ck of dog s ou t fr on t , a n d su r e en ou g h , n ea r ly a dozen ca n in es w er e ly in g on t h e r eddish -br ow n dir t bey on d t h e ba r ’s en t r a n ce. Nick pa r k ed t h e SUV n ex t t o a bea t -u p pick u p t r u ck t h a t h a d seen bet t er da y s. T h e dir t lot

con t a in ed on ly a h a n dfu l of v eh icles, a ll in t h e sa m e sor r y st a t e a s t h e pick u p. A s h e h opped ou t of t h e ca r , sev er a l of t h e dog s lift ed t h eir h ea ds a n d ey ed h im w it h m ist r u st . He ey ed t h em r ig h t ba ck , n ot in g t h eir scr a w n y bodies, v isible r ib ca g es a n d m a t t ed fu r . Cr a p. Hopefu lly h e w ou ldn ’t n eed t o g et a r a bies sh ot t oda y . Lu ck ily , n ot a sin g le dog ch a n g ed posit ion s a t Nick ’s a ppr oa ch . T h e ca n in es ju st lou n g ed t h er e on t h e dir t , t h eir ey es g low in g in t h e da r k n ess. He h ea ded for t h e en t r a n ce—a pa ir of w a ist -h ig h sw in g in g door s, W ild W est –st y le—w ish in g h e w a s ca r r y in g m or e t h a n h is SIG. He su pposed h e cou ld’v e g r a bbed a few m or e ch oice w ea pon s fr om t h e du ffel in t h e t r u n k , bu t h e h a dn ’t w a n t ed t o sca r e Sa la za r a w a y by sh ow in g u p a r m ed t o t h e t eet h . T h er e w er e a dozen m en in t h e ba r w h en Nick w a lk ed in side. A few sin g le pa t r on s sit t in g a t t h e splin t er ed, beer -st a in ed cou n t er , a sm a ll g r ou p pla y in g dom in oes a t a cor n er t a ble a n d a n ot h er pla y in g ca r ds n ea r t h e ba ck . Ev er y pa ir of ey es n a r r ow ed a t Nick ’s en t r a n ce. Ig n or in g t h e su spiciou s look s, h e w en t ov er t o t h e cou n t er a n d m et t h e ba r t en der ’s clou dy g a ze h ea d-on . “ I’m look in g for Jose,” h e sa id in Spa n ish . A lm ost in st a n t ly , t h e ba r t en der ’s dem ea n or ch a n g ed. T h ose da r k ey es w iden ed slig h t ly , flick er ed w it h u n m ist a k a ble fea r , a n d h is t a ll, la n k y fr a m e sh ift ed u n ea sily . W it h ou t a w or d, t h e m a n h ook ed a fin g er a t t h e cor r idor a cr oss t h e r oom . “ Ba ck t h er e?” Nick pr om pt ed. He r eceiv ed a qu ick n od in r et u r n . Noddin g ba ck , h e h ea ded for t h e h a llw a y , feelin g ev er y pa t r on ’s ca g ey g a ze g lu ed t o h is ba ck . He

w ou ld’v e lik ed t o sa y t h ese m en w er e bein g pa r a n oid, bu t h e g ot t h e feelin g t h a t t h e ch a r a ct er s w h o fr equ en t ed t h is ca n t in a w er en ’t ex a ct ly u pst a n din g cit izen s. T h ey pr oba bly t r ea t ed ev er y st r a n g er w h o w a lk ed in h er e w it h ex t r em e ca u t ion . T h er e w er e fou r door s in t h e h a ll—t w o w er e open , r ev ea lin g a ba t h r oom t h a t st a n k t o h ig h h ea v en a n d a r oom fu ll of m et a l ca bin et s. T h e t h ir d w a s m a r k ed Storage. Nick pa u sed in fr on t of t h e fou r t h a n d r a pped h is k n u ck les on t h e closed door . A m om en t la t er , it sw u n g open a n d h e fou n d h im self look in g in t o t h e da r k br ow n ey es of En r iqu e Sa la za r . “ Pr escot t ?” t h e m a n sa id sh a r ply . Nick n odded. He didn ’t n eed t o a sk if he h a d t h e r ig h t m a n —h e r ecog n ized Sa la za r fr om t h e ph ot os Ev a h a d m a n a g ed t o com pile. A n d ju st lik e t h e fir st t im e h e’d seen Sa la za r ’s pict u r e, h e w a s su r pr ised by h ow h a n dsom e t h e m a n w a s. Ru g g ed fea t u r es, t a ll, m u scu la r body cla d in jea n s a n d a bla ck lea t h er ja ck et , a h ea d of w a v y bla ck h a ir ; t h e m a n seem ed bet t er su it ed for a ca r eer in Holly w ood t h a n t h e pr esiden t ia l secr et ser v ice. Sa la za r g est u r ed for h im t o en t er , a n d Nick st epped in t o a m u st y -sm ellin g r oom t h a t offer ed a g r een felt pok er t a ble su r r ou n ded by h a lf a dozen ch a ir s. Befor e h e cou ld t a k e a n ot h er st ep, Sa la za r beg a n pa t t in g h im dow n . Nick ’s ja w t en sed w h en t h e m a n con fisca t ed h is SIG, bu t Sa la za r sim ply sh r u g g ed a n d sa id, “ Ju st a pr eca u t ion , Mr . Pr escot t . Y ou ’ll g et it ba ck w h en w e con clu de ou r bu sin ess.” He spok e in per fect , u n a ccen t ed En g lish . “ Fa ir en ou g h .” “ Let ’s sit .”

T h ey sa t dow n on opposit e en ds of t h e t a ble. Sa la za r lea n ed ba ck in h is ch a ir a n d cr ossed h is a r m s ov er h is lea n ch est . Nick w a s h a v in g a t ou g h t im e ba t t lin g h is bew ilder m en t . T h e m a n in fr on t of h im con v ey ed a ca lcu la t ed in t ellig en ce a n d u n der st a t ed ch a r m t h a t Nick h a d n ot ex pect ed. A n d h e seem ed in cr edibly … u n r u ffled. Lik e h e h a d n o ca r e in t h e w or ld, w h ich w a s ser iou sly ir on ic con sider in g h e w a s bet r a y in g h is pr esiden t a n d g ov er n m en t by dea lin g w it h El Nu ev o Dia blo, a w a n t ed m a n in Cor t eg a . “ So w h o’s Jose?” Nick fin a lly a sk ed, r efer r in g t o t h e n a m e h e’d been or der ed t o u se w it h t h e ba r t en der . Sa la za r w a v ed a ca r eless h a n d. “ Ju st a silly code. A m a n in m y posit ion doesn ’t w a n t t o a dv er t ise h is pr esen ce—or h is iden t it y .” He lift ed a br ow . “ Do y ou h a v e t h e m on ey ?” “ Y ou m ea n y ou didn ’t feel t h a t fa t en v elope of ca sh in m y pock et w h en y ou w er e pa t t in g m e dow n ?” He w a s r ew a r ded w it h a g en u in ely w a r m la u g h . “ I t h ou g h t y ou w er e—w h a t ’s t h e A m er ica n ph r a se?— h a ppy t o see m e?” Nick cou ldn ’t h elp bu t la u g h , t oo. Rea ch in g in t o t h e pock et of h is br ow n bom ber ja ck et , h e ex t r a ct ed t h e en v elope a n d slid it a cr oss t h e g r een felt t a blet op. W it h ou t a w or d, Sa la za r pick ed u p t h e en v elope a n d t h u m bed t h r ou g h it s con t en t s. “ It ’s a ll t h er e,” Nick a ssu r ed h im . T h e ot h er m a n k ept cou n t in g . Nick st ifled a sig h . “ T w en t y g r a n d, w h ich is a bov e a n d bey on d w h a t I ou g h t t o be pa y in g y ou t o set u p a sim ple in t r odu ct ion .” A m in u t e la t er , Sa la za r t u ck ed t h e en v elope in t o t h e in n er pock et of h is lea t h er ja ck et .

“ W ell?” Nick pr om pt ed. “ W ell w h a t ?” Im pa t ien ce t r a v eled t h r ou g h h im , t r a iled by a r u sh of a n n oy a n ce. He w a s beg in n in g t o w on der if En r iqu e Sa la za r w a s t oy in g w it h h im , pu r posely st a llin g ju st for t h e h ell of it . “ W h er e ca n I fin d El Nu ev o Dia blo?” h e dem a n ded. A m u sem en t filled Sa la za r ’s da r k ey es, a n ot h er h ea r t y la u g h lea v in g h is m ou t h . “ Y ou ’r e look in g a t h im .”

Chapter 8 Despit e

a n in it ia l bou t of sh ock , it didn ’t t a k e lon g for Nick t o r ea lize t h a t Sa la za r ’s con fession w a s n ot sh ock in g a t a ll w h en y ou r ea lly t h ou g h t a bou t it . Mem ber s of t h e pr esiden t ia l g u a r d ca r r ied a lot of clou t in Ma la —t h ey h a d ev en m or e a u t h or it y t h a n t h e police. Sa la za r w ou ld h a v e a m ile-lon g list of con n ect ion s, n ot t o m en t ion secu r it y clea r a n ce, a n d in sider in for m a t ion a bou t t h e pr esiden t ’s m ov em en t s a n d polit ica l a g en da s. Nick r elea sed a r u efu l br ea t h . “ W h y a m I n ot su r pr ised t o h ea r t h a t ?” T h e bla ck -h a ir ed m a n ch u ck led. “ T h er e is som et h in g v er y dev ilish a bou t m e, n o?” Jeez. How w a s t h is m a n so da m n ch a r ism a t ic? Ev er y per son Nick h a d spok en t o in r eg a r d t o El Nu ev o Dia blo h a d cow er ed a t t h e m er e m en t ion of t h e in fa m ou s cr im in a l. Dr u g s, g u n s, w om en —t h e m a n w a s in v olv ed in m or e t h a n on e sh a dy en t er pr ise. If y ou cr ossed h im , y ou pa id t h e pr ice. If y ou did bu sin ess w it h h im , y ou w er e lock ed in for life. A n d y et h er e h e w a s, Mr . New Dev il, sit t in g a cr oss t h e t a ble w it h t h a t dim pled sm ile a n d pa lpa ble m a g n et ism . “ So y ou ’r e n ot a m iddlem a n a t a ll,” Nick r em a r k ed. “ Clea r ly n ot .” Sa la za r ’s lips t w it ch ed. “ Now , t ell m e w h a t y ou w a n t w it h Mr . W a v er ly .” Nick ’s h ea d jer k ed u p. “ So h e did com e t o see y ou .” “ Of cou r se. T h er e is n o on e else in Cor t eg a w or t h seein g .” “ Did y ou a cqu ir e docu m en t s for h im ?” A n ot e of u r g en cy ech oed in Nick ’s v oice. “ Ca n y ou t ell m e w h a t n a m e h e’s t r a v elin g u n der ? Or w h er e h e w en t

fr om h er e?” Sa la za r h eld u p h is h a n d t o silen ce h im . “ Fir st , let m e t ell y ou a bou t t h e w a y I oper a t e, Mr . Pr escot t . Y ou pr oba bly a lr ea dy h a v e a n idea , con sider in g y ou in t er r og a t ed h a lf t h e cit y a bou t m e t h ese la st few da y s.” He didn ’t bot h er a sk in g h ow Sa la za r k n ew h e’d been a sk in g a r ou n d. T h e m a n u n dou bt edly possessed m or e con n ect ion s t h a n t h e pr esiden t h e w a s sw or n t o pr ot ect . “ T h e people I do bu sin ess w it h , t h ey k eep t h eir m ou t h s sh u t ,” Sa la za r beg a n , h is t on e dow n r ig h t plea sa n t . “ In r et u r n , I k eep m in e sh u t . Secr ecy is t h e n a m e of t h e g a m e, a s w ell a s a sig n of r espect . Pr iv a t e t r a n sa ct ion s st a y pr iv a t e—m y clien t s t r u st m e t o deliv er on t h a t pr om ise, a n d in r et u r n , I t r u st t h em t o do t h e sa m e.” “ A n d if t h ey don ’t ?” Nick cou ldn ’t h elp bu t a sk . “ T h ey su ffer th e con sequ en ces.” Sa la za r sh r u g g ed. “ Not m a n y m en a t t em pt t o dou ble-cr oss m e t h ese da y s, Mr . Pr escot t .” “ No, I don ’t im a g in e t h ey do.” He sla n t ed h is h ea d. “ Is t h is y ou r w a y of t ellin g m e t h a t y ou w on ’t sell ou t W a v er ly ? He’s pr ot ect ed u n der y ou r , u h , confidentiality a g r eem en t ?” “ Not qu it e.” Sa la za r sh ov ed a h a n d in h is pock et a n d ex t r a ct ed t w o it em s. A Pola r oid pict u r e a n d a folded-u p piece of w h it e pa per . He set t h em fa cedow n on t h e t a ble, bu t did n ot in v it e Nick t o t a k e a peek . “ I ph ot og r a ph ev er y in div idu a l I do bu sin ess w it h ,” Sa la za r t old h im . “ A n ot h er pr eca u t ion , I pr esu m e?” Nick sa id dr ily . “ Of cou r se. It a llow s m e t o k eep m y cu st om er s in lin e, sh ou ld t h ey t h in k a bou t sellin g m e ou t or

r ev ea lin g m y iden t it y som ew h er e dow n t h e lin e. Oh , t h ey a ll pr ot est a t fir st —‘Y ou ca n ’t t a k e m y pict u r e!’— bu t I u su a lly su cceed in m a k in g t h em see r ea son . Now , a s I sa id befor e, I don ’t t y pica lly bet r a y m y clien t s’ iden t it ies. It ’s ba d for bu sin ess, a n d I a m , fir st a n d for em ost , a bu sin essm a n .” Nick t r ied n ot t o r oll h is ey es. “ Of cou r se.” “ Bu t t h e m a n y ou ’r e look in g for ? Mr . W a v er ly ?” Scor n flick er ed in Sa la za r ’s da r k ey es. “ I don ’t feel t h e n eed t o ex t en d t h e sa m e cou r t esy t o h im t h a t I do t o ot h er clien t s.” “ He t r ied t o dou ble-cr oss y ou ,” Nick g u essed. “ He t r ied t o negotiate.” Sa la za r sou n ded so disg u st ed y ou ’d t h in k W a v er ly h a d don e m u ch w or se t h a n h a g g le for a bet t er pr ice. Bu t a ppa r en t ly h a g g lin g w a s a big n o-n o in t h e ey es of El Nu ev o Dia blo. “ My fees a r e set in st on e,” t h e m a n h a r r u m ph ed. “ Bu t t h a t lit t le pr ick t h ou g h t h e cou ld m ess w it h m e. Ru de, en t it led ba st a r d. I w a s h a ppy t o be r id of h im .” “ Y ou a r r a n g ed h is n ew pa per s, t h en .” “ I did.” Sa la za r slid t h e Pola r oid a cr oss t h e t a ble. “ T h is is t h e m a n y ou ’r e seek in g , is it n ot ?” Nick flipped ov er t h e ph ot o a n d fou n d h im self look in g a t t h e pa le fa ce of Pa u l W a v er ly , for m er a ide w or k in g ou t of t h e Pen t a g on , a n d t h e m a n w h o’d h a n ded Seba st ia n a w a t er bot t le in fect ed w it h t h e Mer idia n v ir u s. W a v er ly ’s a ppea r a n ce h a d a v er y g h ou lish v ibe t o it —w it h h is lig h t blon d h a ir a n d v a m pir e-w h it e sk in , h e look ed w a sh ed-ou t a n d sick ly . Bu t Seba st ia n h a d w a r n ed Nick n ot t o be fooled by t h e m a n ’s ou t w a r d fr a g ilit y . Su pposedly W a v er ly w a s bu ilt lik e a foot ba ll qu a r t er ba ck —t a ll, m u scu la r a n d st r on g . “ T h is is h im ,” h e sa id br u squ ely .

“ My for g er a lw a y s m a k es su r e t o sen d m e a ph ot ocopy of a n y docu m en t s h e pr ocu r es for m e.” Sa la za r g est u r ed t o t h e folded pa per . “ T h a t ’s t h e pa sspor t h e did for W a v er ly .” Nick u n folded t h e sh eet a n d st u died t h e ph ot ocopy , w h ich sh ow ed t h e fr on t pa g e of W a v er ly ’s n ew t r a v el docu m en t . It w a s a bog u s Br it ish pa sspor t u n der t h e n a m e W illia m Nev ille, a n d im pecca bly don e ju dg in g by t h e w a t er m a r k a n d secu r it y fea t u r es t h a t sh ow ed u p on t h e copy . “ Ca n I k eep t h ese?” Nick a sk ed. “ T h e copy , y es. T h e ph ot og r a ph , n o.” Sa la za r sw ift ly r ea ch ed for t h e Pola r oid a n d pock et ed it . “ T h a n k s,” Nick t old t h e u n lik ely cr im in a l a cr oss t h e t a ble. “ Y ou ’v e been m or e t h a n h elpfu l.” Sa la za r fla sh ed a r og u e g r in . “ W h o sa y s I’m don e?” Nick lift ed a br ow . “ I a ssu m e y ou r n ex t m ov e w ill be t r a ck in g dow n ou r fr ien d W illia m Nev ille?” W h en Nick n odded, Sa la za r ’s g r in w iden ed. “ Lu ck y for y ou , t h e lit t le pr ick r equ ir ed m or e t h a n docu m en t s fr om m e. I w a s a lso g r a ciou s en ou g h t o a r r a n g e for h is ch a r t er ou t of Ma la .” He su ck ed in a br ea t h . “ Y ou k n ow w h er e h e w en t fr om h er e?” “ In deed.” T h e m a n cock ed h is h ea d. “ Ou t of cu r iosit y , w h a t do y ou pla n on doin g t o Mr . W a v er ly w h en y ou fin d h im ?” Nick ’s ja w h a r den ed. “ W h a t ev er it t a k es t o m a k e h im t a lk .” A ppr ov a l g lit t er ed in t h ose da r k ey es. “ In t er est in g . Y ou a r e oft en u n der est im a t ed, a r en ’t y ou , Mr . Pr escot t ?” Su r pr ise jolt ed t h r ou g h h im . “ Pa r don m e?”

“ Y ou a ppea r civ ilized on t h e ou t side, bu t t h er e is a sa v a g e ben ea t h t h a t qu iet , polish ed ex t er ior . Y ou a r e a m a n w h o w ill g o t o g r ea t len g t h s t o r ig h t a w r on g .” Now h e felt u n ea sy . “ How a bou t y ou qu it psy ch oa n a ly zin g m e a n d t ell m e w h er e W a v er ly w en t ?” Sa la za r ch u ck led. “ A h , y ou ’r e u n com for t a ble bein g scr u t in ized. Most A m er ica n s a r e. I w on ’t pr ess t h e m a t t er , t h en .” He pa u sed, a lt h ou g h Nick su spect ed it w a s don e solely for effect . “ Pist a Olv ida da . It ’s a coa st a l t ow n in Cost a Rica .” Beca u se Nick ’s fa t h er h a d in sist ed h is ch ildr en be flu en t in sev er a l la n g u a g es, Nick r elied on h is k n ow ledg e of Spa n ish for t h e t r a n sla t ion of t h e t ow n ’s n a m e. “ For g ot t en la n d,” h e m u r m u r ed. “ Qu it e poet ic, isn ’t it ?” Sa la za r sa id w it h a n ot h er g r in . “ Bu t W a v er ly h a s n ot been for g ot t en , h a s h e, Mr . Pr escot t ?” “ No, h e h a sn ’t .” Nick t u ck ed t h e ph ot ocopy in t o h is pock et a n d scr a ped ba ck h is ch a ir , t h en ex t en ded a h a n d a t Sa la za r . “ T h a n k s a g a in .” T h e ot h er m a n r ose a s w ell, bu t h e didn ’t sh a k e Nick ’s h a n d. Not y et , a n y w a y . Fir st , h e cr ossed t h e r oom a n d pick ed u p t h e n y lon ba ck pa ck on t h e dir t y lin oleu m , t h en u n zipped t h e ba g a n d pu lled ou t a Pola r oid ca m er a . A ppr eh en sion clim bed u p Nick ’s t h r oa t a s h e ey ed t h e ca m er a . “ Y ou w er en ’t k iddin g a bou t t h e ph ot os, h u h ?” “ It m u st be don e, m y fr ien d.” Sa la za r g a v e a lit t le sh r u g . “ Bu t k n ow t h a t t h e ph ot og r a ph s a r e k ept in m y sa fe, a n d w ill n ev er see t h e lig h t of da y .” “ Not u n less I t r y t o st iff y ou , r ig h t ?” Nick sa id dr ily . “ In w h ich ca se, y ou ’ll be fla sh in g m y pic a r ou n d ju st lik e y ou did W a v er ly ’s.”

Sa la za r ’s ey es t w in k led. “ Ju st be h a ppy y ou didn ’t t r y t o n eg ot ia t e, a n d sm ile for t h e ca m er a , m y fr ien d.” *** Rebecca spen t t h e ev en in g ly in g on t h e r a t t y cou ch a n d t r y in g t o g et som e sleep, bu t t o n o a v a il. A lon e a n d in t h e silen ce of t h e isola t ed fa r m h ou se, it w a s difficu lt n ot t o fa ll v ict im t o g r ief. Jesse. Da v e. Ha r r y . T h ey w er e a ll dea d beca u se of h er . A n d y et t h e m essed-u p t h in g a bou t it ? Sh e k n ew t h a t if a n y on e of t h em cou ld see h er r ig h t n ow , t h ey ’d sla p h er u pside t h e h ea d for let t in g t h e g u ilt con su m e h er . A ll t h r ee m en h a d been dedica t ed t o t h e qu est for t r u t h , Ha r r y especia lly . A n d t h is pa r t icu la r t r u t h —t h a t som eon e in t h e g ov er n m en t h a d a llow ed a biolog ica l w ea pon t o be t est ed on in n ocen t people? Her collea g u es a n d m en t or w ou ld h a v e g la dly la id dow n t h eir liv es if it m ea n t ex posin g su ch a deplor a ble plot . Her t h ou g h t s t u r n ed t o Nick , w h o w a s so det er m in ed t o k eep h er ou t of t h is in v est ig a t ion . He’d been g on e for t w o h ou r s, a n d sh e k n ew t h a t w h en h e r et u r n ed, h e w ou ld y et a g a in pu t h is foot dow n a n d decla r e t h a t h e didn ’t n eed h er h elp. Sh e r ose fr om t h e cou ch a n d pa ced t h e du st y floor , sig h in g a s sh e g la n ced a r ou n d t h e ba r ely h a bit a ble r oom . T h is fa r m h ou se h a d st ood em pt y for y ea r s a n d t h e in t er ior sh ow ed it , a s did t h e la ck of in door plu m bin g a n d elect r icit y . Nick h a d ca r t ed t w o h u g e ju g s of w a t er fr om t h e SUV , a lon g w it h som e Mea ls-Rea dy -t o-Ea t , w h ich Rebecca h a d r elu ct a n t ly sca r fed dow n ou t of sh eer h u n g er . Sh e lon g ed for a ch a n g e of clot h es, bu t sh e w a s st u ck w ea r in g h er dir t y T -sh ir t a n d fa ded jea n s, w h ich sh e n ow n ot iced boa st ed a ja g g ed h ole in t h e k n ee. W h en h a d t h a t

ev en h a ppen ed? Maybe w hen you w ere w res tling a gun out of a hit m an’s hands … T h e r em in der m a de h er ja w clen ch . God, h ow cou ld Nick possibly ex pect h er t o ba ck off n ow ? Som eon e h a d t r ied t o k ill h er du r in g t h a t r iot , a n d t h en a t t em pt ed t o a bdu ct h er fr om t h e h ospit a l. T h e h ospit a l w h er e on e of h er closest fr ien ds h a d died fr om sev er e bu r n s. A n d n ow Ha r r y w a s g on e, t oo. Her t h r oa t clog g ed a s sh e pict u r ed Ha r r y ’s cr a g g y fea t u r es a n d sn ow -w h it e h a ir . Sh e’d lov ed t h a t m a n lik e a fa t h er . A n d t h a n k s t o on e foolish ph on e ca ll on h er pa r t , h e w a s dea d. T h e sou n d of a ca r en g in e in t er r u pt ed h er m om en t of self-r epr oa ch . Sh e da sh ed t o t h e w in dow , bu t it w a s difficu lt t o see t h r ou g h t h e t h ick la y er of dir t coa t in g t h e g la ss. A n d it w a s pit ch -bla ck ou t side, so a ll sh e cou ld m a k e ou t w a s t h e silv er g lin t of t h e SUV ’s r im s a n d t h en a blu r of m ov em en t a s Nick g ot ou t of t h e v eh icle. W h en h e st r ode in t o t h e h ou se a m in u t e la t er , Rebecca sw a r m ed h im lik e pa pa r a zzi su r r ou n din g a celebr it y . “ W ell?” sh e dem a n ded. His lips t w it ch ed in h u m or . “ Hello t o y ou , t oo, da r lin g .” Despit e h er self, h er h ea r t sk ipped a bea t a s t h e h u sk y n ick n a m e left h is m ou t h . Nor m a lly sh e h a t ed lov ey -dov ey t er m s of en dea r m en t —sh e’d a lw a y s fou n d t h em so v er y dem ea n in g —bu t com in g fr om Nick , t h e w or d didn ’t sou n d con descen din g . T h er e w a s som et h in g sw eet a bou t t h e w a y h e sa id it . Snap out of it, Beck s . Y ea h , sh e r ea lly n eeded t o qu it g et t in g dist r a ct ed by t h is m a n .

“ W h a t h a ppen ed w it h Sa la za r ?” sh e a sk ed h im . Nick sh r u g g ed ou t of h is bom ber ja ck et a n d t ossed it on t h e a r m of t h e cou ch . A clou d of du st billow ed in t h e a ir a s t h e g a r m en t la n ded on t h e fr a y ed u ph olst er y . “ I g ot W a v er ly ’s loca t ion ,” h e a n sw er ed. “ T h e ba st a r d’s h idin g ou t in a sm a ll bea ch t ow n in Cost a Rica .” Sh e w r in k led h er for eh ea d. “ How does Sa la za r k n ow w h er e W a v er ly is? I t h ou g h t h e w a s su pposed t o h ook y ou u p w it h Mr . New Dev il.” Nick ’s a m ber -color ed ey es g r ew som ber . “ Is t h is off t h e r ecor d?” “ I’m in su lt ed t h a t y ou ’d ev en a sk m e t h a t ,” sh e h u ffed. “ Is it off t h e r ecor d, Rebecca ?” “ Y es!” “ Sa la za r is El Nu ev o Dia blo.” Sh ock spir a led t h r ou g h h er . “ A r e y ou ser iou s?” Nick n odded, t h en br u sh ed pa st h er a n d h ea ded for t h e k it ch en . A t t h e cou n t er , h e u n t w ist ed t h e ca p off on e of t h e w a t er ju g s, lift ed t h e h ea v y con t a in er a n d t ook a lon g sw ig . “ El Nu ev o Dia blo is a m em ber of t h e pr esiden t ia l g u a r d,” sh e m u sed. “ Now , t h a t ’s a n in t er est in g dev elopm en t .” “ I t h ou g h t so, t oo.” “ Ok a y , so Sa la za r is t h e on e w h o a r r a n g ed W a v er ly ’s n ew ID. A n d h e’s cer t a in W a v er ly w en t t o Cost a Rica ?” “ He ch a r t er ed t h e g u y ’s pla n e h im self.” Rebecca n odded br isk ly . “ Fin e. T h en w e g o t o Cost a Rica . I a ssu m e y ou ’v e g ot con t a ct s w it h a pr iv a t e a ir field?” A low la u g h ex it ed h is m ou t h . Set t in g dow n t h e

ju g , h e st a lk ed ba ck t o h er , st oppin g w h en t h ey w er e n ose t o n ose. W ell, k in d of. A t ov er six feet , Nick t ow er ed ov er h er fiv e-foot -on e fr a m e, so it w a s m or e lik e t h ey w er e n ose t o colla r bon e. T h a t w a s pr ecisely w h y sh e h a bit u a lly a v oided da t in g t a ll m en —t h ey a lw a y s m a de h er feel u t t er ly dw a r fish —bu t Nick ’s size w a s a bit of a t u r n -on . Sh e cou ld ea sily im a g in e h er self bein g sh elt er ed in t h ose st r on g a r m s, or clin g in g t o h is br oa d sh ou lder s a s h e ca r r ied h er t o bed…. Snap. Out. Of. It. Jeez, w h a t w a s w rong w it h h er ? W h y cou ldn ’t sh e qu it fa n t a sizin g a bou t t h is m a n a n d focu s on t h e per ilou s sit u a t ion t h ey ’d fou n d t h em selv es in ? “ Y ou ’r e n ot com in g w it h m e,” Nick sa id in a r esolu t e t on e. “ I don ’t k n ow h ow m a n y differ en t w a y s I ca n sa y it t o m a k e y ou u n der st a n d t h a t it ’s n ot h a ppen in g .” Sh e br ist led. “ If y ou don ’t t a k e m e w it h y ou , t h en I’ll g o w it h ou t y ou . I’ll t r a ck W a v er ly dow n m y self.” Fr u st r a t ion bu r n ed in h is ey es. “ T h e on ly pla ce y ou ’r e g oin g is Ecu a dor . My m en a n d I h a v e a ba se ca m p t h er e, a n d y ou ca n st a y w it h t h em u n t il w e det er m in e t h a t it ’s sa fe for y ou t o g o ba ck t o D.C.” “ No.” “ Rebecca —” “ No,” sh e r epea t ed. Sh e w a s so a n n oy ed sh e h a d t o fig h t t h e u r g e t o k ick h im . “ I g et t h a t y ou ’r e t r y in g t o pr ot ect m e, bu t I don ’t n eed y ou r pr ot ect ion , Nick . W h a t I need is t o fin d t h e per son w h o k illed m y collea g u es. A n d n o m a t t er w h a t y ou t h in k , I ca n be a n a sset t o y ou . I h a v e sou r ces in dozen s of cou n t r ies —” h er t on e t u r n ed sm u g “ —in clu din g Cost a Rica . A n d don ’t for g et a bou t D.C. I k n ow ev er y la st pla y er in t h a t cit y , darling.”

“ A r e y ou a lw a y s so difficu lt ?” “ I’m n ot t r y in g t o be difficu lt . A ll I’m sa y in g is, I’m a lr ea dy in v olv ed, ok a y ? I w a s in v olv ed t h e m om en t w e w en t ou t for dr in k s a t t h e Liber t y , a n d I r efu se t o be h idden a w a y in Ecu a dor . W h et h er y ou lik e it or n ot , t h is is m y fig h t , t oo, n ow .” Sh e cou ld see h is r esolv e cr u m blin g a s a r esig n ed look set t led ov er h is fa ce. “ I don ’t lik e t h is. Y ou ’r e t oo r ecog n iza ble.” A n in cr edu lou s la u g h popped ou t . “ A n d y ou ’r e n ot ? Y ou ’r e Secr et a r y Ba r r et t ’s son , for Pet e’s sa k e.” He sig h ed. “ T ou ch é.” “ Look , y ou ca n k eep pu t t in g u p a fig h t , or y ou ca n ju st m a k e it ea sy for y ou r self a n d a ccept t h a t w e’r e in t h is t og et h er fr om t h is poin t on .” T h er e w a s n o m ist a k in g t h e r elu ct a n ce cr ea sin g h is h a n dsom e fea t u r es, bu t a ft er sev er a l secon ds of silen ce, h e fin a lly ca pit u la t ed. “ Fin e,” h e m u t t er ed. “ Y ou ca n com e w it h m e—” Sh e bea m ed a t h im . “ T h a n k y ou . I k n ew y ou ’d see it m y —” “ —on t w o con dit ion s,” h e fin ish ed. W a r y , sh e w a it ed for h im t o g o on . “ Fir st con dit ion , y ou follow m y or der s. If I sa y ju m p, y ou ju m p. If I a sk y ou t o st a y beh in d t h e w a y I did t on ig h t , a ccept t h a t it ’s for a g ood r ea son a n d don ’t fig h t m e ev er y st ep of t h e w a y .” A lt h ou g h sh e h a t ed a n sw er in g t o a n y on e, sh e sh ot h im a g r u dg in g look a n d sa id, “ I w ill follow y ou r or der s.” Sh e pa u sed. “ W it h in r ea son .” “ T h er e y ou g o, bein g difficu lt a g a in .” Sh e g r in n ed. “ Hey , I’m ju st sa y in ’. Y ou ca n ’t ex pect m e t o follow y ou blin dly . If I disa g r ee w it h a n or der , w e’r e da r n w ell g oin g t o t a lk it ou t .” “ Y ou ’r e a big fa n of t a lk in g , h u h ?” He look ed t or n

bet w een la u g h in g a n d st r a n g lin g h er . “ Y ep. Now , w h a t ’s t h e secon d con dit ion ?” “ A n y t h in g w e m ig h t discov er , ev er y lea d w e st u m ble on , ev er y g or y det a il—it ’s a ll off t h e r ecor d.” His ex pr ession t u r n ed st eely . “ W h en t h is is ov er , w e’ll sit dow n a n d discu ss t h e best w a y t o g et t h e st or y ou t . Befor e t h a t , y ou don ’t w r it e a n y t h in g dow n , y ou don ’t pu t it on ca m er a , y ou don ’t con su lt w it h y ou r n et w or k . Dea l?” Sh e h a d t o a dm it t h a t sou n ded fa ir . It w a sn ’t lik e h e w a s su g g est in g sh e sw eep ev er y t h in g u n der t h e r u g a n d pr et en d t h er e w as n’t a st or y , ju st t h a t sh e ou g h t t o w a it befor e m a k in g a n y t h in g pu blic. W h ich k in d of ir k ed, beca u se w h a t did h e t a k e h er for , a n a m a t eu r ? Sh e w ou ld n ev er g o a h ea d w it h a st or y u n t il ev er y la st t a n d i w a s cr ossed a n d dot t ed. Nev er t h eless, sh e st u ck ou t h er h a n d so t h ey cou ld sh a k e on it . “ Dea l,” sh e a g r eed. T h e secon d t h eir pa lm s t ou ch ed, a jolt of elect r icit y cou r sed fr om h is h a n d t o h er s. A ct u a l spa r k s h ea t ed h er sk in , a n d h e m u st h a v e felt t h em , t oo, beca u se h e a br u pt ly w it h dr ew h is h a n d a n d m u t t er ed, “ Hu h .” Rebecca g a v e h im a k n ow in g look , en joy in g t h e t in y g lim m er of h ea t t h a t lit h is ey es. “ So w h en do w e lea v e?” sh e a sk ed br ig h t ly . *** Sh e w a sn ’t ex pect in g t h em t o g et a flig h t ou t of Ma la so r idicu lou sly fa st , a n d y et t h r ee h ou r s a ft er Nick r et u r n ed fr om h is m eet in g w it h Sa la za r , t h e t w o of t h em w er e clim bin g in t o t h e ba ck of a t w in -en g in e Cessn a in t h e m ost der elict h a n g a r Rebecca h a d ev er seen . T h e scen t of jet fu el, ex h a u st a n d r u bber per m ea t ed t h e sm a ll ca bin , a n d t h e blu e v in y l sea t

sh e low er ed h er self on t o w a s t or n in sev er a l pla ces. T h eir pilot , a st on e-fa ced m a n w it h a h ea d of lon g , oily bla ck h a ir , didn ’t sa y a sin g le w or d a s h e w en t t h r ou g h h is pr eflig h t ch eck . Rebecca scoot ed closer t o Nick a n d br ou g h t h er lips r ig h t u p t o h is ea r . “ How do y ou k n ow t h is g u y a g a in ?” sh e w h isper ed. “ A r e y ou su r e h e w on ’t m u r der u s befor e w e ev en g et off t h e g r ou n d?” Nick r espon ded w it h a soft ch u ck le. “ Rela x , Red. Ma n u el is t h e m ost h a r m less m a n on t h e pla n et . He u sed t o be a pr iest .” Sh e r a ised h er ey ebr ow s. “ Did y ou ju st ca ll m e Red?” “ Y ea h .” T o h er a m u sem en t , h e a ct u a lly flu sh ed. “ Y ou didn ’t seem t oo t h r illed w it h darling.” “ Sa y s w h o?” “ Sa y s t h e w a y y ou ca lled m e t h a t ea r lier , a ll m ock in g lik e a n d w h a t n ot .” He offer ed a n a dor a ble sh r u g , t h en bu ck led h is sea t belt . “ So Red, it is.” “ I don ’t m in d da r lin g .” T h e a dm ission slipped ou t befor e sh e cou ld st op it . Sh ock in g ly , sh e felt h er self blu sh in g , t oo. Oh , for God’s sa k e, w h a t w a s sh e, a pr et een w it h a fir st cr u sh ? Sh e r ea lly n eeded t o g et a h a n dle on h er st r a n g e r ea ct ion t o t h is m a n . “ Good t o k n ow ,” h e m u r m u r ed, a n d t h en t h eir ey es lock ed, a n d Rebecca ’s h ea r t did a n ex cit ed lit t le flip t h a t m a de h er w a n t t o m a k e fu n of h er self. “ So…ou r pilot w a s a pr iest ?” sh e sa id, qu ick ly st eer in g t h e con v er sa t ion ba ck t o sa fe t er r it or y . “ W h a t h a ppen ed? Did h e lose h is fa it h ?” “ Som et h in g lik e t h a t ,” Nick a n sw er ed. “ Bu t t h er e’s n o n eed t o w or r y —h e’s a g ood pilot , a n d t r u st w or t h y . W e’v e u sed h im a cou ple of t im es ov er t h is pa st y ea r .”

A t t h a t m om en t , t h eir pr iest -t u r n ed-pilot slid in t o t h e cock pit a n d st a r t ed flick in g k n obs a n d bu t t on s. T h e da sh boa r d ca m e a liv e w it h a m u lt it u de of lig h t s, a n d t h en Ma n u el g la n ced ov er h is sh ou lder a n d a ddr essed Nick . “ For eca st ca lls for h ea v y clou d cov er a g e,” h e sa id in Spa n ish . “ Mig h t be som e t u r bu len ce, so it cou ld g et bu m py .” Rebecca ’s st om a ch ch u r n ed a t t h e t h ou g h t . “ Gosh , I h a t e t u r bu len ce.” “ Y ou spea k Spa n ish ?” Nick sa id w r y ly . “ Y ep. A n d Fr en ch . Ru ssia n . Hebr ew . Pa ssa ble It a lia n a n d Fa r si. Not -so-pa ssa ble Ch in ese.” Nick let ou t a soft w h ist le. “ W e’v e g ot ou r selv es a r ea l lin g u ist h er e.” “ I t r a v el a lot . I’v e pick ed u p a few la n g u a g es ov er t h e y ea r s.” A m et a llic w h in e r ev er ber a t ed in t h e ca bin , follow ed by t h e r oa r of t h e pr opeller s com in g a liv e, a n d a m om en t la t er , t h e lit t le pla n e ch u g g ed for w a r d. T h ey t a x ied ou t of t h e h a n g a r a n d in t o t h e pit ch -bla ck n ig h t , t a k in g flig h t less t h a n t w o m in u t es la t er . A s t h e Cessn a r ose h ig h er a n d h ig h er in t o t h e da r k sk y , Rebecca g la n ced a t t h e ba ck of Ma n u el’s h ea d, t h en sh ot Nick a sidelon g look . “ How ex a ct ly did y ou con v in ce ou r pilot t o lea v e h is bed a t on e in t h e m or n in g a n d fly u s t o Cost a Rica ?” “ Mon ey . Lot s of m on ey .” “ Pa y s t o be r ich , h u h ?” sh e sa id g libly . “ I bet y ou sin g le-h a n dedly ba n k r olled ev er y t h in g t h is pa st y ea r .” “ Y ep.” “ A n d y ou r soldier bu ddies n ev er a sk ed w h er e t h e m on ey ca m e fr om ? Y ou sa id t h ey don ’t k n ow a bou t

y ou r fa m ily , so h ow did y ou ex pla in a ll t h e ca sh ?” “ I didn ’t , n ot r ea lly , a n y w a y . I t old t h em m y fa m ily h a s som e m on ey , a n d t h ey w er e sa t isfied w it h t h a t . T h ey didn ’t a sk a n y ot h er qu est ion s, w h ich isn ’t m u ch of a su r pr ise, a ct u a lly . W e’r e pr iv a t e m en , a ll t h r ee of u s. W e don ’t do t oo m u ch t a lk in g a bou t t h e pa st .” He sig h ed. “ Ev a a n d Ju lia h a v e been bu g g in g m e a bou t it la t ely , t h ou g h .” Rebecca n a r r ow ed h er ey es. “ Ev a a n d Ju lia ?” sh e ech oed, a n d da m n ed if sh e didn ’t ex per ien ce a lit t le pa n g of displea su r e. W h o t h e h eck w er e Ev a a n d Ju lia ? Ha d Nick som eh ow m a n a g ed t o da t e n ot on e, bu t tw o w om en du r in g h is y ea r of h idin g ? Sh e didn ’t k n ow w h et h er t o be im pr essed or t ick ed off a t t h a t . “ Ev a is T a t e’s fia n cée, a n d Ju lia is Seba st ia n ’s g ir lfr ien d.” T h e g r een -ey ed m on st er sw ift ly r et r ea t ed t o t h e du n g eon of jea lou sy in Rebecca ’s belly . Jeez. W h y h a d sh e r ea ct ed so v iscer a lly t o t h e idea of Nick h a v in g som e k in d of h a r em ? Becaus e you w ant him for yours elf. Y ep, sh e did. Sh e t ot a lly did. T h en a g a in , h ow cou ld sh e n ot ? T h e m a n w a s dr op-dea d g or g eou s a n d h is body w a s u t t er ly dr oolw or t h y . Lor d, sh e w a n t ed n ot h in g m or e t h a n t o r u n h er fin g er s ov er ev er y h a r d r idg e of m u scle a n d sin ew . T o n u zzle t h e cr ook of t h a t st r on g n eck a n d br ea t h e in t h e w oodsy , m a scu lin e scen t of h im . T o feel t h ose sen su a l lips pr essed a g a in st h er ow n , h is t on g u e slidin g in t o h er m ou t h w h ile h is h a n ds t a n g led in h er h a ir . T h e n a u g h t y im a g es sen t a sh iv er da n cin g t h r ou g h h er . “ Y ou cold?”

In t h e blin k of a n ey e, Nick r em ov ed h is bom ber ja ck et a n d w a s dr a pin g it ov er h er t or so lik e a bla n k et . Rebecca st a r ed a t h im in w on der . “ Y ou r ea lly a r e t h e con su m m a t e g en t lem a n , a r en ’t y ou , Nick ?” “ So I’v e been t old.” “ Y ou r g ir lfr ien d ba ck h om e m u st m iss y ou a t on .” He bu r st ou t la u g h in g . “ Is t h a t y ou r in cr edibly unsu bt le w a y of a sk in g m e if I’m sin g le?” “ Mm m -h m m .” He la u g h ed a g a in , a deep, sex y sou n d t h a t h a d h er sh iv er in g a g a in ben ea t h t h e w a r m t h of h is coa t . “ W ell, I a m ,” h e sa id. “ Sin g le, t h a t is.” Rebecca sh ot h im a poin t ed look , t h en w a it ed. Nick fu r r ow ed h is ey ebr ow s. “ W h a t is it ?” “ A r en ’t y ou g oin g t o a sk m e if I’m sin g le?” “ Of cou r se y ou ’r e sin g le.” T h e speed a n d con v ict ion of h is r espon se m a de h er fr ow n . “ W h a t ’s t h a t su pposed t o m ea n ?” “ It m ea n s y ou ’r e a m bit iou s. I bet y ou r ca r eer h a s com e fir st y ou r en t ir e life, a n d r ela t ion sh ips h a v e a lw a y s been som ew h er e on t h e ba ck bu r n er .” W h en sh e didn ’t a n sw er , h e cock ed h is h ea d in ch a llen g e. “ A m I w r on g ?” “ No, y ou ’r e n ot w r on g ,” sh e a dm it t ed. “ My ca r eer is im por t a n t t o m e. I w a s n ev er t h a t lit t le g ir l w h o fa n t a sized a bou t m eet in g h er Pr in ce Ch a r m in g a n d t h en ba k in g cook ies a ll da y lon g w h ile h e br ou g h t h om e t h e ba con . I w a s da y dr ea m in g a bou t Pu lit zer s a n d fa m e a n d sh eddin g lig h t on t h e in ju st ices of t h e w or ld.” Sh e pa u sed. “ Not n ecessa r ily in t h a t or der , of cou r se.” He ch u ck led. “ A n d y ou a ch iev ed t w o ou t of t h e t h r ee, w it h t h e Pu lit zer su r e t o follow . I im a g in e y ou r pa r en t s a r e v er y pr ou d of y ou .”

“ T h ey a r e. My m om st ill doesn ’t qu it e u n der st a n d t h e ca r eer t h in g , t h ou g h . Sh e’s t h e u lt im a t e Sou t h er n belle, spoiled r ot t en bu t w it h t h e big g est h ea r t on t h e pla n et .” “ A n d y ou r da d?” “ Mor e pr og r essiv e t h a n Mom . He’s a cr im in a l la w y er in A t la n t a , a n d h e desper a t ely w a n t ed m e t o g o t o la w sch ool a n d join h is fir m so w e cou ld pr a ct ice t og et h er .” Sh e g r in n ed. “ I’v e a ssu r ed h im t h a t h e ca n r epr esen t m e sh ou ld I ev er g et in t r ou ble—y ou k n ow , if I w in d u p in ja il for pr ot ect in g a sou r ce or som et h in g .” “ Y ou m ea n t h a t h a sn ’t h a ppen ed t o y ou y et ?” Nick t ea sed. “ Sh ock in g . Y ou seem lik e a t ot a l t r ou blem a k er .” “ Ma y be t o som e ex t en t ,” sh e sa id im pish ly . “ So, w h a t a bou t y ou ? W h y did y ou join t h e a r m y ?” “ I w a n t ed t o ser v e a n d pr ot ect m y cou n t r y .” He w r in k led h is for eh ea d w h en h e n ot iced h er ex pr ession . “ W h y do y ou look so su r pr ised?” “ Beca u se y ou r fa t h er is Kir k Ba r r et t . Barrett. A s in , big oil.” “ Y ea h , so?” “ A n d y ou r m ot h er w a s a Pr escot t . A s in , t h e h ot el em pir e Pr escot t s.” “ Y ea h , so?” h e r epea t ed. “ So y ou ’r e loa ded,” sh e sa id in ex a sper a t ion . “ Y ou cou ld be spen din g y ou r life dr in k in g piñ a cola da s on som e y a ch t , t r a v elin g t h e w or ld a n d su n t a n n in g a n d doin g n ot h in g bu t cou n t in g y ou r big st a ck of ca sh . Bu t in st ea d, y ou ch ose t o ser v e in t h e m ilit a r y . Specia l For ces, t o boot , w h er e t h e r isk of dy in g is, lik e, a st r on om ica l.” “ I w a sn ’t r a ised t o sit idle,” h e r eplied w it h a sh r u g . “ Ev en if I ch ose n ot t o g o in t o t h e a r m y , I

w ou ldn ’t h a v e been lou n g in g on a y a ch t . My fa t h er in st illed a solid w or k et h ic in m e a n d V iv .” “ V iv …r ig h t , y ou r sist er , V iv ia n .” Rebecca sca n n ed h er br a in , bu t sh e cou ldn ’t su m m on t oo m a n y det a ils a bou t Nick ’s older sist er . “ W h a t does sh e do for a liv in g a g a in ?” “ Sh e u sed t o be a t ea ch er , bu t n ow sh e’s a st a y -a t h om e m om . Her h u sba n d, Jeff, desig n s a ir pla n es.” A sa d look cr ossed Nick ’s ey es. “ I h a v en ’t seen m y n ieces and n eph ew in a y ea r . T h ey ’r e pr oba bly u n r ecog n iza ble by n ow . Kids g r ow u p so da m n fa st , y ou k n ow ?” Sh e im pu lsiv ely r ea ch ed ou t a n d t ou ch ed h is h a n d. “ It m u st be h a r d for y ou , bein g a w a y fr om y ou r fa m ily .” “ It is.” He spok e a bsen t ly , a n d sh e n ot iced h is g a ze w a s focu sed on t h eir join ed h a n ds. Her ow n g a ze follow ed su it , a n d u n a ble t o st op h er self, Rebecca st r ok ed h is r ou g h -sk in n ed k n u ck les. Lor d, h e h a d su ch big h a n ds, su ch lon g , g r a cefu l fin g er s. St r a n g e t o t h in k t h a t h e’d ch osen t o h old a w ea pon in t h ose h a n ds r a t h er th an som e m on og r a m m ed pen h e cou ld sig n m u lt im illion -dolla r con t r a ct s w it h . W h en sh e’d w or k ed t h e W h it e Hou se bea t , sh e h a dn ’t g iv en m u ch t h ou g h t t o t h e Ba r r et t fa m ily , bu t sh e’d a lw a y s a ssu m ed t h a t Nick Ba r r et t w ou ld be a spoiled, su per ficia l pr et t y boy w h o coa st ed t h r ou g h life on h is fa t h er ’s w ea lt h a n d a ccom plish m en t s. Bu t t h er e w a s n ot h in g su per ficia l a bou t t h is m a n . He w a s so v er y …real. St r on g . Gen u in e. Gen t lem a n ly . T h er e it w a s a g a in , t h e G-w or d. Bu t sh e cou ldn ’t h elp a scr ibin g it t o t h is m a n . Nick Ba r r et t r ea lly w a s

a bon a fide g en t lem a n . T r u t h w a s, sh e h a dn ’t been in t h e com pa n y of m a n y g en t lem en . Ha lf t h e m en in W a sh in g t on w er e sn a k es, in clu din g t h e on es w h o w or k ed a t A BN. A n d for som e foolish r ea son , sh e’d a lw a y s been dr a w n t o t h e ba d boy s, t h e m en ev er y w om a n w a n t ed t o t a m e, t h e on es w h o en ded u p bein g t ot a l jer k s. Ch iv a lr y w a sn ’t sex y —or a t lea st sh e h a dn ’t t h ou g h t so u n t il n ow . Nick slow ly m ov ed h er h a n d a w a y a n d pla ced it ba ck in h er la p. T h e ca bin w en t silen t sa v e for t h e m ech a n ica l w h ir of t h e pla n e’s en g in e a n d t h e soft h iss of t h e w in d bey on d t h e w in dow s. T h eir ey es lock ed a g a in , a n d t h en Nick ’s lips cu r v ed in a fa in t sm ile. “ T h is isn ’t g oin g t o h a ppen , da r lin g .” Sh e r a ised h er ey ebr ow s. “ Mea n in g ?” “ Y ou a n d m e.” A s h is g a ze da r t ed t o t h e pilot fiv e feet fr om t h em , h e low er ed h is v oice a n d cla r ified. “ Sleepin g t og et h er .” A la u g h slipped ou t of h er m ou t h . W ell, t h is w a s a fir st . Sh e cou ldn ’t r em em ber t h e la st t im e a m a n h a d g on e ou t of h is w a y t o t ell h er h e w ouldn’t t a k e h er t o bed. Usu a lly , m en w er e h it t in g on h er left a n d r ig h t , ea g er t o sa y t h ey ’d slept w it h A BN’s Rebecca Pa r k er . Sh e fou n d Nick ’s la ck of in t er est oddly r efr esh in g . A n d t ot a l bu ll. “ Oh , r ea lly ?” Sh e in ject ed a t ea sin g n ot e in t o h er v oice. “ So y ou ’r e sa y in g t h a t y ou ’r e n ot a t t r a ct ed t o m e?” Nick let ou t a br ea t h . “ No, beca u se I’d h a v e t o be a m on k not t o be a t t r a ct ed t o y ou . W h a t I’m sa y in g is, I w on ’t sleep w it h y ou .” “ I see.” “ It ’s n ot h in g per son a l,” h e a dded, look in g a n d

sou n din g a w k w a r d. “ Lik e I sa id, t h e a t t r a ct ion is t h er e, a n d I t h in k sex w it h y ou w ou ld be off t h e ch a r t s, bu t I’m in t h e m iddle of a cr a zy sit u a t ion r ig h t n ow a n d I ca n ’t focu s on a n y t h in g ot h er t h a n fix in g t h is m ess. I’m a lso n ot t h e k in d of m a n w h o does t h e w h ole ca su a l-flin g t h in g , so…” He t r a iled off, a s if t h a t sa id it a ll. “ I t ot a lly g et w h er e y ou ’r e com in g fr om .” Sh e pu r sed h er lips. “ T h er e’s ju st on e pr oblem .” “ Y ea h , a n d w h a t ’s t h a t ?” “ I’m t h e k in d of w om a n w h o w a n t s w h a t sh e ca n ’t h a v e.” Sh e h ea v ed ou t a m ock sig h . “ It ’s m y big g est fla w .” “ W h y does t h a t n ot su r pr ise m e?” His sm ile w a s br ief, qu ick ly r epla ced by a su spiciou s look . “ W h er e ex a ct ly a r e y ou g oin g w it h t h is, Rebecca ?” Sh e sh r u g g ed. “ I don ’t r ea lly k n ow . I’m ju st opt in g for fu ll disclosu r e h er e. T h er e is a ch a n ce I m ig h t sedu ce y ou .” His h u sk y la u g h t er br ou g h t a n ot h er sh iv er t o h er body . “ Fa ir en ou g h . I’ll ju st h a v e t o r esist , t h en .” “ T h a t ea sy , h u h ?” A sm u g n ot e en t er ed h is t on e. “ T h a t ea sy .” “ If y ou sa y so, darling.” W it h a lit t le g r in , sh e sn u g g led u n der h is coa t a n d t u r n ed h er h ea d, r est in g h er ch eek on t h e cool u ph olst er y of h er sea t . “ I’m g oin g t o sleep for a bit . I’m ex h a u st ed.” “ Good pla n . I sh ou ld pr oba bly ca t ch som e sh u t ey e m y self.” “ W a k e m e w h en w e la n d?” sh e a sk ed. “ W ill do.” “ Oh , a n d Nick ?” “ Y ea h ?” “ I’ll beg in for m u la t in g m y sedu ct ion pla n

t om or r ow .” “ I look for w a r d t o r esist in g it ,” h e sa id solem n ly . La u g h in g soft ly , sh e closed h er ey es a n d w en t t o sleep.

Chapter 9 “We st ill h a v en ’t fou n d t h em .”

A n a ber r a n t v ise of h elplessn ess squ eezed h is t h r oa t a s h e pa ced t h e ex pen siv e ca r pet in h is office. T h is w a s not t h e n ew s h e’d w a n t ed t o h ea r fir st t h in g in t h e m or n in g . “ W h er e t h e h ell a r e t h ey ?” h e dem a n ded. “ A n d h ow h a v e y ou n ot t r a ck ed t h em dow n y et ? Sh e’s on e of t h e m ost r ecog n iza ble w om en in t h e w or ld, for Ch r issa k e.” “ A n d h e’s on e of t h e m ost sk illed soldier s in t h e w or ld,” ca m e t h e a n n oy ed r espon se. “ Neit h er of t h em h a s su r fa ced in Ma la sin ce t h e sh oot -ou t a t t h e h ospit a l.” He clen ch ed h is t eet h , n ot in t h e m ood for t h e r em in der . For t u n a t ely , t h e m edia h a dn ’t u n cov er ed t h e t r u t h beh in d t h e sh oot in g , so Rebecca Pa r k er ’s in v olv em en t in t h e dea t h of t h e m er cen a r y w a s n ot com m on k n ow ledg e. A n d t h a n k s t o Pa r k er ’s ca ll t o h er n et w or k a n d h er a ssu r a n ce t h a t sh e w a s t a k in g som e t im e off t o g r iev e, t h e A BN ex ecu t iv es h a dn ’t r epor t ed t h eir st a r cor r espon den t m issin g . Y et . “ Sh e t old t h e r ecept ion ist sh e’s com in g ba ck t o D.C. soon .” He st opped pa cin g a n d a ppr oa ch ed t h e desk . “ I w a n t people a t h er a pa r t m en t , t h e n et w or k , h er fa v or it e h a u n t s. If Pa r k er st eps foot in t h is cit y , I w a n t t o k n ow a bou t it .” “ Of cou r se.” “ A n d w h a t ’s t h e la t est on W a v er ly ?” Ca r r a w a y sou n ded a g g r a v a t ed. “ No sig n of h im eit h er , bu t I’v e g ot m en look in g in t o it .” He br iefly closed h is ey es. Ba d en ou g h t h a t h e h a d t h r ee su per soldier s br ea t h in g dow n h is n eck . He a lso

h a d a m issin g g ov er n m en t a ide t o dea l w it h . Pa u l W a v er ly sh ou ld h a v e n ev er been a llow ed t o lea v e t h e Pen t a g on a ft er g iv in g Seba st ia n St on e t h a t t a in t ed w a t er ; t h e m a n w a s su pposed t o be n eu t r a lized, da m n it . Bu t n ow W a v er ly h a d t a k en off, t oo, fleein g in a pa n ic beca u se h e w a s sm a r t en ou g h t o k n ow t h a t h e w ou ld n eed t o be elim in a t ed for h is pa r t in t h is cov er -u p. “ Ju st fin d h im ,” h e g r u m bled in t o t h e r eceiv er . “ Ca ll m e la t er w it h a n u pda t e.” He h u n g u p a n d sa t dow n a t t h e desk . T ook a deep, ca lm in g br ea t h . A ll r ig h t . T im e t o pu sh t h e h ea da ch es ou t of h is m in d a n d con cen t r a t e on doin g t h e job people depen ded on h im t o do. Lea n in g for w a r d, h e pr essed t h e in t er com bu t t on t h a t con n ect ed t o h is secr et a r y . “ Ber n ice,” h e ba r k ed, “ w h a t ’s t h e fir st it em on t h e a g en da for t oda y ?” *** T h ey la n ded in Cost a Rica ju st a ft er 7 :0 0 a .m . Despit e t h e fiv e h ou r s of sleep, Nick didn ’t feel a t a ll r est ed or r efr esh ed. Rebecca , on t h e ot h er h a n d, look ed a s ch ipper a s a ca r t oon ch a r a ct er . Bou n cin g off t h e pla n e, t ippin g h er h ea d t o g a ze u p a t t h e br ig h t blu e sk y , sh a k in g h a n ds w it h Ma n u el a s sh e t h a n k ed h im w it h a br oa d sm ile. He w on der ed if sh e’d st ill be in g ood spir it s if sh e’d been for ced t o ex per ien ce t h e sa m e X -r a t ed dr ea m s t h a t h a d t a u n t ed h is su bcon sciou s a ll n ig h t . Rebecca , n a k ed, m oa n in g a n d w r it h in g ben ea t h h im . Ch r ist . His m in d h a d m a n a g ed t o pr odu ce su ch v iv id im a g es t h a t Nick felt lik e h e’d a ct u a lly been n a k ed w it h t h e sa ssy r edh ea d. Ba n ish in g h is w ick ed t h ou g h t s, h e slu n g h is du ffel

ov er h is sh ou lder , sh ov ed h is a v ia t or su n g la sses on t h e br idg e of h is n ose a n d r est ed a h a n d on Rebecca ’s u pper a r m t o lea d h er in t o t h e h a n g a r . T h e ca v er n ou s spa ce sm elled lik e oil, fu el a n d or a n g es, a n d it w a s dev oid of life a s t h ey st r ode in side. Fir st t h in g s fir st —fin d a m ode of t r a n spor t a t ion . T h is w a s t h e closest a ir field t o Pist a Olv ida da , bu t t h e t ow n w a s st ill a g ood t w o-h ou r dr iv e, a n d t h ey didn ’t h a v e a ca r . Spot t in g t w o m en in g r a y ju m psu it s n ea r a m et a l r a ck lit t er ed w it h t oolbox es, Nick offer ed a ca su a l w a v e a n d ca lled ou t , “¡Hola!” Bot h m en lift ed t h eir h a n ds in br isk w a v es. Nex t t o h im , Rebecca ’s h a n d t ig h t en ed ov er t h e st r a p of h er ca n v a s pu r se. “ Do w e h a v e t o sh ow t h em ou r pa sspor t s or som et h in g ?” sh e m u r m u r ed. Nick la u g h ed u n der h is br ea t h . “ Does t h is look lik e a r ea l a ir por t ? W e w on ’t be en cou n t er in g a n y cu st om s officia ls h er e, Red.” “ A h . Rig h t .” T h ey r ea ch ed t h e t w o m en , on e of w h om in t r odu ced h im self a s Ja v ier , t h e ow n er of t h is lesst h a n -leg a l a ir st r ip. Ja v ier w a s a st ock y m a n w it h a t h ick bla ck m u st a ch e a n d pock m a r k ed oliv e sk in , bu t ev en t h ou g h h e look ed slig h t ly m en a cin g , h e w a s su r pr isin g ly plea sa n t . “ W h a t br in g s y ou t o ou r lit t le t ow n ?” He m ov ed a w a y fr om t h e m ech a n ic h e’d been con su lt in g w it h a n d g est u r ed for Nick a n d Rebecca t o follow h im . A s t h e t h r ee of t h em h ea ded for t h e open door s w h er e su n lig h t st r ea m ed in t o t h e h a n g a r , Nick a ddr essed t h e m a n ’s in qu ir y . “ W e’r e ba ck pa ck in g t h r ou g h Cen t r a l a n d Sou t h A m er ica a n d decided t o m a k e a pit st op h er e t o t r a ck dow n a n old fr ien d.” “ I see.” Ja v ier ’s da r k ey es seem ed t o be sm ir k in g

a t t h em . “ A n d do y ou a lw a y s t r a v el by su ch … ba ck door m et h ods? Beca u se n ot m a n y t ou r ist s w in d u p in m y a ir por t , m y fr ien ds.” Nick ju st sh r u g g ed. “ W e lik e t o liv e on t h e edg e.” Beside h im , Rebecca h u ffed ou t a n ex a g g er a t ed br ea t h . “ Don ’t list en t o h im , Ja v ier . My boy fr ien d is ju st t r y in g t o pr ot ect m e.” T h e ow n er of t h e a ir field lift ed on e bu sh y ey ebr ow . “ How so?” “ I’m on a n o-fly list ,” sh e sa id g lu m ly . “ T h er e w a s a n …in ciden t …a few y ea r s ba ck . Let ’s ju st sa y I lost m y t em per a n d n ow I’m pa y in g t h e pr ice for it . No com m er cia l flig h t s for m e.” Now t h e m a n let ou t a g en u in e la u g h . “ T h is doesn ’t su r pr ise m e.” Sh e n a r r ow ed h er ey es. “ No?” St ill la u g h in g , Ja v ier r ea ch ed ou t a n d t u g g ed on t h e en d of Rebecca ’s lon g pon y t a il. “ T h e r ed h a ir ,” h e cla r ified. “ W om en w it h r ed h a ir a r e k n ow n t o h a v e fer ociou s t em per s.” “ T ell m e a bou t it ,” Nick sa id w it h a sig h . T h ey st epped ou t in t o t h e m or n in g su n sh in e a n d Nick br ea t h ed in t h e scen t of r a in , ea r t h a n d flor a . T h e a ir w a s u n bea r a bly h u m id, w h ich w a s w h a t y ou g ot w h en v isit in g Cost a Rica du r in g t h e w et sea son . He sh r u g g ed ou t of t h e ja ck et Rebecca h a d r et u r n ed t o h im befor e t h ey ’d la n ded a n d t u ck ed it u n der h is a r m , t h en g la n ced a t Ja v ier . “ Ou r fr ien d w a s in t h ese pa r t s a bou t a w eek a g o, bu t w e h a v e n o w a y of con t a ct in g h im .” “ No cell ph on e,” Rebecca sa id, sh a k in g h er h ea d in a m a zem en t . “ W h o doesn ’t h a v e a cell ph on e t h ese da y s?” “ He ca lled u s collect fr om som e lit t le t ow n . Pist a Olv ido? Olv ida —”

“ Olv ida da ,” Ja v ier filled in . “ Y ea h , t h a t w a s it . So h e ca lled a n d t old u s t o com e see h im if w e en ded u p h er e, bu t w e h a v e n o idea w h er e h e’s st a y in g or if h e’s ev en st ill t h er e.” “ Bu t h e w a s h er e a t y ou r a ir por t ,” Rebecca piped u p. “ He’s t h e on e w h o h ook ed u s u p w it h ou r pilot , Ma n u el.” Ja v ier st r ok ed h is m u st a ch e w it h on e m ea t y h a n d. “ A n d h e w a s h er e la st w eek , y ou sa y ?” Nick n odded. “ He’s fr om Lon don , bu t h e’s been liv in g in t h e St a t es so lon g t h a t h is a ccen t m ig h t n ot be a s pr on ou n ced a n y m or e. His n a m e is W illia m Nev ille.” T h e flick er of r ecog n it ion in Ja v ier ’s ey es t old Nick t h a t Nev ille a k a W a v er ly h a d in deed m a de a n a ppea r a n ce a t t h is a ir field. “ Y es, I r em em ber h im . Blon d h a ir , blu e ey es—” “ V a m pir e-w h it e sk in ,” Rebecca ch im ed in , g r in n in g . “ Y ea h , t h a t ’s W illie.” A lt h ou g h h e h a d t o h ide it , Nick w a s r idicu lou sly im pr essed w it h Rebecca ’s pla y a ct in g . T h e w om a n w a s qu ick on h er feet , h a n dlin g Ja v ier lik e a pr o, a n d ev er y w or d t h a t left h er m ou t h sou n ded lik e t h e h on est -t o-God t r u t h ; Nick h im self w ou ld’v e believ ed h er if h e didn ’t k n ow bet t er . “ W ell, I don ’t k n ow w h er e y ou r fr ien d is st a y in g or w h et h er h e’s st ill in t ow n , bu t a s of sev en da y s a g o, h e w as in Pist a Olv ida da ,” Ja v ier con fir m ed. Nick m a sk ed h is ea g er n ess. “ A r e y ou cer t a in ?” “ Qu it e cer t a in . I dr ov e h im t h er e m y self.” A fr ow n pu ck er ed Ja v ier ’s m ou t h . “ He w a sn ’t t h e fr ien dliest of m en . Slig h t ly r u de, if I’m bein g h on est .” Rebecca sig h ed a g a in . “ W illie t en ds t o g et cr a n k y a ft er a flig h t . A n d h e’s a Br it —w e a ll k n ow t h ose Br it s a r e n ot or iou sly sn oot y . Don ’t t a k e it per son a lly .”

Ja v ier la u g h ed a g a in . “ Y ou ’r e r ig h t a bou t t h a t . Da m n Br it s.” “ So y ou dr ov e h im t o Pist a Olv ida da ,” Nick pr om pt ed. “ Did h e sa y if h e pla n n ed on st ick in g a r ou n d?” “ He didn ’t sa y m u ch , bu t h e h a sn ’t been ba ck , so if h e left t ow n , h e didn ’t do it by pla n e. Un less h e flew com m er cia l or dr ov e t o a n ot h er pr iv a t e a ir por t —t h e n ea r est on e is a bou t t en h ou r s sou t h of h er e.” Nice. So ch a n ces w er e, W a v er ly w a s st ill in Cost a Rica , Nick t h ou g h t w it h sa t isfa ct ion . He look ed a r ou n d, n ot in g t h e t h r ee v eh icles pa r k ed n ea r by on t h e dir t . “ Is t h er e a n y w h er e t o r en t a ca r a r ou n d h er e? Or is Pist a Olv ida da w it h in w a lk in g dist a n ce?” “ Oh , n o, m y fr ien d, it is a v er y lon g w a lk . T w o h ou r s by ca r , m u ch lon g er by foot .” Nick a n d Rebecca ex ch a n g ed a look , a s if t h ey w er en ’t h a ppy t o h ea r t h is. “ Lu ck y for y ou , I a lso offer ca r r en t a ls,” Ja v ier sa id w it h a big , cr ook ed-t oot h ed sm ile. He h ook ed h is t h u m b a t a n older -m odel Jeep. “ T w o h u n dr ed bu ck s a da y .” W ow , t h a t w a s st eep, bu t Nick su pposed a m a n h a d t o m a k e a liv in g in t h is n o-h or se t ow n a n y w a y h e cou ld. Besides, h e cou ldn ’t im a g in e t h a t t h ey ’d be in t h e cou n t r y m or e t h a n t w en t y -fou r h ou r s. Nick r ea ch ed in t o h is ba ck pock et a n d pu lled ou t a r oll of bills. He peeled off t w o h u n dr ed-dolla r bills a n d h a n ded t h em t o Ja v ier . “ Let ’s sa y on e da y for n ow . If it ’s m or e, I’ll pa y y ou w h en w e br in g t h e ca r ba ck .” Ja v ier a ccept ed t h e bills a n d n odded in a g r eem en t . “ A n d if y ou cou ld a lso a r r a n g e for a ch a r t er ou t w h en w e r et u r n ?” Rebecca a sk ed sw eet ly . “ W e

pr oba bly w on ’t be v isit in g w it h W illie for t oo lon g , a n d w e’r e ea g er t o h ea d sou t h . V en ezu ela is n ex t on ou r it in er a r y .” “ I w ill see w h a t I ca n do,” Ja v ier sa id a s h e h a n ded Nick a set of ca r k ey s. “ T h e t a n k is fu ll. A n d it com es ba ck fu ll, y es?” “ Of cou r se,” Nick a ssu r ed h im . T h e t w o m en sh ook h a n ds, a n d t h en Ja v ier t ook Rebecca ’s h a n d a n d pla n t ed a w et k iss on h er k n u ck les. T o h er cr edit , sh e didn ’t ba lk or con v ey a n y sig n of disg u st . “ I w ill see y ou soon , t h en ,” Ja v ier t old t h em befor e st a lk in g ba ck in t o t h e h a n g a r . T h ey w a t ch ed h im g o, t h en t u r n ed t o ea ch ot h er w it h m a t ch in g g r in s. “ He is a st on ish in g ly a w esom e con sider in g h e ow n s a n illeg a l a ir por t a n d pr oba bly sm u g g les dr u g s t h r ou g h h er e,” Rebecca sa id w r y ly . Nick su dden ly t h ou g h t of t h e ch a r ism a t ic En r iqu e Sa la za r a n d h a d t o la u g h . Seem ed lik e n on e of t h e n efa r iou s ch a r a ct er s h e w a s m eet in g t h ese da y s w er e liv in g u p t o t h eir r epu t a t ion s. He t ook a st ep t ow a r d t h e Jeep. “ Com e on , let ’s g o. T h e soon er w e g et t h er e, t h e soon er w e fin d W a v er ly .” Sh e n odded en t h u sia st ica lly . “ T h e g a m e’s a foot , t h en !” He ch ok ed dow n h is a m u sem en t . “ W h a t ev er y ou sa y , W a t son .” “ W a t son ?” Her t r a dem a r k sm ir k r et u r n ed. “ Uh u h , Nick y , I’m Sh er lock . Y ou’re t h e sidek ick .” “ W h a t ev er h elps y ou sleep bet t er a t n ig h t , da r lin g .” *** Nick w a s h y per a w a r e of Rebecca du r in g t h e r ide

t o t h e coa st . Ex cr u cia t in g ly a w a r e, in fa ct . Er ect ion of-t h e-cen t u r y a w a r e. It didn ’t h elp t h a t t h e w om a n k ept lift in g h er pon y t a il u p, r ev ea lin g t h e t a n t a lizin g a r ch of h er g r a cefu l n eck a n d t h e lit t le r ed t en dr ils a t h er n a pe. Her sk in g list en ed w it h a sh een of sw ea t , t h a n k s t o t h e h u m idit y t h ick en in g t h e a ir a n d t h e su n bea t in g dow n on t h eir h ea ds. T h e br eeze t h a t r u sh ed t h r ou g h t h e open t op of t h e Jeep did n ot h in g t o ea se t h e fir e in h is g r oin . W h y did Rebecca Pa r k er h a v e t o be so da m n sex y ? A n d so da m n in t ellig en t ? He w a sn ’t su r e w h a t h e fou n d sex ier —t h ose st u n n in g look s of h er s, or h er a st u t e, pa ssion a t e r h et or ic. He’d a lw a y s h a d a t h in g for sm a r t w om en , a n d Rebecca ’s en dless w ell of k n ow ledg e a n d in sig h t w a s a m a jor t u r n -on . “ So y ea h , t h ey s teal t h e eg g s!” sh e w a s sa y in g , sou n din g liv id. Nick sn a pped ou t of h is t h ou g h t s a n d t r ied t o r em em ber w h a t t h ey w er e discu ssin g n ow . Sea t u r t les. Rig h t . “ A n d t h en t h ese a -h oles sell t h e eg g s, t h u s con t r ibu t in g t o t h e ex t in ct ion of t h e species.” Sh e a n g r ily sh ook h er h ea d, a n d h er w idebr im m ed st r a w h a t n ea r ly flew off. Ea r lier , t h ey ’d st opped a t t h e bu st lin g ou t door m a r k et pla ce t h ey ’d spot t ed a lon g t h e w a y a n d pick ed u p som e su pplies. Cou r t esy of h is st a ck of ca sh , Nick w a s a ble t o bu y Rebecca a few ch a n g es of clot h es a n d bet t er sh oes, a n d t h ey ’d a lso st ock ed u p on w a t er a n d fr esh fr u it . Now t h ey w er e a bou t t w en t y m in u t es fr om Pist a Olv ida da , a n d Nick cou ldn ’t sa y h e h a dn ’t en joy ed t h e r ide. Un cea sin g er ect ion a side, h e en joy ed Rebecca ’s com pa n y , ev en if sh e did t en d t o g o on lon g

dia t r ibes a bou t t h e in ju st ices of t h e w or ld. “ A n d t h en , t o m a k e m a t t er s w or se, w e’v e g ot a ll t h ese r esor t s bein g er ect ed—” His g r oin clen ch ed. Did sh e h a v e t o u se t h e w or d erected? “ —effect iv ely u su r pin g t h e n est in g g r ou n ds t h ese t u r t les h a v e been u sin g for cen t u r ies. Y ou k n ow w h a t , Nick ? I h a t e people. I r ea lly do. People su ck .” A la u g h r u m bled ou t . “ A w , com e on , n ot a ll people a r e eg g -st ea lin g , r esor t -bu ildin g v illa in s.” “ T r u e,” sh e r elen t ed. “ T h er e a r e som e g r ea t folk s w or k in g a t t h e pr eser v a t ion societ y . I v olu n t eer ed w it h t h em la st y ea r —w e spen t h ou r s dig g in g u p sea t u r t le eg g s a n d m ov in g t h em t o pr ot ect ed a r ea s, t h a t w a y t h ose n a st y t h iev es ca n ’t g et t h eir h a n ds on t h e eg g s.” T h e r ev ela t ion im pr essed t h e h ell ou t of h im . He w a s qu ick ly lea r n in g t h a t Rebecca w a s m or e t h a n a pr et t y fa ce y ou sa w on t elev ision . Sh e didn ’t ju st r epor t on st or ies—sh e in t er a ct ed w it h t h em , liv ed t h em , br ea t h ed t h em . W h ich br ou g h t bot h a spa r k of a dm ir a t ion a n d a t u g of dr ea d, t h e la t t er beca u se it w a s becom in g less a n d less lik ely t h a t sh e w ou ld m eek ly a g r ee t o g o t o Ecu a dor if h e pu sh ed t h e issu e. Up a h ea d, t h e r oa d sloped u pw a r d, h u g g in g a ja g g ed cliff t h a t ov er look ed t h e ocea n h u n dr eds of feet below . T o t h eir left w a s t h e ju n g le, em a n a t in g t h e fa m ilia r scen t of ea r t h y v eg et a t ion , w ildflow er s a n d a cr id r ot . Nick br ea t h ed it in , r em in ded of som e of h is ea r lier ops u n der T a t e’s com m a n d. T h e r oa d n a r r ow ed a n d cu r v ed, t h en dipped dow n a ft er fiv e or so m iles. “ It ’s so bea u t ifu l,” Rebecca r em a r k ed, h er g a ze focu sed on t h e spa r k lin g t u r qu oise ocea n . “ I’d lov e t o liv e som ew h er e lik e t h is on e da y .”

“ A n d be a w a y fr om t h e h u st le a n d bu st le of t h e cit y ? I ca n ’t see y ou g iv in g t h a t u p.” “ No?” He sh ot h er a sidelon g look . “ Na h , I t h in k y ou ’d m iss t h e ex cit em en t .” Her g r een ey es t w in k led pla y fu lly . “ I don ’t n eed t o be in a h ea v ily popu la t ed a r ea for t h a t . I ca n fin d ex cit em en t a n y w h er e.” Som et h in g h ot a n d su lt r y sizzled bet w een t h em , a n d it h a d n ot h in g t o do w it h t h e st iflin g t em per a t u r e. Nick br ok e ey e con t a ct a n d sw a llow ed a g r oa n . His low er body w a s on fir e. He w a s st iffer t h a n a t w oby -fou r , h is blood h u m m in g w it h a r ou sa l. For t u n a t ely , Rebecca w a sn ’t look in g a t h is cr ot ch , ot h er w ise h e k n ew sh e’d fla sh t h a t m isch iev ou s sm ile a n d t ea se h im m er cilessly . New a r om a s per m ea t ed t h e a ir a s t h ey dr ov e in t o t h e bea ch t ow n of Pist a Olv ida da . Sw eet flow er s, da r k spices, pu n g en t coffee, a n d u n der ly in g it a ll w a s t h e sa lt y scen t r ollin g off t h e ocea n . T h e t ow n offer ed on e m a in st r ip w it h a h a n dfu l of sh ops, r est a u r a n t s a n d ba r s. In t h e dist a n ce w a s a pict u r esqu e m a r in a , a n d a lon g dock w h er e v essels r a n g in g fr om bea t -u p speedboa t s t o g lea m in g w h it e sa ilboa t s w er e m oor ed. Nick pa r k ed in a spot on t h e st r eet a n d t h ey h opped ou t of t h e Jeep. “ So h ow a r e w e doin g t h is?” Rebecca a sk ed. “ Sa m e dea l? W e’r e look in g for ou r fr ien d W illie?” “ It w or k ed w it h Ja v ier . Mig h t a s w ell k eep u p t h e ch a r a de.” “ So I’m y ou r g ir lfr ien d a g a in .” “ Y ep.” “ Ok a y , t h en .” Befor e h e cou ld object , sh e r ou n ded t h e v eh icle

a n d t ook h is h a n d. W h en sh e in t er la ced t h eir fin g er s, t h e w a r m t h of h er pa lm seeped in t o h is a lr ea dy fev er ish flesh . “ Cou ples h old h a n ds,” sh e in for m ed h im . Her t on e w a s lig h t , bu t t h ose g r een ey es w er e da n cin g a g a in . Look ed lik e h er sedu ct ion pla n h a d officia lly been la u n ch ed. Nick decided t o pla y a lon g . T r u t h fu lly , h oldin g Rebecca ’s h a n d felt …n ice. He cou ldn ’t r em em ber t h e la st t im e h e’d h eld h a n ds w it h a w om a n . T h ey fell in t o st ep w it h ea ch ot h er a n d cr ossed t h e st r eet , h ea din g for a cor n er ba r t h a t fea t u r ed a g r een sig n clev er ly la belin g it a s “ T h e Ba r .” Sev er a l pa t r on s w er e sea t ed on t h e ou t door pa t io, a n d t h e lig h t br eeze blew cig a r et t e sm ok e in Nick a n d Rebecca ’s dir ect ion . Ev er y per son on t h e pa t io n a r r ow ed t h eir ey es su spiciou sly w h en t h ey g lim psed t h e a ppr oa ch in g cou ple. “ T h e loca ls m ig h t n ot be t oo w elcom in g ,” Rebecca m u r m u r ed. “ Na h ,” h e m u r m u r ed ba ck . “ T h ey ’ll w a r m u p on ce y ou u n lea sh t h a t sa ssy r edh ea d ch a r m .” Su r e en ou g h , h is pr edict ion pr ov ed cor r ect . W it h in t w o m in u t es of m eet in g Rebecca , ev er y m a n , w om a n a n d ch ild t h ey spok e t o fell in lov e w it h t h e r edh ea d. Un for t u n a t ely , n obody a dm it t ed to k n ow in g , seein g or h a v in g a n y in for m a t ion w h a t soev er a bou t on e W illia m Nev ille. For t h e n ex t h ou r , t h ey st r u ck ou t t im e a n d t im e a g a in . A ft er v isit in g ev er y est a blish m en t on t h e st r ip, t h ey dr ov e t o t h e m a r in a w h er e t h ey fin a lly h it pa y dir t a t a fish a n d ch ips r est a u r a n t r ig h t on t h e w a t er . T h e fish in g boa t ca pt a in t h ey en cou n t er ed t u r n ed ou t t o be a Ch a t t y Ca t h y , a n d m or e t h a n fa m ilia r

w it h Nick a n d Rebecca ’s pr ey . “ Nev ille! Y es, y es,” t h e ca pt a in sa id w it h a n en t h u sia st ic n od. “ He bou g h t Ru dy ’s pla ce by t h e du m p. I g a v e h im a lift ou t t h er e t o ch eck ou t t h e pr oper t y .” Nick ’s ch est t ig h t en ed w it h ex cit em en t . “ He’s st ill in t ow n , t h en ?” “ W ell, su r e. Ha v en ’t seen h im a r ou n d t h e st r ip, bu t I sa w h im on t h e w a t er ea r ly t h is m or n in g . Fish in g n ea r t h e cov e.” “ He h a s a boa t ?” Rebecca a sk ed in a ca r efu l t on e. T h e g r a y -h a ir ed ca pt a in g a v e a h ea r t y la u g h . “ If y ou ca n ca ll t h a t flim sy din g h y a boa t , t h en y es, h e h a s a boa t . T h e din g h y ca m e w it h t h e h ou se. So did t h e ca r . W h en old Ru dy dr opped dea d, h is k id sold ev er y t h in g in on e bu n dle.” Nick ch u ck led. “ W h o ex a ct ly w a s t h is Ru dy ?” “ A n A m er ica n . He v isit ed ou r t ow n a bou t t h ir t y y ea r s a g o a n d n ev er left . Cr a n k y son of a bit ch , a r ea l ch ea p ba st a r d, t oo, bu t h e h a d a k n a ck for fin din g t h e fish . W h en ev er I h a d a ba d ca t ch , I’d t a k e old Ru dy ou t on t h e w a t er t h e n ex t da y a n d t h a t ba st a r d w ou ld sn iff ou t t h e fish lik e a bloodh ou n d. It ’d m or e t h a n m a k e u p for t h e loss of t h e pr ev iou s da y .” T h e ca pt a in sig h ed r eg r et fu lly . “ I’ll m iss t h a t son of a bit ch .” T h ey en ded u p ch a t t in g w it h t h e color fu l ca pt a in for sev er a l m or e m in u t es, bu t n ot a bou t W a v er ly ; t h ey ’d a lr ea dy g ot t en t h e in t el t h ey ’d com e h er e for , in clu din g dir ect ion s t o Ru dy ’s bea ch h ou se. Bu t t h e ca pt a in seem ed t o a ppr ecia t e t h e com pa n y , a n d Nick felt slig h t ly ba d w h en h e fin a lly h a d t o cu t t h e m a n off a n d a n n ou n ce it w a s t im e for t h em t o g o. Rebecca ’s g r een ey es w er e filled w it h ex cit em en t a s t h ey left t h e w a t er fr on t r est a u r a n t a n d w a lk ed dow n t h e w ooden pier t ow a r d t h e m a r in a ’s en t r a n ce.

“ So w h a t n ow ?” sh e a sk ed. “ A r e w e h ea din g t o old Ru dy ’s pla ce or sh ou ld w e w a it u n t il n ig h t t im e? Y ou soldier s pr efer t h e cov er of da r k n ess, r ig h t ? Lik e, bein g on e w it h t h e sh a dow s a n d w h a t n ot ?” “ Fir st I w a n t t o ca se t h e pla ce.” He sh ot h er a st er n look befor e sh e cou ld open h er m ou t h . “ Ju st m e. A lon e.” “ A w , y ou ’r e m ea n . I h a ppen t o be a great ca ser .” He r olled h is ey es. “ Y ea h , I’m su r e. Bu t y ou ’r e st ill n ot com in g w it h m e. Y ou ’ll on ly slow m e dow n .” “ Ha v e I slow ed y ou dow n so fa r ?” sh e ch a llen g ed. “ No,” h e h a d t o con cede, “ bu t t h is is differ en t . It ’s r econ . I pr efer t o do r econ a lon e.” W h en t h ey r ea ch ed t h e Jeep, Rebecca pa u sed by t h e pa ssen g er door a n d t ig h t ly cr ossed h er a r m s ov er h er ch est . T h e pose pu sh ed h er br ea st s t og et h er a n d cr ea t ed a w h ole lot of clea v a g e in h er t ig h t w h it e t a n k t op. Nick ’s m ou t h w en t dr y a t t h e sig h t , a n d h e h a d t o for ce h im self n ot t o og le t h e t a n t a lizin g sw ell of cr ea m y w h it e sk in . “ A n d w h a t a m I su pposed t o do in t h e m ea n t im e?” sh e dem a n ded. “ Kn it a sw ea t er ?” He open ed t h e door a n d slid in t o t h e dr iv er ’s sea t . “ T a k e a n a p. Rea d a book . I’m su r e y ou ca n fin d w a y s t o en t er t a in y ou r self.” “ I’m n ot t ir ed, I don ’t h a v e a book , a n d in ca se y ou h a v en ’t n ot iced, w e didn ’t pa ss a sin g le m ot el dr iv in g t h r ou g h t ow n , so w h er e ex a ct ly a m I su pposed t o lie low a n d en t er t a in m y self?” Sh e r a ised a g ood poin t . A n d a lt h ou g h h e’d t ea sed h er a bou t it , sh e w a s a lso r ig h t a bou t t h a t cov er -ofda r k n ess issu e. He w ou ld m u ch r a t h er ch eck ou t W a v er ly ’s pla ce a t n ig h t w h en h e cou ld blen d in t o t h e sh a dow s a n d m ov e a r ou n d u n seen . Doin g r econ in br oa d da y lig h t defea t ed t h e pu r pose of…w ell, r econ .

Bu t w h a t ot h er ch oice did h e h a v e? It w a s on ly t en o’clock in t h e m or n in g . T h e su n w ou ldn ’t set u n t il a t lea st sev en , m a y be la t er . So u n less t h ey w a n t ed t o spen d t h e n ex t n in e or so h ou r s t w iddlin g t h eir t h u m bs, it look ed lik e a da y t im e m ission w a s in t h e ca r ds. Nick st a r t ed t h e en g in e, t h en w a it ed for Rebecca t o g et in a n d bu ck le u p. “ Y ou ’ll h a v e t o st a y in t h e ca r , t h en ,” h e t old h er . T h a t elicit ed a n u n h a ppy fr ow n , bu t sh e didn ’t pr ot est . “ Fin e.” He g a w k ed a t h er . “ W h a t ?” sh e m u t t er ed. “ Did y ou r ea lly ju st a g r ee t o m y r equ est w it h ou t pu t t in g u p a n a r g u m en t ?” He pu lled ou t of t h e m a r in a lot a n d h ea ded in t h e dir ect ion t h e ca pt a in h a d t old t h em . “ Requ est ? Y ou don ’t r equ est , Nick . Y ou com m a n d.” He sig h ed. “ Not u su a lly . W it h y ou , t h e com m a n ds ju st com e ou t .” “ Oh , r ea lly ? So y ou don ’t t y pica lly or der w om en a r ou n d?” Sh e sou n ded ex t r em ely in t r ig u ed. “ Nope. I’m a g en t lem a n , r em em ber ? V er y polit e a n d r espect fu l.” “ A r e y ou sa y in g I br in g ou t t h e r u de, disr espect fu l a -h ole in y ou ?” “ I g u ess so.” La u g h in g , h e st epped on t h e g a s a n d pick ed u p speed a s t h ey dr ov e a w a y fr om t h e h ea r t of t ow n . W a v er ly ’s h ideou t w a s on ly a t en -m in u t e dr iv e a ccor din g t o t h e fish in g ca pt a in , a n d it r equ ir ed follow in g a lon g , du st y r oa d lin ed w it h t ow er in g t r ees a n d den se folia g e on bot h sides. Fiv e m in u t es in , t h e odor of g a r ba g e t h ick en ed t h e a ir a n d m a de t h em

bot h w r in k le t h eir n oses. “ A n d t h er e’s t h e du m p,” Rebecca sa id, h er g a ze fix in g on t h e w ooden sig n in dica t in g t h e t u r n off for t h e t ow n ’s g a r ba g e du m p. “ W h y w ou ld a n y on e w illin g ly liv e n ea r a du m p?” “ Clea r ly old Ru dy w a s a r isk t a k er .” Sh e la u g h ed. “ Clea r ly . Hey , did y ou a lso fin d it w eir d t h a t t h e ca pt a in seem ed t o k n ow a sca r y a m ou n t a bou t Ru dy ?” “ Not r ea lly . I m ea n , Ru dy w a s a g en u in e fish w h isper er —of cou r se h e w a s popu la r a r ou n d t h ese pa r t s.” A n ot h er m elodic la u g h left h er m ou t h a n d t ick led h is ea r s. “ I g u ess y ou ’r e r ig h t . I k in d of w ish I g ot t o m eet h im . It sou n ds lik e h e w a s a n in t er est in g ch a r a — Hey , y ou m issed t h e t u r n off,” sh e su dden ly sa id. “ T h e ca pt a in sa id t o t u r n a t t h e r ed fen ce.” Now Nick w a s t h e on e la u g h in g . “ W e’r e n ot g oin g t o pu ll u p r ig h t in t o h is dr iv ew a y , Red. W e m a y a s w ell w a v e a r ou n d a big sig n t h a t sa y s W e’r e Com in g for Y ou .” He sn or t ed. “ Ha , I k n ew y ou ’d be t er r ible a t r econ .” Sh e st u ck ou t h er t on g u e a t h im . “ W ow , r ea l m a t u r e of y ou , Rebecca .” T h is t im e sh e g a v e h im t h e fin g er . “ Ev en m or e m a t u r e,” h e sa id m ock in g ly , bu t h is lips w er e t w it ch in g w it h a m u sem en t . Jeez. He w a s h a v in g w a y t oo m u ch fu n w it h t h is w om a n . He defin it ely n eeded t o st op t h a t . He k ept dr iv in g for a n ot h er fift y y a r ds or so, slow in g dow n w h en h e n ea r ed a sect ion of r oa d w h er e t h e v eg et a t ion w a s t h ick er . “ Hold on t o t h e da sh ,” h e t old h er . “ Mig h t g et bu m py .” Sh e ba r ely h a d t im e t o r espon d w h en h e’d v eer ed off t h e r oa d a n d dr ov e dir ect ly in t o t h e t h ick ca n opy

of t r ees. T h e Jeep bou n ced a s it t r a v eled ov er t h e t a n g le of v in es a n d r ot t in g u n der g r ow t h t h a t m a de u p t h e ju n g le floor , a n d t h e su n disa ppea r ed fr om v iew , h idden by t h e t r ees. Ev er y t h in g w a s g r een a n d lu sh in t h e r a in y sea son , a n d t h e a ir sm elled lik e fr a g r a n t w ildflow er s a n d da m p ea r t h . Pa lm fr on ds scr a ped t h e sides of t h e Jeep a s t h e v eh icle sk idded t o a st op in a sm a ll clea r in g . T h e t r ees pr ov ided sh a de, bu t n o pr ot ect ion in t er m s of bu g s. T h e m om en t Nick k illed t h e en g in e, m osqu it oes sw a r m ed t h e v eh icle, w h izzin g pa st h is ea r s w it h a h ig h -pit ch ed w h in e. A s Rebecca beg a n sw a t t in g a t t h e per sist en t in sect s a n d cu r sin g in h er n on cu r sin g w a y , Nick h opped ou t a n d g r a bbed h is g o ba g fr om t h e ba ck of t h e Jeep. He r u m m a g ed t h r ou g h it , fou n d a ca n of h ea v y -du t y bu g r epellen t , a lon g w it h a m osqu it o n et t h a t h e t ossed t o Rebecca . T h en h e beg a n t o a r m h im self, slidin g a pist ol in t o h is w a ist ba n d, a k n ife sh ea t h on h is h ip, a secon d pist ol in h is r ig h t boot a n d a n ot h er dea dly KA -BA R in h is left on e. W h en h e fin ish ed, h e st a lk ed t o t h e pa ssen g er -side door a n d h eld ou t a 9 -m illim et er Ber et t a . “ Y ou k n ow h ow t o u se t h is, r ig h t ?” Sh e n odded. “ I g o t o t h e t a r g et r a n g e ev er y cou ple of m on t h s, a n d I h a v e a per m it t o ca r r y .” “ Good. Sa fet y ’s on , k eep it t h a t w a y . Mov e in t o t h e dr iv er ’s sea t a n d don ’t g et ou t of t h e ca r , n o m a t t er w h a t . If I’m n ot ba ck in a n h ou r —” Her ey es w iden ed. “ W h y w ou ldn ’t y ou com e ba ck —” “ —I w a n t y ou t o g et t h e h ell ou t of h er e. Ma k e y ou r w a y t o t h e a ir field a n d ca ll T a t e. He’ll a r r a n g e for a pla n e t o t a k e y ou t o Ecu a dor . Un der st ood?” A ft er a m om en t , sh e n odded a g a in .

“ W it h t h a t sa id, I’ll be ba ck sh or t ly ,” h e a ssu r ed h er . “ Y ou bet t er be,” sh e g r u m bled. “ I ca n ’t do t h is a lon e, Nick . Y ou ’r e t h e W a t son t o m y Sh er lock , r em em ber ?” He la u g h ed a g a in a n d r esist ed t h e u r g e t o do som et h in g st u pid, lik e lea n in a n d k iss h er g oodby e. T h e m er e t h ou g h t of feelin g Rebecca ’s pou t y lips pr essed a g a in st h is ow n sen t a bolt of lu st st r a ig h t t o h is g r oin , a n d h e t ook a st ep ba ck befor e h e g a v e in t o t h e ov er pow er in g u r g e. “ Rem em ber , st a y pu t ,” h e sa id in a st r ict t on e. “ Y es, sir .” He left h er in t h e Jeep a n d disa ppea r ed in t o t h e t r ees, sw ift ly m a k in g h is w a y t h r ou g h t h e h ea v y br u sh . His boot s didn ’t m a k e a sou n d a s t h ey st epped ov er t h e ov er g r ow n ju n g le floor ; y ea r s of t r a in in g a n d ex per ien ce h a d h on ed h is a bilit y t o m ov e lik e a g h ost . T h e h a lf-m ile t r ek t o W a v er ly ’s pr oper t y didn ’t t a k e lon g , a n d soon t h e h ou se beca m e v isible t h r ou g h t h e t r ees. Nick fou n d h im self st a r in g a t a sm a ll sh a ck con st r u ct ed fr om a n u n u su a l com bin a t ion of br ick a n d w ood, w it h a br ow n cla y -t iled r oof a n d a fr on t cou r t y a r d ov er r u n w it h dir t a n d sa n d. He cou ldn ’t see t h e ocea n , bu t h e cou ld sm ell it , sa lt a n d sea w eed a n d fr esh a ir . Fla t t en in g h im self a g a in st a g n a r led t r ee t r u n k , h e dr ew h is g u n a n d ex a m in ed t h e h ou se. T h r ou g h t h e blossom in g folia g e h e m a de ou t a r u st -cov er ed seda n . Som eon e w a s h om e, t h en , u n less W a v er ly w a s ou t on t h a t din g h y t h e ca pt a in h a d m en t ion ed. Nick cr ept closer , a ssessin g , pin poin t in g en t r y poin t s. Fr on t door . On e w in dow . Sa t isfied, h e m a de h is w a y t o t h e ba ck of t h e

h ou se, t r a v elin g silen t ly t h r ou g h t h e br u sh . His g r ip on t h e 9 m illim et er w a s solid; t h e w ea pon h a d becom e a n ex t en sion of h is h a n d ov er t h e y ea r s. A r ick et y w ooden deck g r a ced t h e r ea r of t h e sh a ck , r in g ed by a sla t t ed r a ilin g w it h sev er a l br ok en post s. Nick ’s g a ze zer oed in on t h e beer bot t le sit t in g on t h e r a il. Con den sa t ion dr ipped dow n t h e side of t h e bot t le, h in t in g t h a t it h a d been r ecen t ly open ed. Foot st eps. His spin e st iffen ed w h en h e h ea r d t h e foot st eps. He edg ed ba ck w a r d, ca m ou fla g ed by t h e t r ees, bu t h e st ill h a d a clea r lin e of sig h t t o t h e m a n w h o’d ju st st epped on t o t h e deck . Pa u l W a v er ly . Jack pot. T h e t a ll, blon d m a n w or e k h a k i sh or t s a n d a w h it e polo T -sh ir t , a n d t h e Cost a Rica n su n sh in e h a d br ou g h t som e color t o h is n or m a lly pa le fa ce, w h ich m ea n t t h a t h e n o lon g er r esem bled som eon e w h o’d spen t h is en t ir e life lock ed u p in a n a t t ic. He h a d som et h in g in h is h a n d. A cell ph on e. He w a s t y pin g fu r iou sly on t h e k ey pa d a n d h e didn ’t look h a ppy . Not by a lon g sh ot . Nick sh ift ed h is g a ze a n d n ot ed t h e la r g e w in dow beh in d t h e blon d m a n , t h en t h e scr een door w it h it s m esh t or n t o h ell. W h en h e con clu ded h is a ppr a isa l, h e m a de h is w a y t h r ou g h t h e t r ees a g a in , t h is t im e em er g in g a t t h e side of t h e h ou se. Now h e cou ld see t h e ocea n . A bou t a h u n dr ed y a r ds a w a y , a n d g et t in g t h er e r equ ir ed a t r ek dow n a r ock y slope t h a t open ed on t o bla ck sa n d r a t h er t h a n w h it e, a pr odu ct of t h e v olca n ic r ock m u ch of t h e la n dsca pe h a d been ca r v ed ou t of. He g lim psed a sm a ll w ooden dock a t t h e w a t er ’s edg e w h er e a n old w h it e m ot or boa t w a s t ied u p.

Sa t isfied, h e r et u r n ed t o t h e ba ck of t h e h ou se, bu t W a v er ly w a s n o lon g er on t h e deck . A fla sh of m ov em en t in t h e w in dow con fir m ed t h a t t h e m a n h a d g on e in side. Nick st a r ed a t t h e scr een door , t h ou g h t fu l. T h er e w a s r ea lly n o r ea son w h y h e cou ldn ’t m a k e a m ov e r ig h t n ow . T h e h ou se w a s isola t ed, n o n eig h bor s for m iles. A n d y es, it w a s da y lig h t , bu t W a v er ly w a s in door s. Un less t h e DoD a ide h a d t en body g u a r ds w it h a ssa u lt r ifles in t h er e—w h ich Nick h ig h ly dou bt ed— g a in in g t h e u pper h a n d on t h e m a n w ou ld be a piece of ca k e. He ch eck ed t h e t a ct ica l w a t ch on h is w r ist . On ly fift een m in u t es h a d pa ssed sin ce h e’d left Rebecca . It sh ou ldn ’t t a k e lon g t o h a n dle W a v er ly . A n d if t h e m a n r efu sed t o t a lk , h e cou ld a lw a y s t ie h im u p a n d g o ba ck t o t h e Jeep t o g r a b Rebecca befor e h is h ou r w a s u p. Decision m a de, Nick pa lm ed h is w ea pon a n d st epped ou t of t h e br u sh .

Chapter 10 Rebecca ’s

a r m s w er e g et t in g a r ea l w or k ou t sw a t t in g a t t h e r elen t less m osqu it oes t h a t w er e det er m in ed t o possess h er blood. For t u n a t ely , t h e n et t in g k ept t h e a n n oy in g in sect s ou t of h er fa ce, a n d t h e bu g r epellen t sh e’d spr a y ed a ll ov er h er self seem ed t o be w or k in g . T h e bu g s sw a r m ed, bu t so fa r n on e h a d been br a v e en ou g h t o t a k e a bit e. Nick h a d been g on e for n ea r ly t h ir t y m in u t es. Sh e k ept ch eck in g t h e t im e on t h e scr een of t h e secu r e cell ph on e h e’d g iv en h er . T h e n u m ber s for h is fr ien ds w er e a lr ea dy pr og r a m m ed in , bu t sh e didn ’t pla n on m a k in g a n y ca lls. No w a y w a s sh e a ba n don in g Nick h er e. If h e w a sn ’t ba ck in a n h ou r , sh e h a d ev er y in t en t ion of t r a ck in g h im dow n a n d sa v in g h is bu t t . Sh e k ept a com for t a ble g r ip on t h e Ber et t a in h er h a n d, g r a t efu l for a ll t h ose sh oot in g lesson s h er fa t h er h a d for ced on h er w h en sh e w a s g r ow in g u p. T h eo Pa r k er , God bless h is sou l, h a d desper a t ely w a n t ed a son , a boy h e cou ld t a k e h u n t in g a n d fish in g , a m a le h e cou ld g r oom t o t a k e ov er t h e la w fir m on e da y . In st ea d, h e’d g ot t en a da u g h t er , a n d y et t o h is w ife’s dism a y , it w a s t h e k in d of da u g h t er n eit h er of t h em h a d ex pect ed. Rebecca w a s t h e fu r t h est t h in g fr om a sw eet Geor g ia n pea ch . Fr om a y ou n g a g e, sh e’d been fea r less, feist y , da r in g . A n a bsolu t e t er r or , in fa ct . Sh e’d dr iv en h er pa r en t s cr a zy by r u n n in g a r ou n d w it h t h e boy s a n d ca u sin g h ea ps of t r ou ble a r ou n d t h e n eig h bor h ood. Bz z z z z z z . A n ot h er m osqu it o flew by h er ea r . Ug h . Sh e w h oleh ea r t edly believ ed t h a t m osqu it oes w er e t h e m ost u seless in sect s on t h e pla n et . W h o ca r ed if t h ey h elped t h e food ch a in g o r ou n d—t h e cr ea t u r es t h a t fed

on m osqu it oes cou ld ea sily fin d som et h in g else t o ea t , in h er h u m ble opin ion . Bz z z z z z z . Sh e sla pped a w a y t h e n ex t in t r u der . “ For t h e lov e of—” A g u n sh ot sliced t h r ou g h t h e a ir . Rebecca fr oze. A s h er pu lse sped u p, sh e peer ed in t h e dir ect ion Nick h a d g on e in , bu t h er sex y soldier didn ’t com e bu r st in g ou t of t h e t r ees. T h a t h a d been a g u n sh ot , t h ou g h . Rig h t ? Pa n ic soa r ed in side h er , a lon g w it h a r u sh of fea r t h a t seized h er ch est a n d m a de it difficu lt t o br ea t h e. Sh e su ck ed a deep g u st of ox y g en in t o h er lu n g s, for cin g h er self t o r ela x . T o t h in k . Ok a y , so sh e’d h ea r d a sh ot . T h a t didn ’t m ea n Nick w a s in t r ou ble. Ma y be h e— Maybe he w hat? a n in cr edu lou s v oice dem a n ded. He w as only s uppos ed to cas e the hous e! There’s no reas on for anyone to be s hooting anything! Her h ea r t st a r t ed bea t in g ev en fa st er , pou n din g a fr a n t ic r h y t h m in h er ch est . T a k in g a n ot h er deep br ea t h , sh e ju m ped ou t of t h e Jeep, t or e off t h e m osqu it o n et a n d a dju st ed h er g r ip on t h e Ber et t a . Sh e a im ed a t t h e t r ees, bu t t h er e w a s n o m ov em en t , n o sig n t h a t sh e w a s sh a r in g t h is ju n g le w it h a n y t h in g ot h er t h a n t h e pesk y m osqu it oes a n d t h e m y st er iou s cr ea t u r es t h a t scu t t led a cr oss t h e t a n g led u n der g r ow t h on t h e g r ou n d. Sh e t ook a st ep for w a r d, t h en h a lt ed a s Nick ’s or der ech oed in h er h ea d. Don’t get out of the car, no m atter w hat. Her t eet h sa n k in t o h er bot t om lip. Sh e st ood t h er e, t or n . Did h ea r in g a g u n sh ot cou n t a s no m atter w hat?

Pr oba bly , bu t da r n it , sh e cou ldn ’t ju st do nothing. W h a t if Nick w a s in t r ou ble? A qu ick peek w ou ldn ’t h u r t , r ig h t ? Sh e’d ch eck ou t t h e h ou se, ju st t o m a k e su r e t h a t h e w a s a ll r ig h t , a n d if ev er y t h in g look ed k osh er , sh e’d sim ply sn ea k ba ck t o t h e Jeep a n d Nick w ou ld n ev er be t h e w iser . W it h a decisiv e n od, sh e st a r t ed t o w a lk , m a k in g h er w a y t ow a r d W a v er ly ’s pr oper t y . Sh e cr in g ed ea ch t im e a t w ig sn a pped ben ea t h t h e h ik in g boot s Nick h a d bou g h t h er . It w a s difficu lt t o m ov e qu iet ly w h en t h e ju n g le floor w a s cov er ed w it h v in es a n d br a n ch es a n d dr ied lea v es, a ll of w h ich m a de so m u ch n oise it w a s lik e sh e w a s w a lk in g t o t h e t u n e of h er ow n per son a l sou n d t r a ck . Sev er a l m in u t es la t er , sh e ca u g h t a g lim pse of t h e h ou se’s cla y r oof, a fla sh of r eddish -br ow n a m id t h e g r een er y . Sh e a ppr oa ch ed w it h ca u t ion , t h en du ck ed beh in d a t r ee a n d ca r efu lly peek ed ou t . Her g a ze sw ept ov er t h e ba ck of t h e dila pida t ed sh a ck , t h e open scr een door , t h e cu r t a in less w in dow . No m ov em en t in fr on t of t h e w in dow or t h e door . Not a sin g le sou n d w a ft ed ou t of t h e h ou se. No sig n of Nick . Sh e w a sn ’t su r e if t h a t w a s a g ood t h in g or a ba d t h in g . If h e w a s st ill ca sin g t h e pla ce, t h en h e’d pr oba bly be h idden a w a y som ew h er e, so of cou r se t h er e’d be n o sig n of h im . Bu t t h en w h a t h a d t h a t g u n sh ot been a bou t ? W a s W a v er ly doin g t a r g et pr a ct ice a r ou n d t h e side of t h e h ou se or som et h in g ? Sh e bit h er lip a g a in , u n su r e of h er n ex t m ov e. Did sh e k eep look in g for Nick , or did sh e h ea d ba ck t o t h e ca r ? Sh e w a s deba t in g w h a t t o do w h en a secon d g u n sh ot cr a ck ed in t h e a ir .

Nick . A s a r u sh of a dr en a lin e sizzled in h er bloodst r ea m , Rebecca spr in t ed ou t of t h e t r ees a n d r a ced t ow a r d t h e ba ck door w it h ou t a sin g le con cer n for h er sa fet y . Sh e pr a ct ica lly div ed t h r ou g h t h e br ok en scr een door , st u m blin g in t o a n a r r ow cor r idor , t h en blin k in g w ildly a s sh e t r ied t o or ien t h er self. God, w h er e w a s Nick ? Ha d h e been sh ot ? Pa n ic, t er r or a n d w or r y ja m m ed in h er t h r oa t , bu t sh e m a n a g ed t o k eep m ov in g . W h en m u ffled t h u ds a n d m a le g r u n t s g r eet ed h er ea r s, r elief cr a sh ed in t o h er w it h t h e for ce of a n 1 8 -w h eeler . T h er e w a s m or e t h a n on e per son in t h is h ou se. T h a t m ea n t Nick w a s st ill a liv e. Sh e follow ed t h e sou n ds of a scu ffle t o t h e ot h er side of t h e h ou se a n d qu ick ly em er g ed in t o a sm a ll liv in g r oom . Rebecca ’s h ea r t bea t a cceler a t ed a s sh e a bsor bed t h e scen e in fr on t of h er . Nick w a s on t h e floor , w r est lin g w it h a bu lk y blon d m a n sh e k n ew h a d t o be Pa u l W a v er ly . A n g r y cu r ses a n d r a g g ed br ea t h in g filled t h e a ir , t h en a lou d sn a p a s a fist con n ect ed w it h a ja w . Hea r t pou n din g , Rebecca r a ised h er g u n a n d t ook a im , bu t sh e didn ’t da r e fir e a sh ot , n ot w h en t h er e w a s t h e r isk of h it t in g Nick . W h et h er or n ot t o pu ll t h e t r ig g er beca m e a m oot poin t , beca u se Nick g a in ed con t r ol of t h e sit u a t ion in t h e blin k of a n ey e, flippin g W a v er ly on t o h is ba ck a n d st r a ddlin g t h e m a n w it h a g r ow l. “ Don ’t m ov e,” h e sn a pped. “ Scr ew y ou !” W a v er ly spa t ou t . Nick ja m m ed t h e m u zzle of h is g u n in t o W a v er ly ’s t h r oa t . A s t h e m a n m a de a lou d g a g g in g n oise, Nick ’s sh ou lder s su dden ly st iffen ed a n d h is g a ze

sh a r ply m ov ed t o t h e door w a y . He sw or e lou dly . “ I t old y ou t o st a y pu t !” Rebecca offer ed a feeble sh r u g . “ I h ea r d a sh ot a n d…” Sh e t r a iled off, k n ow in g h e w a sn ’t in t h e m ood t o h ea r h er ex cu ses. Bu t sh e r efu sed t o a polog ize for disr eg a r din g h is or der s. W h a t if h e h a dn ’t m a n a g ed t o su bdu e W a v er ly ju st n ow ? W h a t if h e’d t r u ly n eeded h er h elp? On t h e floor , Nick let ou t a n ot h er cu r se. His br ow n ey es g la r ed da g g er s a t h er befor e t a k in g on a r esig n ed lig h t . “ W ell, fin e. A s lon g a s y ou ’r e h er e, see if y ou ca n fin d som et h in g t o t ie t h is son of a bit ch u p w it h .” *** T en m in u t es la t er , Pa u l W a v er ly w a s secu r ed sn u g ly t o a ch a ir t h a t Nick liber a t ed fr om t h e m a n ’s din et t e set . Usin g t h e r oll of du ct t a pe Rebecca h a d fou n d in t h e k it ch en , Nick h a d r est r a in ed W a v er ly ’s h a n ds, feet a n d t or so. T h e en t ir e t im e, h e’d been in fu r ia t in g ly con sciou s of Rebecca ’s pr esen ce, bu t h e’d for ced h im self t o bit e ba ck h is a n g er . T h e w om a n seem ed in ca pa ble of follow in g or der s, a n d a t t h e m om en t , h er pr esen ce bot h er ed h im on a w h ole ot h er lev el. W h o k n ew w h a t h e’d h a v e t o do t o g et W a v er ly t o t a lk , a n d h e didn ’t feel com for t a ble r esor t in g t o for cefu l m et h ods of per su a sion in fr on t of Rebecca . Ca ll h im old-fa sh ion ed, bu t h e’d been r a ised w it h t h e belief t h a t w om en n eeded t o be pr ot ect ed a n d k ept ou t of h a r m ’s w a y . A llow in g Rebecca t o w it n ess a pot en t ia l t or t u r e session didn ’t r ea lly a dh er e t o eit h er of t h ose r u les. How ev er , w h en h e t u r n ed t o a sk h er t o lea v e t h e r oom , t h e st u bbor n w om a n ju st cr ossed h er a r m s a n d sa id, “ Don ’t ev en t h in k a bou t it . I’m n ot g oin g

a n y w h er e.” T h e m a n in t h e ch a ir su dden ly su ck ed in a br ea t h a s h is g a ze sh ift ed t o t h e door w a y w h er e Rebecca st ood. W a v er ly h a d been st a r in g a t h er for t h e pa st t en m in u t es, a n d r ecog n it ion h a d fin a lly da w n ed on h is fa ce. “ A r e y ou …y ou ’r e Rebecca Pa r k er !” h e spu t t er ed, h is ice-blu e ey es w iden in g . “ W h a t t h e h ell a r e y ou doin g h er e?” “ Sh u t u p,” Nick sn a pped. “ I’m t h e on e a sk in g t h e qu est ion s h er e.” “ Scr ew y ou !” Nick g la r ed a t t h e m a n w h o’d n ea r ly blow n h is h ea d off. He w a s pissed off bey on d belief, bu t a t t h e sa m e t im e, h e g r u dg in g ly h a d t o g iv e W a v er ly k u dos for ca t ch in g h im off g u a r d. St a n din g on t h e ba ck deck , t h e DoD a ide h a dn ’t r ev ea led a n y in dica t ion t h a t h e’d r ea lized h e w a s bein g w a t ch ed, a n d y et t h e secon d Nick a t t em pt ed a st ea lt h en t r a n ce, W a v er ly h a d popped ou t of a door w a y w it h a g u n in h a n d. On ly t h e a ide’s piss-poor a im h a d sa v ed Nick fr om a bu llet t o t h e h ea d. A s t h e bu llet lodg ed in t o t h e w a ll fiv e in ch es fr om h is left ea r , h e’d qu ick ly disa r m ed W a v er ly , bu t t h e ot h er m a n h a d m a n a g ed t o m a k e a r u n for t h e fr on t door , u n fa zed by t h e w a r n in g sh ot Nick h a d fir ed a t h is feet . Despit e W a v er ly ’s foot ba ll-pla y er bu ild, Nick h a d fin a lly br ou g h t t h e m a n dow n , a n d n ow h e loom ed ov er h is ca pt iv e, t h ou g h h e cou ld h a v e don e w it h ou t Rebecca lu r k in g in t h e door w a y lik e t h a t . “ W h o a r e y ou ?” W a v er ly dem a n ded w it h a scow l. Nick ’s ja w t ig h t en ed. “ T a k e a w ild g u ess.” T h e m a n ’s ch eek s t u r n ed r ed. “ If I k n ew t h a t , I w ou ldn ’t h a v e a sk ed! T h ey sen t y ou t o k ill m e, didn ’t t h ey ?”

He a r ch ed a br ow . “ W h o’s t h ey ?” “ Y ou k n ow da m n w ell w h o I’m t a lk in g a bou t .” W a v er ly ’s g a ze dr ift ed t o Rebecca a n d h is r esolv e seem ed t o fa lt er . “ Bu t w h y is s he h er e? Y ou ca n ’t k ill m e in fr on t of a jou r n a list .” “ Nobody is k illin g a n y body .” Nick pa u sed. “ A t lea st n ot y et . Fir st , y ou ’r e g oin g t o t ell m e ev er y t h in g I n eed t o k n ow . T h en I’ll decide if I’m g oin g t o let y ou liv e.” “ W h o are y ou ?” A m iser a ble n ot e en t er ed W a v er ly ’s v oice. “ I’m a collea g u e of Seba st ia n St on e.” W a v er ly w en t ev en pa ler , a fea t Nick w ou ld h a v e deem ed im possible. “ St on e,” t h e m a n m u m bled. “ Y es, Seba st ia n St on e. Y ou k n ow , t h e g u y y ou t r ied t o in fect w it h a dea dly v ir u s?” Nick sa id sa r ca st ica lly . T h er e w a s a lon g silen ce, a n d t h en W a v er ly ’s br ea t h h it ch ed a n d u n der st a n din g da w n ed in h is ey es. “ Y ou ’r e on e of t h em . On e of t h e t h r ee soldier s w h o sk ipped t ow n .” “ Giv e t h e m a n a cig a r .” Nick m ov ed t ow a r d t h e flow er -pa t t er n ed sofa a n d lea n ed a g a in st t h e a r m , a bsen t ly r est in g h is g u n on h is t h ig h . “ It bodes w ell t h a t y ou k n ow w h o I a m . So n ow t ell m e, w h o a u t h or ized t h e k illin g of m y u n it ?” W a v er ly didn ’t a n sw er . “ Com e on , Pa u l. Or W illia m . Or w h a t ev er y ou w a n t t o ca ll y ou r self t h ese da y s. Let ’s n ot pla y g a m es. W h o w a n t s m e a n d m y m en dea d?” Mor e st on y silen ce. “ W h o decided it w a s a g ood idea t o en g in eer t h e Mer idia n v ir u s a n d t est it in Sa n Ma r qu ez?” “ I’m n ot sa y in g a g odda m n w or d,” W a v er ly

m u m bled. “ Go a h ea d a n d k ill m e. Eit h er w a y , I’m dea d.” “ Y ea h , h ow do y ou fig u r e t h a t ?” “ If I t a lk , t h ey ’ll k n ow , a n d t h en t h ey ’ll h u n t m e dow n a n d k ill m e—bu t it w on ’t be fa st . T h ey ’ll dr a g it ou t , m a k e m e su ffer ….” T h e m a n ’s A da m ’s a pple bobbed a s h e g u lped. “ So g o a h ea d. Do it . Pu ll t h e t r ig g er . A t lea st w it h y ou , it ’ll be fa st .” “ Sa y s w h o?” Nick a sk ed soft ly . In t h e door w a y , Rebecca g a sped. Ig n or in g t h a t squ ea k y sou n d of dist r ess, Nick dr a g g ed t h e ba r r el of h is g u n ov er h is t h ig h a n d fix ed h is g a ze on t h e m a n bou n d t o t h e ch a ir . “ Y ou u n der est im a t e m e, Pa u l. See, I’m n ot t h e sa m e m a n I w a s a y ea r a g o. I w a s ch a sed ou t of t ow n w h en a g u n m a n decided t o br ea k in t o m y a pa r t m en t u n der t h e pr et en se of a h om e r obber y , a n d I’v e been r u n n in g ev er sin ce. Bein g on t h e r u n t a k es a t oll on a m a n .” Nick slow ly r ose fr om h is per ch a n d a ppr oa ch ed t h e ch a ir . “ Ma k e n o m ist a k e, I w ill do w h a t ev er it t a k es t o g et a n sw er s fr om y ou .” “ Bu ll! Y ou ’r e a soldier ! A m a n of h on or ,” W a v er ly sa id feebly . “ Y ou w ou ldn ’t r esor t t o t or t u r e.” “ Y ou sou n d con fiden t of t h a t .” “ I—I a m ,” W a v er ly st a m m er ed. His blu e ey es da r t ed in Rebecca ’s dir ect ion . “ Y ou w on ’t t or t u r e m e w it h h er w a t ch in g . Y ou w ou ldn ’t .” “ Y ou ’r e r ig h t a bou t t h a t ,” Nick a g r eed. W it h a plea sa n t sm ile, h e g la n ced ov er a t Rebecca . “ Da r lin g , w ou ld y ou plea se g iv e u s a m om en t a lon e? Go t a k e a w a lk on t h e bea ch or som et h in g .” Sh e look ed st r ick en , bu t t o h er cr edit , sh e didn ’t object or r ecoil in h or r or . “ I ca n st a y if y ou w a n t ,” sh e sa id, h er v oice ba r ely a bov e a w h isper .

“ Na h , Red, t r u st m e, y ou don ’t w a n t t o be a r ou n d for w h a t h a ppen s n ex t .” Nick ’s sm ile t u r n ed fer a l. W h en Rebecca t ook a st ep a w a y , W a v er ly m a de a pa n ick ed sou n d a n d sh ou t ed, “ W a it !” Sh e fr oze. Nick h id a g r in . “ T ell h er t o st a y ,” W a v er ly plea ded, h is desper a t e ey es focu sin g on Nick . “ I’ll t ell y ou w h a t ev er y ou w a n t . Ju st a sk Ms. Pa r k er t o st a y .” Hu h . A lt h ou g h Nick w ou ld n ev er a dm it it t o Rebecca , it look ed lik e h er pr esen ce did br in g som e a dv a n t a g es t o t h e t a ble. W a v er ly pr oba bly believ ed h e cou ld st a y a liv e in ex ch a n g e for g iv in g Rebecca a n ex clu siv e or som et h in g . “ Hea r t h a t , Red? T h e m a n lik es h a v in g y ou a r ou n d,” Nick t old h er . A w ea k sm ile lift ed h er m ou t h . “ I g u ess so.” Sh e cr ossed t h e r oom a n d join ed Nick n ea r t h e cou ch . He cou ld sen se sh e w a s ill a t ea se, bu t h er ex pr ession w a s sh u t t er ed, h er sh ou lder s set in a r ig id lin e. T h ey bot h t u r n ed t o W a v er ly , w h ose fa ce didn ’t look qu it e so a sh en a n y m or e. “ W h a t do y ou w a n t t o k n ow ?” t h e m a n a sk ed in a defea t ed t on e. “ I a lr ea dy t old y ou w h a t I w a n t ,” Nick r eplied coldly . “ I w a n t a n a m e.” In decision fla sh ed in t h ose ice-blu e ey es. “ Giv e m e a n a m e, Pa u l. T ell m e w h o or der ed t h e dea t h s of m y t ea m m a t es. T ell m e w h o h a d t h a t v ir u s en g in eer ed. T ell m e w h o—” “ Secr et a r y Ba r r et t !” W a v er ly bu r st ou t . “ T h er e! A r e y ou h a ppy n ow ? T h e n a m e y ou w a n t is Kir k Ba r r et t . T h e secr et a r y of defen se.”

Chapter 11 An icy

r u sh of dr ea d sk it t er ed u p Nick ’s spin e. He st a r ed in t o W a v er ly ’s blu e ey es, u n a ble t o com pr eh en d w h a t t h e son of a bit ch h a d ju st t old h im . “ No,” h e fin a lly sa id, “ I don ’t believ e y ou .” “ It ’s t h e t r u t h ,” W a v er ly in sist ed. “ Secr et a r y Ba r r et t w a s beh in d ev er y t h in g ! I sw ea r on m y m ot h er ’s life!” He w a s ly in g . He h a d t o be. Nick r efu sed t o believ e t h a t h is fa t h er h a d a n y t h in g t o do w it h t h is. Ch r ist . Bu t w h a t if it w a s t r u e? His pa lm s w en t da m p a t t h e t h ou g h t , h is SIG n ea r ly slippin g fr om h is g r a sp. “ T ell m e ev er y t h in g ,” h e or der ed. “ Fr om t h e beg in n in g .” W a v er ly v isibly sw a llow ed. “ Pr oject A r ies w a s set u p a bou t t w o y ea r s a g o. I w a s r u n n in g dou ble du t y a t t h e t im e, a ct in g a s t h e a ide for Br en t Da v idson a n d Fr ed McA v oy , t h e—” “ T h e depu t y secr et a r y ,” Rebecca su pplied w it h a fr ow n . “ McA v oy ’s in v olv ed in t h is, t oo?” Nick ba r k ed. “ He’s t h e on e w h o a ppr oa ch ed m e,” W a v er ly r eplied. “ McA v oy sa id t h a t h e a n d t h e sec def w er e g r ow in g con cer n ed w it h Pr esiden t How a r d’s len ien t a t t it u de t ow a r d t er r or ism , t h a t How a r d w a sn ’t t a k in g en ou g h pr eca u t ion s t o pr ot ect ou r cou n t r y fr om a n ot h er a t t a ck . McA v oy con fided in m e t h a t cer t a in m ea su r es w er e bein g t a k en t o pr ev en t a n ot h er t er r or ist a t t a ck on A m er ica n soil, a n d t h a t t h e depa r t m en t w a s dedica t ed t o en su r in g w e h a d a ll t h e n ecessa r y w ea pon s t o fig h t t h e w a r on t er r or ism .” “ Biolog ica l w ea pon s, y ou m ea n ,” Rebecca sa id.

W a v er ly n odded. “ He didn ’t g iv e m e m a n y det a ils a bou t t h e pr oject , bu t h e pu t m e in ch a r g e of com m u n ica t in g w it h Rich a r d Ha r r ison , t h e scien t ist a t D&M In it ia t iv e. T h e la b w a s con t r a ct ed t o ex per im en t w it h differ en t biolog ica l a g en t s a n d dev elop a w ea pon t h a t w a s fa st -a ct in g a n d ea sy t o r elea se in t o a g en er a l popu la t ion .” Nick scow led. “ T h e Mer idia n v ir u s.” A n ot h er fer v en t n od. “ Ha r r ison w or k ed on it for m or e t h a n a y ea r , a n d w h en it ca m e t im e t o t est it , Ba r r et t a n d McA v oy k n ew t h e field t est in g cou ldn ’t be don e on U.S. soil—” Ea ch t im e h is fa t h er ’s n a m e left t h e a ide’s lips, Nick flin ch ed lik e h e’d been sh ot by a r ifle. He t r ied v a lia n t ly t o h ide t h e r ea ct ion , bu t fr om t h e sy m pa t h et ic look Rebecca g a v e h im , h e k n ew sh e’d n ot iced. “ —so t h ey st r u ck a dea l w it h t h e Sa n Ma r qu ez g ov er n m en t ,” W a v er ly fin ish ed. “ Ou r t r oops w ou ld con t a in t h e ULF sit u a t ion a n d h elp t h e cou n t r y pr osper , a n d t h ey w ou ld sa cr ifice a few r u r a l v illa g es for t h e sa k e of n a t ion a l secu r it y . Y ou r u n it w a s sen t t o t h a t v illa g e by a cciden t —Ha r r ison m a n a g ed t o g et a ca ll ou t befor e t h e r ebels g ot a h old of h im , a n d t h er e w a s a com m u n ica t ion m ix -u p in t h e m ilit a r y ch a n n els. Y ou w er en ’t ev er su pposed t o be t h er e.” “ Bu t w e w er e, a n d w e n eeded t o be sh u t u p, r ig h t ?” Ea ch w or d dr ipped w it h bit t er n ess. W a v er ly let ou t a w ea r y br ea t h . “ T h e secr et a r y believ ed it w a s n ecessa r y .” Bull! Nick w a n t ed t o sn a p, bu t h e clen ch ed h is t eet h t o con t r ol t h e ou t bu r st . His fa t h er w ou ld n ev er or der t h e m u r der of h is ow n son , for Ch r issa k e. Kir k Ba r r et t lov ed h is k ids. He w a s fier cely pr ot ect iv e of t h em a n d a lw a y s h a d been . Nick w ou ld believ e in

u n icor n s a n d lepr ech a u n s befor e h e believ ed t h a t h is fa t h er h a d or der ed som eon e t o k ill h im . “ A n d w h en Seba st ia n w a s a t t h e Pen t a g on , y ou w er e in st r u ct ed t o g iv e h im t h e t a in t ed w a t er bot t le?” h e sa id in st ea d. “ Y es.” Rem or se flick er ed in t h e m a n ’s ey es. “ I didn ’t w a n t t o. Hell, w h en t h ey g a v e m e t h e v ia l con t a in in g t h e Mer idia n v ir u s, I a g on ized ov er it . I’m n ot a m u r der er , y ou h a v e t o believ e t h a t , bu t n a t ion a l secu r it y w a s a t st a k e! T h ey sa id t h a t St on e a n d t h e r est of y ou w er e a ft er r ev en g e, t h a t y ou pla n n ed on ex posin g t h e DoD’s pa r t in t h e v ir u s cr isis, a n d w e cou ldn ’t let t h a t h a ppen . It w ou ld h a v e been a sca n da l t h e a dm in ist r a t ion cou ld h a v e n ev er r ecov er ed fr om .” “ God for bid y ou ca u se a sca n da l,” Rebecca sa id, sa r ca sm oozin g fr om h er v oice. Nick sh ook h is h ea d in disg u st . “ Ju st so w e’r e clea r , y ou ’r e sa y in g th at Secr et a r y Ba r r et t per son a lly deliv er ed a sa m ple of t h e v ir u s in t o y ou r h a n ds a n d t old y ou t o in fect Ser g ea n t St on e.” W a v er ly fa lt er ed. “ W ell, n o, McA v oy w a s t h e on e w h o g a v e m e t h e v ia l, bu t h e w a s a ct in g u n der Ba r r et t ’s or der s. He sa id so h im self.” Su spicion flooded Nick ’s g u t , k ick in g h is in st in ct s in t o g ea r a n d ca u sin g a few pu zzle pieces t o slide in t o pla ce. “ So y ou dea lt on ly w it h McA v oy t h ese pa st t w o y ea r s?” h e sa id t h ou g h t fu lly . “ Y es, bu t t h a t ’s beca u se Ba r r et t cou ldn ’t officia lly g iv e t h e or der s. His con n ect ion t o t h e pr oject n eeded t o r em a in a secr et . McA v oy or der ed m e n ev er t o spea k t o t h e secr et a r y dir ect ly .” How con v en ien t . Som e of t h e loa d bea r in g dow n on Nick ’s sh ou lder s ea sed, m a k in g it ea sier t o br ea t h e.

T h is en t ir e sit u a t ion sou n ded fish y a s h ell. T h e depu t y secr et a r y ca llin g t h e sh ot s, g iv in g W a v er ly t h e v ir u s, or der in g h im n ot t o spea k t o Nick ’s fa t h er … W a s Fr ed McA v oy t h e m a st er m in d beh in d Pr oject A r ies, t h en ? Nick didn ’t k n ow McA v oy t oo w ell, bu t h e r em em ber ed h is fa t h er pr a isin g t h e m a n ’s dedica t ion t o h is cou n t r y . Ju st lik e Nick ’s da d, McA v oy a lso pla ced g r ea t im por t a n ce on defen se, so it w a sn ’t a st r et ch t o t h in k h e’d cr ea t ed a biolog ica l w ea pon a s a m ea n s t o pr ot ect t h eir n a t ion . “ So t h a t ’s it , t h e w h ole st or y .” W a v er ly look ed ex h a u st ed, a n d h is h ea d lolled t o t h e side, a s if h is n eck cou ld n o lon g er su ppor t t h e w eig h t of it . Nick g la n ced a t Rebecca , w h o w a s w a t ch in g h im w it h w a r y g r een ey es. “ W h a t n ow ?” sh e a sk ed h im . “ W h a t do w e do w it h h im ?” He t h ou g h t it ov er for a secon d. “ Ca ll t h e DoD, I g u ess. T ell t h em w e fou n d t h eir m issin g a ide.” “ No!” W a v er ly blu r t ed ou t . “ If t h ey k n ow w h er e I a m , I’m dea d!” “ If t h ey w a n t ed y ou dea d, t h ey w ou ldn ’t h a v e w h isk ed y ou ou t of t ow n ,” Nick sa id coldly . “ Nobody w h isk ed m e a n y w h er e, y ou m or on s! T h er e w a s a t h u g w it h a g u n w a it in g for m e in m y a pa r t m en t a ft er I left t h e Pen t a g on t h a t da y .” W a v er ly sou n ded u t t er ly bet r a y ed. “ I w a s a loose en d. On ce Ba r r et t t old m e t o t a k e ca r e of St on e, I w a s n o lon g er t h e la ck ey w h o sim ply m a de a few ph on e ca lls t o Dr . Ha r r ison —I w a s a m u r der er , a n d t h a t ba st a r d cou ldn ’t be con n ect ed t o m e a n y m or e.” Du r in g h is Specia l For ces st in t , Nick h a d in t er r og a t ed m or e t h a n a few ba d g u y s, a n d h e’d dev eloped a k n a ck for k n ow in g w h en h e w a s bein g lied t o. A n d t h e bit ch of it w a s, W a v er ly g en u in ely

believ ed ev er y w or d h e w a s sa y in g . In Pa u l W a v er ly ’s m in d, Kir k Ba r r et t w as beh in d ev er y t h in g . Bu t w a s t h a t beca u se McA v oy h a d or ch est r a t ed it t o a ppea r t h a t w a y ? Or w a s it beca u se Nick ’s fa t h er t r u ly w a s t h e g u ilt y pa r t y ? His h ea r t squ eezed pa in fu lly . No. T h er e w a s n o w a y h is da d h a d a llow ed a v ir u s t o be t est ed on in n ocen t people. No w a y h is da d h a d t r ied t o h a v e h im k illed. Now it w a s ju st a m a t t er of pr ov in g it . “ Giv e m e a sec,” h e t old Rebecca befor e r ea ch in g in t o h is pock et for h is ph on e. He st epped in t o t h e h a llw a y a n d dia led T a t e’s n u m ber . W h en t h e ca pt a in pick ed u p, Nick didn ’t w a st e a n y t im e in br in g in g h im u p t o speed. “ I’v e g ot W a v er ly t ied t o a ch a ir in t h e ot h er r oom .” T a t e’s g r u ff la u g h t er filled h is ea r . “ Nice job, Nick y .” “ I fin ish ed in t er r og a t in g h im , a n d n ow w e n eed t o fig u r e ou t w h a t t o do w it h h im . He sw ea r s h e’s bein g h u n t ed for h is r ole in t h e cov er -u p a n d h e’s t er r ified of g et t in g offed by t h ese people.” Nick let ou t a fr u st r a t ed br ea t h . “ Ma y be w e ca n t r y t o a r r a n g e pr ot ect iv e cu st ody for h im ? I’m su r e h e’ll cu t a dea l a n d t est ify if a sk ed. T h is g u y w ill do w h a t ev er it t a k es t o st a y a liv e.” “ Did h e g iv e u p a n a m e?” “ Y es.” Nick h esit a t ed. “ Secr et a r y Ba r r et t .” T a t e’s sh a r p br ea t h ech oed ov er t h e lin e. “ Doesn ’t su r pr ise m e. Ba r r et t is bor der lin e obsessiv e w h en it com es t o defen se, a n d h e’s—” “ My fa t h er .”

Silen ce. “ W h a t ?” T a t e fin a lly spok e, t h a t on e sy lla ble la ced w it h bot h sh ock a n d bew ilder m en t . “ Kir k Ba r r et t is m y fa t h er , T a t e.” T h er e w a s a n ot h er pa u se. Follow ed by a m u t t er ed cu r se, a sig h a n d t h en , “ St a r t t a lk in g , Nick y .” *** Rebecca a ppr oa ch ed t h e scr een door a n d g a zed ou t a t Nick , w h o w a s on t h e deck br oodin g by t h e r a ilin g . Sa m e w a y h e’d been br oodin g for t h e pa st t h r ee h ou r s. He h a dn ’t sa id m u ch sin ce W a v er ly h a d dr opped t h e Secr et a r y Ba r r et t bom b, a n d sh e k n ew t h e n ot ion t h a t h is fa t h er m ig h t be t h e ba d g u y w a s t ea r in g Nick a pa r t . “ W h a t ’s u p?” His g r u ff v oice st a r t led h er . He w a s st ill st a n din g t h er e w it h h is ba ck t u r n ed, y et h e’d det ect ed h er pr esen ce befor e sh e cou ld ev en a n n ou n ce h er self. Sh e st epped on t o t h e deck a n d join ed h im . “ A n y w or d fr om Da v idson ?” “ Not sin ce h e ca lled w it h a n ET A for t h ose feder a l a g en t s h e’s sen din g .” A ppr eh en sion r ippled t h r ou g h h er a t t h e r em in der . Sh e a n d Nick cou ldn ’t lea v e t h e bea ch h ou se u n t il t h e a g en t s ca m e t o collect W a v er ly , a n d sh e con t in u ed t o feel u n ea sy a bou t t h a t cou r se of a ct ion . Nick h a d a ssu r ed h er t h a t Br en t Da v idson , t h eir con t a ct a t t h e DoD, cou ld be t r u st ed, bu t sh e didn ’t sh a r e h is con v ict ion . Da v idson w or k ed u n der McA v oy a n d Nick ’s fa t h er —h ow cou ld t h ey be su r e h e w a sn ’t u p t o h is elbow s in t h is biolog ica l w ea pon s sca n da l? “ Is ou r h ost a g e st ill g r ipin g a n d com pla in in g ?” Nick a sk ed h er .

“ Y ep. Now h e’s dem a n din g w e feed h im . I ca m e ou t h er e t o see w h a t y ou w a n t ed for lu n ch .” “ Y ou cook ?” “ If m a k in g sa n dw ich es cou n t s a s cook in g , t h en y es.” He didn ’t ev en cr a ck a sm ile, w h ich t old h er h e w a s ev en m or e u pset t h a n h e w a s let t in g on . Sig h in g , sh e pla ced h er h a n d ov er h is, w h ich h e’d r est ed pa lm -dow n on t h e splin t er ed w ooden r a ilin g . “ Y ou ’r e g oin g t o dr iv e y ou r self cr a zy if y ou k eep a g on izin g ov er t h is. Reser v e ju dg m en t u n t il w e spea k t o y ou r da d, ok a y ?” Sh e t ilt ed h er h ea d. “ T h a t is t h e pla n , r ig h t ? Hea d t o D.C. t o t a lk t o h im ?” Nick n odded, t h en spok e in a pr eoccu pied t on e. “ I h a v en ’t seen m y fa t h er in m or e t h a n a y ea r . I don ’t ev en k n ow w h a t h e’s been t old a bou t m e.” Rebecca open ed h er m ou t h t o r espon d, t h en sla m m ed it sh u t . Her su dden a bou t -fa ce did n ot g o u n n ot iced. “ W h a t is it ?” Nick dem a n ded. “ W h a t do y ou k n ow ?” Sh e sw a llow ed. “ It doesn ’t m a t t er . It ’s ju st …it doesn ’t m a t t er .” “ T ell m e w h a t y ou k n ow , Rebecca .” T h er e w a s st eel in h is v oice. “ Um . W ell. Rem em ber h ow I a sk ed Ha r r y t o look in t o y ou r ba ck g r ou n d? W ell, h e spok e t o on e of h is m ilit a r y con t a ct s a n d t h e g u y g ot a look a t y ou r file. It sa id y ou w er e h on or a bly disch a r g ed la st y ea r .” A deep lin e a ppea r ed in h is for eh ea d. “ I see.” “ A n d a n ot h er sou r ce sa id y ou ’v e su pposedly been sa ilin g a r ou n d t h e Ca r ibbea n ev er sin ce.” Nick let ou t a h a r sh la u g h . “ So t h a t ’s t h e officia l st or y , h u h ?” “ Y ea h .” “ My da d w ou ld n ev er believ e t h a t .” His br ea t h

h it ch ed. “ He m u st k n ow som et h in g is w r on g , t h en . He’s pr oba bly been t r y in g t o t r a ck m e—” Rebecca h a t ed t o in t er r u pt , bu t sh e h a d n o ch oice. “ Y ou r fa t h er w a s t h e on e w h o t old Ha r r y ’s sou r ce t h e Ca r ibbea n st or y .” Nick ’s ja w t en sed. “ W h a t ?” “ Ha r r y ’s sou r ce w or k s a t t h e Pen t a g on . He a sk ed y ou r fa t h er a bou t y ou , a n d t h a t w a s t h e a n sw er h e r eceiv ed.” A s Nick fell silen t , Rebecca ’s h ea r t a ch ed for h im a g a in . Sh e k n ew ex a ct ly w h a t h e w a s t h in k in g . Secr et a r y Ba r r et t w a s g oin g ou t of h is w a y t o pr et en d h e k n ew w h er e h is son w a s a n d t h a t n ot h in g w a s a m iss. W h y t h e lies? “ Ma y be h e r ea lly t h in k s y ou ’r e t r a v elin g ,” sh e su g g est ed in a feeble t on e. “ Ma y be t h a t ’s w h a t h e w a s t old.” “ My fa t h er k n ow s I w ou ld n ev er st a y ou t of t ou ch for a n en t ir e y ea r . He has t o su spect som et h in g is u p.” Nick pa u sed. “ Ma y be h e’s pla y in g a lon g w it h t h e st or y t h ey fed h im a bou t m e, bu t secr et ly h e has been sea r ch in g for m e.” Rebecca st ifled a sig h , bu t sh e didn ’t con t r a dict h im . He n eeded t h is. Needed t o believ e t h a t h is fa t h er w a s t h e g ood g u y , t h a t Ba r r et t w a s in n ocen t . Bu t Rebecca h a d been em br oiled in polit ics for lon g en ou g h t o k n ow t h a t n obody in W a sh in g t on w a s ev er t r u ly in n ocen t . “ I g u ess w e’ll fin d ou t w h en w e t a lk t o h im ,” sh e sa id soft ly . “ A n d spea k in g of w h ich , h ow a r e w e g oin g t o m a n a g e t h a t ? People w a n t u s dea d.” Pos s ibly your father, sh e didn ’t a dd. “ W e ca n ’t ju st w a lt z ba ck t o D.C. w it h ou t a n y body k n ow in g w e’r e t h er e. Did y ou t ell Da v idson a bou t ou r pla n s?” “ Y es, bu t Da v idson ca n be t r u st ed. He w on ’t

r ev ea l t o a n y on e t h a t y ou a n d I a r e com in g t o D.C.” “ Da v idson a n sw er s t o McA v oy a n d y ou r fa —” sh e st opped g u ilt ily , m a k in g a qu ick a m en dm en t “ —h e w or k s for t h e Depa r t m en t of Defen se. T h er e’s t h e r isk t h a t h e’s in ca h oot s w it h Mr . X . A n d ev en if h e isn ’t , h ow is h e g oin g t o k eep ou r pr esen ce u n der w r a ps?” “ Da v idson is pa r t of t h e t a sk for ce t h a t ’s been set u p t o in v est ig a t e t h e Mer idia n v ir u s. Ev er y g ov er n m en t a g en cy a n d em ploy ee is u n der t h e m icr oscope r ig h t n ow ,” Nick t old h er . “ Fin din g Mr . X h a s becom e a m a t t er of n a t ion a l secu r it y , a n d Da v idson is t a k in g h is r ole in t h e in qu ir y v er y ser iou sly . He w a n t s t h e per son r espon sible ca u g h t a s m u ch a s w e do, w h ich m ea n s h e w on ’t jeopa r dize ou r in v est ig a t ion by a n n ou n cin g t o a n y on e t h a t w e’r e in t ow n .” Rebecca r em a in ed u n con v in ced. “ I’d st ill feel bet t er if w e con t in u ed in v est ig a t in g on ou r ow n . I don ’t w a n t t o r ely on y ou r bu ddy Da v idson or t h ese a g en t s w h o a r e su pposed t o sh ow u p. I t h in k w e sh ou ld m a k e ou r w a y t o D.C. w it h ou t feder a l a ssist a n ce.” He seem ed t o m u ll it ov er . “ Plea se, Nick . I’d feel a lot bet t er if w e did t h is a lon e.” “ Me, t oo. W h ich is w h y w e’r e n ot ca t ch in g a r ide ba ck w it h Da v idson ’s m en . Ma n u el w ill t a k e u s a s fa r a s Mia m i a n d w e’ll m a k e ou r w a y t o D.C fr om t h er e.” Sh e br ist led. “ Y ou cou ldn ’t h a v e ju st t old m e t h a t off t h e ba t ? W h y did y ou let m e beg for it ?” T h e cor n er s of h is m ou t h lift ed in t h e fir st sm ile sh e’d g lim psed a ll da y . “ Som et im es I lik e h ea r in g y ou a r g u e. It ’s fu n .” Sh e cou ldn ’t h elp a la u g h , bu t t h e h u m or fa ded w h en sh e n ot iced t h a t t h e clou d of sor r ow h a d floa t ed

ba ck in t o h is h on ey -br ow n ey es. “ Nick , w e’ll fin d t h e t r u t h ,” sh e sa id g en t ly . “ A n d if y ou r fa t h er is in v olv ed—” “ He’s n ot .” “ If h e is, t h en w e’ll dea l w it h it .” Sh e br ou g h t h er h a n d t o h is fa ce a n d st r ok ed h is ch eek . It h a d been in t en ded a s a g est u r e of com for t , bu t a lm ost im m edia t ely , t h e cr a ck le of a t t r a ct ion h ea t ed t h e a ir a n d a w a v e of desir e sw elled in h er belly . W it h t h e g en t lest of ca r esses, sh e r a n h er fin g er s ov er t h e r a zor -sh a r p st u bble dot t in g h is ja w , t h en sw ept h er t h u m b ov er h is bot t om lip, w h ich w a s su r pr isin g ly soft a n d in cr edibly sen su a l. W h en sh e m et h is ey es, t h e h u n g er sh e sa w in t h em m a de h er h ea r t bea t fa st er . He w a sn ’t pu llin g a w a y , w a sn ’t m ov in g h er h a n d, a n d h is a ccept a n ce of h er t ou ch spu r r ed h er n ex t m ov e. Sh e st epped closer , st ood on h er t ipt oes a n d pr essed h er lips t o h is in t h e soft est , sw eet est of k isses. A g a in , it w a s in t en ded a s a n offer in g of com for t , a t ok en of h er fr ien dsh ip, bu t sh e h a dn ’t a n t icipa t ed Nick ’s n ex t m ov e. W it h a h u sk y g r ow l, h e y a n k ed h er close a n d k issed t h e liv in g da y lig h t s ou t of h er . Rebecca g a sped a g a in st h is m ou t h . Her leg s bu ck led a s plea su r e cr a sh ed in t o h er , bu t Nick sw ift ly st ea died h er by cla spin g h er w a ist a n d pu llin g h er ev en closer . Her body m elt ed in t o h is, h er br ea st s pla st er ed a g a in st h is r ock -h a r d ch est . His t on g u e w a s g r eedy , dem a n din g , lick in g it s w a y in t o h er m ou t h a n d r obbin g h er of br ea t h . Lor d, t h e m a n cou ld k iss. He sla n t ed h is h ea d t o deepen t h e con t a ct a n d

w h en t h eir t on g u es t ou ch ed, h e m a de a h u sk y sou n d of a ppr ov a l deep in h is t h r oa t a n d h is fin g er s slid dow n t o cu p h er bot t om . He squ eezed, dev ou r in g h er m ou t h w it h h is t on g u e a s h e g r ou n d h is pelv is in t o t h e cr a dle of h er t h ig h s. Moa n in g , Rebecca clu n g t o h is br oa d sh ou lder s, h er fin g er n a ils clu t ch in g t h e sleev es of h is T -sh ir t . T h is w a sn ’t h ow sh e’d im a g in ed it t o be. Nick w a s so r eser v ed, so polit e t h a t sh e’d a ssu m ed sh e’d be t h e on e in con t r ol if t h ey ev er su r r en der ed t o t h e a t t r a ct ion t h a t h a d been br ew in g bet w een t h em sin ce t h ey ’d m et . Bu t t h e con t r ol w a s a ll h is. Sh e w a s h elpless, g iddy , con su m ed w it h a r ou sa l t h a t bu r n ed bet w een h er leg s a n d cou r sed t h r ou g h h er body . W h en Nick fin a lly t or e h is m ou t h a w a y , sh e a ct u a lly w h im per ed in disa ppoin t m en t . T h ey w er e bot h br ea t h in g h a r d, a n d sh e cou ld see h is pu lse t h r obbin g in t h e h ollow of h is t h r oa t . Rebecca sw a llow ed, st ill st u n n ed by th e dom in a t in g n a t u r e of t h a t m in d-blow in g k iss. “ T h a t w a sn ’t a sedu ct ion a t t em pt ,” sh e sa id in a w obbly v oice. “ I w a s on ly t r y in g t o offer som e com for t .” “ I k n ow ,” h e sa id t h ick ly . Her h ea r t r efu sed t o st op pou n din g . “ I…” I w ant to do that again. Bu t sh e cou ldn ’t v oice t h e t h ou g h t . T h e pa ssion in Nick ’s g or g eou s ey es w a s beg in n in g t o dim , t h e g la ze of lu st r ev er t in g t o t h a t flick er of sa dn ess. “ Rebecca ,” h e st a r t ed, a n d sh e k n ew h e w a s a bou t t o a polog ize for t h e k iss. T o t ell h er it cou ldn ’t h a ppen a g a in . Refu sin g t o g iv e h im t h e ch a n ce, sh e pa st ed on a sm ile a n d sa id, “ Com e on , let ’s g o feed ou r h ost a g e.” ***

T h e feder a l a g en t s Br en t Da v idson h a d sen t a r r iv ed m id-a ft er n oon a n d pr om pt ly t ook Pa u l W a v er ly off Rebecca ’s a n d Nick ’s h a n ds. Sh e a ppr ecia t ed t h a t n eit h er a g en t a t t em pt ed t o st r on g a r m t h em in t o com in g ba ck t o t h e St a t es a boa r d t h e DoD jet . T h e t w o m en didn ’t com m en t on h er pr esen ce eit h er , a lt h ou g h on e of t h em did con fess t o bein g a fa n of h er s. By t h e t im e sh e a n d Nick r et u r n ed t o Ja v ier ’s a ir field in t h eir r en t ed Jeep, it w a s n ea r ly fou r o’clock . For t u n a t ely , Ma n u el a n d t h e Cessn a w er e a lr ea dy w a it in g in t h e h a n g a r a n d t h ey m a n a g ed t o g et in t h e a ir sh or t ly a ft er . Nick w a s qu iet on t h e jou r n ey h om e, lea v in g Rebecca t o h er ow n dev ices du r in g t h e t w o-h ou r flig h t t o Mia m i. T h e m em or y of t h is m or n in g ’s k iss con t in u ed t o ech o in h er m in d lik e a sedu ct iv e m elody , a n d ea ch t im e sh e g la n ced ov er a t Nick ’s st oic pr ofile, sh e h a d t o r esist t h e u r g e t o ju m p in t o h is la p a n d k iss h im a g a in . Sh e didn ’t qu it e u n der st a n d w h y h er h or m on es w en t on ov er loa d in Nick Ba r r et t ’s pr esen ce. T h e m a n w a s h a r dly h er t y pe w it h h is w h ole g en t lem a n v ibe a n d h is det er m in a t ion t o k eep h er a w a y fr om t h e a ct ion . Sh e’d da t ed m en lik e Nick in A t la n t a , t h e t r a dit ion a l t y pes, t h e on es w h o believ ed w om en belon g ed ba r efoot a n d pr eg n a n t in t h e k it ch en . Gr a n t ed, Nick didn ’t seem lik e a ch a u v in ist , bu t sh e k n ew h e didn ’t pa r t icu la r ly a ppr ov e of t h e w a y sh e pla ced h er self in da n g er ’s pa t h . Bu t h er job w a s da n g er ou s a t t im es. T h er e w a s n ot h in g sh e cou ld do a bou t t h a t , sh or t of qu it t in g , a n d sh e h a d n o in t en t ion of g iv in g u p h er ca r eer . A n d boy , w a sn ’t sh e on a r idicu lou sly pr em a t u r e t r a in of t h ou g h t ?

Giv e u p h er ca r eer ? Sh e a n d Nick w er en ’t ev en da t in g , for Pet e’s sa k e. T h ey ’d k issed. On ce. A n d t h er e pr oba bly w ou ldn ’t be a follow -u p if Nick h a d a n y t h in g t o sa y a bou t it . So r ea lly , t h er e w a s n o r ea son for h er t o be t h in k in g a bou t a ll t h e w a y s sh e a n d Nick Ba r r et t w er e in com pa t ible. It w a s ju st pa st six w h en t h ey la n ded in Mia m i, a n d it t ook a n ot h er h ou r for Nick t o secu r e a r ide for t h em w it h t h e pilot of a ca r g o pla n e t h ey en cou n t er ed a t y et a n ot h er pr iv a t e a ir field. A s Nick h a n ded ov er a st a ck of ca sh , Rebecca h a d t o w on der ju st h ow m u ch m on ey t h e poor g u y h a d spen t t h is pa st y ea r . A ll t h e ch a r t er s, t h e w ea pon s, t h e sa fe h ou ses—it m u st h a v e cost h im a for t u n e. On t h e ot h er h a n d, w h en y ou ca m e fr om Ba r r et t oil a n d Pr escot t h ot els, t h e w or d fortune pr oba bly h eld a slig h t ly differ en t m ea n in g . “ Hom e, sw eet h om e,” Nick m u m bled w h en t h eir jou r n ey fin a lly ca m e t o a n en d. Rebecca peer ed ou t t h e w in dow of t h e sm a ll pla n e a n d g a zed a t t h e t w in k lin g cit y lig h t s dow n below . T h e su n h a d set a cou ple of h ou r s a g o, bu t sh e cou ld st ill m a k e ou t t h e W a sh in g t on Mon u m en t a n d t h e silv er y g low of t h e Ca pit ol a s t h e pla n e beg a n it s descen t . Sh e h a d a lov e-h a t e r ela t ion sh ip w it h D.C. On on e h a n d, t h e cit y w a s r ife w it h sca n da l, w h ich w a s ev er y jou r n a list ’s dr ea m , bu t on t h e ot h er h a n d, it w a s so h a r d n ot t o becom e disillu sion ed in t h e fa ce of a ll t h a t cor r u pt ion . Rebecca h a d lost h er w ide-ey ed opt im ism y ea r s a g o, a n d som et im es sh e m issed t h a t g u n g h o g ir l w h o’d believ ed t h a t t h e t r u t h a lw a y s pr ev a iled. “ Let m e t a k e y ou r ba g ,” Nick sa id t en m in u t es la t er , a ft er t h e pla n e h a d com e t o a st op on t h e

runw ay . Rebecca pa ssed h im t h e la r g e t ot e ba g sh e’d pick ed u p a t t h e m a r k et pla ce in Cost a Rica , sh ou lder ed h er g r een ca n v a s pu r se, t h en a ccept ed h is h a n d a s h e h elped h er ou t of t h e pla n e. A per fect g en t lem a n , a s a lw a y s. T o h er su r pr ise, a t a x i w a s w a it in g for t h em dir ect ly on t h e t a r m a c. “ W h en did y ou a r r a n g e for a ca b?” sh e a sk ed. “ W h en y ou w er e lect u r in g Ja v ier a bou t sea t u r t les.” A g h ost of a sm ile cr ossed h is m ou t h . Beca u se sm iles fr om Nick h a d been r a r e t oda y , sh e w elcom ed t h e sig h t . “ Keep y ou r h ea d dow n a s m u ch a s y ou ca n ,” h e a dded. “ I don ’t w a n t t h e ca bbie r ecog n izin g y ou .” “ Sa m e g oes for y ou ,” sh e sa id w r y ly . W it h Nick ca r r y in g t h eir ba g s, t h ey h ea ded for t h e w a it in g ca b a n d g r eet ed t h eir dr iv er . Rebecca m a de a con sciou s effor t t o a v er t h er ey es, ca st in g h er g a ze dow n w a r d a n d pr et en din g t o be fa scin a t ed w it h h er du st -st r ea k ed h ik in g boot s. “ Mr . a n d Mr s. Jon es?” t h e A sia n m a n in qu ir ed. Nick n odded. “ T h a t ’s u s.” A s t h ey slid in t o t h e ba ck sea t , Rebecca cou ldn ’t fig h t t h e y a w n t h a t ov er t ook h er . It felt lik e t h ey ’d been on t h e m ov e fr om t h e m om en t sh e’d m et Nick in Cor t eg a t h r ee da y s a g o. Sh e lon g ed for a bou t t w elv e h ou r s of u n in t er r u pt ed sleep. A n d a sh ow er . God, sh e w a n t ed a sh ow er . Sh e felt g r im y a n d g r oss, a n d h er pon y t a il w a s g r ea sy a n d k ept st ick in g t o h er n eck . “ Y ou t ir ed?” Nick sa id soft ly . “ Ex h a u st ed.” He pa t t ed h is sh ou lder . “ Y ou ca n lea n on m e if y ou w a n t .”

Her h ea r t sk ipped a bea t . Sh e cou ldn ’t r em em ber t h e la st t im e sh e’d sn u g g led u p n ex t t o a w a r m m a le body . A cou ple of y ea r s a t lea st . Rig h t . Sh e’d been seein g Jon a s ba ck t h en , t h e la st ba d boy sh e’d h a d t h e m isfor t u n e of da t in g . Sh e h a dn ’t g ot t en ser iou s w it h a n y on e sin ce t h en , a lt h ou g h sh e h a d in du lg ed in a w eek lon g a ffa ir la st y ea r w it h a lobby ist w h o t u r n ed ou t t o be a com plet e jer k . Sh e r ea lly seem ed t o g r a v it a t e t ow a r d t h e jer k s, didn ’t sh e? Ex cept t h is t im e. No, t h is t im e sh e’d fou n d h er self dr a w n t o a m a n w h o w a s so fa r fr om a jer k , so r idicu lou sly n ice, t h a t h e w a s pr oba bly t oo g ood t o be t r u e. Rest in g h er h ea d on Nick ’s st r on g sh ou lder , sh e closed h er ey es a n d t r ied n ot t o ov er a n a ly ze h er feelin g s for t h is m a n . Sh e n a pped du r in g t h e en t ir e ca b r ide, a n d a lt h ou g h sh e cou ldn ’t be su r e, sh e cou ld h a v e sw or n sh e felt Nick ’s lips br u sh t h e t op of h er h ea d in a soft k iss befor e sh e dozed off. W h en t h e ca r lu r ch ed t o a st op a bou t t w en t y m in u t es la t er , sh e jer k ed a w a k e. Blin k in g r a pidly , sh e t u r n ed t o t h e w in dow a n d sa w t h a t t h ey ’d a r r iv ed a t a m odest h ot el n ot t oo fa r fr om Ca pit ol Hill. Nick qu ick ly pa id t h e ca bbie a n d u sh er ed Rebecca in t o t h e fr on t lobby w it h ou t g iv in g h er t im e t o officia lly w a k e u p. Bu t sh e u n der st ood h is h a st e. T h e t w o of t h em cou ldn ’t r isk bein g seen in pu blic; t h ey w er e t oo r ecog n iza ble, a n d t h e la st t h in g t h ey w a n t ed t o do w a s a ler t Mr . X a n d h is t h u g s t h a t t h ey w er e st a t eside. W h en t h ey a ppr oa ch ed t h e fr on t desk , sh e discov er ed t h a t Nick h a d a lr ea dy book ed t h eir r oom

ov er t h e ph on e—a lso w h en sh e’d been t a lk in g sea t u r t les w it h Ja v ier —so it t ook n o t im e a t a ll t o ch eck in a n d collect t h eir r oom k ey ca r d. Room . Sin g u la r . A s in one. Sh e k n ew t h a t Nick h a d pu r posely book ed it t h a t w a y t o m a in t a in t h e pr et en se t h a t t h ey w er e “ Mr . a n d Mr s. Jon es,” bu t t h e deliciou s possibilit ies did n ot esca pe h er a s t h ey r ode t h e elev a t or t o t h e secon d floor . On e r oom . On e bed. Her a n d Nick . A ll t h ou g h t s of sedu ct ion h a d been sh ov ed t o t h e ba ck bu r n er ea r lier , t h a n k s t o W a v er ly ’s a ccu sa t ion s a bou t Nick ’s fa t h er . Bu t a ft er t h a t ex plosiv e k iss… w ell, sh e m ig h t h a v e t o for g e a h ea d w it h t h a t sedu ct ion pla n . A n d con v en ien t ly , sh e h a d on e h ot el r oom a t h er disposa l. Bu t fir st t h in g s fir st , t h ey n eeded t o fin d a w a y t o r ea ch Nick ’s fa t h er w it h ou t t ippin g off Mr . X . Unles s Nick ’s father is Mr. X…. Sh e ba n ish ed t h e pessim ist ic n ot ion , w ish in g for Nick ’s sa k e t h a t W a v er ly w a s dea d w r on g a bou t Ba r r et t ’s r ole in t h e v ir u s con spir a cy . “ So h ow a r e w e g oin g t o do t h is?” sh e a sk ed a s Nick dr opped h is du ffel on t h e soft w h it e ca r pet of t h eir r oom . “ Ca n w e g et a m essa g e t o y ou r da d som eh ow ? Ma y be t h r ou g h som eon e w it h a ccess t o t h e Pen t a g on ?” Nick flopped dow n on t h e edg e of t h e k in g -size bed a n d pu lled ou t h is cell ph on e. “ Or …I ca n ju st ca ll h im .” Rebecca g la r ed a t h im . “ Y ou ca n ’t ! W h a t if h is ph on e is bu g g ed?” “ T r u st m e, it w on ’t be.” Mu ch t o h er h or r or , h e w a s a lr ea dy dia lin g a n u m ber . Cr a p. Didn ’t h e r ea lize t h a t in W a sh in g t on ,

everyone’s g ee-dee ph on e w a s t a pped? “ How do y ou k n ow it ’s sa fe?” sh e dem a n ded. “ Beca u se t h is isn ’t a n u m ber a n y on e else k n ow s a bou t .” He r olled h is ey es. “ My da d is t h e secr et a r y of defen se, da r lin g . He liv es a n d br ea t h es cov er t .” A s sh e w a t ch ed, Nick pr essed a sequ en ce of n u m ber s in t o t h e k ey pa d. A n d t h en h e h u n g u p. “ T h a t ’s it ?” sh e sa id in con fu sion . “ T h a t ’s it ,” h e con fir m ed. “ So n ow w h a t ?” “ Now w e w a it .” Rebecca sh ot h im a n ex a sper a t ed look . “ For h ow lon g ?” “ Depen ds on w h a t h e’s doin g , bu t it sh ou ldn ’t be lon g . It ’s t en -t h ir t y a t n ig h t , so h e’s eit h er in h is office or h ea din g h om e. I dou bt w e ca u g h t h im in t h e m iddle of a m eet in g , n ot u n less t h e pr esiden t r equ est ed a h u sh -h u sh pow w ow a t t h e W h it e Hou se t on ig h t .” “ Hey , a s lon g a s w e’r e w a it in g , do y ou t h in k I sh ou ld con t a ct t h e n et w or k a g a in ? I h a v en ’t been in t ou ch sin ce I ca lled a bou t Ha r r y .” Ha r r y ’s n a m e g ot st u ck in h er t h r oa t , ca u sin g h er h ea r t t o clen ch . Sh e’d t r ied so h a r d n ot t o t h in k a bou t h im t h ese pa st cou ple of da y s. Ha r r y , Jesse, Da v e… Bu t t h e g r ief m a de a sw ift a ppea r a n ce n ow , a n d it t ook a ll h er w illpow er t o ch ok e it dow n a n d r a ise t h a t sh ield a r ou n d h er h ea r t a g a in . “ Y ou ca n ’t ca ll a n y on e,” Nick a n sw er ed in a st er n v oice. “ A n y on e con n ect ed t o y ou w ill definitely h a v e h a d t h eir ph on es t a pped.” Sh e sig h ed. “ I w ish I h a d a com pu t er , a t lea st t h en I cou ld do som e r esea r ch . Or h eck , ev en a pen a n d pa per w ou ld be n ice. I w ou ldn ’t m in d jot t in g dow n

som e of m y t h ou g h t s a bou t a ll t h is.” W h en h is g a ze sh a r pen ed, sh e h eld u p h er h a n ds in m ock su r r en der . “ Off t h e r ecor d,” sh e a ssu r ed h im . “ I’m n ot pla n n in g on pu blish in g or a ir in g a n y t h in g u n t il t h is is ov er . I m a de y ou a pr om ise, r em em ber ?” “ I r em em ber , bu t it ’s g ood t o h ea r t h a t y ou do, t oo.” He r ela x ed, t h en st iffen ed r ig h t ba ck u p w h en t h e ph on e in h is h a n d bu zzed. Rebecca w a t ch ed h is ex pr ession t r a n sfor m fr om ca lm t o n er v ou s a s h e st u died t h e displa y . “ It ’s h im ,” Nick sa id g r u ffly . T h e ph on e k ept bu zzin g . Sh e ey ed h im ex pect a n t ly . “ W ell, pick it u p a lr ea dy .” A ft er a bea t , h e pr essed a bu t t on a n d lift ed t h e ph on e t o h is ea r . “ Da d?” T h e em ot ion t h ick en in g h is v oice br ou g h t a soft sm ile t o Rebecca ’s lips. God, sh e w a s a t ot a l su ck er for m en w h o w er e close w it h t h eir pa r en t s. Sh e lov ed h er ow n folk s t o dea t h , a n d sh e’d n ev er u n der st ood people w h o didn ’t a ppr ecia t e t h e im por t a n ce of fa m ily . Bu t Nick sou n ded so ch ok ed u p t h a t sh e felt lik e sh e w a s in t r u din g on a pr iv a t e m om en t , so sh e en ded u p in ch in g t ow a r d t h e ba t h r oom door w a y , n eedin g t o g iv e h im som e pr iv a cy . “ I’m t a k in g a sh ow er ,” sh e w h isper ed. He n odded. Didn ’t ev en g la n ce h er w a y a s h e spok e in t o t h e ph on e a g a in . “ Y ea h , it ’s m e,” h e sa id r ou g h ly . “ I…h ell, it ’s been a lon g t im e, h u h ?” T h a t w a s t h e la st t h in g Rebecca h ea r d befor e sh e st epped in t o t h e ba t h r oom . Her ey es w er e su r pr isin g ly da m p, a n d sh e fou n d h er self pr a y in g t h a t Kir k Ba r r et t w a s t h e m a n h is son believ ed h im t o

be. Nick w a s su ch a g ood m a n , a n h on or a ble m a n . T h e la st t h in g h e deser v ed w a s t o be sa ddled w it h a fa t h er w h o’d t r ied t o h a v e h im k illed. Sh e h u r r iedly st r ipped ou t of h er dir t y , sw ea t y clot h es a n d n ea r ly div ed in t o t h e g la ss sh ow er st a ll. T h e m om en t t h e h ot w a t er r u sh ed ou t of t h e fa u cet a n d cou r sed dow n h er n a k ed body , sh e pu r r ed in plea su r e a n d t ipped h er h ea d in t o t h e spr a y . Sh e pr oceeded t o spen d t h e n ex t t h ir t y m in u t es scr u bbin g h er self r a w w it h t h e sw eet -sm ellin g h ot el soa p, w a sh in g h er h a ir a n d sh a v in g h er leg s a n d a r m pit s w it h t h e com plim en t a r y r a zor sh e fou n d on t h e ledg e a ffix ed t o t h e t iled w a ll. By t h e t im e sh e st epped ou t of t h e sh ow er , sh e felt lik e a n ew w om a n . Gr a bbin g a flu ffy w h it e t ow el fr om t h e r a ck on t h e w a ll, sh e dr ied off, t h en w r a pped t h e t er r y clot h a r ou n d h er body a n d t u ck ed t h e t op in . Sh e’d for g ot t en t o br in g a ch a n g e of clot h es in t o t h e w a sh r oom , w h ich m ea n t sh e h a d n o ch oice bu t t o w a lk ou t in t h e t ow el. W h en sh e r een t er ed t h e r oom , Nick w a s n o lon g er on t h e ph on e, bu t sit t in g on t h e bed, lost in t h ou g h t . “ Hey ,” sh e sa id qu iet ly . His h ea d lift ed in a n a br u pt m ot ion , a s if h e t r u ly h a dn ’t r ea lized sh e w a s st a n din g t h er e. His la ck of v ig ila n ce sa id a lot a bou t h is st a t e of m in d. “ Hey ,” h e m u r m u r ed. “ So w h a t h a ppen ed? W h a t did h e sa y ?” “ A lot .” T h e t w o-sy lla ble r espon se br ou g h t a r u sh of a g g r a v a t ion . “ Um , ca r e t o ela bor a t e?” Nick let ou t a h ea v y br ea t h . “ He sa y s h e’s been t r y in g t o loca t e m e ev er sin ce I w en t off t h e g r id, a n d t h a t h e didn ’t believ e for a secon d I w ou ld be disch a r g ed a n d t a k e off w it h ou t a w or d. He su spect ed

t h er e w a s a con spir a cy in pla y , bu t h e h a d n o idea w h a t it cou ld possibly be r ela t ed t o, a t lea st n ot u n t il n ew s of t h e Mer idia n v ir u s w a s m a de pu blic.” “ So h e didn ’t k n ow a bou t t h e v ir u s,” sh e sa id. “ Da d in sist s h e didn ’t . He t h ou g h t m y disa ppea r a n ce w a s r ela t ed t o a n op, t h a t I m ig h t h a v e been a POW som ew h er e a n d t h e m ilit a r y w a s t r y in g t o cov er it u p.” Nick h esit a t ed for a secon d. “ W e’r e m eet in g in a n h ou r . He h a s som e bu sin ess t o w r a p u p, a n d t h en h e’s lea v in g t h e Pen t a g on a n d com in g t o m eet m e.” Rebecca ’s v oice w en t dr y . “ A n d let m e g u ess, y ou w a n t m e t o st a y pu t .” “ No.” He clea r ed h is t h r oa t . “ I w a n t y ou t o com e w it h m e.”

Chapter 12 Nick

didn ’t bla m e Rebecca for look in g so su r pr ised. Sin ce t h e da y t h ey ’d m et , h e’d been dem a n din g sh e st a y beh in d, lie low , st a y pu t —pr et t y m u ch a n y t h in g t h a t in v olv ed k eepin g h er ou t of t h e lin e of fir e. A n d n ow h er e h e w a s, a ct iv ely seek in g ou t h er com pa n y for a pot en t ia lly da n g er ou s sit u a t ion . “ Y ou a ct u a lly w a n t m e t o com e?” Nick n odded. Her g r een ey es flick er ed w a r ily , a s if sh e t h ou g h t h e m ig h t sh ou t “ Got ch a !” a t a n y m om en t . “ Um . W h y ?” Helplessn ess squ eezed h is ch est so h a r d h is lu n g s h u r t . “ Rem em ber t h a t discu ssion w e h a d in Ma la a bou t bia s?” “ Y es…” “ W ell, I a m t ot a lly , ca t eg or ica lly bia sed r ig h t n ow .” He st a r ed a t h er in dism a y . “ T h is is m y father. I believ e w it h a ll m y h ea r t t h a t h e’s in n ocen t , bu t … a m I foolin g m y self h er e? Do I ju st w a n t h im t o be in n ocen t so da m n ba d t h a t I’m u n a ble t o object iv ely ex a m in e t h e ev iden ce?” Sy m pa t h y soft en ed h er g a ze. Sh e m ov ed closer , a n d h e su dden ly beca m e a w a r e t h a t sh e w or e n ot h in g bu t a t ow el. Despit e t h e m iser y t ig h t en in g h is t h r oa t , h is t r a it or ou s body a ct u a lly h a d t h e g a ll t o r espon d t o Rebecca ’s sca n t ily cla d a ppea r a n ce. His g r oin st ir r ed, t h ick en ed, t h r obbed. Pu lse sped u p. Mou t h w en t dr y . “ T h en I’ll be t h e object iv e on e,” Rebecca sa id in a n ea r n est t on e. “ I h a v e a t a len t for r ea din g people a n d I ca n u su a lly t ell if som eon e is ly in g t o m e.” “ T h a t ’s w h y I w a n t y ou t o com e a lon g .” Sh e look ed plea sed, bu t t h en som et h in g sh ift ed in

h er ey es a n d h er ch in lift ed in per plex in g det er m in a t ion . “ W h a t is it ?” h e a sk ed, u n a ble t o k eep t h e su spicion fr om h is t on e. “ W h en do w e h a v e t o m eet h im ?” “ Midn ig h t .” Sh e g la n ced a t t h e a la r m clock on t h e n ig h t st a n d. Nick follow ed h er g a ze a n d sa w t h e r ed n u m er a ls ch a n g e fr om 1 1 :3 2 t o 1 1 :3 3 . “ How lon g w ill it t a k e t o g et t h er e?” “ Fiv e or t en m in u t es. W h y ?” “ So w e h a v e som e t im e, t h en .” His ey es n a r r ow ed. “ T o do w h a t , da r lin g ?” “ T o h elp y ou for g et .” T h er e w a s n ot h in g a m big u ou s a bou t h er qu iet , ca n did w or ds. He k n ew ex a ct ly w h a t sh e w a s su g g est in g , w h a t sh e w a s offer in g . Hea t st ir r ed in h is low er body , spr ea din g t h r ou g h h im u n t il h e w a s pa in fu lly h a r d a g a in , bu t t h e in decision t h a t h it h im w a s a s pow er fu l a s t h e lu st . He didn ’t do ca su a l flin g s. He pr efer r ed t h er e t o be s om e em ot ion in v olv ed in h is sex u a l en cou n t er s. There is , a lit t le v oice poin t ed ou t . Y ou feel s om ething for her. Nick t r ied t o silen ce t h e v oice, bu t it w a s t oo la t e. T h e t h ou g h t h a d a lr ea dy cem en t ed it self in h is m in d, a n d h e cou ldn ’t den y t h e t r u t h . He did ca r e a bou t Rebecca . He ca r ed a lot . Ma y be ev en t oo m u ch . “ No m or e t h in k in g .” Her st er n v oice pen et r a t ed h is t h ou g h t s a n d sn a pped h im ba ck t o t h e pr esen t . T o t h e g or g eou s r edh ea d st a n din g in fr on t of h im . In a t ow el. Ju st a lit t le w h it e t ow el… Rebecca t ook a st ep closer . “ I’m ser iou s. I ca n see y ou r br a in con ju r in g u p a ll t h e r ea son s w h y w e

sh ou ldn ’t do t h is. W ell, let m e m a k e it ea sy for y ou , ok a y ?” His m ou t h t u r n ed t o sa w du st w h en sh e r ea ch ed for t h e k n ot h oldin g h er t ow el u p. “ W e’r e doin g t h is,” sh e w en t on . Sh e u n did t h e k n ot . “ So dea l w it h it , Nick .” T h e t ow el dr opped. A n in st a n t w a v e of r ed-h ot lu st sla m m ed in t o h im a n d set h is body on fir e. His g a ze r oa m ed ev er y in ch of h er n a k ed body , fr om h er per k y br ea st s a n d ch er r y -r ed n ipples, t o t h e sw eet cu r v e of h er h ip, t o t h e sh a pely leg s t h a t look ed so sm oot h t o t h e t ou ch . Her lily -w h it e sk in w a s st ill pin k fr om t h e sh ow er , a n d it t u r n ed ev en pin k er a s h is g a ze t r a iled ov er a ll of t h a t t a n t a lizin g flesh . W h en h e focu sed on t h e st r ip of r ed cu r ls bet w een h er leg s, Rebecca ’s g r een ey es da n ced w it h h u m or . “ Na t u r a l r edh ea d,” sh e qu ipped. He ch ok ed ou t a la u g h . “ I n ev er h a d a dou bt . Y ou ’v e g ot t h a t r edh ea d st u bbor n n ess, r em em ber ?” Despit e t h e a la r m s g oin g off in h is h ea d, h e fou n d h im self r ea ch in g ou t a n d t ou ch in g h er ba r e h ip. Ju st t h e m er e g r a ze of h is fin g er t ips ov er h er h ip bon e. Sh e sh iv er ed. He qu ick ly w it h dr ew h is h a n d. “ T h is is a ba d idea .” “ No, it ’s n ot .” “ W e…ca n ’t .” “ Oh , for t h e lov e of God, Nick . St op bein g so difficu lt a n d let m e h elp y ou for g et for a lit t le w h ile.” W it h t h a t , sh e clim bed on t o h is la p, w r a pped h er a r m s a r ou n d h is n eck a n d k issed h im sen seless. A s h er t on g u e filled h is m ou t h a n d h er fin g er s du g in t o t h e n a pe of h is n eck , Nick su r r en der ed.

He k issed h er ba ck . Lon g , deep, desper a t e. T h e n ex t few m in u t es w er e a blu r . A ll h e cou ld see w a s Rebecca , a ll h e cou ld feel a n d sm ell a n d t a st e w a s Rebecca . T h ey fell ba ck on t h e m a t t r ess, h er cu r v y n a k ed body st ill pla st er ed t o h is fu lly clot h ed on e, a n d a ll t h e pen t -u p desir e h e’d felt for t h is w om a n ca m e spillin g ou t lik e w a t er fr om a br ok en da m . T h eir k isses g r ew h ot t er , m or e in t en se, u n t il t h ey w er e bot h g a spin g for a ir , a n d su dden ly Rebecca w a s cla w in g a t t h e h em of h is sh ir t in a n a t t em pt t o pu ll it u p. W it h a h u sk y g r oa n , h e h elped h er ou t , r ippin g t h e sh ir t off in on e sm oot h m ot ion , t h en t a ck lin g h is zipper a n d sh ov in g h is ca r g o pa n t s a n d box er s dow n h is leg s. W h en t h ey w er e sk in t o sk in , t h ey let ou t sim u lt a n eou s m oa n s, t h eir h a n ds t a k in g on liv es of t h eir ow n . Nick ex plor ed ev er y sw eet cu r v e, ev er y fem in in e secr et . W h ile h is pu lse dr u m m ed in h is ea r s, h e squ eezed h er br ea st s, k issed t h em , la v ed t h em w it h h is t on g u e, t oy ed w it h h er n ipples. He lov ed t h e w a y sh e m oa n ed in r espon se t o h is sen su a l m in ist r a t ion s. T h e w a y sh e pu sh ed h er br ea st s in t o h is pa lm s a n d beg g ed for m or e. W h en h e slid on e h a n d bet w een h er leg s a n d discov er ed t h e liqu id h on ey pooled in h er cor e, h e n ea r ly lost it . He n eeded t h is w om a n m or e t h a n h e n eeded h is n ex t br ea t h , a n d it t ook ev er y a g on izin g iot a of w illpow er t o lea v e h er so h e cou ld r u m m a g e in h is ba g for a con dom . He r et u r n ed t o t h e bed in a n a n osecon d, sh ea t h ed h im self, t h en cov er ed h er body w it h h is. No m or e for epla y . No lea d-u p. Bu t Rebecca didn ’t seem t o m in d. Sh e w elcom ed h im in t o h er w et h ea t

a n d h e g r oa n ed a t t h e feel of h er in n er m u scles clu t ch in g h im lik e a g lov e. “ Oh , God. Nick .” Her br ea t h y w or ds a n d t h e g la ze of plea su r e sw im m in g in h er ey es sen t h im soa r in g t o a n ew lev el of turned-on. He w it h dr ew slow ly on ly t o plu n g e ba ck in fa st , t h en m et h er ey es a n d m u r m u r ed, “ Y ou ’r e in cr edible.” Sh e r espon ded w it h a soft w h im per a n d h ook ed h er leg s a r ou n d h is a ss t o deepen t h e con t a ct . T h e plea su r e w a s u n bea r a ble. Un st oppa ble. He’d n ev er been a selfish lov er , bu t da m n if h e cou ld st op t h is a ll-con su m in g t r a in of lu st . He n eeded it t oo ba dly . W a n t ed h er t oo m u ch . His h ips pist on ed in t o h er t ig h t h ea t , h is m ou t h fa st en in g ov er h er s. He k issed h er u n t il t h ey w er e bot h br ea t h less a g a in . Despit e t h a t ov er w h elm in g n eed for r elea se, h e m a n a g ed t o h old off, t o coa x h er closer t o t h e edg e by r ea ch in g dow n t o r u b h er sen sit iv e n u b. On ly w h en Rebecca ca m e a pa r t ben ea t h h im did h e let g o. Closed h is ey es, let t h e ecst a sy con su m e h im , let h is m in d g o blissfu lly em pt y . W h en t h e w a v es of r elea se fin a lly ebbed, h e colla psed on t op of h er . Dr a in ed. Sa t ed. Ma n , h e’d n eeded t h a t . It t ook a few m in u t es t o ca t ch h is br ea t h , a n d t h en h e r olled on t o h is side a n d dr ew Rebecca t o h im . Her h a ir t ick led h is left pec, h er body w a r m a n d bon eless a s sh e sn u g g led close, bu t it w a sn ’t u n t il sh e let ou t a lit t le sig h of pu r e con t en t edn ess t h a t t h e g u ilt m a de a n a ppea r a n ce. Jeez. He’d t a k en h er h a r d a n d r ou g h lik e a g odda m n ca v em a n . Ha dn ’t ev en t a k en t h e t im e t o m a k e h er h ot , t o g et h er r ea dy .

A s h e open ed h is m ou t h , a r m ed w it h a n a polog y , Rebecca su dden ly g r u m bled in fr u st r a t ion . “ Y ou t h in k w a y t oo m u ch , Nick .” Sig h in g a g a in , sh e disen t a n g led h er self fr om h is em br a ce a n d sa t u p. “ Don ’t y ou da r e a polog ize t o m e. I w a n t ed t h is. I ins tigated t h is.” It didn ’t su r pr ise h im t h a t sh e’d r ea d h is t h ou g h t s a n d k n ow n ex a ct ly w h a t h e’d been a bou t t o sa y . “ Rig h t ,” h e sa id. “ I for g ot a bou t y ou r lit t le sedu ct ion plot .” Sh e sm iled r u efu lly . “ T h is w a sn ’t pa r t of t h e sedu ct ion . I…I w a s t r y in g t o h elp. Y ou look ed so sa d a n d br ok en a n d…” Sh e sh r u g g ed. “ I w a n t ed t o m a k e y ou feel g ood, ev en if it w a s ju st a t em por a r y fix .” T em por a r y . T h e w or d lin g er ed in h is m in d, r eson a t in g w it h t r u t h , r em in din g h im of t h e r ea lit y of t h eir cir cu m st a n ces. W h a t ev er h a ppen ed bet w een h im a n d Rebecca , it w ould be t em por a r y . Ev en t u a lly t h ey ’d h a v e t o sa y g oodby e, a n d t h er e w a s n o w a y a r ou n d t h a t . “ Bu t t r u st m e, w h en I decide t o fu ll-on sedu ce y ou —” sh e st a lk ed n a k ed t ow a r d t h e t ot e ba g sh e’d left on t h e ca r pet , t ossin g h im a g la n ce ov er h er sh ou lder “ — it ’ll in v olv e a lot m or e t h a n a qu ick ie befor e w e h a v e t o m eet y ou r da d.” A n ot h er r u sh of g u ilt r ose in side h im , bu t Rebecca y et a g a in ch ided h im befor e h e cou ld spea k . “ No a polog ies,” sh e r epea t ed. “ I w anted a qu ick ie. So, plea se, let ’s ju st g et dr essed a n d g et t h is m eet in g ov er w it h .” He cou ldn ’t fig u r e ou t if t h is ca r eless, n o-big g ie a t t it u de of h er s w a s a fr on t , bu t t h er e w a s n o t im e t o qu est ion h er . Sh e w a s r ig h t . A t t h e m om en t , h e n eeded t o focu s on t h is im pen din g r eu n ion w it h h is da d.

T h e r est t h ey cou ld fig u r e ou t la t er . *** Secr et a r y of Defen se Kir k Ba r r et t h a d a lr ea dy a r r iv ed w h en Nick a n d Rebecca em er g ed fr om t h e h ea v ily w ooded r a v in e bor der in g t h e pa r k w h er e t h ey ’d a r r a n g ed t o m eet . Nick h a d spen t t h e pa st fift een m in u t es scou t in g t h e a r ea t o m a k e su r e a t ea m of m er cen a r ies or sn iper s w a sn ’t w a t ch in g t h e pa r k , a n d h e h a d ju st con clu ded t h a t t h e coa st w a s clea r . T h a t h e ev en h a d t o t a k e su ch pr eca u t ion s w h en m eet in g h is ow n father br ou g h t a pa n g of sa dn ess t o h is ch est . He h a t ed con sider in g t h a t h is da d m ig h t h a v e a n u lt er ior m ot iv e or t h a t h e m a y h a v e pla n n ed a n a m bu sh , bu t Nick h a dn ’t st a y ed a liv e t h is lon g by bein g st u pid. No m a t t er h ow m u ch h e lov ed h is fa t h er , h e h a d t o a t lea st a ck n ow ledg e t h e possibilit y t h a t t h e m a n h e’d a lw a y s idolized cou ld be in v olv ed in t h is con spir a cy . Bu t t h a t didn ’t m ea n h e didn ’t feel a r u sh of r elief w h en h is r econ t u r n ed u p n ot h in g ou t of t h e or din a r y . A s pr om ised, Kir k Ba r r et t h a d com e a lon e. “ Y ou r ea dy ?” Rebecca w h isper ed a s t h ey st epped ou t of t h e w oods w h er e h e’d for ced h er t o w a it u n t il h e det er m in ed it w a s sa fe t o com e ou t . “ Not r ea lly ,” h e m u m bled. Th e r esiden t ia l pa r k con t a in ed a sm a ll pla y g r ou n d a n d a cir cu la r con cr et e fou n t a in w it h sev er a l w r ou g h t -ir on ben ch es sit u a t ed a r ou n d it . He a n d Rebecca w a lk ed t h r ou g h t h e sh a dow s t ow a r d on e of t h e ben ch es w h er e a lon e fig u r e sa t in w a it . Nick ’s h ea r t soa r ed, t h en g ot st u ck in h is t h r oa t lik e a piece of g u m . A y ea r . It h a d been a y ea r sin ce h e’d seen h is da d. Da m n , h e’d m issed t h e old m a n . A t t h eir a ppr oa ch , Kir k Ba r r et t r ose fr om t h e

ben ch . V isible r elief flooded t h ose fa m ilia r br ow n ey es, a n d Nick w a s sh ock ed t o h ea r a ch ok ed sob slip ou t of h is fa t h er ’s m ou t h . “ Nick y .” T h e n ex t t h in g h e k n ew , h e w a s en v eloped in h is fa t h er ’s a r m s. He cou ldn ’t r em em ber t h e la st t im e h is fa t h er h a d h u g g ed h im —t h e secr et a r y r a r ely sh ow ed h is a ffect ion in t h e for m of ph y sica l con t a ct . Bu t h er e h e w a s, h u g g in g Nick so t ig h t t h a t h is lu n g s st a r t ed t o bu r n fr om t h e la ck of ox y g en . W h en t h ey fin a lly br ok e a pa r t , Ba r r et t u r g en t ly sea r ch ed Nick ’s fa ce. “ A r e y ou a ll r ig h t , son ?” Nick n odded, feelin g a lit t le ch ok ed u p h im self. “ I’m g ood. T h a n k s for com in g , Da d.” “ W h er e t h e h ell else w ou ld I be?” t h e secr et a r y g r u m bled. “ A n d w h er e t h e h ell h a v e y ou been , Nick y ? W h a t t h e fu —” He st opped m id-ex plet iv e a s h e seem ed t o r em em ber h e w a s in t h e com pa n y of a w om a n . He g la n ced a t Rebecca a polog et ica lly . “ Pa r don m y la n g u a g e. I’m slig h t ly r a t t led, in ca se y ou cou ldn ’t t ell.” Rebecca sm iled polit ely . “ It ’s a ll r ig h t .” Sh e ex t en ded a h a n d. “ Rebecca Pa r k er .” “ Y es, I r ecog n ize y ou .” He t ook h er h a n d. “ Kir k Ba r r et t .” “ I r ecog n ize y ou , t oo, sir .” A s t h ey sh ook h a n ds, Nick t r ied t o g a u g e Rebecca ’s r ea ct ion t o h is da d. Her g r een ey es r ev ea led n ot h in g bu t cor dia l in t er est a n d slig h t ca u t ion , m a k in g it difficu lt t o fig u r e ou t w h er e h er h ea d w a s at. His da d, on t h e ot h er h a n d, w a s ea sy t o r ea d. Con cer n w a s spla sh ed a ll ov er t h e older m a n ’s fa ce, t h ose fa m ilia r h a n dsom e fea t u r es t h a t w er e so m u ch lik e Nick ’s. Kir k Ba r r et t w a s in h is ea r ly fift ies, bu t h e

look ed a deca de y ou n g er ; people oft en m ist ook h im a n d Nick for br ot h er s r a t h er t h a n fa t h er a n d son . T h e secr et a r y g est u r ed for t h em t o sit , h is br ow n ey es n ev er lea v in g h is son ’s fa ce. “ I t h ou g h t y ou m ig h t be dea d,” h e sa id fr a n k ly . His v oice h a r den ed. “ W h y t h e hell h a v en ’t y ou con t a ct ed m e t h is pa st y ea r ?” Nick let ou t a br ea t h . “ I cou ldn ’t r isk it . I didn ’t k n ow h ow h ig h t h e con spir a cy w en t , a n d I didn ’t w a n t t o en da n g er y ou in a n y w a y . I w a s t r y in g t o pr ot ect y ou .” “ En da n g er m e? I’m y ou r fa t h er , Nich ola s! I’m t h e on e w h o’s su pposed t o pr ot ect you.” Ba r r et t h eld u p h is h a n d t o silen ce Nick ’s object ion . “ Y ou sh ou ld h a v e con t a ct ed m e. En d of st or y .” Nick cou ldn ’t h elp bu t sm ile. He r ea lly h a d m issed h is da d’s deep, com m a n din g v oice a n d n on on sen se m a n n er . “ Bu t it ’s in t h e pa st a n d w e don ’t con cer n ou r selv es w it h t h e pa st ,” Ba r r et t sa id br u squ ely . “ So, n ow t ell m e ev er y t h in g . Ev er y la st det a il.” “ T h a t cou ld t a k e a w h ile,” Nick sa id w it h a sig h . In t h e en d, it t ook n ea r ly t h ir t y m in u t es t o r eca p t h e ev en t s of t h e pa st y ea r . Nick t old h is fa t h er a bou t t h e m ission in Cor a zón , Hect or Cr u z’s con fession t h a t Dr . Ha r r ison h a d k illed t h e v illa g er s, Seba st ia n ’s en cou n t er w it h t h e v ir u s in D.C., t h e br ea k -in a t t h e h ot el in Ma la . T h r ou g h it a ll, t h e secr et a r y of defen se sa id n ot h in g . Didn ’t blin k , didn ’t m ov e, ju st list en ed silen t ly w h ile w ea r in g t h a t sh r ew d ex pr ession Nick h a d g r ow n u p w it h . W h en Nick m en t ion ed t h e a t t a ck on Rebecca a n d h er cr ew , h is fa t h er fin a lly r ea ct ed, sy m pa t h y fillin g h is ey es. “ I sa w it on t elev ision . T h ose w er e som e h or r ific im a g es.”

“ Y es, t h ey w er e,” Rebecca sa id sa dly . “ I’m g la d t o see y ou ’r e a ll r ig h t . Ev er y on e in t h e cou n t r y w a s ou t of t h eir m in ds w it h w or r y w h en t h a t scr een w en t bla ck .” T h e secr et a r y t u r n ed ba ck t o h is son . “ So I a ssu m e y ou a n d Ms. Pa r k er t r a ck ed dow n ou r m issin g a ide?” Nick n odded. “ A n d?” He sh ift ed in r elu ct a n ce, dr ea din g t h is pa r t of t h e con v er sa t ion . “ T a lk t o m e, son ,” h is da d or der ed. Let t in g ou t a br ea t h , Nick t old h is fa t h er ev er y t h in g Pa u l W a v er ly h a d sa id in t h a t bea ch h ou se. W h en h e fin ish ed, a ch a sm of silen ce st r et ch ed bet w een t h em . T h e w ou n ded look on h is fa t h er ’s fa ce ca u sed g u ilt t o t u g a t h is in sides, bu t Nick r efu sed t o a polog ize for v oicin g W a v er ly ’s a lleg a t ion s. T h is n eeded t o be a ddr essed. He n eeded t o k n ow t h e t r u t h , da m n it . “ W ell?” h e sa id w h en h is fa t h er st ill h a dn ’t a n sw er ed. T h e secr et a r y a r ch ed on e da r k br ow . “ A r e y ou a sk in g m e if I or der ed a h it squ a d t o k ill y ou , Nich ola s?” He n odded. “ A n d if I a llow ed a dea dly biolog ica l a g en t t o be en g in eer ed in a U.S. la b a n d t h en t est ed on h u m a n g u in ea pig s?” A n ot h er n od. “ A n d if I or der ed Mr . W a v er ly t o poison Ser g ea n t St on e? A n d sa n ct ion ed a n a ssa ssin a t ion a t t em pt on t h r ee m em ber s of t h e A BN n ew s t ea m ?” Nick sw a llow ed t h e lu m p in h is t h r oa t . “ Did y ou ?” h e a sk ed h oa r sely .

“ No.” On e sy lla ble. On e t ir ed v oice, on e sa d ex pr ession . It w a s a ll Nick n eeded t o h ea r . How cou ld h e h a v e ev er dou bt ed it ? Of cou r se h is fa t h er w a sn ’t beh in d t h is. On Nick ’s ot h er side, Rebecca didn ’t seem a s con v in ced by t h e secr et a r y ’s qu iet den ia l. Sh e lea n ed in so bot h m en cou ld see h er a n d fix ed Ba r r et t w it h a cool look . “ T h en w h o did, Mr . Secr et a r y ?” W it h a g en t le sm ile, h e m et h er n a r r ow ed ey es a n d sa id, “ I t h in k w e a ll k n ow w h o’s r espon sible for t h is.” Rebecca pa u sed for a bea t . “ Fr ed McA v oy .” “ Seem s lik e t h e lik eliest cu lpr it .” Disa ppoin t m en t a n d a n g er h u n g fr om Ba r r et t ’s ev er y w or d. “ McA v oy g a v e W a v er ly t h e v ia l con t a in in g t h e v ir u s. A n d beca u se m y depu t y didn ’t h a v e a ccess t o t h e v ia ls con fisca t ed in t h e r a id—t h ey w er e sh ipped dir ect ly t o t h e CDC—t h en t h a t m ea n s h e pr ocu r ed h is sa m ple elsew h er e.” “ Dir ect ly fr om t h e D&M la b,” Nick g u essed. “ McA v oy w a s n ot a ct in g on m y or der s. I n eed y ou t o believ e t h a t , son .” “ I believ e y ou .” Ba r r et t t u r n ed t o Rebecca . “ Bu t I sen se t h a t y ou ’r e t h e on e I m u st con v in ce, isn ’t t h a t r ig h t , m y dea r ?” Her t in y sh r u g con fir m ed t h a t h e’d h it t h e n a il on t h e h ea d. “ So, Ms. Pa r k er , w h a t w ill it t a k e t o m a k e y ou a believ er ?” Sh e m et h is g a ze h ea d-on , a n d Nick cou ldn ’t h elp bu t be im pr essed. Not m a n y people h a d t h e n er v e t o st a r e h is fa t h er dow n lik e t h a t . Or t o a sk t h e qu est ion t h a t sm oot h ly left Rebecca ’s

m ou t h . “ W ou ld y ou k ill t o pr ot ect y ou r cou n t r y ?” T h e secr et a r y r u bbed h is clea n -sh a v en ja w . “ If y ou m ea n w ou ld I k ill som eon e w h o is a t h r ea t t o t h e cou n t r y , a m em ber of a t er r or ist cell, a dou ble a g en t , a t h r ea t t o n a t ion a l secu r it y ? T h en y es, I w ou ld—a t lea st if t h e ju st ice sy st em fa iled t o com pet en t ly h a n dle t h e issu e fir st , a s it u n for t u n a t ely oft en does.” He h eld h er in qu isit iv e g a ze. “ Bu t a n in n ocen t ? A n en t ir e v illa g e filled w it h in n ocen t people w h o did a bsolu t ely n ot h in g t o w r on g t h is n a t ion ? Nev er .” T h e con v ict ion ech oin g in Ba r r et t ’s w or ds w a s u n m ist a k a ble, a n d Nick cou ld sw ea r h e sa w a g lea m of a ppr ov a l flick er in Rebecca ’s ex pr ession . “ A n d n ev er m y son ,” t h e secr et a r y con t in u ed in a n im pa ssion ed v oice. “ Befor e m y Jea n n ie died, I pr om ised h er t h a t ou r k ids w ou ld a lw a y s be t a k en ca r e of, a lw a y s be lov ed a n d pr ot ect ed. Nich ola s a n d V iv ia n a r e t h e m ost im por t a n t people in m y life.” “ I believ e y ou ,” Rebecca sa id soft ly . Nick ex per ien ced a bu r st of r elief. T h is w a s t h e r ea son h e’d a sk ed h er t o t a g a lon g . He’d n eeded t h a t v a lida t ion . Her v a lida t ion . A n d it st a r t led h im ju st h ow m u ch h e’d com e t o v a lu e Rebecca ’s opin ion a n d a dv ice t h is pa st w eek . “ So w h a t n ow ?” sh e a sk ed, look in g fr om on e m a n t o t h e ot h er . “ How do w e ex pose McA v oy ?” “ I’ll dea l w it h McA v oy ,” t h e m en sa id u n ison . La u g h in g , t h ey ex ch a n g ed a look , a n d t h en t h e secr et a r y ’s fea t u r es h a r den ed. “ Y ou ’r e officia lly ou t of t h is fig h t , son . Let m e h a n dle it fr om t h is poin t on .” Nick ju st la u g h ed a g a in . “ Da d, I lov e y ou , bu t w e bot h k n ow t h a t a in ’t g on n a h a ppen . I’ll be t h e on e t a lk in g t o y ou r depu t y , sa m e w a y I dea lt w it h y ou r fu g it iv e a ide.”

His fa t h er ’s ja w w en t st iffer t h a n st on e. “ I ca n g et t h e t r u t h ou t of Fr ed.” “ So ca n I. A n d m y w a y w ill be a lot qu ick er .” Nick didn ’t ev en bot h er su g a r coa t in g it ; h is da d h a d been Specia l For ces h im self, on ce u pon a t im e. He k n ew t h e scor e. T h e m et h ods a soldier som et im es h a d t o u t ilize. “ Is McA v oy m a r r ied? Kids?” Nick a sk ed befor e h is fa t h er h a d a n ot h er ch a n ce t o a r g u e. “ He’s sin g le. He liv es a lon e in Fa ir fa x Cou n t y ,” Ba r r et t sa id g r u dg in g ly . “ Bu t h e’s ou t of t ow n a t t h e m om en t h a n dlin g a delica t e m a t t er in Beijin g . He’ll be ba ck in t w o da y s.” “ T ex t m e h is a ddr ess t o t h is n u m ber .” Nick r ecit ed t h e n u m ber for h is secu r e cell so h is fa t h er cou ld k ey it in t o his secu r e cell. T h e fa ct t h a t bot h of t h em h a d u n t r a cea ble ph on es for t h e sole pu r pose of cov er t com m u n ica t ion m a de h im w a n t t o la u g h , bu t h e fou g h t t h e u r g e beca u se, r ea lly , t h er e w a s n ot h in g fu n n y a bou t a n y of t h is. “ Don ’t do a n y t h in g foolish , Nick y ,” h is fa t h er w a r n ed. “ A n d I w a n t y ou t o ch eck in w it h m e ev er y few h ou r s. Y ou ’r e n ot disa ppea r in g on m e a g a in .” “ Don ’t w or r y , on ce I g et t h e t r u t h ou t of McA v oy , w e’ll h a n dle t h e fa llou t t h r ou g h officia l ch a n n els. Bu t I don ’t w a n t y ou t o a ct u n t il w e h a v e con fir m a t ion t h a t McA v oy w a s in v olv ed. If y ou m a k e a m ov e befor e t h a t , or g iv e a n y in dica t ion t h a t y ou su spect som et h in g , y ou ’ll r isk t ippin g McA v oy off, a n d t h en h e m ig h t sk ip t ow n ju st lik e W a v er ly did. Pr om ise m e y ou ’ll sit on t h is u n t il I h a v e m or e for u s t o g o on .” A lt h ou g h t h e secr et a r y didn ’t look t h r illed a bou t it , h e g a v e a qu ick n od. “ Fin e. W e’ll do t h is y ou r w a y , son .” T h a t a u t h or it a t iv e g lea m in h is da r k ey es m a de

a sw ift r ea ppea r a n ce. “ For n ow .”

Chapter 13 “Well?”

Nick dr ov e a w a y fr om t h e side st r eet w h er e t h ey ’d left t h e r en t a l SUV t h a t h a d been a r r a n g ed for t h em by t h e h ot el con cier g e. In t h e pa ssen g er sea t , Rebecca r elea sed a lit t le sig h . “ I didn ’t lie ba ck t h er e. I believ e y ou r da d, Nick . Not h in g a bou t h im t r ig g er ed m y B.S. m et er .” Sh e didn ’t m iss t h e r elief in h is ey es, or t h e w a y h is br oa d sh ou lder s r ela x ed. “ So it w a sn ’t ju st m e.” “ No. I t h in k h e’s t ellin g t h e t r u t h .” “ Me, t oo.” “ So w h a t n ow ?” T h e qu est ion w a s becom in g h er n ew ca t ch ph r a se, a n d sh e fou n d it odd h ow r ea dily sh e a llow ed Nick t o ca ll a ll t h e sh ot s. Y es, sh e’d pr om ised h im t h a t sh e w ou ld follow or der s, bu t sh e n or m a lly w a sn ’t so obedien t —God k n ew h er pa r en t s cou ld v ou ch for t h a t . “ Now w e st a y ou t of sig h t for a cou ple of da y s u n t il McA v oy r et u r n s fr om Beijin g , a n d t h en I pa y h im a v isit .” Sh e r olled h er ey es. “ Ba ck t o I, h u h ? Now t h a t y ou ’v e con qu er ed y ou r bia s, w e’r e ba ck t o k eepin g m e h idden a w a y .” “ I’m ju st t r y in g t o k eep y ou sa fe. W h a t ’s so w r on g a bou t t h a t ?” “ It ’s n ot w r on g . Ju st …old-fa sh ion ed. It ’s t h e t w en t y -fir st cen t u r y , Nick . W om en a r en ’t fr a g ile, h elpless cr ea t u r es t h a t r equ ir e a m a n t o pr ot ect t h em . W e’v e never been t h a t w a y , n o m a t t er w h a t a ll t h ose big m a n ly m en w a n t ed t o believ e.” Sh e sh ook h er h ea d in a g g r a v a t ion . “ W om en a r e per fect ly ca pa ble of t a k in g on da n g er ou s t a sk s, ju st lik e m en . W e ca n ser v e in t h e m ilit a r y , w or k in la w en for cem en t , polit ics—”

“ A r e y ou r ea lly lect u r in g m e on w om en ’s lib?” Nick sou n ded v a g u ely a m u sed. “ Ju st seem s lik e y ou for g et a bou t it som et im es,” sh e a n sw er ed w it h a sh r u g . He ch a n g ed la n es, m a k in g h is w a y t h r ou g h t h e deser t ed st r eet s of D.C. in t h e dir ect ion of t h eir h ot el. “ Da r lin g , I h a v e n o dou bt a bou t a w om a n ’s a bilit y t o t a k e on t h e sa m e r oles a s a m a n . T r u st m e, I’v e m et som e pr et t y ba da ss w om en , ev en g ot m y a ss k ick ed by on e du r in g ba sic t r a in in g .” Sh e g r in n ed. “ I w ou ld’v e lov ed t o see t h a t .” Her g r in fa ded a s a t h ou g h t occu r r ed t o h er , a n d su dden ly sh e felt w ou n ded. “ So w a it , a r e y ou sa y in g it ’s ju st m e? Y ou t h in k I’m w ea k ?” “ W h a t ? No, n ot a t a ll. Y ou ’r e pr oba bly t h e st r on g est w om a n I’v e ev er m et .” W h en h e g a v e h er a sidew a y s look , t h e con fu sion in h is br ow n ey es w a s ev iden t . “ Hon est ly ? I don ’t k n ow w h y I’m so ov er pr ot ect iv e of y ou .” Becaus e you lik e m e. Sh e qu ick ly sw a llow ed t h e w or ds befor e t h ey cou ld pop ou t of h er m ou t h . For som e r ea son , Nick didn ’t seem a t a ll com for t a ble w it h h is a t t r a ct ion t o h er . W h ich br ou g h t a pr ick le of offen se, beca u se, r ea lly , w h a t w a s so ba d a bou t lik in g h er ? Sh e w a s sm a r t a n d fu n n y a n d pr et t y a n d su ccessfu l—a n y m a n w ou ld be luck y t o h a v e h er . So w h a t w a s Nick ’s pr oblem ? W a s it ju st h er job h e didn ’t a ppr ov e of? Or m a y be h e didn ’t lik e bein g a t t r a ct ed t o a w om a n w h o w a sn ’t h is u su a l t y pe? T h en a g a in , h e h a dn ’t seem ed t o m in d it a cou ple of h ou r s a g o w h en h e’d been r ock in g h er w or ld…. T h e m em or y of t h eir ex plosiv e join in g sen t a bolt of a r ou sa l st r a ig h t t o h er cor e. God, t h e sex h a d been … t h r illin g . A m a zin g . Un ex pect ed. Nick h a d been

r ou g h er t h a n sh e’d t h ou g h t h e’d be. Mor e in t en se. Mor e pa ssion a t e. Sh e’d lov ed ev er y secon d of it . “ Pen n y for y ou r t h ou g h t s?” W a r m t h spr ea d t h r ou g h h er a s h is v oice br ok e in t o h er t h ou g h t s. Pen n y for y ou r t h ou g h t s? Gosh , w h o sa id t h in g s lik e t h a t ? W h y did Nick Ba r r et t h a v e t o be so effin g cu t e? “ Sor r y ,” sh e sa id, “ I spa ced ou t t h er e for a bit . A n y w a y , I k n ow y ou feel pr ot ect iv e of m e, bu t I st ill t h in k I sh ou ld com e a lon g w h en y ou see McA v oy .” Nick t u r n ed left on t o t h eir h ot el’s st r eet , t h en g la n ced ov er in r elu ct a n ce. “ I don ’t t h in k it ’s a g ood idea .” “ I t h in k it ’s a great idea . My bein g t h er e w or k ed t o ou r a dv a n t a g e w it h W a v er ly , r em em ber ? W e cou ld do t h a t w h ole lea v e-t h e-r oom ploy a g a in w h er e y ou pr et en d y ou ’r e g oin g t o t or t u r e h im bu t ca n ’t do it in fr on t of m e.” “ Pr et en d?” A t fir st sh e t h ou g h t h e w a s t ea sin g h er , bu t w h en sh e look ed in t o h is ey es a n d sa w t h e fer a l g lea m t h er e, sh e r ea lized h e w a s dea d ser iou s. “ Y ou a ct u a lly w ou ld h a v e t or t u r ed W a v er ly ?” sh e blu r t ed ou t . “ Y es.” Y es. T h a t w a s it . He didn ’t sa y a n ot h er w or d, a n d Rebecca sa t t h er e in silen ce for a m om en t , t r y in g t o m a k e sen se of t h is m a n . T h er e w er e so m a n y fa cet s t o h im . On e m in u t e h e w a s sw eet a n d ch iv a lr ou s. T h e n ex t , h e w a s dev ou r in g h er body lik e a st a r v ed m a n . A n d t h en in t h e blin k of a n ey e, h e w a s a dea dly w a r r ior ca pa ble of t or t u r in g a n ot h er h u m a n bein g . Sh e g u lped, pu sh in g a w a y h er con fu sion a n d focu sin g on t h e m a t t er a t h a n d. “ W ell, I st ill t h in k I

ca n be a n a sset . McA v oy m ig h t be m or e w illin g t o t a lk if—” It ca m e t o h er a t t en t ion t h a t Nick w a s n o lon g er list en in g t o h er . His sh ou lder s h a d g on e r ig id, h is h a n dsom e pr ofile r ev ea lin g t h e t en se lin e of h is ja w . “ W h a t is it ?” sh e dem a n ded. “ Is ev er y t h in g a ll r i — Hey , y ou ju st pa ssed t h e h ot el. W h a t ’s g oin g on ?” Nick t u r n ed w it h a g r im look a n d sa id, “ W e’v e g ot com pa n y .” Rebecca ba t t led a spa r k of fea r . “ A r e y ou su r e?” sh e dem a n ded, t w ist in g a r ou n d in h er sea t t o peer ou t t h e ba ck w in dow . Sh e didn ’t see a n y t h in g ou t of t h e or din a r y , bu t Nick ’s body la n g u a g e sa id ot h er w ise. He n odded st iffly . “ Posit iv e. T h e bla ck v a n pa r k ed on t h e st r eet w a s t h e sa m e m a k e a n d m odel a s t h e on e t h a t w a s ou t side t h e Liber t y in Ma la . T h e dr iv er w a s t h e m er c w it h t h e sh a v ed h ea d, a n d t h e du de r ea din g a n ew spa per in t h a t bu s sh elt er a cr oss t h e st r eet w a s a lso a m er cen a r y .” “ How did t h ey fin d u s?” “ I don ’t k n ow . Ma y be t h e h ot el cler k r ecog n ized on e of u s. Y ou , m ost lik ely . Sh e cou ld’v e n ot ified t h e pr ess t h a t y ou w er e st a y in g t h er e. Or m a y be Mr . X pa id off ev er y h ot el w or k er in t h e cit y t o in for m h im if a cou ple m a t ch in g ou r descr ipt ion ch eck ed in .” Sh e sh ot h im a du biou s look . “ T h a t seem s lik e a v er y ex pen siv e pla n .” “ Hey , I’m ju st t h r ow in g ou t su g g est ion s h er e.” Rebecca felt t er r ible a sk in g h er n ex t qu est ion , bu t sh e cou ldn ’t st op it fr om slippin g ou t . “ Did y ou t ell y ou r da d w h er e w e w er e st a y in g ?” “ No,” Nick sa id cu r t ly , “ I didn ’t .” His foot sla m m ed h a r der on t h e g a s peda l a n d t h e SUV pick ed u p speed, zoom in g a w a y fr om t h e Ca pit ol.

Rebecca st opped t a lk in g a n d let Nick con cen t r a t e on dr iv in g , bu t h er br a in w a s st ill t r y in g t o m a k e sen se of t h is la t est dev elopm en t . Sh e su pposed t h e w om a n a t t h e fr on t desk cou ld h a v e r ecog n ized h er a n d ph on ed on e of t h e pa per s w it h a t ip t h a t Rebecca Pa r k er h a d ch eck ed in t o a h ot el w it h a st r a n g e m a n . Ev er y on e in D.C. w a s look in g t o m a k e a few ex t r a bu ck s, a n d w h en a sca n da l la n ded in t h eir la ps, t h ey w er en ’t g oin g t o ig n or e it . T h e a lt er n a t iv e w a s fa r w or se—Secr et a r y Ba r r et t h a d a ler t ed t h e h it squ a d t o t h e fa ct t h a t h is son w a s ba ck in t ow n . Bu t da r n it , Rebecca h a d t r u ly believ ed in Ba r r et t ’s in n ocen ce. T h er e h a d been n ot h in g in sin cer e a bou t t h a t m a n . He’s a politician, Beck s . Politicians are good actors . T r u e, bu t Secr et a r y Ba r r et t w a sn ’t a t y pica l polit icia n . He h a d been a soldier fir st a n d for em ost . A n d h e w a s a fa t h er . A g ood on e, if t h e lov e sh in in g in h is ey es w h en h e’d look ed a t h is son w a s a n y t h in g t o g o by . W h en Nick slow ed t h e SUV t w en t y m in u t es la t er , Rebecca lift ed h er h ea d t o ex a m in e t h eir su r r ou n din g s. T h ey w er e on t h e ou t sk ir t s of t h e cit y , pu llin g in t o t h e pa v ed lot of a n L-sh a ped m ot el w it h a flick er in g blu e n eon sig n . Ca pit ol Hills Mot el. Not ex a ct ly a n a pt n a m e, seein g a s h ow t h ey w er e n ow h er e n ea r t h e Ca pit ol a n d t h e la n dsca pe w a s fla t t er t h a n a pa n ca k e. “ St a y in t h e ca r ,” Nick t old h er a s h e pa r k ed in fr on t of t h e m ot el office. He h opped ou t of t h e SUV a n d disa ppea r ed t h r ou g h t h e office door . W ooden blin ds sh ielded t h e door a n d fr on t w in dow fr om v iew , so Rebecca cou ldn ’t

see in side. Sh e w a s on edg e t h e en t ir e t im e, u n a ble t o r ela x u n t il Nick st r ode ba ck t o t h e ca r fiv e m in u t es la t er . “ Did t h e cler k g et a g ood look a t y ou ?” sh e a sk ed. “ He didn ’t ev en g et a look a t m e, let a lon e a g ood on e. T h e k id’s ey es w er e g lu ed t o t h e T V ov er m y h ea d. W e sh ou ld be fin e.” Nick dr ov e a cr oss t h e cou r t y a r d a n d pa r k ed in fr on t of t h e r oom a t t h e v er y en d of t h e r ow . “ St a y h er e u n t il I ch eck it ou t ,” h e or der ed, a n d t h en h e w a s ou t of t h e SUV a n d a ppr oa ch in g t h e ch ipped r ed door of r oom 1 4 . T h r ou g h t h e w in dsh ield, Rebecca w a t ch ed a s h e w it h dr ew h is pist ol a n d k ept it fla t a g a in st h is t h ig h . A fla sh of silv er w in k ed in t h e da r k n ess. T h e r oom k ey , w h ich Nick st u ck in t o t h e k ey h ole. He cr ept in t o t h e da r k m ot el r oom , a n d less t h a n t w o m in u t es la t er , h e r ea ppea r ed in t h e door w a y a n d g a v e h er a n od of a ppr ov a l. Noddin g ba ck , Rebecca u n bu ck led h er sea t belt a n d slid ou t of t h e ca r , t h en w a it ed for Nick t o g r a b t h eir ba g s fr om t h e ba ck sea t . Sh e’d t ea sed h im a bou t it ea r lier , in sist in g it w a s poin t less t o con st a n t ly lu g t h a t du ffel a r ou n d in st ea d of ju st lea v in g it in t h e h ot el r oom , bu t n ow t h a t t h e h ot el h a d been com pr om ised, sh e w a s ea t in g h er w or ds. T h ey en t er ed t h e m ot el r oom a m in u t e la t er a n d Nick flick ed a sw it ch , sh eddin g lig h t on t h eir sh a bby su r r ou n din g s. T h e r oom con t a in ed a pa ir of t w in beds, a fr a y ed br ow n ca r pet , u g ly flow er ed bedspr ea ds a n d a m in ifr idg e t h a t h u m m ed lik e t h e en g in e of a jet pla n e. “ Cozy ,” sh e sa id lig h t ly . Nick didn ’t a n sw er . He lock ed t h e door , flick ed t h e

ch a in , t h en a ppr oa ch ed t h e bed a n d dr opped t h e du ffel ba g on t h e bedspr ea d. “ W h a t a r e w e g oin g t o do n ow ?” sh e a sk ed w h en h e didn ’t sa y a w or d. He u n zipped t h e ba g . “ Sen d a m essa g e.” A la r m sk it t er ed u p h er spin e. “ W h a t does that m ea n ?” “ It m ea n s t h ese m er cen a r ies a r e ju st g on n a k eep com in g . See, Mr . X u n der est im a t es m e. He t h in k s h e ca n sen d som e g oon squ a d, t h ey ’ll t a k e u s ou t lik e t h a t —” h e sn a pped h is fin g er s “ —a n d a ll w ill be sw ept u n der t h e r u g . W ell, it ’s t im e t o pr ov e h is a ssu m pt ion w r on g .” Rebecca didn ’t lik e t h e r eck less g lin t in h is ey es. “ I’m n ot g oin g t o a ppr ov e of t h is, a m I?” “ Pr oba bly n ot .” He pr om pt ly beg a n r em ov in g a st a r t lin g a m ou n t of w ea pon s fr om t h e du ffel ba g . T h ey ’d bot h don n ed a ll bla ck for t h eir m eet in g w it h t h e secr et a r y , bu t Rebecca t h ou g h t Nick pu lled off t h e dea dly look a lot bet t er t h a n sh e did. A n d h e look ed ev en dea dlier n ow t h a t h e’d pu t on t h a t sh ou lder h olst er a n d w a s st r a ppin g on so m a n y w ea pon s sh e didn ’t k n ow w h et h er t o be t er r ified or t u r n ed-on . Sh e w a s k in da dig g in g t h e ba da ss w a r r ior t h in g h e h a d g oin g on , bu t a t t h e sa m e t im e, h er h ea r t w a s bea t in g lik e cr a zy a t t h e t h ou g h t of Nick g et t in g h u r t . Sh e w a t ch ed a s h e k n elt dow n t o slide a let h a llook in g bla de in t o h is scu ffed bla ck boot . “ A r e y ou ser iou sly g oin g a ft er t h ese m er cen a r ies a ll by y ou r self?” sh e sa id in disbelief. “ Y ep.” “ Fin e, t h en I’m g oin g w it h y ou .” “ No.” “ Nick , I’m ser iou s. Y ou ca n ’t t a k e on a t ea m of

m er cen a r ies by y ou r self!” “ Y es, I ca n ,” h e sa id sim ply . Ok a y , t h e con fiden ce w a s defin it ely a t u r n -on . A n d it su cceeded in ch ippin g a w a y a t som e of h er t er r or . Look in g a t h im n ow , dr essed in bla ck a n d cov er ed w it h w ea pon s, sh e h a d n o dou bt t h a t t h is m a n r ea lly could t a k e on a m er cen a r y squ a d a n d com e ou t t r iu m ph a n t . W it h ou t a n ot h er w or d, Nick st a lk ed t o t h e door , t h en h a lt ed a s if r em em ber in g h e w a sn ’t a lon e. “ Lock t h e door beh in d m e,” h e sa id soft ly . “ A n d don ’t ev en t h in k a bou t lea v in g t h is r oom , n ot ev en t o g r a b som et h in g fr om t h e v en din g m a ch in e. If y ou ’r e h u n g r y , ch ok e dow n a n MRE.” Rebecca sig h ed. “ Is t h er e a n y w a y I ca n t a lk y ou ou t of t h is?” “ Nope.” His v oice ca m e ou t g r u ff. “ A n d, Red, if som et h in g g oes w r on g …if for som e r ea son I don ’t com e ba ck t on ig h t , I w a n t y ou t o ca ll T a t e. Sa m e dr ill a s befor e, a ll r ig h t ? Go t o Ecu a dor .” Su r pr ise filt er ed t h r ou g h h er . “ Y ou don ’t w a n t m e t o g o t o y ou r da d?” He sh ook h is h ea d. “ W e st ick t o t h e pla n . T a t e a n d Seba st ia n w ill m a k e su r e y ou ’r e sa fe, a n d t h ey ’ll h a n dle t h e McA v oy t h r ea d, ok a y ?” “ Ok a y .” Befor e h e cou ld r ea ch for t h e door k n ob, sh e da sh ed t ow a r d h im a n d in t er cept ed h is h a n d. “ W a it ,” sh e bu r st ou t . “ W h a t is it ?” Sh e t h r ew h er a r m s a r ou n d h im a n d h u g g ed h im . A ft er a bea t , h is a r m ca m e a r ou n d h er w a ist t o h old h er close. “ Be sa fe,” sh e w h isper ed, r est in g h er ch eek on h is

br oa d ch est . His w a r m h a n d st r ok ed t h e sm a ll of h er ba ck . “ I w ill.” “ Pr om ise?” “ I pr om ise,” h e sa id h u sk ily . T o h er su r pr ise—a n d plea su r e—h e dipped h is h ea d a n d dr opped a qu ick k iss on h er lips. A n d t h en h e w a s g on e. *** Nick w a s in w a r r ior m ode a s h e m ov ed t h r ou g h t h e sh a dow s. Un seen . Un h ea r d. A pr eda t or closin g in on it s pr ey . It w a s t h r ee o’clock in t h e m or n in g a n d t h e cit y w a s a sleep. Not a sin g le lig h t w a s on in t h e r esiden t ia l st r eet r u n n in g pa r a llel t o t h e r oa d w h er e t h e h ot el st ood, m a k in g it ea sy for h im t o g o u n n ot iced. He cr ept a lon g t h e n a r r ow w a lk w a y bet w een t h e t w o low -r ise bu ildin g s a cr oss t h e st r eet fr om t h e h ot el. His in it ia l sw eep of t h e a r ea h a d pin poin t ed t h e loca t ion of on ly on e sn iper , sit u a t ed on t h e r oof of on e of t h ese iv y -cov er ed bu ildin g s. A scen din g t h e fir e esca pe t ook n o effor t a t a ll, a n d t h en h e w a s h a u lin g h im self ov er t h e con cr et e edg e of t h e r oof a n d la n din g silen t ly on h is feet . On t h e ot h er side of t h e r oof, t h e bla ck -cla d m er cen a r y la y on h is belly lik e a sn a k e, on e ey e focu sed on t h e scope of w h a t look ed lik e a n M4 0 sn iper r ifle. St a n da r d issu e r ifle in t h e Ma r in e Cor ps, w h ich h in t ed t h a t t h e m er c w a s for m er m ilit a r y . Nick cr ept t ow a r d h is pr ey , w h o w a s obliv iou s t o t h e fa ct t h a t h e w a s n o lon g er a lon e on t h e r oof. It w a s on ly w h en Nick w a s a foot a w a y t h a t t h e sn iper sen sed h is pr esen ce a n d a br u pt ly t w ist ed a r ou n d. His ey es w iden ed in su r pr ise, h is h a n d r ea ch ed for t h e pist ol st r a pped t o h is belt , bu t n ot fa st en ou g h .

Nick g ot h is h a n ds a r ou n d t h e m a n ’s t h r oa t a n d sn a pped h is n eck w it h a n efficien t cr a ck . On e dow n . No r em or se. T h e sn iper h a d been or der ed t o pu t a bu llet in Nick ’s br a in . In Rebecca ’s. He cou ldn ’t r isk k n ock in g h im u n con sciou s a n d h a v in g t h e m a n w a k e u p befor e Nick cou ld fin ish sen din g h is m essa g e. His h ea r t bea t r em a in ed st ea dy a s h e low er ed t h e dea d sn iper t o t h e pebble-st r ew n r ooft op. He a r r a n g ed t h e lim p body t o m a k e it a ppea r t h a t t h e m a n w a s st ill peer in g in t o t h a t scope, ju st in ca se on e of h is m er c bu ddies h a ppen ed t o g la n ce u p w it h a pa ir of field g la sses. T h en h e descen ded t h e fir e esca pe a n d lock ed in on h is n ex t t a r g et . Ma k e t h a t t w o t a r g et s. Bot h st a t ion ed beh in d t h e h ot el, on e h u n k er ed dow n beh in d a r ow of Du m pst er s, t h e ot h er posit ion ed on h ig h er g r ou n d, t r y in g t o ca m ou fla g e h im self in t h e t r ees. Nick m a n eu v er ed t h r ou g h t h e sh a dow s a n d m a de h is w a y t o t h e fa r t h er t a r g et fir st . “ Son of a —” T h a t w a s a ll t h e da r k -sk in n ed soldier for h ir e m a n a g ed t o g et ou t befor e Nick g ot h im in a ch est lock a n d dr a g g ed h im ba ck w a r d in t o t h e br u sh . T h e m a n w a s st r u g g lin g t oo m u ch for Nick t o g et a solid g r ip on h is n eck , so h e sw ift ly dr ew h is k n ife fr om h is h ip a n d sh ov ed t h e bla de in t o t h e soldier ’s ch est , slicin g u p t ow a r d t h e st er n u m t o pen et r a t e t h e h ea r t . T w o dow n . Low er in g t h e body t o t h e dir t , Nick dislodg ed h is k n ife, w iped t h e bloodst a in ed bla de on h is pa n t leg a n d h ea ded for t h e Du m pst er s. T h r ee m in u t es la t er , it w a s t h r ee dow n . Jeez, t h ese m en w er e m a k in g it t oo da m n ea sy for h im . Non e of t h em h a d ev en seen h im com in g , w h ich

sa id a lot a bou t t h eir piss-poor in st in ct s. A s h e st a sh ed t h e t h ir d body beh in d t h e en or m ou s g a r ba g e bin s, a cr a ck lin g n oise filled t h e a ir . Cr a p. T h e m er c’s r a dio. “ Ch a r lie, y ou copy ?” Mor e st a t ic. St iflin g a sig h , Nick r ea ch ed in t o t h e dea d m a n ’s pock et a n d pu lled ou t t h e sm a ll, com pa ct r a dio. A ft er a bea t , h e pr essed t h e t a lk bu t t on , cov er in g t h e spea k er w it h h is h a n d t o pr odu ce a m u ffled r espon se. “ Copy ,” h e sa id br isk ly . “ No sig n of t h em .” He h eld h is br ea t h a s h e a w a it ed a r eply . A n ot h er h iss of st a t ic, t h en “ Copy t h a t .” Rela x in g , Nick sh u t off t h e r a dio a n d t ossed it on t h e g r ou n d. T h a t ch eck -in ou g h t t o bu y h im som e t im e, bu t n ot m u ch . W h en “ Ch a r lie” didn ’t a n sw er t h e n ex t ca ll—n ot t o m en t ion t h e ot h er t w o r a diosilen t m er cs—t h eir bu ddies w ou ld u n dou bt edly com e t o in v est ig a t e. Nick follow ed t h e br ick w a ll a t t h e side of t h e h ot el w h er e st ea m r olled ou t of t h e v en t s t h a t r a n a lon g t h e bot t om of t h e bu ildin g . He h ea r d t h e m u r m u r of v oices bey on d t h e ser v ice door s a n d qu ick en ed h is pa ce. T h is n ex t pa r t w a s g oin g t o be t ou g h . T h e v a n w a s pa r k ed on ly for t y y a r ds fr om t h e bu s sh elt er w h er e t h a t soldier w a s n ot so cov er t ly m on it or in g t h e h ot el’s en t r a n ce. If t h e m en in t h e v a n m a de a n y n oise, or m a n a g ed t o g et a sh ot off, t h e bu s sh elt er m er c w ou ld be a ll ov er h im . T h is h a d t o be fa st . Lik e r ippin g off a ba n da g e. Dr a w in g in a st ea dy br ea t h , Nick sh ea t h ed h is k n ife, w it h dr ew h is SIG a n d spr a n g in t o a ct ion . He r u sh ed t h e ba ck of t h e v a n a n d t h r ew open t h e door s, elicit in g sh ock ed cu r ses fr om t h e t h r ee h ea v ily a r m ed m en sit t in g t h er e. Befor e t h ey cou ld r a ise

t h eir w ea pon s, h e pu lled t h e t r ig g er . On ce, t w ice, t h r ice. T h r ee pops fr om h is silen ced SIG. T h r ee k ills. T h er e w a s n o t im e t o w a st e a n d n o w a y t o a ppr oa ch t h e br ig h t ly lit bu s st op u n seen , w h ich m ea n t it w a s t im e for a fu ll-fr on t a l a t t a ck . T a k in g a n ot h er br ea t h , Nick bou n ded fr om t h e cov er of t h e v a n a n d ca m e ou t r u n n in g . T h e m er cen a r y a t t h e bu s sh elt er in st a n t ly spot t ed h im . Dr oppin g h is n ew spa per , t h e m a n flew t o h is feet a n d dr ew a bla ck Glock fr om ben ea t h h is blu e w in dbr ea k er . He pr oceeded t o fir e a t Nick , w h o du ck ed a n d zig za g g ed a s h e spr in t ed for w a r d, m a k in g it difficu lt for t h e soldier t o con n ect w it h h is t a r g et . Nick w a s fiv e feet fr om t h e bu s st op w h en h ea t st r ea k ed t h r ou g h h is left sh ou lder . Ig n or in g t h e st in g of pa in , h e ch a r g ed t h e m er cen a r y befor e t h e m a n cou ld t a k e a im a g a in a n d k n ock ed t h e Glock ou t of h is m ea t y h a n d. In a h ea r t bea t , Nick h a d t h e ba r r el of h is g u n pr essed a g a in st t h e m a n ’s t em ple. “ Don ’t fr ick in ’ m ov e,” h e h issed. T h e ot h er m a n fr oze. Nick k n ew h e didn ’t h a v e a lot of t im e. Despit e t h e la t e h ou r , t h e bu s sh elt er w a s lit u p lik e For t Kn ox , a n d t h er e w a s a ch a n ce t h a t a bu s w ou ld pu ll u p a n y secon d. Keepin g on e a r m lock ed a r ou n d t h e m er c’s ch est , Nick ja m m ed t h e m u zzle of h is SIG deeper in t o h is ca pt iv e’s t em ple a n d sa id, “ Let ’s n ot w a st e t im e. I a ssu m e t h er e a r e a few m or e of y ou u p in m y h ot el r oom , r ig h t ? Lu ck ily for t h em , I’m n ot in t h e m ood t o k ill a n y on e else t on ig h t .” W it h a n a n g r y cu r se, t h e soldier a t t em pt ed t o br in g t h e h eel of h is boot in t o Nick ’s g r oin , bu t Nick sim ply sh ift ed a n d t ig h t en ed h is h old.

“ Bu t y ou n eed t o k n ow t h a t if I w a n t ed t o, I cou ld k ill ev er y la st on e of y ou ba st a r ds,” h e w en t on . “ A n d t h a t ’s t h e m essa g e I w a n t y ou t o t a k e ba ck t o y ou r boss.” T h e ot h er m a n r elea sed a n ot h er da r k ex plet iv e, bu t h e h a d st opped st r u g g lin g . “ Go a h ea d a n d k ill m e. Ca r r a w a y w ill on ly sen d a n ot h er t ea m .” Ca r r a w a y . Nick filed t h e n a m e a w a y for fu t u r e con t em pla t ion , t h en let ou t a ch u ck le. “ Good. I look for w a r d t o it ,” h e sa id plea sa n t ly . “ I’ll en joy elim in a t in g t h em , t oo, ju st lik e I elim in a t ed n in et y per cen t of y ou r bu ddies t on ig h t . A n d if y ou r boss decides t o sen d a n ot h er h it squ a d a ft er t h a t , I’ll t a k e t h em ou t , t oo. A n d t h en t h e n ex t h it squ a d, a n d t h e n ex t on e, a n d—w ell, y ou g et t h e poin t . See, I’m g et t in g da m n t ir ed of t h ese g a m es. En ou g h w it h t h is cow a r dly cr a p. T ell h im if h e w a n t s m e, h e ca n com e a ft er m e h im self.” W it h t h e lig h t est of t ou ch es, Nick sw ift ly m ov ed h is ot h er h a n d t o t h e m a n ’s beefy n eck a n d sou g h t ou t t h e cor r ect pr essu r e poin t . T h en h e ch u ck led a g a in . “ So w h en y ou w a k e u p, plea se m a k e su r e y ou r boss g et s t h e m essa g e, ok a y , pa l?” “ Scr ew y —” He a pplied pr essu r e on t h a t delica t e spot a n d t h e soldier w en t lim p in h is a r m s. Lig h t s ou t . Nick h a st ily low er ed t h e m a n ’s h ea v y body on t o t h e m et a l ben ch , t h en h olst er ed h is g u n . A s h e w a lk ed a w a y fr om t h e bu s st op, h e k ept h is g a it ca su a l, r ela x ed, ju st a m a n ou t for a la t e-n ig h t st r oll. Y our m ove, Mr. X.

Chapter 14 Rebecca

la u n ch ed h er self a t Nick t h e secon d h e st r ode in t o t h e m ot el r oom . T h eir ch est s collided w it h a lou d t h u m p, a n d h er pa n ick ed br a in r eg ist er ed t h e sou n d of h u sk y la u g h t er a n d cr in k lin g pla st ic. Nick h a d ba r ely been g on e t w o h ou r s, bu t sh e felt lik e sh e’d been w a it in g for a n et er n it y . Sh e pu lled ba ck a n d sea r ch ed h is fa ce, w h ich r ev ea led n ot h in g . “ W h a t h a ppen ed? A r e y ou a ll r ig h t ? Did y ou t a k e ca r e of t h e m er cen a r ies? W a s it —” “ How a bou t on e qu est ion a t a t im e?” h e cu t in w it h a g r in . “ Sor r y . I w a s ju st w or r ied.” “ No n eed for t h a t , Red. I’m per fect ly fin e.” “ A n d t h e m er cen a r ies?” “ T a k en ca r e of,” w a s a ll h e sa id. “ I see,” sh e sa id w a r ily . “ Oh , don ’t g iv e m e t h a t look . I t old y ou ex a ct ly w h a t I pla n n ed on doin g , Rebecca . It w a s n ecessa r y .” Sh e r elea sed a sig h . “ I k n ow . Kill or be k illed, r ig h t ?” Nick blin k ed in su r pr ise. “ A n d y ou ’r e ok a y w it h t h a t ?” “ I h a v e t o be.” Her ja w t ig h t en ed. “ T h ose m en k illed Jesse a n d Da v e, a n d on e of t h em pr oba bly slipped Ha r r y som e k in d of dr u g t h a t st opped h is h ea r t .” Sh e fr ow n ed. “ I sh ou ld r ea lly g et m y h a n ds on Ha r r y ’s t ox scr een s. Sh oot . I bet t h e h ospit a l didn ’t ev en r u n a n y if Mr . X h a d a n y t h in g t o sa y a bou t it .” Nick sh r u g g ed h is h olst er off, t h en h eld ou t a br ow n pa per ba g sh e h a dn ’t n ot iced h im h oldin g u n t il n ow . “ W h a t ’s t h a t ?” sh e a sk ed su spiciou sly . “ On e of t h e soldier ’s h ea ds?”

He bu r st ou t la u g h in g . “ T h is isn ’t t h e m ediev a l t im es, da r lin g . Jeez. I st opped a t a n a ll-h ou r s deli a n d g r a bbed u s som e sa n dw ich es. I k n ow h ow m u ch y ou h a t e t h ose MREs, a n d I w a s w or r ied t h a t if I didn ’t pu t som et h in g t a st y in y ou r belly , y ou ’d st a r v e.” W a r m t h t r ick led t h r ou g h h er . He’d a ct u a lly st opped t o bu y h er food? A t fou r -t h ir t y in t h e m or n in g ? God, t h is m a n w a s t oo t h ou g h t fu l for w or ds. A s if on cu e, h er st om a ch g r u m bled, officia lly bet r a y in g t h e fa ct t h a t sh e h a d in deed for g on e t h a t MRE. Rollin g h is ey es, Nick r ea ch ed in t o t h e ba g a n d sa id, “ Ha m , t u r k ey or t u n a ?” “ T u r k ey ,” sh e sa id, h oldin g ou t h er h a n d. He sla pped a foil-w r a pped sa n dw ich in h er pa lm . Rebecca sa n k on t h e edg e of t h e secon d t w in bed a n d h u r r iedly u n w r a pped t h e food, t h en br ou g h t t h e sa n dw ich t o h er m ou t h a n d t ook a big bit e. T h e fla v or s in st a n t ly su ffu sed h er t a st e bu ds—let t u ce, t om a t o, h on ey m u st a r d, m a y o. Sh e ch ew ed fa st a n d sw a llow ed fa st er , en joy in g t h e fir st y u m m y m ea l sh e’d ea t en in da y s. On t h e ot h er bed, Nick t a ck led h is ow n sa n dw ich . He fin ish ed it in n o m or e t h a n fiv e or six bit es, m a k in g Rebecca g r in ev en a s sh e ch ew ed on a m ou t h fu l of t u r k ey . Nick st ood u p a n d g r a bbed t w o bot t les of w a t er , ch u g g ed on e a n d h a n ded h er t h e ot h er . Sh e a ccept ed it g r a t efu lly a n d t ook a lon g sip. “ I’m g oin g t o t a k e a qu ick sh ow er ,” h e t old h er . “ Go for it .” He ben t dow n a n d g r a bbed a fr esh sh ir t , box er s a n d a pa ir of pa n t s fr om h is du ffel ba g , a n d h e’d n ea r ly m a de it t o t h e ba t h r oom door w h en Rebecca

n ot iced t h e w h it e fir st a id k it h e’d t r ied t u ck in g in side t h e pile of clot h es. “ St op r ig h t t h er e, Nich ola s!” He g la n ced ov er , h is lips t w it ch in g . “ Did y ou r ea lly ju st ca ll m e t h a t ?” Scow lin g , sh e h opped off t h e bed a n d m a r ch ed u p t o h im . “ Did y ou r ea lly t h in k y ou cou ld h ide t h e fa ct t h a t y ou ’r e injured?” “ I’m n ot in ju r ed,” h e pr ot est ed. “ Y ea h , r ig h t .” Her g a ze sw ept ov er h im , u p a n d dow n a n d side t o side. Sh e g a sped w h en sh e n ot iced t h e w et spot on h is sh ir t r ig h t ov er h is left sh ou lder a n d t h e fla sh of r ed sk in w h er e t h e m a t er ia l h a d been t or n a w a y . “ Oh , for Pet e’s sa k e! T a k e off y ou r sh ir t .” He look ed ex t r em ely r elu ct a n t , bu t h e m u st h a v e seen t h e fla m es of a n g er in h er ey es beca u se h e peeled off h is lon g -sleev ed bla ck sh ir t w it h ou t a w or d. Rebecca pa led w h en sh e sa w t h e n a st y r ed bu r n m a r k on h is sh ou lder . “ Ju st a g r a ze,” h e sa id g r u ffly . “ It ’s n o big g ie.” Sh e g r u m bled u n der h er br ea t h . “ W h y do m en a lw a y s h a v e t o a ct a ll m a ch o?” Sh e poin t ed t o t h e bed. “ Sit . Let m e clea n t h is u p.” “ Let m e t a k e t h a t sh ow er fir st .” “ No. Beca u se on ce y ou ’r e in t h e ba t h r oom , y ou ’ll lock t h e door a n d t r y t o pa t ch y ou r self u p a lon e.” His t in y sh r u g t old h er sh e’d h it t h e m a r k . “ Fin e, y ou w a n t a sh ow er so ba dly ? I’ll sit t h er e u n t il y ou ’r e don e.” “ A r e y ou ser iou s?” “ Y ep.” Sh e g r a bbed h old of h is u n in ju r ed a r m a n d u sh er ed h im in t o t h e w a sh r oom . His t a ll, m u scu la r body dom in a t ed t h e sm a ll spa ce, a n d w h en sh e look ed

a t t h eir r eflect ion s in t h e m ir r or , sh e a lm ost la u g h ed a t t h e differ en ce in t h eir sizes. “ W ell?” Sh e flopped dow n on t h e closed t oilet sea t a n d poin t ed t o t h e sh ow er st a ll. “ Get in .” Hea t fla r ed in h is br ow n ey es. “ A n d w h a t , y ou ’r e g oin g t o sit t h er e a n d w a t ch ?” Sh e lift ed a defia n t br ow . “ Su r e a m . Got a pr oblem w it h t h a t ?” “ Nope.” He u n zipped h is pa n t s a n d let t h em dr op t o t h e t iled floor . His box er br iefs w er e n ex t , a n d Rebecca su ck ed in a br ea t h w h en h is er ect ion spr a n g u p a n d bobbed a g a in st h is n a v el. He w a s in cr edible. So h a r d, so m a le, so v ir ile. He spu n a r ou n d t o t u r n on t h e w a t er , pr ov idin g h er w it h t h e m ost m ou t h w a t er in g v iew of h is spect a cu la r a ss. Sh e w en t on sen sor y ov er loa d, u n a ble t o focu s on a n y on e det a il for t oo lon g . Golden sk in , r oped m u scles, h ea v y ch est , m u scu la r leg s. Nick Ba r r et t w a s t h e sex iest m a n on t h e pla n et . Rebecca w a s su dden ly h u n g r y a g a in . God, sh e w a n t ed h im . W a n t ed t o feel h is h ot m ou t h on h er s. His r ou g h h a n ds on h er br ea st s. His m a le h a r dn ess fillin g h er . “ W h a t a r e y ou w a it in g for ?” Nick sa id m ock in g ly , t ossin g h er a k n ow in g look ov er h is sh ou lder . He st epped in t o t h e sh ow er st a ll, bu t didn ’t close t h e pin k pla st ic cu r t a in . In st ea d, h e ju st st ood t h er e, h is ey es lock ed w it h h er s a s w a t er st r ea m ed dow n h is n a k ed body a n d clu n g t o t h e defin ed r idg es of h is ch est . Rebecca k n ew sh e w a s su pposed t o be doin g som et h in g im por t a n t . W h a t w a s it a g a in ? Um … let t in g h im t a k e a qu ick r in se so sh e cou ld ba n da g e u p

h is sh ou lder . Rig h t . T h a t w a s it . So w h y w a s sh e u n bu t t on in g h er jea n s? W h ile h er g a ze st a y ed g lu ed t o Nick ’s n a k ed, soa k in g -w et body , h er h a n ds con t in u ed t o do t h eir ow n t h in g . T a k in g h er jea n s off. Pu llin g h er sh ir t ov er h er h ea d. Un sn a ppin g h er br a . W ig g lin g ou t of h er pa n t ies. T h r ou g h ou t h er st r ipt ea se, Nick w a t ch ed in silen ce, t h e fir e in h is ey es bu r n in g h ot t er a n d h ot t er a s ea ch piece of clot h in g ex posed a n ew body pa r t . “ Get in h er e,” h e g r ow led. He didn ’t h a v e t o a sk h er t w ice. Rebecca slid in t o t h e st a ll a n d in t o h is a r m s, t ippin g h er h ea d t o w elcom e h is blist er in g k iss. T h eir t on g u es t a n g led, br ea t h s m in g led w it h t h e st ea m t h a t w a s beg in n in g t o fill t h e st a ll. A s t h e h ot w a t er r u sh ed ov er t h eir h ea ds, t h eir bodies beca m e slick , pla st er in g t o ea ch ot h er a s Nick br ou g h t h er flu sh u p a g a in st h im a n d cu pped h er bot t om . T h e posit ion ca u sed h is er ect ion t o slide ov er h er m ou n d, br in g in g a m oa n t o h er lips. Ev er y t h in g a bou t t h is m a n dr ov e h er w ild w it h desir e. T h e ba d boy s sh e’d da t ed in t h e pa st didn ’t ev en com pa r e t o Nick Ba r r et t —sh e’d t h ou g h t t h ose lov er s w er e pa ssion a t e, bu t sh e’d been w r on g . This w a s pa ssion . Nick ’s h ea v y -lidded ey es. His fea t u r es, t a u t w it h a r ou sa l. His deft fin g er s a n d t a len t ed t on g u e t ea sin g h er lips a n d br ea st s. “ Oh , t h a t ’s g ood,” sh e w h im per ed w h en h e r olled h er n ipples bet w een h is t h u m bs a n d for efin g er s, g et t in g t h em st iff, m a k in g t h em t in g le. Rebecca ’s h ea d lolled t o t h e side, t h e plea su r e so in t en se sh e cou ld ba r ely st a y u pr ig h t . Her br ea st s h a d a lw a y s been pa r t icu la r ly sen sit iv e, a n d it t h r illed h er t h a t Nick en joy ed focu sin g so m u ch of h is

a t t en t ion on t h em . “ Y ou lik e t h a t , h u h ?” h e r a sped, h is w a r m br ea t h h ea t in g h er lips a s h e ben t dow n t o k iss h er a g a in . He squ eezed h er br ea st s, sw eepin g h is t h u m bs ov er t h ose pu ck er ed bu ds u n t il sh e w a s m oa n in g in im pa t ien ce. “ W h a t is it ? W h a t do y ou n eed, da r lin g ?” h e sa id r ou g h ly . “ Y ou r m ou t h ,” sh e squ eezed ou t . He g a v e h er w h a t sh e w a n t ed w it h ou t dela y , dippin g h is h ea d a n d ca pt u r in g on e n ipple bet w een h is lips. A jolt of h ot plea su r e seized h er cor e. Nick lick ed t h e dist en ded n ipple, t h en su ck led g en t ly . His t on g u e t ea sed a n d ex plor ed, su m m on in g m oa n a ft er m oa n fr om h er deep in h er t h r oa t . It w a sn ’t lon g befor e sh e w a s sh ift in g in a g it a t ion , desper a t e for m or e. Sh e r ea ch ed bet w een t h eir bodies a n d en cir cled h is sh a ft , g iv in g it a lon g , la n g u id pu m p. Nick ’s g r oa n v ibr a t ed a g a in st h er br ea st s. “ Oh , t h a t ’s g ood, da r lin g . T ea se m e a lit t le.” A s sh e st r ok ed h im la zily , h e br ou g h t on e h a n d t o t h e ju n ct u r e of h er t h ig h s a n d did som e t ea sin g of h is ow n . Rebecca ’s en t ir e body h u m m ed w it h plea su r e a s h e st r ok ed h er h y per sen sit iv e folds, t ea sin g t h a t sw ollen bu d. W h en h e slid on e lon g fin g er in side h er , sh e g a sped w it h delig h t a n d r ock ed in t o h is h a n d, a ll t h e w h ile qu ick en in g t h e t em po w it h w h ich sh e st r ok ed h im . “ I n eed t o be in y ou ,” h e m u t t er ed, ba ck in g h er in t o t h e w a ll. Sh e w r a pped h er a r m s a r ou n d h is n eck a n d h er leg s a r ou n d h is w a ist , open in g h er self u p t o h im , w a it in g for h im t o plu n g e in side. Bu t h e didn ’t .

In st ea d, h e m a de a fr u st r a t ed sou n d a n d m et h er ey es. “ No con dom .” “ I’m clea n a n d on t h e pill.” Sh e blu sh ed. Som et im es sex w a s so da r n a w k w a r d, y et sh e st ill h a d t o a sk , “ Ha v e y ou been t est ed?” “ I’m clea n , t oo. Do y ou … A r e y ou su r e I sh ou ld…” His a w k w a r dn ess w a s a dor a ble, a n d for som e w eir d r ea son , it su cceeded in t u r n in g h er on a g a in . He w a s su ch a g ood g u y . So v er y t h ou g h t fu l a ll t h e t im e. W h ich m a de t h e t im es w h en h e lost con t r ol so m u ch m or e sa t isfy in g . Lik e n ow , a s h e dr ov e in t o h er a n d filled h er t o t h e h ilt , h is h ips m ov in g fa st a n d fu r iou s. A t h r ill sh ot t h r ou g h h er , follow ed by a r u sh of ex cit em en t a s h e pou n ded in t o h er in a r elen t less r h y t h m t h a t m a de h er br ea t h in g g o sh a llow . Sh e w a t ch ed Nick ’s fa ce t h r ou g h t h e h a ze of st ea m , lov in g t h e w a y h is a m ber -color ed ey es slit t ed w it h pa ssion , t h e w a y t h e t en don s in h is n eck st r a in ed, t h e w a y h e m u t t er ed h er n a m e u n der h is br ea t h . His m ou t h fou n d h er s a g a in , h is t on g u e slidin g in w it h on e g r eedy t h r u st a n d st ea lin g t h e br ea t h fr om h er lu n g s. Sh e clu n g t o h is st r on g sh ou lder s, du g h er h eels in t o h is fir m bu t t ock s a n d closed h er ey es a s a r u sh of plea su r e con su m ed h er body a n d sen t h er m in d soa r in g . Sh e felt Nick t en se, h ea r d h im g r oa n a n d k n ew h e’d r ea ch ed t h a t sa m e ex plosiv e pin n a cle. W it h a g r oa n , h e slipped ou t , t h en ea sed a side so sh e cou ld du ck u n der t h e spr a y , w h ich h a d g on e lu k ew a r m . T h ey qu ick ly w a sh ed u p befor e t h e w a t er t u r n ed fr eezin g , a n d t h en Nick sh u t off t h e w a t er a n d pu lled ba ck t h e cu r t a in . Rebecca st epped ou t of t h e sh ow er fir st , t u r n in g t o sh oot h im a sh eepish look . “ FY I, w h en I follow ed y ou

in h er e, t h a t w a sn ’t a sedu ct ion a t t em pt eit h er . I r ea lly w a n t ed t o t a k e ca r e of t h a t w ou n d.” “ Sure. Y ou k eep sa y in g t h a t , bu t I don ’t t h in k I believ e y ou a n y m or e.” He sla n t ed h is h ea d t h ou g h t fu lly . “ I t h in k y ou ’r e in sedu ct ion m ode 2 4 /7 , Red.” “ W ell, it w ou ld be a lot ea sier t o sn a p ou t of it if y ou w er en ’t so da r n t em pt in g ,” sh e g r u m bled. “ Y ou w a n t t o t a lk t em pt in g ?” He g est u r ed t o h er n a k ed body . “ Beca u se I’m pr et t y su r e y ou ’r e t h e m ost t em pt in g w om a n on t h e pla n et .” Sh e offer ed a n im pish sm ile. “ I’m sor r y ?” Nick offer ed a g r a v e look in r et u r n . “ Nev er a polog ize for y ou r h ot n ess. Ev er .” Rebecca la u g h ed, t h en g r a bbed t w o t ow els fr om t h e r a ck a n d h a n ded Nick on e. T h ey dr ied off in silen ce, a n d t h e a ir in t h e ba t h r oom w en t fr om com for t a ble t o u n ea sy , ech oin g w it h qu est ion s t h a t n eit h er of t h em v oiced. What are w e doing here? sh e w a n t ed t o a sk . Where w ill it lead? Nick h a d in sist ed h e didn ’t do ca su a l, a n d y et h e’d st opped pu t t in g u p r esist a n ce a lon g t im e a g o. He’d pr et t y m u ch com m a n ded h er t o g et in t o t h e sh ow er w it h h im ju st n ow , w h ich t old h er h e w a sn ’t t r y in g t o k eep h er a t a r m ’s len g t h a n y m or e. Bu t w h er e w a s h is h ea d a t ? Sh e w ish ed h e w ou ld be m or e for t h com in g a bou t t h e w a y h e felt , a bou t w h a t h e w a n t ed fr om t h is, bu t it w a s clea r t h a t Nick Ba r r et t , a s sw eet a n d g en t lem a n ly a s h e w a s, did not lik e discu ssin g h is feelin g s. On t h e ot h er h a n d, m a y be t h a t w a s a g ood t h in g . Beca u se sh e h a d t h e sin k in g su spicion t h a t if sh e a sk ed h im a bou t t h e fu t u r e, sh e w ou ldn ’t lik e w h a t h e h a d t o sa y .

So r a t h er t h a n for ce a ser iou s discu ssion —a t fiv e in t h e m or n in g t o boot —sh e st ood on h er t ipt oes a n d br u sh ed h er lips ov er h is in a ca su a l lit t le k iss. “ Com e on , W a t son . Let ’s ba n da g e u p t h is ‘g r a ze’ of y ou r s a n d g et som e m u ch -n eeded sleep.” *** “ W e’v e g ot a pr oblem . A v er y big pr oblem .” W h a t else w a s n ew ? W it h a sig h , h e r ose fr om h is desk ch a ir a n d w a lk ed ov er t o t h e r edbr ick fir epla ce a cr oss t h e r oom . It w a s six in t h e m or n in g , bu t h e h a dn ’t been in bed. A ft er a n ot h er n ig h t of elu siv e sleep, h e’d fin a lly g iv en u p a n d g on e in t o h is st u dy w it h a t u m bler of w h isk ey a n d a pa ck of cig a r et t es t h a t h is w ife, God bless h er sou l, w ou ld h a v e been h or r ified t o see. Sh e’d for ced h im t o qu it y ea r s a g o, in sist in g sh e w a n t ed h im t o liv e a lon g , h ea lt h y life. How ir on ic t h a t h e, t h e on e w h o’d been sm ok in g for t w en t y y ea r s, w a s st ill a liv e w h ile t h e lov e of h is life w a s bu r ied u n der six feet of dir t in a New Y or k cem et er y . A n d n ow h e h a d t o list en t o Ca r r a w a y in for m h im of y et a n ot h er pr oblem . A n ot h er m ess h e’d n o dou bt be for ced t o clea n u p. “ W h a t is it ?” He cou ld ba r ely m u st er u p in t er est ; it w a s t oo ea r ly in t h e m or n in g t o dw ell on h ow ou t of con t r ol t h is sit u a t ion h a d g ot t en . “ Six of m y m en a r e dea d. Ba r r et t t ook t h em ou t .” Sh ock sla ck en ed h is ja w . “ A r e y ou su r e it w a s h im ?” “ Posit iv e, sir . He pa ssed a lon g a m essa g e t o on e of t h e soldier s h e left a liv e. He w a n t ed u s t o k n ow t h a t h e’ll k ill a n y h it squ a d w e dispa t ch t o t a k e h im ou t .” Ca r r a w a y pa u sed. “ A n d h e h a d a specific m essa g e for you.”

“ W h a t is it ?” h e sa id w a r ily . Ca r r a w a y sou n ded a w k w a r d. “ For y ou t o st op bein g a cow a r d. If y ou w a n t h im , st op sen din g soldier s a n d com e a ft er h im y ou r self.” His lips cu r led in a sn eer . Cow a r d? W h o did t h a t y ou n g pu n k t h in k h e w a s, a ccu sin g h im of cow a r dice? W ou ld a cow a r d h a v e pu t h is n eck on t h e lin e for t h e sa k e of h is cou n t r y ? No, h e didn ’t t h in k so. “ So w h a t ’s t h e or der , sir ? Do y ou w a n t m e t o a ssem ble a n ot h er t ea m ?” He m u lled it ov er . “ Y ou m ig h t a s w ell. Ma y be t h e n ex t cr ew w ill h a v e bet t er lu ck .” “ Or m a y be t h ey ’ll die a t Ba r r et t ’s h a n ds, t oo,” w a s t h e bit t er r eply . “ Fin d bet t er m en .” “ T h is cr ew w a s m y best .” “ T h is cr ew w a s g a r ba g e,” h e sn a pped. “ Ot h er w ise t h ey ’d h a v e t a k en ca r e of ou r lit t le pr oblem . So h ir e som e soldier s w h o a r e m or e sk illed, a n d g et t h e job don e.” He h u n g u p w it h ou t a w or d, a n g r ily sla m m in g t h e ph on e on t h e fir epla ce m a n t el. It r equ ir ed sev er a l deep br ea t h s t o ea se t h e v ola t ile em ot ion s sw ir lin g in h is g u t . Set t in g dow n h is t u m bler , h e h ea ded for t h e desk a n d peer ed a t h is ca len da r . T h u r sda y ’s en t r y ca u g h t h is ey e, in spir in g a n od of sa t isfa ct ion . Good. McA v oy w ou ld be ba ck fr om Beijin g . His g a ze sh ift ed t o t h e follow in g da y w h er e t h e w or ds Veterans Gala w er e pen ciled in . Ch r ist , t h e la st t h in g h e w a s in t h e m ood for w a s a h ig h ly pu blicized ev en t . He sh ov ed t h e a n n oy in g r em in der a side a n d

g la n ced a t McA v oy ’s n a m e a g a in . It m ig h t be t im e. A s u n h a ppy a s t h e idea m a de h im , h e k n ew t h ey ’d officia lly r ea ch ed a cr it ica l poin t h er e. It w a s t im e t o st a r t dist a n cin g h im self fr om t h is Mer idia n v ir u s fia sco. T im e t o t r a n sfer t h e bu r den of bla m e on t o som eon e else’s sh ou lder s. T im e t o sa v e h im self. *** Nick w ok e u p t o t h e feel of a w a r m , w et m ou t h en cir clin g h is sh a ft . A s w ick ed r ea lit y set t led in , h e n ea r ly jer k ed t h r ee feet in t h e a ir , elicit in g a soft la u g h fr om t h e w om a n w h o’d decided t o best ow h im w it h a w a k e-u p ca ll n ev er t o be for g ot t en . “ W h a t a r e y ou doin g ?” h e cr oa k ed, ev en a s h is h ips lift ed a n d h is a r ou sa l sou g h t ou t t h a t in cr edible m ou t h a g a in . “ Sedu cin g y ou .” Her soft la u g h t er t ick led h is en g or g ed h ea d. “ Officia lly .” T h en sh e t ook h im deep in h er m ou t h a n d su ck ed. A w ild g r oa n bu r st ou t of h is ch est . Sh e w a s t r y in g t o k ill h im . Well, then you’ll die happy. Now , s hut up and enjoy this . He decided t o list en t o t h a t im pa t ien t v oice. Closin g h is ey es, h e t h r u st h is h a n ds in Rebecca ’s h a ir , lov in g t h e w a y t h ose silk y r ed st r a n ds slipped t h r ou g h h is fin g er s. Her en t h u sia sm w a s a m a jor t u r n -on . Sh e t ook t h e t im e t o discov er w h a t h e lik ed, t h ou g h in a ll h on est y , h e cou ldn ’t im a g in e h er doin g a n y t h in g h e didn’t lik e. W it h fea t h er lig h t lick s, sh e dr a g g ed h er t on g u e a lon g t h e len g t h of h im a n d t ea sed h is t ip, m a k in g

h im g r oa n a g a in . T h en sh e br ou g h t h er h a n d in t o pla y , w r a ppin g it a r ou n d h is ba se a n d st r ok in g fir m ly . Sh e cr ea t ed a st ea dy t em po w it h h er h a n d a n d m ou t h , dr iv in g h im t o a lev el of a r ou sa l t h a t h a d h im cla w in g a t t h e sh eet s. W h en h is body st a r t ed t in g lin g , a n in dica t ion t h a t h e w a s per ilou sly close t o losin g con t r ol, h e sh ov ed a h a n d in h er h a ir a g a in a n d st illed h er ea g er m ov em en t s. Rebecca lift ed h er h ea d a n d g a v e h im a qu est ion in g look . “ W h a t ’s w r on g ?” “ Not h in g ’s w r on g . Bu t it ’s m y t u r n .” “ W h a t a r e y ou —” He flipped h er ov er befor e sh e cou ld fin ish , br in g in g a st a r t led squ ea k t o h er lips. He sw a llow ed t h a t a dor a ble sou n d w it h h is k iss, t h en pu lled ba ck a n d m et h er plea su r e-h a zy ey es. “ Min d if I do a lit t le sedu cin g of m y ow n ?” h e m u r m u r ed. “ Not a t a ll,” sh e sa id br ea t h lessly . “ Good, beca u se I’v e been dy in g t o h a v e m y w a y w it h y ou sin ce t h e m om en t w e m et .” A n d h e pr oceeded t o do ju st t h a t . He k issed ev er y in ch of h er h ot , silk y flesh . Nu zzled h er n eck , su ck ed on h er ea r . Her soft w h im per s a n d h u sk y m oa n s t old h im ex a ct ly w h a t sh e lik ed a n d h e pa id a t t en t ion t o t h e sig n s h er body g a v e h im —t h e w a y h er n ipples w en t im possibly h a r der w h en h e flick ed t h em sh a r ply w it h h is t on g u e. T h e sh iv er t h a t r olled t h r ou g h h er w h en h e k issed t h a t sen sit iv e spot r ig h t a bov e h er h ip bon e. T h e w a y sh e sh u dder ed w h en h is fin g er s g r a zed h er w a r m m ou n d. He in ch ed h is w a y sou t h , a n d w h en h is m ou t h fou n d h er cor e, sh e cr ied ou t in delig h t . A s a spa r k of m a le sa t isfa ct ion lit h is g u t , h e

focu sed on plea sin g h er . He lick ed h er , slow ly , lov in g ly , en joy in g t h e w a y sh e sig h ed, t h e w a y sh e m u r m u r ed h is n a m e. Her h ips beg a n t o m ov e a n d h e follow ed h er r h y t h m , br in g in g h er closer a n d closer t o t h e edg e, r efu sin g t o st op u n t il sh e t oppled r ig h t ov er it . “ Nick .” Sh e sa id h is n a m e on a g r oa n a n d cla w ed a t h is sh ou lder s, u r g in g . “ I n eed m or e. I n eed y ou .” Sh e didn ’t h a v e t o a sk h im t w ice. He sw ift ly cov er ed h er pet it e body , n o lon g er fea r fu l t h a t h e w a s cr u sh in g h er . W h en ev er h e t r ied t o g iv e h er r oom t o br ea t h e, t o r a ise h im self ov er h er on h is for ea r m s, sh e a lw a y s pu lled h im dow n so t h a t h er br ea st s w er e cr u sh ed a g a in st h is ch est a n d h eld h im in pla ce. T r u t h w a s, h e a bsolu t ely lov ed t h e w a y h er body con st a n t ly st r a in ed t o g et closer t o h is. A n d h e lov ed t h e feelin g of sh eer com plet ion t h a t ov er t ook h im w h en h e pu sh ed in t o h er w elcom in g h ea t . A s u su a l, t h e n eed t o t a k e h er h a r d a n d fa st w a s ev er pr esen t , bu t h e for ced h im self t o slow t h e pa ce a n d m a k e it la st . “ Oh , t h a t ’s n ice,” Rebecca w h isper ed a s h e beg a n t o m ov e in slow , deep st r ok es. “ V er y n ice,” h e sa id h oa r sely . T h e m a t t r ess squ ea k ed a s t h ey m ov ed t og et h er , n eit h er on e of t h em r a cin g t o r ea ch t h a t fin ish lin e. Nick cr a dled Rebecca ’s h ea d w it h h is h a n ds a n d k issed h er deeply , h is t on g u e m a t ch in g t h e m ov em en t s of h is cock . W h en r elea se fin a lly seized h is body , it w a sn ’t so m u ch a n ex plosion a s lit t le spa r k s of h ea t t h a t da n ced t h r ou g h h is n er v e en din g s a n d sh iv er ed a lon g ev er y in ch of h is flesh . He k n ew Rebecca w a s feelin g t h a t sa m e r u sh of bliss beca u se h er ey es h a d g la zed ov er a n d sh e w a s r ock in g h er h ips w it h a ba n don .

Ev en t u a lly t h ey bot h w en t st ill, a n d a com for t a ble silen ce fell ov er t h e r oom . Nick r olled on t o h is ba ck a n d t w ist ed h is h ea d t o look a t h er w h ile a feelin g of pu r e a n d u t t er con t en t w a sh ed ov er h im . “ W a n n a g o ba ck t o sleep?” h e su g g est ed. “ Kin da .” Sh e la u g h ed. “ Is t h a t t oo deca den t of u s?” “ W ell, McA v oy isn ’t ba ck u n t il t om or r ow . W h a t else a r e w e g oin g t o do u n t il t h en ?” Sh e w ig g led h er ey ebr ow s in a n ov er ly lew d w a y t h a t m a de h im sm ile. “ How a bou t m or e of w h a t w e did ju st n ow ?” “ W ell, du h , Rebecca . Of cou r se w e’ll be doin g t h a t .” “ A lot ?” “ A lot ,” h e con fir m ed. “ In fa ct , w e sh ou ld defin it ely g o t o sleep. T h a t w a y I ca n be t h e on e g iv in g you t h e w a k e-u p su r pr ise t h is t im e.” “ Dea l.” Sh e a br u pt ly slid off t h e bed. “ Got t a pee. BRB.” A la u g h t ick led h is t h r oa t . Lor d, h e lik ed t h is w om a n . Sh e w a s so fu ll of life, so fu n a n d sa ssy a n d en t er t a in in g —y et a t t h e sa m e t im e, focu sed a n d in t ellig en t . It w a s a n odd com bin a t ion , bu t h e lik ed it . W h a t h e w as n’t cr a zy a bou t w a s t h e w a y h is h ea r t sk ipped a bea t w h en Rebecca st epped ou t of t h e ba t h r oom , or h ow h is pu lse sped u p w h en sh e h opped ba ck in t o bed a n d cu ddled a g a in st h im lik e it w a s som et h in g t h ey ’d been doin g for y ea r s. Cu ddlin g , h a v in g sex , la u g h in g t og et h er . Not t h a t t h er e w a s a n y t h in g w r on g w it h a n y of t h ose t h in g s. He lik ed doin g t h em w it h h er , bu t … But w hat? t h e v oice in h is h ea d m ock ed. A ft er a m om en t , h e g a v e u p on t r y in g t o fin ish t h e r est of t h a t t h ou g h t . It w a s t oo ea r ly in t h e

m or n in g t o be t h in k in g a bou t st u ff lik e t h is. W h ich w a s w h y h e pr om pt ly r olled ov er a g a in , spoon ed beh in d Rebecca a n d w en t ba ck t o sleep. *** Nick w a sn ’t k iddin g —t h r ee h ou r s la t er , Rebecca w a s coa x ed ou t of slu m ber by t h e feel of h is t on g u e bet w een h er leg s, w h ich led t o a n ot h er r ou n d of in cr edible sex t h a t left t h em bot h br ea t h less. A ft er w a r d, t h ey dev ou r ed t h e t w o r em a in in g sa n dw ich es t h a t Nick h a d st a sh ed in t h e fr idg e t h e n ig h t befor e, t h en r et u r n ed t o bed. “ I ca n ’t r em em ber t h e la st t im e I w a s t h is la zy ,” sh e con fessed a s sh e idly dr a g g ed a fin g er ov er Nick ’s ba r e ch est . “ Me n eit h er ,” h e sa id in a con t en t ed v oice. “ I t h in k I lik e it .” “ I don ’t k n ow . It feels w r on g . I feel lik e w e sh ou ld be in v est ig a t in g , follow in g u p on a lea d, look in g for a clu e. Y ou k n ow w h a t I m ea n ?” “ Y ea h . Bu t ou r on ly lea d is st ill ou t of t ow n . McA v oy ’s t h e on e w h o dea lt w it h W a v er ly , a n d ch a n ces a r e, h e’s Mr . X .” “ A n d if h e is?” sh e a sk ed ca r efu lly . “ Y ou ’r e n ot g oin g t o g o a ll Ra m bo a g a in a n d k ill h im , a r e y ou ?” Nick ’s pecs v ibr a t ed w it h h is la u g h t er , t ick lin g h er ea r . “ Rela x , I’m n ot pu llin g a Ra m bo a g a in . I pr om ised m y da d w e’d h a n dle t h e fa llou t pr oper ly , r em em ber ? McA v oy w ill be g oin g t o ja il, n ot t h e g r a v e.” “ Good, beca u se it w ou ld be bet t er for m y ca r eer if h e w a s a liv e,” sh e t ea sed. “ T h a t w a y I ca n scor e a n ex clu siv e w it h t h e g ood old dep sec def.” Sh e cou ld sw ea r Nick ’s a bdom en t en sed, bu t w h en sh e r a n h er fin g er s ov er h is t ig h t six -pa ck , h is m u scles w er e r ela x ed.

“ I don ’t k n ow h ow y ou h a v e t h e st om a ch t o in t er v iew people lik e t h a t ,” h e a dm it t ed. “ I r em em ber t h a t seg m en t y ou r a n la st y ea r a bou t A m er ica ’s ch ild pr eda t or s. I w a n t ed t o t h r ow u p list en in g t o som e of t h ose sick ba st a r ds.” “ Me, t oo,” sh e sa id fr a n k ly . “ Believ e m e, bein g in a ll t h ose pr ison v isit a t ion r oom s a n d h ea r in g t h ose m en t r y t o ex cu se t h eir cr im es w a s pu r e t or t u r e. Jesse a lm ost h a d t o pu ll m e off on e of t h em . I w a s t w o secon ds fr om st r a n g lin g t h e life ou t of h im a ft er h e m a de a n a ppa llin g com m en t a bou t r edh ea ded g ir ls.” Now Nick definitely st iffen ed. “ I pr oba bly w ou ld h a v e k illed t h e son of a bit ch .” He pa u sed, h esit a t ed. “ Y et y ou st ill pu t y ou r self t h r ou g h t h a t . W h y ?” “ People n eeded t o be a w a r e t h a t pr eda t or s lik e t h a t ex ist ed. Som et im es w h en I r u n w it h a st or y , it ’s t o sh ed lig h t on a n in ju st ice, or t o in spir e ot h er s t o a ct , or ch a n g e, or con t r ibu t e.” Sh e sh r u g g ed. “ Ot h er t im es, I ju st w a n t t o w a r n cit izen s t h a t t h er e a r e som e m essed-u p people in t h is w or ld. T h ose pr ison er s pr oba bly t h ou g h t t h ey w er e g et t in g t o defen d t h eir a ct ion s, bu t t h a t ’s n ot w h y I pu t t h em on t h e a ir . I w a n t ed t o w a r n pa r en t s t h a t pr eda t or s a r e ev er y w h er e—in t h e pla y g r ou n d, in sch ools, in g r ocer y st or es. A n d I w a n t ed t h ose pa r en t s t o t a k e bet t er pr eca u t ion s w h en it ca m e t o t h eir k ids.” Nick dr a g g ed h is h a n d ov er h er ba r e ba ck in a fleet in g ca r ess. “ Do y ou w a n t k ids of y ou r ow n ?” h e a sk ed, cu r iou s. “ Defin it ely .” Sh e pr opped h er self u p on h er elbow . “ A boy a n d a g ir l.” He g r in n ed. “ Ha v e it a ll pla n n ed ou t , h u h ?” “ Y ep. I lov e k ids.” Sh e g r in n ed ba ck . “ I t h in k I’d be a r ea lly fu n m om .” “ W ill y ou qu it y ou r job on ce y ou h a v e k ids?”

Sh e w r in k led h er br ow . “ Of cou r se n ot .” “ So y ou pla n on t a k in g off a n d lea v in g y ou r ch ildr en a t h om e w it h y ou r h u sba n d or a n a n n y w h en y ou ’r e on a ssig n m en t ?” Sh e cou ldn ’t h elp bu t la u g h . “ T a k in g off? It ’s n ot lik e I’m g on e for y ea r s a t a t im e. Ot h er pa r en t s t r a v el a lot m or e for t h eir jobs. I’m g on e for on ly a few da y s u su a lly . Som et im es a few m on t h s, bu t on ly if I’m cov er in g a w a r zon e or som et h in g h u g e. I pla n on bein g t h er e for m y ch ildr en , don ’t y ou w or r y .” W h en h e g r ew silen t , sh e st u died h is t r ou bled ex pr ession a n d sm iled a g a in . “ By t h e w a y , I t h in k y ou ’d be a g ood fa t h er .” T h a t g r a v e look in h is ey es fa ded. “ A g ood on e. Not a fu n on e?” h e t ea sed. “ No, y ou ’ll be fu n , t oo, w h en y ou ’r e n ot in fa t h er h en m ode.” Not t h a t sh e w a s com pla in in g a bou t t h a t pa r t icu la r qu a lit y of h is. Sh e w a s a ct u a lly beg in n in g t o en joy t h e w a y h e fu ssed ov er h er a n d h ow a t t u n ed h e w a s t o h er n eeds. Br in g in g h er sa n dw ich es beca u se h e k n ew sh e h a t ed t h ose pr epa ck a g ed m ea ls. Su r pr isin g h er w it h a pen a n d n ot ebook h e’d sw iped fr om t h e deli—h e’d st olen t h em r ig h t off t h e cou n t er ju st so sh e’d be a ble t o jot dow n h er t h ou g h t s. Nick Ba r r et t , com m it t in g t h eft t o m a k e h er h a ppy . Sh e’d n ev er been w it h a n y on e lik e h im , a n d sh e h a d t o a dm it , sh e w a s fin din g h er t im e w it h Nick a lot m or e r ew a r din g t h a n a ll h er pa st r ela t ion sh ips com bin ed. “ W h a t w a s y ou r fa t h er lik e w h en y ou w er e g r ow in g u p?” sh e a sk ed, su dden ly cu r iou s t o lea r n m or e a bou t t h e m a n in h er bed. “ W a s h e fu n ?” “ Not r ea lly . He w a s st r ict . V er y big on r u les, a n d r ig h t a n d w r on g , a n d t a k in g r espon sibilit y for y ou r

a ct ion s. It ’s a m ilit a r y t h in g —h e ca m e fr om a lon g lin e of a r m y g en er a ls. T h e dr ill-ser g ea n t a t t it u de is in h is DNA .” “ A n d y ou r m om ?” “ Sh e follow ed m y da d’s lea d w h en it ca m e t o disciplin e,” Nick r eplied, a bsen t ly r u n n in g h is fin g er s t h r ou g h h er h a ir . “ Did sh e w or k ?” “ Na h , sh e st a y ed h om e a n d t ook ca r e of m e a n d V iv . Sh e w a s r ea lly in t o t h e dom est ic st u ff—cook in g a n d g a r den in g a n d doin g t h ese dor k y cr a ft s. Sh e’d a lw a y s su ck er m e in t o h elpin g h er , t oo. My fr ien ds w ou ld be ou t r idin g t h eir bik es a n d I’d be h elpin g m y m om pa in t a bir d feeder , or m a k in g a colla g e ou t of fou n d it em s in t h e w oods beh in d ou r h ou se.” Rebecca sn ick er ed. “ I t h in k y ou lov ed ev er y secon d of it .” A ft er a bea t , h e sig h ed. “ Y ou ’r e r ig h t . I did. My m om w a s ju st so ea sy t o be a r ou n d, w h er ea s m y da d w a s so st er n a n d com posed, y ou k n ow ? Sh e w a s lik e a r a y of su n sh in e t h a t lit u p ou r h ou se.” Hea r in g t h e pa in in h is v oice, Rebecca st r ok ed h is ch est in a soot h in g m ot ion . “ W h en did sh e die?” “ W h en I w a s fift een , a n d m y sist er w a s sev en t een . My da d n ev er r ea lly g ot ov er it . He h a sn ’t da t ed a n ot h er w om a n in t h e t h ir t een y ea r s sin ce Mom died. W h en ev er V iv a n d I bu g h im a bou t it , h e sa y s h e’s n ot r ea dy . Som et im es I w on der if h e ev er w ill be.” “ He m u st h a v e r ea lly lov ed h er .” “ He did. T h ey h a d t h e k in d of m a r r ia g e y ou see in t h ose ch eesy fa m ily sit com s. So in lov e, deca des la t er .” A n d t h a t w a s w h a t Nick w a n t ed—Rebecca su dden ly k n ew it w it h ou t a sh r ed of dou bt . Nick a spir ed for w h a t h is pa r en t s h a d sh a r ed. T h a t

ev er la st in g lov e, t h e su n n y h ou sew ife w h o spen t t im e a t h om e w it h h er k ids w h ile h er h u sba n d br ou g h t h om e t h e ba con . Her h ea r t sa n k t o t h e pit of h er st om a ch a s sh e r ea lized som et h in g else. Sh e cou ld n ev er be t h e docile h ou sew ife t h a t Nick w a n t ed. Sh e cr a v ed ex cit em en t , a dv en t u r e, n ew ex per ien ces. Her g en et ic m a k eu p didn ’t a llow h er t o sit idle. Sh e didn ’t w a n t t o ex per ien ce t h e w or ld look in g ou t t h e w in dow of h er k it ch en w h ile sh e slid a fr esh t r a y of cook ies in t o t h e ov en —sh e’d never w a n t ed t h a t . Bu t Nick did. Qu est ion w a s, w h a t did t h a t m ea n for t h em ? Or bet t er y et , w h a t did sh e w ant it t o m ea n ? Did s he w a n t a fu t u r e w it h t h is m a n ? Y es . T h e a n sw er br ea ch ed h er con sciou sn ess so sw ift ly sh e didn ’t k n ow w h y sh e’d bot h er ed a sk in g h er self t h e qu est ion . S h e totally w a n t ed t o be w it h Nick Ba r r et t . Sh e w a s m or e t h a n r ea dy t o sa y g oodby e t o t h e ba d boy s of t h e pa st a n d focu s on t h e g ood g u y in h er fu t u r e. Now sh e sim ply h a d t o con v in ce h im t h ey cou ld h a v e on e.

Chapter 15 Th u r sda y

didn ’t com e soon en ou g h for Nick . He defin it ely w a sn ’t com pla in in g a bou t t h e ex plosiv e sex h e a n d Rebecca w er e h a v in g a t r eg u la r in t er v a ls, beca u se t h a t w a sn ’t t h e pr oblem . A t a ll. No, t h e pr oblem w a s t h a t h e w a s st a r t in g t o en joy h er com pa n y w ay t oo m u ch . He lik ed ly in g in bed w it h h er . He lik ed list en in g t o h er ch ildh ood st or ies a n d w or k a n ecdot es a n d pa ssion a t e t ir a des. He ev en lik ed t h e w a y sh e t ea sed h im m er cilessly w h en ev er h e did som et h in g “ ov er ly ” ch iv a lr ou s. A lt h ou g h in h is defen se, h ow on ea r t h w a s lea v in g t h e t oilet sea t dow n con sider ed overly chivalrous ? He’d sh a r ed a ba t h r oom w it h h is sist er g r ow in g u p—h e w a s per fect ly a w a r e of w h a t h a ppen ed if y ou left t h a t sea t u p. W h a t h e a lso k n ew w a s t h a t n o m a t t er h ow m u ch h e lik ed Rebecca , sh e cou ldn ’t be a pa r t of h is fu t u r e. He didn ’t w a n t t o be in a r ela t ion sh ip w h er e h e’d be w or r y in g a bou t t h e w om a n h e lov ed 9 0 per cen t of t h e t im e. Ea ch t im e sh e w en t off t o cov er a da n g er ou s a ssig n m en t , h e’d be fr ea k in g ou t a n d clim bin g t h e w a lls w it h pa n ic. A n d y ea h , h e sa w t h e h y pocr isy in t h a t , con sider in g h is m ilit a r y ca r eer h a d pla ced h im in m a n y da n g er ou s posit ion s ov er t h e y ea r s, bu t t h a t didn ’t m ea n h e w a n t ed t h e w om a n in h is life doin g t h e sa m e. Besides, h is ca r eer w a s ov er n ow . On ce h e pu t t h is m ess beh in d h im , h e’d pr oba bly look for a civ ilia n job. Ma y be h e cou ld fin d a pla ce a t t h e DoD w it h h is da d w h er e h e’d w or k h is a ss off t o m a k e su r e n ot h in g lik e t h is ev er h a ppen ed a g a in . If h e g ot ser iou sly in v olv ed w it h Rebecca , h e’d g o

g r a y w it h in t h e y ea r . T h e w om a n w a s st u bbor n , r eck less, bold. Sh e g a v e n o t h ou g h t t o h er w ell-bein g , on ly t h e a dv en t u r e, t h e n ex t big scoop. W h en h e’d y elled for h er t o g et dow n ou t side t h e h ospit a l in Ma la , sh e’d don e t h e opposit e a n d g on e for t h a t m er cen a r y ’s g u n in st ea d. W h en h e’d or der ed h er t o st a y pu t in Cost a Rica , sh e’d sh ow ed u p in t h e door w a y of W a v er ly ’s bea ch h ou se. How cou ld h e be w it h som eon e w h o w ou ld u n dou bt edly a r g u e w it h h im ev er y st ep of t h e w a y ? Ch a llen g e ev er y decision or su g g est ion h e m a de? “ Pen n y for y ou r t h ou g h t s?” Nick t u r n ed a w a y fr om t h e w in dow a n d fou n d Rebecca sm ir k in g a t h im . Sh e’d t a k en t o m im ick in g h is “ g ood g u y lin g o” a s sh e lik ed t o ca ll it , a n d h e h a d t o a dm it , h ea r in g t h e ou t da t ed ph r a se lea v e h er m ou t h m a de h im r ea lize h ow n er dy it w a s. “ I’m ju st w a t ch in g t h e su n set —” h e st a r t ed. “ A w , y ou big r om a n t ic, y ou .” “ —beca u se I ca n ’t w a it for it t o g et da r k so w e ca n g et ou t of h er e,” h e fin ish ed. “ Oh , lik e y ou h a v en ’t en joy ed ev er y secon d w e’v e spen t in t h is r oom .” Sa id t h e bea u t ifu l, n a k ed w om a n st r et ch ed ou t on t h e bed. Despit e h im self, Nick ’s body r ea ct ed t o t h e t a n t a lizin g sig h t , a n d h e cou ldn ’t h a v e m u st er ed u p a den ia l ev en if h e’d t r ied. “ Of cou r se I h a v e,” h e con ceded, “ bu t I’m a lso a n x iou s t o g et t h is con fr on t a t ion w it h McA v oy ov er w it h .” “ Did y ou r fa t h er m essa g e y ou a g a in ?” “ Not sin ce h e let u s k n ow t h a t McA v oy la n ded t h r ee h ou r s a g o.” “ He w a s su pposed t o m eet McA v oy a t t h e Pen t a g on , r ig h t ?” Rebecca pa u sed. “ I h ope h e didn ’t

g iv e a n y t h in g a w a y . W e ca n ’t t ip McA v oy off y et .” “ T r u st m e, m y da d k n ow s h ow t o pla y t h e g a m e. He liv es a n d br ea t h es secr et s a n d lies.” “ T h is is D.C. W h o doesn ’t ?” Her t on e w a s dr y . Sh e st r et ch ed h er a r m s ov er h er h ea d, dr a w in g h is g a ze t o h er ba r e br ea st s. His m ou t h im m edia t ely w a t er ed, h is t on g u e t in g lin g w it h t h e u r g e t o t a st e t h ose r osy n ipples. A s sh e n ot iced w h er e h is g a ze h a d la n ded, Rebecca ’s lips cu r v ed in a sm ile. “ Hm m , I t h in k I’d bet t er g et dr essed befor e y ou r a v ish m e a g a in .” “ Good idea ,” h e a g r eed, beca u se y ep, h e w a s in r ea l da n g er of doin g som e r a v ish in g . A ft er Rebecca disa ppea r ed in t o t h e ba t h r oom , Nick don n ed a n a v y blu e bu t t on -dow n ov er h is bla ck t ee, t h en t u ck ed h is SIG in t o t h e w a ist ba n d of h is jea n s. He didn ’t lik e t h e fa ct t h a t Rebecca w a s com in g a lon g , bu t som et im e in bet w een a ll t h e sex t h ey ’d been h a v in g , sh e’d a ct u a lly com e u p w it h a pla n t h a t Nick h a d g r u dg in g ly seen t h e m er it of. Her a ppr oa ch w a s fa r m or e diplom a t ic t h a n t h e cou r se of a ct ion h e’d pla n n ed on t a k in g , bu t h e st ill w ou ld’v e pr efer r ed t o h a n dle t h is a lon e. Rebecca em er g ed fr om t h e ba t h r oom a few m in u t es la t er w ea r in g jea n s, a blu e T -sh ir t , a n open pla id sh ir t a n d h er br ow n h ik in g boot s. Her r ed h a ir w a s loose a n d ca sca din g dow n h er sh ou lder s, a n d sh e look ed so da m n pr et t y t h a t h is h ea r t squ eezed. “ W h a t is it ?” sh e sa id w a r ily . “ Not h in g .” His v oice ca m e ou t so h oa r se h e h a d t o clea r h is t h r oa t befor e spea k in g a g a in . “ Rea dy t o ex pose som e cor r u pt ion , Sh er lock ?” Her fea t u r es r ela x ed, a br oa d sm ile st r et ch in g a cr oss h er sex y m ou t h . “ Heck y ea h . Let ’s do t h is t h in g .”

*** It didn ’t t a k e lon g t o r ea ch Depu t y Secr et a r y Fr ed McA v oy ’s h ou se. A qu ick t r ip on t h e fr eew a y , a dr iv e a cr oss t h e br idg e in t o V ir g in ia , a n d t h en t h ey w er e on a r esiden t ia l st r eet in Fa ir fa x Cou n t y st a r in g a t t h e g a t ed en t r a n ce of McA v oy ’s T u dor -st y le h om e. Rebecca ey ed t h e w r ou g h t -ir on ba r r ier . “ Sh ou ld w e bu zz t h e in t er com ?” “ Na h ,” w a s a ll Nick sa id. A s sh e ba t t led h er con fu sion , h e st opped a t t h e cu r b a few y a r ds fr om t h e g a t e a n d pa r k ed on t h e st r eet . Sh u t t in g off t h e en g in e, h e u n bu ck led h is sea t belt a n d sa id, “ Giv e m e a m in u t e.” Now sh e w a s ev en m or e con fu sed, especia lly w h en h e t w ist ed a r ou n d a n d g r a bbed a sm a ll lea t h er ca se fr om t h e du ffel in t h e ba ck sea t . Befor e sh e cou ld a sk w h a t t h e lit t le k it con t a in ed, Nick w a s ou t of t h e SUV a n d st r idin g t ow a r d t h e h ou se. Beca u se t h e g a t e w a s set a w a y fr om t h e st r eet , sh e cou ldn ’t see w h a t Nick w a s doin g on ce h e disa ppea r ed beh in d on e of t h e con cr et e post s on eit h er side of t h e g a t e. Bu t h e st a y ed t r u e t o h is w or d, r et u r n in g t o t h e SUV a m in u t e la t er a n d g est u r in g for h er t o g et ou t . Rebecca ’s pa lm s w er e u n u su a lly da m p a s sh e follow ed Nick . Sh e cou ldn ’t believ e h e’d a g r eed t o h er pla n ; sh e’d been ex pect in g t o fig h t h im t oot h a n d n a il a bou t com in g a lon g , a n d sh e w on der ed if h is w illin g n ess t o let h er r isk h er life w a s a sig n t h a t h e w a s w a r m in g u p t o t h e idea of h a v in g h er in his life. Bein g w it h Nick in t h e m ot el t h ese pa st cou ple of da y s h a d pr ov ided h er w it h som e r ea l in sig h t in t o h is h ea d—a n d h ea r t . Sh e w a s pr et t y su r e sh e k n ew w h a t h e w a s look in g for in a pa r t n er , bu t sh e h oped h e w ou ld be open -m in ded en ou g h t o a ccept t h a t

som et im es w h a t y ou w er e look in g for w a s n ot w h a t y ou needed. T a k e h er , for ex a m ple: Sh e’d a lw a y s fig u r ed sh e’d en d u p w it h a da r edev il lik e h er self, bu t n ow , sh e w ou ld g iv e a n y t h in g t o h a v e su ch a sw eet , h on or a ble m a n lik e Nick in h er life. Focus , Beck s . Sh e sh ov ed a ll t h ose pesk y r ela t ion sh ip t h ou g h t s fr om h er m in d a n d discov er ed t h a t McA v oy ’s g a t e w a s n ow w ide open . A g la n ce a t t h e elect r on ic k ey pa d a ffix ed t o t h e con cr et e w a ll sh ow ed t h a t t h e cov er h a d been r em ov ed t o ex pose a t a n g le of w ir es. “ Y ou h ot -w ir ed t h e g a t e?” sh e w h isper ed in a m u sem en t . “ Y ep.” T h ey w a lk ed r ig h t t h r ou g h it , h ea din g u p t h e lon g dr iv ew a y lea din g t o McA v oy ’s t w o-st or y h ou se. Flow er beds lin ed t h e pa v ed dr iv e, a n d t h e la t e-n ig h t su m m er br eeze r u st led t h e st em s of color fu l flow er s a n d t h e lea v es of t h e lu sh g r een pla n t s fillin g t h e beds. McA v oy h a d a g ood la n dsca per , t h a t w a s for su r e. Rebecca in h a led t h e sw eet scen t in t h e a ir , t a k in g a secon d t o a dm ir e t h e a r r a y of r ed, y ellow a n d w h it e r oses pla n t ed ben ea t h t h e spa ciou s por ch . T h e secon d t h ey a ppr oa ch ed t h e por ch st eps, a lig h t flick er ed on . “ Mot ion sen sor ,” Nick sa id w it h a n od. Sh e n ot iced h e h a d on e h a n d posit ion ed slig h t ly beh in d h is h ip, r ea dy t o dr a w h is w ea pon in a h ea r t bea t . Befor e t h ey cou ld k n ock or r in g t h e door bell, t h e h ea v y oa k door flew open , w h ich t old h er t h a t t h eir a ppr oa ch m u st h a v e t r ig g er ed a n a la r m in side t h e h ou se. A n a n g r y -look in g m a n in g r a y w ool t r ou ser s a n d

a bla ck V -n eck sw ea t er a ppea r ed in t h e door w a y . “ How t h e hell did y ou g et pa st t h e g a t e—” His ja w fell open a s h e r ecog n ized Rebecca . “ Pa r k er ? W h a t t h e h ell?” “ Good t o see y ou a g a in , Depu t y McA v oy ,” sh e sa id coolly . “ It ’s been , w h a t , t w o y ea r s sin ce w e m et a t t h a t fu n d-r a iser ?” Fr ed McA v oy h a d a pa ir of blu e ey es t h a t w er e a t a d t oo close t og et h er a n d a lon g , t h in n ose t h a t len t h im a per pet u a lly bir dlik e a ir . He a lso w a sn ’t a v er y t a ll m a n , on ly fou r or fiv e in ch es t a ller t h a n Rebecca , w h o con sider ed h er self t in y . “ W h a t t h e h ell a r e y ou doin g h er e a t t h is h ou r ?” McA v oy dem a n ded. His su spiciou s g a ze sh ift ed t o Nick , w h o h a dn ’t u t t er ed a w or d. “ W h o’s t h is? A n d w h y a r e t h e t w o of y ou —” T h e m a n h a lt ed, ey es n a r r ow ed, a n d t h en h is fa ce lost a ll it s color . “ Ba r r et t .” Nick ’s v oice w a s decept iv ely cor dia l. “ Y es, w e’v e m et , t oo, Fr ed. On a t lea st a cou ple of occa sion s. Sh ou ld I be in su lt ed t h a t y ou didn ’t r ecog n ize y ou r ow n boss’s son ?” “ My boss is t h e pr esiden t of t h e Un it ed St a t es,” McA v oy a n sw er ed cu r t ly . “ A n d I don ’t g iv e a da m n w h ose son y ou a r e. It ’s t en o’clock a t n ig h t —y ou don ’t sh ow u p u n a n n ou n ced a t t h is h ou r .” “ Y ea h , w e’r e sor r y t o ba r g e in on y ou lik e t h is,” Rebecca sa id, h er t on e con v ey in g ju st h ow not sor r y sh e w a s, “ bu t w e r ea lly w a n t ed t o g iv e y ou a ch a n ce t o r espon d befor e I t ook t h is st or y t o t h e n et w or k .” McA v oy fa lt er ed. “ W h a t a r e y ou t a lk in g a bou t ? W h a t st or y ?” “ W ell, t h e copy h a sn ’t been w r it t en y et , bu t …” Sh e sh r u g g ed. “ I su ppose I cou ld g iv e y ou a r ou g h idea of w h a t I pla n on sa y in g . It ’ll g o som et h in g lik e

t h is—Som e break ing new s this m orning, folk s . Deputy Secretary Fred McAvoy has been im plicated in the m anufacturing, tes ting and releas e of the Meridian virus , w hich, as you all k now , claim ed m ore than a thous and lives in the s m all tow n of Dixie only a s hort tim e ago.” T h e r em a in in g color dr a in ed fr om McA v oy ’s fa ce, lea v in g h im pa ler t h a n sn ow . “It has been confirm ed,” Rebecca w en t on ch eer fu lly , “that McAvoy w as the m as term ind behind the—” “ I’m n ot t h e m a st er m in d beh in d a n y t h in g !” McA v oy bu r st ou t . He w a s pr a ct ica lly sh ou t in g , a n d h e qu ick ly low er ed h is v oice a n d g la n ced in t h e dir ect ion of t h e g a t e ju st in ca se a n ev en in g jog g er h a ppen ed t o be pa ssin g by . “ Y ou h a v e n o pr oof of a n y t h in g , Pa r k er . T h e depa r t m en t w ill su e y ou for libel if y ou a ir a n y of y ou r pr epost er ou s a lleg a t ion s.” “ T h ese a r en ’t a lleg a t ion s. T h ey ’r e fa ct s.” Nick spok e u p. “ Pa u l W a v er ly is in feder a l cu st ody , Fr ed, a n d h e’s m or e t h a n w illin g t o t est ify a g a in st y ou . He’s st a t ed on t h e r ecor d t h a t y ou g a v e h im a sa m ple of t h e v ir u s t o elim in a t e Ser g ea n t Seba st ia n St on e.” McA v oy ’s ou t r a g ed m a sk slipped, r ev ea lin g a fla sh of u n cer t a in t y . “ Pa u l W a v er ly left t ow n .” T h a t ea r n ed h im a lit t le sm ir k fr om Nick . “ Y ea h , a n d I fou n d h im . So n ow w h y don ’t y ou in v it e u s in side, Fr ed, so w e ca n h a v e som e pr iv a cy .” T h e ot h er m a n ’s lips t ig h t en ed w it h in dig n a t ion . “ Pr iv a cy for w h a t ?” “ For y ou t o t ell y ou r side of t h e st or y t o Ms. Pa r k er .” Nick sh r u g g ed. “ No m a t t er w h a t sh e sa y s on

t h e a ir t om or r ow , y ou ’r e st ill g oin g t o ja il, Fr ed. My fa t h er k n ow s w h a t y ou ’v e don e—” T h e depu t y ’s br ea t h h it ch ed in ev iden t fea r . “ —a n d h e’s n ot g oin g t o cov er it u p t o sa v e y ou r a ss. So if y ou w a n t t o ex pla in w h y y ou did w h a t y ou did, t h is m a y be y ou r on ly ch a n ce befor e y ou ’r e t h r ow n in t o feder a l lock dow n .” It w a s obv iou s McA v oy didn ’t w a n t t o let t h em in . It w a s a lso obv iou s h e k n ew h e w a s bea t en . W it h a r a g g ed br ea t h , h e open ed t h e door w ider a n d a llow ed t h em t o st ep in t o t h e spa ciou s fr on t foy er . “ I n eed a dr in k ,” h e m u m bled. McA v oy t ook off w a lk in g w it h ou t ch eck in g t o see if t h ey w er e follow in g . Rebecca ex ch a n g ed a look w it h Nick , a n d t h en t h e t w o of t h em t r a iled a ft er t h e depu t y secr et a r y , w h ose sh ou lder s h a d sa g g ed in defea t . T h ey en t er ed a cozy den w it h w ood-pa n eled w a lls, lea t h er cou ch es a n d a w et ba r , w h ich McA v oy m a de a beelin e for . He didn ’t offer t h em a dr in k . Ju st pou r ed h im self a big g la ss of w h isk ey a n d sa n k on t o t h e sofa a s if h is leg s cou ld n o lon g er su ppor t h im . Rebecca sa t dow n on t h e cou ch a cr oss fr om h im w h ile Nick st ood beh in d h er , w a t ch in g t h e ot h er m a n ’s ev er y m ov e. “ I’m n ot g oin g t o m a k e a r u n for it ,” McA v oy sa id in a bit t er v oice. “ Y ou t h in k I w a n t t o g et sh ot dow n by t h e SW A T t ea m t h a t ’s pr oba bly ou t on t h e st r eet , w a it in g for y ou r w or d t o st or m t h e h ou se?” Neit h er of t h em cor r ect ed h im . Mig h t a s w ell let h im t h in k t h er e w a s a t ea m of g ov er n m en t a g en t s w a it in g t o a r r est h im , Rebecca t h ou g h t . “ I’m su r pr ised Kir k a llow ed y ou t o t a lk t o m e fir st ,” t h e depu t y sa id g loom ily befor e r a isin g h is

g la ss t o h is lips a n d t a k in g a sw ig . “ He’s u su a lly m or e by t h e book .” Rebecca a n sw er ed for Nick . “ I ca n be v er y per su a siv e, a n d Secr et a r y Ba r r et t ow ed m e on e for h elpin g h im t r a ck dow n h is son .” Sh e lea n ed for w a r d a n d r est ed h er h a n ds on h er k n ees. “ Let ’s n ot w a st e a n y t im e, Fr ed. T ell m e w h a t com pelled y ou t o believ e t h a t t est in g t h a t v ir u s on in n ocen t people w a s a g ood idea .” He bla n ch ed. “ T h a t w a sn ’t m y ca ll. I didn ’t m a k e a n y decision s r eg a r din g t h e t est in g of t h e biolog ica l a g en t . I on ly follow ed t h e or der s g iv en t o m e, m a de a few a r r a n g em en t s a n d pu lled t h e r ig h t st r in g s.” Sh e r a ised a br ow . “ Or der s, h u h ? A n d w h o g a v e y ou t h ese or der s?” McA v oy ju st sh r u g g ed a n d t ook a n ot h er sip. “ Com e on , Fr ed,” sh e ca joled, “ don ’t g et a ll t ig h t lipped n ow . Y ou k n ow y ou h a v e a bet t er ch a n ce of sa v in g y ou r ow n bu t t if y ou g iv e u p t h e per son r espon sible for Pr oject A r ies. W h o g a v e t h e or der t o en g in eer t h e v ir u s?” Slow ly , McA v oy set h is g la ss dow n on t h e h a n dsom e pin e coffee t a ble. “ W h o t h e h ell do y ou t h in k ? It w a s Fer g u son .” Rebecca t r ied t o m a sk h er sh ock . “ Y ou m ea n …t h e v ice pr esiden t ?” “ W h o t h e h ell else w ou ld I m ea n ?” h e sa id ir r it a bly . “ W a s h e a ct in g on Pr esiden t How a r d’s beh a lf?” Sh e h eld h er br ea t h , slig h t ly a fr a id of t h e a n sw er t o th at. “ No. How a r d h a s n o idea w h a t t h e v eep h a s been u p t o.” A fr esh dose of bit t er n ess spla sh ed on t h e depu t y ’s fa ce. Nick fin a lly join ed t h e discu ssion , h is v oice la ced

w it h in cr edu lit y . “ Y ou ’r e sa y in g t h a t V ice Pr esiden t T r oy Fer g u son w en t beh in d t h e pr esiden t ’s ba ck a n d sa n ct ion ed t h e dev elopm en t of a biolog ica l w ea pon ?” “ T h a t ’s ex a ct ly w h a t I’m sa y in g .” Rebecca w a s st ill h a v in g a t ou g h t im e con t r ollin g h er sh ock , w h ich w a s n ow join ed by a pa n g of dou bt . “ Fer g u son w a s a ll a bou t socia l r efor m du r in g bot h ca m pa ig n s. He a n d How a r d w er e in a g r eem en t t h a t w e n eeded t o cu t ba ck on defen se spen din g .” “ T h a t ’s w h a t h e w a n t ed How a r d t o t h in k ,” McA v oy sa id da r k ly . “ Fer g u son w a n t ed h is n a m e on t h a t t ick et , a n d h e lied t h r ou g h h is t eet h t o g et it t h er e. His fa t h er w a s a n a v y a dm ir a l, for Ch r issa k e. Of cou r se h e’s pr o-defen se.” Sh e h a d t o a dm it McA v oy r a ised a g ood poin t . Sh e r em em ber ed t h in k in g t h e sa m e t h in g du r in g t h a t fir st elect ion —w h y w ou ld t h e son of a decor a t ed a dm ir a l be so g u n g h o a bou t cu t t in g m ilit a r y spen din g ? “ T h e v eep loa t h es ou r com m a n der in ch ief,” McA v oy sa id w it h a sig h . “ He t h in k s How a r d’s a t t it u de is t oo t oler a n t , t h a t h e sh ou ld be m a k in g decision s w it h a m or e h ig h -h a n ded a ppr oa ch . A ft er t h e t er r or ist a t t a ck on t h a t h ospit a l in Ca lifor n ia a cou ple of y ea r s a g o, Fer g u son h a d en ou g h . He’s a big believ er t h a t t en y ea r s fr om n ow , w a r s w ill be fou g h t solely w it h biolog ica l w ea pon s, so h e decided t o cr ea t e t h e dea dliest on e of a ll.” “ A n d h e cu t a dea l w it h t h e Sa n Ma r qu ez g ov er n m en t t o t est it in t h eir cou n t r y ,” Rebecca sa id in disg u st . “ Som et im es ex t r em e m ea su r es a r e n ecessa r y .” McA v oy sou n ded defen siv e. “ T h ose v illa g er s died so m illion s of fu t u r e A m er ica n s cou ld liv e.” “ W h a t ev er h elps y ou sleep a t n ig h t ,” Nick

m u t t er ed. “ I don’t sleep a t n ig h t ,” McA v oy sh ot ba ck . “ W h y ? Beca u se a n y secon d, a pla n e cou ld cr a sh in t o m y h ou se, or a n u k e cou ld be dr opped on m y cit y —t h e w a r on t er r or ism con t in u es t o r a g e, a n d n obody ’s doin g a da m n t h in g t o st op it . In n ocen t people a r e dy in g for w h a t ev er cr a zy ca u se t h ese fa n a t ics su bscr ibe t o, a n d n obody is doin g —” Rebecca cu t h im off in disbelief. “ Y ou ’r e doin g t h e sa m e t h in g y ou r self, Depu t y ! Killin g in n ocen t people for y ou r ca u se—in t h is ca se, t h e ca u se is n a t ion a l defen se. T h ose v illa g er s in Sa n Ma r qu ez did n ot h in g t o h a r m u s. Y ou a n d Fer g u son m urdered t h em , ju st lik e y ou m u r der ed t h e m en in Nick ’s u n it . A n d t h ose m en , by t h e w a y ? T h ey w er e A m er ica n s, t h e v er y people y ou ’r e cla im in g t o pr ot ect .” “ Som et im es sa cr ifices h a v e t o be m a de,” McA v oy sa id feebly . T h e disg u st r ose in h er t h r oa t on ce m or e, a n d sh e r esist ed t h e u r g e t o clock h im r ig h t in t h e fa ce. T a k in g a br ea t h , sh e g la n ced ov er a t Nick , w h o seem ed equ a lly a n n oy ed w it h McA v oy ’s r ea son in g . “ So n ow w h a t ?” McA v oy dem a n ded, h is w a r y g a ze m ov in g fr om h er t o Nick . “ Ca n I a t lea st ph on e m y la w y er befor e I’m a r r est ed?” “ Sor r y , Fr ed, bu t w e ca n ’t let y ou a n y w h er e n ea r a ph on e,” Nick sa id. He r ou n ded t h e cou ch a n d a ppr oa ch ed t h e ot h er m a n , w h ose blu e ey es filled w it h pa n ic. “ W h a t t h e h ell a r e y ou t a lk in g a bou t ? W h a t a r e y ou doin g ?” “ Y ou m u st be jet -la g g ed,” Nick in t er r u pt ed plea sa n t ly . “ It ’s t im e t o t a k e a lit t le n a p.” Rebecca ’s ey es w iden ed a s Nick ex ecu t ed a lig h t n in g -fa st k a r a t e ch op t o t h e ba ck of McA v oy ’s h ea d. A m om en t la t er , t h e depu t y sa g g ed ba ck w a r d.

Un con sciou s. “ W h a t t h e h eck did y ou do t h a t for ?” sh e ex cla im ed. Nick sh r u g g ed. “ W e ca n ’t lea v e h im h er e a n d r isk h im ca llin g Fer g u son . A n d w e ca n ’t h a v e h im a r r est ed y et or Fer g u son m ig h t be t ipped off.” “ So w h a t do w e do w it h h im , t h en ?” Nick ben t dow n a n d h ea v ed t h e ot h er m a n ov er h is sh ou lder in a fir em a n ’s ca r r y . “ W e t a k e h im w it h u s.”

Chapter 16 Wh en

fou r sh or t k n ock s sou n ded on t h e m ot el r oom door a n h ou r la t er , Nick h a st ily w a lk ed ov er t o let h is fa t h er in . “ W er e y ou follow ed?” w a s t h e fir st qu est ion ou t of h is m ou t h . T h e secr et a r y ’s a n sw er in g la u g h r eson a t ed w it h g en u in e m ir t h . “ Son , w h a t do y ou t a k e m e for , a n a m a t eu r ? I w a s a v oidin g t a ils befor e y ou w er e ev en bor n .” Nick r olled h is ey es. “ Rig h t . I k eep for g et t in g w h a t a n old fog y y ou a r e.” “ Not old. Dist in g u ish ed.” Ba r r et t ’s sh r ew d ey es ex a m in ed t h e r oom . “ W h er e is h e?” W it h ou t a w or d, Nick m a r ch ed ov er t o t h e n a r r ow closet a n d t u r n ed t h e door k n ob. T h e door open ed t o r ev ea l a n u n con sciou s McA v oy w it h a g a g st u ffed in h is m ou t h , a n d h is h a n ds a n d feet bou n d. Secr et a r y Ba r r et t r elea sed a n u n h a ppy br ea t h . “ I’m da m n disa ppoin t ed in y ou .” It t ook a secon d for Nick t o r ea lize h is fa t h er w a sn ’t t a lk in g t o him ; Kir k ’s br ow n ey es h a d been focu sed on h is collea g u e w h en h e’d v oiced t h a t bit t er r em a r k . “ How lon g h a s h e been ou t ?” “ A bou t a n h ou r ,” Nick r eplied a s h e sh u t t h e closet door . “ He sh ou ld be com in g t o soon .” Rebecca r ose fr om t h e edg e of t h e t w in bed sh e’d been sit t in g on . “ He g a v e u s a n a m e,” sh e t old Ba r r et t . “ T h e per son r espon sible for a u t h or izin g Pr oject A r ies.” “ I’m a fr a id t o a sk .” Nick sh ot h is fa t h er a g r im look . “ V ice Pr esiden t

Fer g u son .” T h e secr et a r y look ed st a r t led. “ T r oy ? T h a t ’s r idicu lou s. Fr ed m u st h a v e been ly in g . I’ll g et t h e t r u t h ou t of h im w h en h e w a k es u p.” “ I t h in k h e w as t ellin g t h e t r u t h ,” Nick disa g r eed. “ No. It ’s sim ply pr epost er ou s. T r oy h a s n ev er offer ed a n y su ppor t for t h e defen se pla t for m . T r u st m e, I’v e h a d t o fig h t h im t oot h a n d n a il on ev er y decision t h ese pa st six y ea r s. Rem em ber t h e r ebu t t a l h e g a v e on t h e issu e du r in g t h e r eelect ion deba t e?” “ A ppa r en t ly h e’s a secr et defen se n u t ,” Rebecca ex pla in ed. “ W h ich k in d of m a k es sen se, seein g h ow cr a zy How a r d is a bou t socia l r efor m . T h e pr esiden t m ig h t h a v e ch osen a differ en t r u n n in g m a t e if Fer g u son h a d r ev ea led h is fer v en t su ppor t on t h e m a t t er of n a t ion a l defen se. If I w a s Fer g u son a n d I h a d m y ey e on t h a t V P office, I’d secon d ev er y la st idea a n d en dor se ev er y la st pla n t h e pr esiden t pr oposed.” “ Y es, t h a t ’s a g ood poin t , bu t …” T h e secr et a r y a ppea r ed st r ick en . “ Bu t a llow in g a v ir u s t o be t est ed on in n ocen t people? I ca n ’t im a g in e T r oy in it ia t in g t h a t .” W it h a sig h , Nick ’s fa t h er g la n ced a t t h e closet door . “ T h en a g a in , I n ev er w ou ld h a v e im a g in ed Fr ed w ou ld be em br oiled in som et h in g lik e it eit h er , a n d y et h er e h e is.” “ So h ow do w e w a n t t o h a n dle t h is?” Nick a sk ed. “ Clea r ly Fer g u son ’s r ole in t h is n eeds t o be ex posed,” Rebecca sa id fir m ly . Ba r r et t ’s g a ze sh a r pen ed. “ Y ou ca n ’t be pla n n in g on pu t t in g t h is on t h e a ir w it h ou t t a lk in g t o Fer g u son fir st .” “ Of cou r se n ot . Bu t w it h a ll du e r espect , Mr . Secr et a r y , if t h e V P is g u ilt y , I w on ’t be per su a ded t o cov er it u p.”

His ex pr ession g r ew st r a in ed. “ W e’r e g et t in g a h ea d of ou r selv es. Fir st w e n eed t o det er m in e if t h er e’s a n y t h in g to cov er u p.” Nick ’s ja w h a r den ed in for t it u de. “ I’ll t a lk t o Fer g u son .” “ No,” h is fa t h er sa id br isk ly . “ T h is t im e it ’s m y t u r n .” “ Da d—” “ Don ’t ch a llen g e m e on t h is, son . Ev er y t h in g n eeds t o be h a n dled delica t ely fr om t h is poin t on . I ca n ’t ju st a ccu se m y v ice pr esiden t of en g in eer in g a v ir u s t h a t k illed a t h ou sa n d A m er ica n s a ft er it w ou n d u p in t h e h a n ds of t er r or ist s. T r oy deser v es t h e ch a n ce t o defen d h im self, t o t ell h is side of t h e st or y befor e w e ju m p t o con clu sion s or m a k e a n y a lleg a t ion s.” “ Y ou r ea lly w a n t t o be t h e on e t o con fr on t h im ?” Nick a sk ed h is fa t h er , w h o n odded in r espon se. “ T h en y ou ’r e n ot doin g it a lon e. I’m com in g w it h y ou .” “ I’ll a g r ee t o t h a t on ly if y ou a g r ee t o follow m y lea d.” “ Fin e. A n d it h a s t o be som ew h er e pu blic,” Nick a dded in a st er n v oice h e’d lea r n ed fr om h is fa t h er . “ If h e’s g u ilt y , h e m ig h t pa n ic a n d t r y t o t a k e y ou ou t r ig h t t h en a n d t h er e. I don ’t w a n t y ou becom in g a n ot h er ca su a lt y in t h is m ess, Da d.” “ How do y ou pla n on g et t in g Fer g u son t o m eet in pu blic?” Rebecca a sk ed. “ T h e m a n is su r r ou n ded by Secr et Ser v ice a g en t s 2 4 /7 a n d w h en ev er h e lea v es h is r esiden ce, a t h or ou g h secu r it y pla n is en for ced. He ca n ’t ju st m eet y ou in a pa r k or g o for a st r oll on t h e st r eet .” “ T h e V et er a n s Ga la ,” t h e secr et a r y sa id su dden ly . Nick w r in k led h is for eh ea d. “ Com e a g a in ?”

“ Oh , r ig h t ,” Rebecca spok e u p, sou n din g ex cit ed. “ I RSV P’d for t h a t m on t h s a g o.” “ T h er e’s a din n er a n d g a la a t t h e W h it e Hou se t om or r ow ev en in g t o h on or ou r V iet n a m v et s,” t h e Secr et a r y in for m ed h is son . “ Pr esiden t How a r d w on ’t be in a t t en da n ce, n ot u n less h is it in er a r y h a s ch a n g ed, bu t Fer g u son is su pposed t o a t t en d. A s a m I.” Nick t h ou g h t it ov er for a m om en t . “ It ’ll be a t t h e W h it e Hou se, so t h e V P w on ’t r isk m a k in g a scen e. W h ich m a k es m e feel a h ellu v a lot m or e com for t a ble a bou t ex posin g m y self lik e t h a t .” He pa u sed, t h en n odded. “ I lik e it . W e’ll a t t en d t h e ev en t t og et h er a n d fin d a w a y t o spea k t o Fer g u son in pr iv a t e.” “ W h a t a bou t Fr ed? He w a s sch edu led t o a t t en d, a s w ell.” “ T ell ev er y on e h e’s sick . A n d in t h e m ea n t im e, w e’ll lea v e h im h er e in t h e m ot el w it h Rebecca .” “ Ex cu se m e?” Rebecca ’s v oice w a s la ced w it h sh ock , a n d w h en h e m et h er g r een ey es, h e sa w t h e a n g er g lit t er in g in t h em . Kn ow in g h e w a s a bou t t o g et a n ot h er a r g u m en t , h e st ifled a sig h a n d sa id, “ Da d a n d I ca n h a n dle it . I n eed y ou h er e t o k eep a n ey e on McA v oy .” “ I’ll a r r a n g e for on e of m y g u a r ds t o k eep w a t ch ,” t h e secr et a r y offer ed. “ In fa ct , I t h in k I’ll do t h a t r eg a r dless. Con n or ca n be t r u st ed, a n d I don ’t lik e t h e idea of y ou t w o st a y in g h er e w it h ou t pr ot ect ion .” “ Hea r t h a t ?” Rebecca sa id w it h a bit e t o h er t on e. “ Connor w ill w a t ch McA v oy .” T h e sig h slipped ou t . “ T h er e’s n o r ea son for y ou t o t a g a lon g , Red.” “ Y ou m ea n ot h er t h a n t h e fa ct t h a t I w a s in v it ed a n d a lr ea dy RSV P’d?” Sa r ca sm dr ipped fr om ea ch w or d.

“ T h en ca ll a n d ca n cel. W e don ’t k n ow w h a t m ig h t be w a it in g for u s t h er e. W h a t if t h er e’s a n ot h er h it squ a d lu r k in g a r ou n d, w a it in g for a n ot h er sh ot a t u s?” Sh e open ed h er m ou t h t o a r g u e, bu t Nick cu t h er off a g a in . “ I’m ser iou s, Rebecca . Y ou ’r e st a y in g h er e. I ca n ’t split m y focu s, ok a y ? If y ou com e, I’ll be t oo bu sy w or r y in g a bou t y ou r sa fet y .” A t h er da r k scow l, h e soft en ed h is t on e. “ Y ou pr om ised t o follow or der s, r em em ber ?” Her m ou t h set in a t ig h t lin e. “ Fin e. I’ll st a y beh in d, t h en .” A s r elief flu t t er ed t h r ou g h h im , h e sh ift ed h is a t t en t ion ba ck t o h is fa t h er . “ Y ou sh ou ld pr oba bly g o n ow . People m ig h t st a r t w on der in g a bou t y ou r la t en ig h t ex cu r sion s.” Ba r r et t n odded. “ I’ll sen d t h a t g u a r d t o k eep w a t ch on McA v oy . I’d r ecom m en d r en t in g ou t t h e r oom n ex t door a n d—” “ A lr ea dy don e,” Nick sa id w it h a cr ook ed g r in . “ W h a t do y ou t a k e m e for , a n a m a t eu r ?” His da d’s ey es t w in k led w it h h u m or . “ W a lk m e ou t , son . A n d g ood n ig h t , Ms. Pa r k er ,” h e t old Rebecca . “ Nig h t ,” sh e m u r m u r ed, h er g r een ey es con v ey in g a w h ole lot of displea su r e. Nick follow ed h is fa t h er ou t side t o w h er e a Lin coln T ow n Ca r w it h h ea v ily t in t ed w in dow s w a s pa r k ed. “ Sh e’s a feist y on e, isn ’t sh e?” t h e secr et a r y r em a r k ed w it h a soft ch u ck le. “ Y ep. Not t o m en t ion h ea dst r on g , a r g u m en t a t iv e, in fu r ia t in g …” Ba r r et t click ed a r em ot e t o u n lock t h e ca r . “ So,” h e sa id ca su a lly , “ is it ser iou s?” Nick sh ift ed in discom for t . “ Na h , n ot r ea lly .”

“ Y ou su r e a bou t t h a t , son ?” His da d’s pier cin g look w a s t oo sh r ew d, t oo k n ow in g , a n d Nick fou n d h im self a v er t in g h is ey es. “ Y ou k n ow h ow it is in ex t r em e sit u a t ion s, t h e w h ole a dr en a lin e r u sh , t h e sen se of u r g en cy . Som et im es people g et ca u g h t u p in a ll t h ose in t en se em ot ion s.” He sh r u g g ed a w k w a r dly a n d r epea t ed h im self. “ Y ou k n ow h ow it is.” “ A ct u a lly , I don ’t . Y ou r m ot h er a n d I w er e qu it e bor in g .” Nick sm iled. “ T h e g ood k in d of bor in g , t h ou g h . Y ou t w o w er e so in sy n c.” “ W e w er e. Sh e w a s a g ood w om a n , y ou r m ot h er .” A lu m p r ose in t h e ba ck of h is t h r oa t a n d h e st r u g g led t o sw a llow it dow n . “ I st ill m iss h er . Do y ou ?” “ Ev er y da m n da y .” T h e secr et a r y r ea ch ed for t h e door h a n dle, t h en h a lt ed. “ Son …Ms. Pa r k er seem s lik e a g ood w om a n , t oo, y ou k n ow .” Nick g u lped a g a in . “ Sh e is,” h e a g r eed. “ Bu t …” He g a v e a h elpless sh r u g . “ Sh e’s ju st n ot t h e right w om a n .” He cou ld h a v e sw or n h e g lim psed a fla sh of disa ppoin t m en t in h is fa t h er ’s ey es, bu t t h en t h e older m a n offer ed a sh r u g of h is ow n a n d open ed t h e ca r door . “ If y ou sa y so, Nick y . If y ou sa y so.” *** Rebecca w en t t o bed ea r ly t h a t n ig h t , m ir a cu lou sly fin din g t h e st r en g t h t o r esist Nick ’s a dv a n ces ev en a s h er body beg g ed h er t o in du lg e. Bu t sh e cou ldn ’t . Sh e w a s t oo u pset . T oo h u r t . A n d ev en t h ou g h sh e w a s a w om a n w h o u su a lly m et ch a llen g es a n d con fr on t a t ion s h ea d-on , sh e cou ldn ’t br in g h er self t o t a lk t o Nick a bou t w h a t sh e’d h ea r d h im sa y .

She’s jus t not the r ig h t w om an. He pr oba bly h a dn ’t r ea lized sh e’d been st a n din g n ea r t h e w in dow . Or r em em ber ed t h a t t h ey ’d left t h a t w in dow slig h t ly open t o a ir ou t t h e odor of m ildew in t h e m ot el r oom . God, w h en sh e’d h ea r d h im sa y t h a t , it h a d been lik e a k n ife t o t h e h ea r t . T h e deep a ch e in h er ch est h a d en su r ed a n ig h t of t ossin g a n d t u r n in g , a n d t h a t a g on izin g t h r ob h a d been t h er e w h en sh e’d open ed h er ey es t h is m or n in g . Nick seem ed obliv iou s t o h er t u r bu len t m ood, or m a y be h e w a s ju st t oo dist r a ct ed t o n ot ice. He’d been du ck in g n ex t door a lot t h is m or n in g t o qu est ion McA v oy a n d g et a s m a n y det a ils a s h e cou ld a bou t Fer g u son a n d a n y ot h er pot en t ia l pla y er s in t h is m ess, a n d ea ch t im e sh e w a t ch ed h is ba ck disa ppea r t h r ou g h t h e door , sh e im a g in ed t h a t it w a s for t h e la st t im e. Beca u se soon it w ou ld be. Beca u se h e didn ’t w a n t t o be w it h h er . He t h ou g h t sh e w as h ea dst r on g and a r g u m en t a t iv e a n d—w h a t w a s t h e la st on e? Oh r ig h t , in fu r ia t in g . Som etim es people get caught up in all thos e intens e em otions . T h ose w or ds h a d st u n g , t oo, a n d st ill did a s t h ey floa t ed ba ck in t o h er h ea d. W a s t h a t w h a t h e t h ou g h t t h is w a s a bou t ? Sh e w a s so ja ck ed u p on a dr en a lin e a n d da n g er t h a t sh e’d ju m ped in t o h is bed w it h ou t t h in k in g it t h r ou g h ? Rebecca w a s so t r ou bled sh e didn ’t r ea lize Nick h a d r et u r n ed t o t h e r oom u n t il h is a r m s w r a pped a r ou n d h er fr om beh in d. Sh e jer k ed in su r pr ise. “ Hey . I didn ’t h ea r y ou com e in .”

“ Y ou ok a y ?” He pla n t ed a soft k iss on h er sh ou lder , w h ich w a s ba r e t h a n k s t o h er spa g h et t ist r a p t a n k t op. His lips w er e w a r m , fir m , a n d t h a t t een y lit t le k iss sen t a sh iv er of plea su r e t h r ou g h h er . “ I’m fin e,” sh e sa id a bsen t ly . Nick ’s br ea t h t ick led h er ea r . “ No, y ou ’r e n ot . Y ou ’r e st ill pissed off a t m e.” W h en sh e t u r n ed t o look a t h im , t h e g u ilt y clou d in h is ey es w a s h a r d t o m iss. “ I’m n ot pissed off. I’m ju st …t ir ed, I g u ess.” “ T ir ed of w h a t ?” “ T r y in g t o con v in ce y ou t h a t I ca n t a k e ca r e of m y self.” “ I k n ow y ou ca n . A n d m a y be it m a k es m e a n a lph a Nea n der t h a l, bu t it ’s in m y n a t u r e t o w a n t t o t a k e ca r e of people. I…” Som et h in g oddly v u ln er a ble fla sh ed on h is fa ce. “ I ca n ’t st a n d t h e t h ou g h t of som et h in g h a ppen in g t o y ou .” Despit e h er self, h er h ea r t soa r ed. He ca r ed a bou t h er . Da r n it , sh e k new h e ca r ed. So w h y w a s h e so a g a in st a fu t u r e w it h h er ? It can’t w ork , Beck s . Deal w ith it. T h a t pa in fu lly blu n t v oice sen t a n ot h er sh oot in g pa in t o h er h ea r t . Bu t it w a s t r u e—it cou ldn ’t w or k . Nick ’s pr ot ect iv en ess w a s cu t e, a n d su r e, m a y be it m a de h er m elt ju st a lit t le, bu t sh e w ou ld n ev er be t h a t sw eet , docile h ou sew ife w h o’d sit a r ou n d w a it in g for h er h u sba n d t o com e h om e fr om w or k . T h a t w a sn ’t a r ole sh e cou ld ev er pla y , a r ole t h a t w ou ld ev er su it h er . Nick ’s v a g u ely disa ppr ov in g r espon se t o h er a dm ission t h a t sh e w ou ldn ’t qu it h er job a ft er sh e h a d k ids spok e v olu m es a bou t t h e k in d of pa r t n er h e w a n t ed, a n d n o m a t t er h ow m u ch sh e w a n t ed t o be w it h h im , sh e cou ldn ’t g iv e h im w h a t h e w a n t ed.

St or y of h er life, h u h ? Her pa r en t s h a d t r ied t o pig eon h ole h er , m old h er in t o w h a t t h ey w a n t ed h er t o be, bu t Rebecca h a d a lw a y s been t h a t squ a r e peg t h a t didn ’t fit in t o t h e r ou n d h ole. Ev en if sh e’d t r ied, sh e w ou ldn ’t h a v e been a ble t o ch a n g e h er per son a lit y t o plea se h er pa r en t s. A n d sh e cou ldn ’t do it n ow t o plea se Nick . Sh e h a d t o en d it . Sh e needed t o en d it . Bu t a s sh e st ood t h er e in fr on t of h im , w h ile h e st r ok ed h er ch eek s w it h h is r ou g h -sk in n ed fin g er t ips, sh e cou ldn ’t br in g h er self t o sa y t h e w or ds. On e m or e t im e. Sh e w a n t ed h im ju st on e la st t im e. W a s t h a t t oo selfish of h er ? Heck , if it w a s, sh e didn ’t ca r e. Blin k in g t o con t r ol t h e t ea r s st in g in g h er ey elids, sh e slid h er fin g er s in t o h is da r k h a ir a n d pu lled h is h ea d dow n for a k iss. *** Nick cou ld t a st e t h e desper a t ion on Rebecca ’s t on g u e. Som et h in g h a d u pset h er , h e k n ew t h a t , bu t sh e didn ’t seem in t er est ed in t a lk in g a n y m or e. Her m ou t h w a s ea g er ly dev ou r in g h is, a n d h e didn ’t h a v e t h e st r en g t h t o br ea k t h a t pa ssion a t e con n ect ion . A s h e k issed h er ba ck , h is h a n ds ex plor ed t h ose delect a ble cu r v es h e w a s becom in g a ddict ed t o. He sk im m ed h is fin g er s u p h er ba r e a r m s, t h en let t h em t r a v el dow n h er body —ov er t h e sides of h er br ea st s, t h e cu r v e of h er h ips, t h e per fect r ou n dn ess of h er bu t t ock s. “ I w a n t y ou ,” Rebecca m u r m u r ed. Sh e led h im t ow a r d t h e bed ev en a s sh e con t in u ed t o k iss h im w it h a n u r g en cy t h a t sen t h is pu lse ca r een in g . T h ey st u m bled on t o t h e m a t t r ess, w it h Rebecca

st r a ddlin g h is body a n d ben din g ov er t o k iss h im a g a in . Her lon g h a ir fell lik e a cu r t a in a r ou n d t h eir h ea ds, t ick lin g h is n eck a n d g et t in g st u ck bet w een t h eir m ou t h s. W it h a fr u st r a t ed m oa n , Rebecca pu sh ed h er h a ir a side a n d m ov ed h er m ou t h t o h is n eck . W h en sh e su ck ed on h is flesh , Nick g r oa n ed a n d t h r u st u pw a r d t o r u b h is t h r obbin g er ect ion in t o h er cor e. Sh e st r a ig h t en ed u p, h er br ea t h in g h ea v y , h er ch eek s flu sh ed w it h desir e. A s t h eir g a zes lock ed, sh e slow ly peeled off h er t a n k t op, t h en u n sn a pped h er br a so t h a t h er br ea st s ca m e fr ee. Her n ipples w er e a lr ea dy h a r d, t w o t ig h t bu ds of a r ou sa l plea din g for h is a t t en t ion . A s h is pu lse t h u dded in h is ch est , Nick r ea ch ed u p t o pla y w it h t h ose m ou t h w a t er in g br ea st s, k n ow in g h ow sen sit iv e sh e w a s t h er e, h ow m u ch sh e lov ed it . Su r e en ou g h , sh e m oa n ed a n d pr essed t h ose fir m m ou n ds deeper in t o h is pa lm s, a n d h e g a v e t h em a squ eeze t h a t m a de h er squ ea k w it h plea su r e. “ C’m er e,” h e r a sped. He lea n ed for w a r d on h is elbow s so h e cou ld ca pt u r e on e n ipple w it h h is m ou t h . T h e m om en t h is lips closed ov er t h a t r ig id bu d, sh e m a de a sex y lit t le pu r r in g sou n d t h a t sen t a bolt of ex cit em en t st r a ig h t t o h is g r oin . He k issed a n d t a st ed a n d n ipped a n d t ea sed, h is st u bble lea v in g r ed splot ch es on h er per fect sk in a n d br in g in g a r u sh of m a le sa t isfa ct ion h e pr oba bly sh ou ld h a v e been m or e a sh a m ed of. He k n ew h e sh ou ldn ’t be g et t in g so t u r n ed on seein g h is m a r k on h er sk in , a n d y et h e w a s h a r der t h a n h e h a d ev er been . Rebecca r ea ch ed for h is sh ir t a n d sh ov ed it off h im , a n d on ce h is ba r e ch est w a s ex posed, sh e k issed

h im r ig h t bet w een t h e pecs. T h e sw eet br u sh of h er lips sen t a sh iv er r ollin g t h r ou g h h im . T h a t sh iv er beca m e a fu ll-body sh u dder w h en sh e m ov ed h er m ou t h t o on e fla t n ipple a n d h er t on g u e da r t ed ou t for a t a st e. “ Do y ou lik e t h a t ?” sh e a sk ed in a br ea t h y v oice. “ Da r lin g , I lik e ev er y t h in g y ou do t o m e.” “ Good.” Nick w en t m in dless w it h n eed u n der h er sw eet ex plor a t ion . Ev er y k iss, ev er y t ea sin g flick of h er t on g u e ev ok ed a n ew r u sh of h ea t a n d a n ew jolt of im pa t ien ce. A n t icipa t ion bu ilt deep in side h im a s t h a t sex y m ou t h st a r t ed t o m ov e low er a n d low er . “ Off,” sh e or der ed w h en sh e r ea ch ed t h e ba r r ier of h is pa n t s. Nick didn ’t n eed t o be a sk ed t w ice. He u n bu t t on ed, u n zipped a n d u n dr essed lik e t h e g ood soldier h e w a s. Rebecca la u g h ed a t h is ea g er n ess, t h en w ig g led ou t of h er ow n pa n t s a n d u n der w ea r a n d t ossed t h em on t h e ot h er bed. A s u su a l, t h e sig h t of h er n a k ed body g ot h im so h ot h e cou ld ba r ely br ea t h e. He dr ew h er ba ck in t o h is a r m s, so sh e w a s dr a ped ov er h is ch est , a n d pr oceeded t o ex plor e h er cu r v y body . Sh e ex plor ed r ig h t ba ck , r u n n in g h er h a n ds ov er h is fa ce, h is ch est , h is a bs. Ch r ist , h er t ou ch dr ov e h im w ild. A ct u a lly , ev er y t h in g a bou t h er pr odu ced t h a t r esu lt . A ppa r en t ly h e h a d t h e sa m e effect on h er , beca u se w h en h e slipped on e h a n d bet w een h er leg s, h e fou n d h er dr en ch ed w it h desir e. Nick ch ok ed ou t a g r oa n . “ How a r e y ou a lw a y s so r ea dy for m e?” Sh e w r a pped h er h a n d a r ou n d h is r ock -h a r d sh a ft a n d sa id, “ I ca n a sk y ou t h e sa m e qu est ion .”

T h en sh e br ou g h t h im t o h er en t r a n ce a n d sea t ed h er self fu lly . Nick sh u dder ed w it h plea su r e. Cr a p. He w a s so close t o ex plodin g a n d Rebecca h a dn ’t ev en st a r t ed t o m ov e y et . Br ea t h in g t h r ou g h h is n ose, h e w illed a w a y t h e on com in g clim a x a n d du g h is fin g er s in t o h er w a ist . “ T a k e u s ov er t h e edg e,” h e m u r m u r ed. “ Do it , da r lin g .” Som et h in g t en der a n d v u ln er a ble pa ssed ov er h er fa ce. A n d t h en sh e n odded a n d beg a n t o m ov e. Nick w a t ch ed h er fa ce t h e en t ir e t im e. Her h ea v y -lidded ey es, flu sh ed ch eek s, pa r t ed lips. T in y sou n ds of plea su r e left h er m ou t h a s sh e r ode h im , slow , sw eet , g en t le. W h en h er m ov em en t s g r ew er r a t ic, h er body squ ir m in g in a g it a t ion , Nick k n ew sh e w a s close. He pr om pt ly m ov ed h is h a n d t o t h e pla ce w h er e t h ey w er e join ed a n d beg a n t o st r ok e h er , a n d soon sh e w a s cr y in g ou t a n d sa g g in g for w a r d, t r em blin g w ildly a s sh e t oppled r ig h t ov er t h e edg e. His ow n r elea se sw ept h im a w a y t o a pla n e of body -n u m bin g bliss, t ig h t en in g h is m u scles a n d fog g in g h is br a in . W h en h e fin a lly cr a sh ed dow n t o ea r t h , h e felt som et h in g w et on h is sh ou lder . A la r m ed, h e t ipped Rebecca ’s h ea d ba ck a n d sa w t h e t ea r s spa r k lin g in h er ey es. “ Did I h u r t y ou ?” h e bu r st ou t . “ No. No, of cou r se n ot .” Sh e br ok e t h e in t im a t e con n ect ion by slidin g off h is la p, t h en r ea ch ed for t h e box of t issu es on t h e n ig h t st a n d a n d h u r r iedly st a r t ed clea n in g u p. Nick st u died h er w it h g r ow in g a ppr eh en sion . “ W h y a r e y ou cr y in g , t h en ?” Sh e didn ’t sa y a w or d.

“ T a lk t o m e, Rebecca . A r e y ou ok a y ?” “ Not r ea lly ,” sh e sa id in a sm a ll v oice. He w a s off t h e bed in a n a n osecon d, cu ppin g h er ch eek s a n d w ipin g h er t ea r s w it h h is t h u m bs. “ W h a t ca n I do? T ell m e w h a t ’s g oin g on , da m n it .” Rebecca let ou t a n a u dibly u n st ea dy br ea t h . “ It ’s ov er , Nick . I’m don e.”

Chapter 17 St u n n ed, Nick st a r ed in t o h er g r een ey es, bu t h e

didn ’t see a n y h in t t h a t sh e w a s jok in g a r ou n d. No, sh e look ed m or e ser iou s t h a n a fu ll-on st r ok e. “ Rebecca .” He w en t t o t ou ch h er ch eek a g a in , a n d discov er ed t h a t h is h a n d w a s sh a k in g . Ra t h er t h a n r espon d, sh e du ck ed ou t of h is t ou ch a n d w en t t o sea r ch for h er disca r ded clot h es. W h en sh e st a r t ed g et t in g dr essed in a h u r r y , h e fou n d h im self doin g t h e sa m e. Som eh ow it felt w r on g t o h a v e a ser iou s con v er sa t ion bu ck -n a k ed. He w a n t ed t o a ppr oa ch h er , t o t a k e h er in t o h is a r m s, bu t sh e seem ed t o be in t en t ion a lly k eepin g h er dist a n ce. Sh e w a lk ed ov er t o t h e w in dow a n d peer ed ou t , bu t h e k n ew sh e w a sn ’t look in g a t a n y t h in g in pa r t icu la r . “ Rebecca ,” h e sa id a g a in , “ w h a t do y ou m ea n it ’s ov er ?” Sh e t u r n ed t o h im w it h a sa d look . “ I m ea n it ’s ov er . Y ou a n d m e. T h is t h in g bet w een u s.” Nick w a s t oo a fr a id t o t r y t o in t er pr et t h e bu r st of pa n ic a n d fea r t h a t sk a t ed u p h is spin e. “ W h y ?” h e dem a n ded, h is t on e h a r sh er t h a n h e w a n t ed it t o be. “ Beca u se I don ’t w a n t t o fa ll in lov e w it h y ou .” Her soft con fession h u n g in t h e a ir for a m om en t . He sw a llow ed. “ I see.” “ Do y ou ? Beca u se I don ’t t h in k y ou do.” A ch or d of desper a t ion r a n g in h er v oice. “ I lov e bein g w it h y ou , Nick , a n d t h e m or e t im e I spen d w it h y ou , t h e closer I com e t o fa llin g . So w e h a v e t o st op it , n ow , befor e I g et ev en m or e a t t a ch ed t o y ou . Beca u se w e bot h k n ow t h er e’s n o fu t u r e for u s.” His t h r oa t g ot r ea l t ig h t a ll of a su dden . “ W h a t

m a k es y ou sa y t h a t ?” “ Y ou ,” sh e sa id sim ply . “ Y ou h a v e a v ision of w h a t y ou r fu t u r e sh ou ld be lik e, a n d I don ’t belon g in it . I w on ’t qu it m y job, a n d I w on ’t be a h ou sew ife, a n d I w on ’t st op r epor t in g on pot en t ia lly r isk y ev en t s. Not ju st w on ’t , bu t can’t. It ’s m y life, m y liv elih ood, a n d n ot on ly a m I g r ea t a t it , bu t I lov e it .” “ I k n ow ,” h e sa id h oa r sely , beca u se da m n it , h e cou ldn ’t den y t h a t . Rebecca Pa r k er w a s t a len t ed a s h ell, a n d n ot on ly t h a t , bu t sh e t r u ly cared a bou t t h e st or ies sh e r epor t ed on . Sh e w a sn ’t on e of t h ose ja ded cor r espon den t s w h o’d g iv en u p on t h e con cept of t r u t h a n d ju st ice. Sh e belon g ed on t h a t t elev ision scr een , in for m in g people a bou t t h e cor r u pt ion a n d g r eed a n d h or r or s of t h is w or ld. “ I’m n ot t h e r ig h t w om a n for y ou .” His ch est w en t r ig id a s sh e r epea t ed t h e sa m e w or ds h e’d t old h is fa t h er la st n ig h t . W h en h e m et h er ey es, t h e w ea r in ess in t h em sa id it a ll. “ Y ou h ea r d m e a n d m y da d t a lk in g la st n ig h t ,” h e sa id fla t ly . Sh e n odded. “ Ch r ist .” He r a k ed bot h h a n ds t h r ou g h h is h a ir in a g est u r e of fr u st r a t ion . “ I w ish y ou h a dn ’t h ea r d t h a t , bu t …I don ’t k n ow w h a t t o t ell y ou . I lov e bein g w it h y ou , t oo, bu t y ou ’r e r ig h t . I do h a v e t h is m en t a l im a g e of m y fu t u r e. I w a n t w h a t m y pa r en t s h a d, da m n it .” Sh e sig h ed. “ I k n ow .” “ T h a t ’s a ll I’v e ev er w a n t ed,” h e sa id r ou g h ly . “ T h e ot h er g u y s a t sch ool, t h ey ’d be look in g for t h a t n ex t la y , a n d I’d be t h e g u y look in g for the one. Ca ll m e a w u ss, bu t I w a n t t h a t per fect life m y folk s h a d.” Her a n sw er in g sm ile w a s g en t le. “ T h er e’s n o su ch

t h in g a s per fect , Nick .” “ Per fect is w h a t y ou m a k e it ,” h e cou n t er ed. “ A n d y ou a n d m e…w e’r e n ot t h a t v ision of per fect ion , h u h ?” T h e pa in in h er v oice t or e a t h is in sides. He w a n t ed n ot h in g m or e t h a n t o a ssu r e h er t h a t t h ey cou ld m a k e it w or k , bu t ea ch t im e h e pict u r ed a fu t u r e w it h h er , h e sa w Rebecca t a k in g off t o pa r t s u n k n ow n a n d possibly g et t in g k illed by , sa y , a fr ick in ’ Molot ov cock t a il bein g h u r led a t h er h ea d. He sw ift ly ba n ish ed t h e g r u esom e im a g e. “ I’d en d u p t r y in g t o ch a n g e y ou ,” h e con fessed. “ A n d I don ’t w a n t t o be t h e m a n w h o pu t s ou t t h a t spa r k in y ou r ey es, da r lin g . I ca n ’t be t h a t m a n .” Now it w a s a n g er color in g h er t on e. “ W ow . My per son a lit y is so u n desir a ble t o y ou t h a t y ou ’d a ct iv ely t r y t o change it ?” “ T h a t ’s n ot w h a t I m ea n t ,” h e sa id in fr u st r a t ion . “ It ’s m or e a bou t y ou r job t h a n a n y t h in g . I w ou ldn ’t w a n t y ou t o t a k e on da n g er ou s a ssig n m en t s. I’d be a m ess w h en ev er y ou left t ow n , con su m ed w it h fea r a n d w or r y , a n d I n ev er w a n t t o pla ce y ou in t h e posit ion w h er e y ou h a d t o ch oose bet w een m e a n d y ou r ca r eer .” “ W h a t a bou t m e?” sh e ch a llen g ed. “ W h a t if y ou ch oose t o r et u r n t o a ct iv e du t y ? I’d be in t h e sa m e boa t w or r y in g a bou t you.” “ I’m don e bein g a soldier ,” h e sa id qu iet ly . “ W h en t h is is a ll ov er , I w a n t a civ ilia n job. Pr oba bly h er e in D.C., so I ca n be close t o m y da d a n d sist er .” Rebecca fell silen t for a m om en t . “ T h er e’s r ea lly n o poin t in t a lk in g a bou t t h is a n y m or e. W e bot h k n ow it w on ’t w or k .” His t h r oa t bu r n ed, bu t h e cou ldn ’t fig u r e ou t w h y t h is h u r t so ba d. He’d k n ow n fr om t h e st a r t t h a t t h is

a ffa ir w ou ldn ’t a m ou n t t o a n y t h in g lon g -la st in g . So w h y did h e feel lik e t h e da m n w or ld w a s en din g ? “ I…” Nick st opped, n ot su r e w h a t h e w a n t ed t o sa y . Not su r e if t h er e w a s a n y t h in g left t o sa y . “ I g u ess y ou ’r e r ig h t . T h er e’s n ot h in g left t o t a lk a bou t .” Rebecca ’s ex pr ession g r ew v eiled. “ Y ou sh ou ld ca ll y ou r fa t h er a n d m a k e su r e h e’s m a de a ll t h e a r r a n g em en t s for t on ig h t .” “ Y ea h , I sh ou ld.” T h eir g a zes lock ed. A n ot h er silen ce descen ded. A s h is g u t clen ch ed in sor r ow , Nick br ok e ey e con t a ct a n d r ea ch ed for h is ph on e. *** T h e secr et a r y ’s lim o pick ed Nick u p a t eig h t t h ir t y t h a t ev en in g . Beca u se h is da d w a s t r a v elin g w it h sev er a l DoD a g en t s w h o m a de u p h is secu r it y det a il, Nick didn ’t w a n t t h em k n ow in g a bou t McA v oy a n d Rebecca , so h e’d a r r a n g ed for t h e pick u p sev en block s fr om t h e m ot el. T h e din n er por t ion of t h e v et er a n s’ ev en t w ou ld be w r a ppin g u p a r ou n d n ow , a n d beca u se h is fa t h er ’s pr esen ce h a dn ’t been r equ ir ed, t h e t w o m en h a d a g r eed it w ou ld be bet t er t o sh ow u p ju st a s t h e g a la w a s g et t in g u n der w a y . T h ey pla n n ed on ca t ch in g Fer g u son r ig h t befor e h e deliv er ed h is speech t o t h e v et er a n s. W h en Nick slid in t o t h e ba ck sea t of t h e lim o, h is fa t h er im m edia t ely lea n ed for w a r d a n d h a n ded h im a g a r m en t ba g . “ I g r a bbed t h e t u x y ou left in t h e g u est r oom closet ,” Kir k Ba r r et t sa id. “ Ma n , I ca n ’t r em em ber t h e la st t im e I w or e t h is.” W it h a r u efu l g r in , Nick u n zipped t h e ba g a n d st a r ed a t t h e t a ilor ed t u x edo ja ck et , bla ck t r ou ser s

a n d cr isp w h it e dr ess sh ir t it con t a in ed. He w a s su dden ly g r a t efu l t h a t h e’d decided t o sh a v e t h e scr u ff h e’d been spor t in g sin ce Ma la . Rebecca h a d per su a ded h im t o do it , poin t in g ou t t h a t h e w a s a t t en din g t h e g a la a s g ood-g u y Nick Ba r r et t a n d n ot t h e ba da ss Nick Pr escot t sh e’d been t r a v elin g w it h a ll w eek . Don’t think about her. Cr a p. He’d pr om ised h im self h e w ou ldn ’t let t h ou g h t s of Rebecca dist r a ct h im t on ig h t . A lt h ou g h h e k n ew en din g it h a d been for t h e best , t h e t r ou blin g em ot ion s sw ir lin g in h is g u t m a de it im possible t o feel g ood a bou t t h e decision . Bu t h e cou ldn ’t dw ell on t h a t n ow , w h ich m ea n t for cibly sh ov in g Rebecca fr om h is m in d. His fa t h er , h ow ev er , h a dn ’t g ot t en t h e m em o. “ So is ou r sa ssy Ms. Pa r k er st ill u n h a ppy a bou t bein g left beh in d?” “ A lit t le, bu t sh e’ll g et ov er it .” Nick a v oided h is fa t h er ’s ey es befor e t h e older m a n cou ld do t h a t m in dr ea din g t r ick h e ex celled a t . He sh u ck ed h is ca m o pa n t s a n d st u ck h is leg s in t o t h e t u x edo t r ou ser s, y a n k in g t h em t o h is h ips a n d zippin g u p. A s h e pu t on t h e sh ir t a n d st a r t ed bu t t on in g it , h e felt h is da d’s sh r ew d g a ze bor in g in t o h im . “ W h a t ?” h e sa id defen siv ely . T h e secr et a r y ’s ey es flick er ed w it h w h a t r esem bled disa ppoin t m en t . “ W h a t a r e y ou doin g , Nick y ?” “ W h a t a r e y ou t a lk in g a bou t ?” “ W it h Rebecca Pa r k er .” “ Not h in g .” He h esit a t ed, fou g h t a n ot h er bu r st of pa in . “ In fa ct , w e en ded t h e a ffa ir ea r lier t h is a ft er n oon .”

Kir k look ed su r pr ised. “ W h y on ea r t h w ou ld y ou do t h a t ?” “ I a lr ea dy t old y ou w h y la st n ig h t .” Feelin g m or e t h a n a lit t le u n com for t a ble—h e a n d h is fa t h er didn ’t n or m a lly discu ss Nick ’s lov e life— Nick r ea ch ed for t h e sm a ll box in side t h e g a r m en t ba g a n d flipped it open . T h e v elv et bed con t a in ed a pa ir of m on og r a m m ed cu ff lin k s h is da d m u st h a v e g r a bbed fr om t h eir h om e sa fe. “ W e’r e n ot r ig h t for ea ch ot h er ,” Nick a dded w h en h is fa t h er didn ’t sa y a w or d. Mor e silen ce. Sig h in g , h e sn a pped on t h e cu ff lin k s a n d fix ed h is sleev es, t h en sh r u g g ed in t o h is t u x edo ja ck et . His fin g er s w er e u n u su a lly u n g a in ly a s h e t a ck led h is bow t ie. He w a s a cu t ely a w a r e t h a t h is fa t h er w a s st ill w a t ch in g h im , a n d t h a t silen t st a r e-dow n left h im feelin g fr a zzled. “ Oh , spit it ou t , Da d. W h a t ’s on y ou r m in d?” “ I t h in k y ou ’r e a fool.” T h e fr a n k w or ds m a de h im r a ise h is ey ebr ow s. “ W ow , don ’t h old ba ck a n y pu n ch es.” “ Y ou a sk ed w h a t w a s on m y m in d—w ell, t h a t w a s it .” T h e secr et a r y sh ook h is h ea d. “ For t h e lov e of God, son , t h a t w om a n is so r ig h t for y ou I w a n t t o g r a b y ou by t h e sh ou lder s a n d g iv e y ou a fir m sh a k e for bein g so da m n blin d.” A t or n a do of sh ock spir a led t h r ou g h h im . “ W h a t ?” “ Y ou h ea r d m e. Sh e’s t h e on e. A n d y ou ’r e let t in g h er g o? I k n ow it ’s been a y ea r sin ce w e’v e seen ea ch ot h er , bu t w h en did y ou becom e su ch a du m b-a ss, Nich ola s?” Nick w a s h a v in g a n im possible t im e m a k in g sen se of t h is con v er sa t ion . “ Sh e’s n ot t h e on e,” h e

spu t t er ed. “ Sh e ca n ’t be. A ll sh e ev er does is ch a llen g e m e a n d a r g u e a n d dr iv e m e a bsolu t ely n u t s w it h h er com plet e disr eg a r d for h er ow n sa fet y . Ha lf t h e t im e I w a n t t o st r a n g le h er for bein g so da m n st u bbor n , a n d t h e ot h er h a lf, I w a n t t o t h r ow h er ov er m y sh ou lder a n d ca r r y h er t o bed—” He qu it t a lk in g w h en h e r ea lized h is fa t h er w a s la u g h in g a t h im . Lou dly . A n d for a v er y lon g t im e. “ Ca r e t o fill m e in on t h e jok e?” Nick sa id w it h a n edg e t o h is v oice. “ Y ou don ’t see h ow lu ck y y ou a r e, do y ou , son ?” Kir k con t in u ed t o ch u ck le. “ W h a t y ou ’r e descr ibin g ? It ’ s pas s ion. Lor d, w h a t I w ou ld h a v e g iv en t o h a v e h a d ju st a fr a ct ion of t h a t in m y ow n m a r r ia g e.” Nick su ck ed in a st u n n ed br ea t h . “ W h a t ?” “ Don ’t g et m e w r on g . I lov ed y ou r m ot h er . I lov ed h er w it h ev er y fiber of m y bein g , bu t let ’s n ot k id ea ch ot h er h er e—Jea n n ie w a s a y es-w om a n . Sh e a g r eed w it h ev er y w or d t h a t ca m e ou t of m y m ou t h , a ppr ov ed of ev er y decision I m a de, t ook ev er y su g g est ion I g a v e h er .” A flick er of sh a m e cr ept in t o Kir k ’s ey es. “ Hon est ly ? Som et im es I’d m a k e t h e m ost ou t r a g eou s dem a n d in h opes t h a t y ou r m om w ou ld a r g u e w it h m e a bou t it —a n d m or e t h a n h a lf t h e t im e, sh e w ou ldn ’t ! Sh e’d g o a lon g w it h w h a t ev er st u pid t h in g t h a t ca m e ou t of m y m ou t h , beca u se t h a t w a s t h e k in d of w om a n sh e w a s.” Nick sh ook h is h ea d a few t im es t o clea r ou t t h e cobw ebs of sh ock . He’d n ev er h ea r d h is fa t h er sa y a n eg a t iv e w or d a bou t h is m om , so t h is w a s a st a r t lin g fir st . “ A r e y ou sa y in g y ou w er en ’t h a ppy w it h h er ?” h e h ea r d h im self a sk . “ Of cou r se n ot . A ll I’m sa y in g is, ou r m a r r ia g e w a s n ot a s per fect a s it seem ed. A n d y ou r m om , a s

m u ch a s I lov ed h er , w a sn ’t per fect eit h er . Sh e w a s t oo da m n pa ssiv e. Usu a lly I lov ed it , y ou k n ow , beca u se I t en d t o be dom in a t in g —” Nick sn ick er ed. “ No k iddin g .” “ Bu t lik e I sa id, som et im es I w ish ed sh e st ood u p t o m e m or e. Ch a llen g ed m e, ex cit ed m e.” T h e secr et a r y sh r u g g ed. “ Y ou lu ck ed ou t , son . I k n ow y ou don ’t see it t h a t w a y , bu t h on est ly , m a r r ia g e ca n be bor in g . Y ou w ant t h a t pa ssion , Nick y . I see t h e w a y y ou look a t Rebecca , a n d I see t h e w a y sh e look s a t y ou , so t r u st m e w h en I sa y t h a t let t in g h er g o w ill be t h e big g est m ist a k e y ou cou ld ev er m a k e.” *** T h e V et er a n s Ga la w a s bein g h eld in t h e W h it e Hou se’s Ea st Ba llr oom , a st u n n in g r oom w it h m a g n ificen t cr y st a l ch a n delier s, a sleek t er r a zzo floor a n d g old-color ed silk dr a per ies g r a cin g t h e w a lls. T h er e w a s a m ix ed cr ow d in a t t en da n ce—decor a t ed soldier s, t h eir w iv es a n d g ir lfr ien ds, W h it e Hou se st a ff, polit icia n s a n d m ov er s a n d sh a k er s. T h e g u est s ch a t t ed a n d m in g led, sipped on ch a m pa g n e a n d m u n ch ed on a ppet izer s a n d st ole g la n ces a cr oss t h e r oom t o w h er e T r oy Fer g u son w a s h oldin g cou r t w it h t w o sen a t or s, a n a r m y g en er a l a n d a su pr em e cou r t ju dg e. Nick st u ck close t o h is fa t h er ’s side, w ish in g t h e secr et a r y h a dn ’t in it ia t ed t h a t dist u r bin g h ea r t -t oh ea r t r ig h t befor e t h ey w er e du e t o con fr on t t h e v ice pr esiden t of t h e Un it ed St a t es. Nick ’s h ea d w a s a ll ov er t h e pla ce n ow , a n d h e h a d t o m a k e a ser iou s effor t t o con cen t r a t e on t h e t a sk a t h a n d. He a ccept ed a ch a m pa g n e flu t e fr om a pa ssin g ser v er a n d st u died Fer g u son , w h ose t r im body a n d y ou t h fu l fea t u r es n ev er fa iled t o su r pr ise h im . On ly t h e t h r ea ds of silv er in Fer g u son ’s t h ick da r k h a ir

h in t ed t h a t t h e m a n w a s older t h a n h e look ed. He’d ser v ed in t h e m ilit a r y , t oo, a decor a t ed soldier in h is ow n r ig h t , a n d sev er a l of t h e u n ifor m -cla d v et er a n s w er e u sh er ed by W h it e Hou se st a ff t o ch a t w it h t h e V P. “ He seem s t o be in g ood spir it s,” Nick m u r m u r ed. “ In deed,” h is fa t h er m u r m u r ed ba ck . T h e t w o of t h em st a r t ed t o w a lk , bu t t h ey h a dn ’t m a de it t w o st eps w h en t h ey w er e in t er cept ed by a con g r essm a n w h o w a n t ed t o t a lk t o t h e secr et a r y of defen se. W h en t h ey fin a lly m a n a g ed t o pr y t h em selv es a w a y , t h ey en ded u p bein g in t er cept ed a g a in , t h is t im e by a fem a le sen a t or w h ose ey es w iden ed a t t h e sig h t of Nick . “ A n d is t h is y ou r son ?” sh e a sk ed. “ W h er e h a v e y ou been h idin g h im , Kir k ?” “ I ju st g ot in fr om a y ea r lon g sa ilin g t r ip la st n ig h t ,” Nick lied. “ Y es, I ca n t ell y ou m u st h a v e been ou t on t h e boa t . Y ou look v er y t a n n ed.” He did? Uh , ok a y , if sh e sa id so. “ A n d w h a t a r e y ou r pla n s n ow ?” sh e a sk ed in a con v er sa t ion a l t on e. “ Not su r e y et ,” h e sa id, k eepin g h is r espon se v a g u e. His fa t h er t ou ch ed h is a r m . “ Nich ola s, t h er e’s som eon e else I’d lik e y ou t o m eet . Ex cu se u s, Su sa n .” T h ey m ov ed a w a y fr om t h e cu r iou s w om a n , on ly t o be st opped by som eon e else. Needless t o sa y , it t ook t w en t y m in u t es for t h em t o m a k e t h eir w a y a cr oss t h e ba llr oom . A t t h eir a ppr oa ch , V ice Pr esiden t Fer g u son sh a r ply t u r n ed h is h ea d. He look ed st a r t led t o see t h em , a n d h is da r k g r a y ey es lin g er ed on Nick for so lon g t h a t h is sh ou lder s t en sed.

W a s Fer g u son su r pr ised t o see h im h er e beca u se h e w a s t h e on e t r y in g t o k ill h im a n d h e’d been h opin g Nick w ou ld a lr ea dy be dea d? Or w a s t h e V P ju st g en u in ely su r pr ised t h a t t h e secr et a r y h a d a r r iv ed w it h h is t r a v elin g n om a d of a son ? “ Kir k ,” Fer g u son sa id w a r m ly a s h e sh ook t h e secr et a r y ’s h a n d. T w o st on e-fa ced a g en t s st ood a few feet a w a y , k eepin g a v ig ila n t ey e on t h e ba llr oom a n d ev er y on e in it . In fa ct , t h e w h ole r oom w a s sw a r m in g w it h a g en t s, a ll boa st in g t h a t sa m e a ler t post u r e a n d h a w k lik e g a ze. “ Mr . V ice Pr esiden t , y ou r em em ber m y son , Nich ola s,” Secr et a r y Ba r r et t sa id, g est u r in g t o Nick . “ Of cou r se. Plea su r e t o see y ou a g a in , son .” Nick r ea ch ed ou t t o sh a k e t h e v ice pr esiden t ’s h a n d. Hm m . Fir m sh a k e, st ea dy h a n d, dr y pa lm . If Fer g u son w a s n er v ou s, h e w a sn ’t sh ow in g a n y ou t w a r d sig n s of it . “ I t h ou g h t y ou r fa t h er h a d m en t ion ed y ou w er e ou t of t h e cou n t r y ,” t h e V P sa id w it h m ild in t er est . Y eah, becaus e that w as the lie you fed him . Nick r est r a in ed t h e bit in g r espon se, qu ick ly r em in din g h im self t h a t Fer g u son m ig h t n ot be g u ilt y . A n d y et som et h in g a bou t t h e m a n w a s t r ig g er in g h is in t er n a l a la r m s. Fer g u son w a s t oo poised, h is ex pr ession t oo con t em pla t iv e a s h e g a zed a t Nick . “ I w a s. I on ly g ot in la st n ig h t ,” Nick ex pla in ed. “ I see. A n d did y ou en joy y ou r t r a v els?” Nick t h ou g h t a bou t t h is pa st y ea r —t h e sa fe h ou ses, t h e fr u st r a t ion , t h e r a g e… He m et Fer g u son ’s silv er -g r a y ey es. “ Mor e or less.”

Nex t t o h im , h is fa t h er t ook a sm a ll st ep for w a r d a n d low er ed h is v oice t o a g r a v e pit ch . “ Mr . V ice Pr esiden t , w e w er e h opin g t o g et a m om en t a lon e w it h y ou .” T h e ot h er m a n m a de a clu ck in g n oise w it h h is t on g u e. “ I’m a fr a id t h a t m ig h t be difficu lt . I’m du e t o g iv e a speech in less t h a n a n h ou r , a n d t h er e a r e sev er a l people I h a v e y et t o spea k t o.” “ It w on ’t t a k e lon g ,” t h e secr et a r y in sist ed. Fer g u son ’s ey es n a r r ow ed w it h su spicion . “ W h a t ’s t h is a bou t , Kir k ?” “ It ’s a m a t t er t h a t w ou ld be best discu ssed in pr iv a t e, sir . My son h a s com e t o m e w it h som e v er y t r ou blin g n ew s.” Nick didn ’t m iss t h e spa r k of a la r m t h a t lit t h e V P’s ey es. Qu est ion w a s, w a s it g en u in e or fa lse? A n d if t h a t w a s r ea l a la r m , w h a t w a s Fer g u son w or r ied a bou t ? Na t ion a l secu r it y …or t h a t h e m ig h t be ex posed? “ I w ou ldn ’t a sk t h is if it w a sn ’t of t h e u t m ost im por t a n ce,” Nick ’s fa t h er sa id in a coa x in g t on e. Fin a lly , t h e v ice pr esiden t n odded. “ Y es, of cou r se. I su ppose I ca n spa r e a few m in u t es.” He g la n ced a t h is Secr et Ser v ice a g en t s, g a v e a cu r t n od, a n d a m om en t la t er , t h eir lit t le g r ou p w a s h ea din g for t h e door . T w o a g en t s t ook t h e lea d, st eppin g ou t of t h e ba llr oom fir st . T h e t h r ee m en t r a iled a ft er t h em w h ile t h r ee m or e a g en t s t ook u p t h e r ea r . T h e en t ou r a g e w a lk ed t h e qu iet h a lls u n t il t h ey r ea ch ed t h e office t h e V P u sed w h en h e w a s a t t h e W h it e Hou se; h is da y -t o-da y office spa ce w a s loca t ed on t h e Na v a l Obser v a t or y g r ou n ds, w h ich Nick r em em ber ed g et t in g a t ou r of w h en h is fa t h er fir st beca m e t h e secr et a r y of defen se.

T h e Secr et Ser v ice a g en t s en t er ed t h e office t o m a k e su r e it w a s secu r e befor e a llow in g t h e v ice pr esiden t t o en t er . “ Y ou a n d y ou r m en ca n w a it in t h e h a ll, A lfr ed,” Fer g u son ba r k ed a t t h e lea d a g en t . T h e t a ll, silen t m a n n odded a n d left t h e r oom , closin g t h e door beh in d h im . Fer g u son didn ’t m a k e a m ov e for t h e desk or t h e cou ch . He st ood in t h e cen t er of t h e r oom in st ea d, fix in g bot h Ba r r et t s w it h a n im pa t ien t look . “ W ell? W h a t is it ?” “ I’m a fr a id som et h in g v er y t r ou blin g , a n d slig h t ly u n believ a ble, h a s com e t o m y a t t en t ion ,” Secr et a r y Ba r r et t beg a n . “ Reg a r din g t h e Mer idia n v ir u s.” Fer g u son didn ’t ev en blin k . “ I’m g oin g t o n eed y ou t o be a lit t le m or e specific, Kir k .” “ How ’s t h is for specific? Depu t y Secr et a r y McA v oy h a s a dm it t ed t o bein g in v olv ed w it h t h e dev elopm en t of t h e v ir u s—a n d h e n a m es y ou a s t h e in div idu a l in ch a r g e of t h e pr oject .” Nick w a t ch ed t h e v ice pr esiden t ’s ex pr ession for a n y ch a n g e, a n y in dica t ion of g u ilt , bu t t h e m a n h a d a ph en om en a l pok er fa ce. Nick cou ldn ’t t ell if Fer g u son w a s su r pr ised or a n g r y or w h o k n ew w h a t , a t lea st u n t il t h a t ca r efu lly com posed m a sk br ok e a w a y a n d u n ex pect ed r esig n a t ion filled t h ose g r a y ey es. W it h a h ea v y br ea t h , Fer g u son r ou n ded t h e com m a n din g m a h og a n y desk a n d sa n k in t o t h e plu sh ch a ir . He cla sped h is h a n ds on t h e desk t op a n d sa id, “ I w a s a fr a id som et h in g lik e t h is m ig h t h a ppen .”

Chapter 18 Wh en

t h e cell ph on e on t h e bed st a r t ed t o bu zz, Rebecca lu n g ed for it w it h t h e speed of a pr ofession a l a t h let e. Sh e’d been a lon e in t h e m ot el r oom for t h e pa st h ou r , im pa t ien t ly w a it in g for w or d fr om Nick , a n d n ow it h a d fin a lly com e. “ W h a t h a ppen ed?” sh e dem a n ded r a t h er t h a n sa y in g h ello. “ Did h e con fess?” “ Not qu it e.” T h e sou n d of Nick ’s deep v oice ca u sed h er h ea r t t o splin t er in y et a n ot h er pla ce, bu t Rebecca for ced a w a y t h e pa in a n d focu sed on t h e a g g r a v a t ion sh e det ect ed in h is t on e. “ W h a t does t h a t m ea n ?” “ It m ea n s t h a t t h e v ice pr esiden t is den y in g a ll in v olv em en t .” “ Sh ock in g .” Sh e didn ’t bot h er con t r ollin g h er sa r ca sm . “ W h er e a r e y ou n ow ?” “ T h e W est W in g . I’m ou t in t h e h a ll. My da d’s st ill t a lk in g t o Fer g u son , bu t t h e V P isn ’t ch a n g in g h is st or y .” “ W h ich is?” “ T h a t Fr ed McA v oy is t h e br a in ch ild of t h is en t ir e oper a t ion . Fer g u son cla im s t h a t t h e depu t y secr et a r y a ppr oa ch ed h im a bou t t w o y ea r s a g o w it h t h e idea of en g in eer in g a biolog ica l a g en t t h a t w ou ld be ea sier t o h a n dle in t er m s of con t a g ion , a n d ea sier t o r elea se in t o a la r g e popu la t ion . A ppa r en t ly McA v oy in sist ed t h a t h is con t a ct s a t D&M w er e con fiden t t h a t a su ccessfu l w a t er bor n e v ir u s cou ld be en g in eer ed— t y pica lly , w ea pon ized bioa g en t s t en d t o be a ir bor n e, bu t McA v oy w a n t ed t o t r y som et h in g n ew .” Sh e r a ised h er ey ebr ow s, ev en t h ou g h n obody cou ld see h er . “ T h is sou n ds sk et ch y .”

“ T ell m e a bou t it . A n y w a y , Fer g u son sa y s t h a t h e u n equ iv oca lly v et oed t h e idea on t h e spot a n d t old McA v oy in n o u n cer t a in t er m s t o dr op it . Ost en sibly , McA v oy w en t a h ea d w it h t h e pr oject w it h ou t a u t h or it y .” Rebecca pu r sed h er lips, a r u sh of ir r it a t ion r isin g in side h er . “ A n d of cou r se w e ca n ’t ch a llen g e t h a t st or y , beca u se t h er e’s n o pr oof of t h e V P’s in v olv em en t a side fr om McA v oy ’s w or d.” “ Y ep.” “ W h a t do you t h in k ? Is Fer g u son g u ilt y ?” “ Y es,” Nick sa id w it h ou t dela y . “ Y ou sou n d su r e of t h a t .” “ I a m .” Sh e cou ld h ea r t h e fr u st r a t ion in h is v oice. “ I ca n ’t pu t m y fin g er on it , bu t som et h in g a bou t h im r u bs m e t h e w r on g w a y . It isn ’t a n y t h in g specific. His body la n g u a g e a n d fa cia l ex pr ession s a n d ev en h is w or ds—t h ey a ll seem sin cer e. Bu t m y in st in ct s a r e h u m m in g , Red. Hu m m in g big -t im e.” Red. Her h ea r t t h r obbed pa in fu lly a t h is ea sy u se of t h a t n ick n a m e. Lor d, a t lea st h e h a dn ’t ca lled h er darling—sh e w a s lia ble t o bu r st in t o t ea r s if h e did th at. A n d w a sn ’t t h a t ju st pa t h et ic? Sh e w a s Rebecca Pa r k er , for Pet e’s sa k e. Sh e’d n ev er cr ied ov er a m a n in h er en t ir e life. “ I’ll g o t a lk t o McA v oy ,” sh e sa id. “ Ma y be h e ca n be per su a ded t o g iv e u s som e m or e det a ils a bou t Fer g u son if h e k n ow s t h a t t h e V P is let t in g h im t a k e t h e fa ll for t h is.” “ Keep m e post ed. Da d a n d I a r e st ill h er e for t h e t im e bein g .” T h ey h u n g u p, a n d Rebecca left t h e r oom a n d k n ock ed on t h e n eig h bor in g door . A lock click ed, a n d t h en Ba r r et t ’s body g u a r d, a

beefy m a n in h is la t e t h ir t ies, a ppea r ed in t h e door w a y . “ I n eed t o t a lk t o McA v oy ,” sh e t old h im , en t er in g t h e r oom w it h ou t w a it in g for a n in v it a t ion . McA v oy w a s on t h e bed, a n d h e g la r ed da g g er s a t Rebecca w h en sh e w a lk ed in . He w a s n o lon g er bou n d a n d g a g g ed, bu t on e h a n d w a s h a n dcu ffed t o t h e w ooden h ea dboa r d of t h e bed. “ Y ou ca n ’t k eep m e h er e lik e a pr ison er !” h e spa t ou t . “ T h is is a v iola t ion of m y r ig h t s!” Rebecca g la n ced ov er a t Con n or . “ Do y ou m in d g iv in g u s a few m in u t es a lon e?” T h e body g u a r d n odded. “ I’ll be r ig h t ou t side t h e door .” On ce h e w a s g on e, sh e t u r n ed ba ck t o McA v oy a n d sh r u g g ed. “ Fr ed, if I w er e y ou a t t h e m om en t , I’d st op w or r y in g a bou t m y r ig h t s a n d st a r t t h in k in g a bou t sa v in g m y bu t t .” T h ose su n k en blu e ey es n a r r ow ed. “ W h a t does t h a t m ea n ?” “ It m ea n s t h a t V ice Pr esiden t Fer g u son h a s a ppa r en t ly decided t o m a k e y ou h is sca peg oa t .” “ Bu ll.” “ It ’s t r u e.” Sh e w a v ed h er cell ph on e a r ou n d. “ I ju st g ot off t h e ph on e w it h Nick . Fer g u son cla im s t h a t y ou a ppr oa ch ed h im w it h t h e idea of ex per im en t in g w it h biolog ica l w ea pon s. He’s poin t in g t h e fin g er r ig h t a t y ou .” Gen u in e r eg r et flu t t er ed in h er belly . “ Y ou ’ll g o a w a y for a lon g t im e for t h is. If it ev en g oes t o t r ia l.” Fea r flick er ed in h is g a ze. Sh e k n ew w h a t h e w a s t h in k in g , beca u se sh e w a s t h in k in g it , t oo. Cov er -u ps t h a t r a n t h is deep didn ’t en d in h ig h ly pu blicized cou r t ca ses. T h ey w er e sw ept u n der t h e r u g —u su a lly in t h e for m of a dea d body or t w o, a n d a clev er fr a m e

job. “ He sold y ou ou t ,” sh e sa id soft ly . “ I t h in k h e’s g oin g t o or der Secr et a r y Ba r r et t t o t u r n y ou ov er t o Hom ela n d Secu r it y .” McA v oy ’s ex pr ession con v ey ed a flood of pa n ic, bu t a lon g w it h it ca m e a fla sh of r a g e. “ T h a t ba st a r d ca n ’t pu t t h e bla m e on m e. T h is w a s his doin g .” “ It ’s y ou r w or d a g a in st h is, Fr ed. Ba r r in g a n y a ct u a l pr oof of Fer g u son ’s in v olv em en t , I’m pr et t y su r e Pr esiden t How a r d w ill side w it h t h e v eep ov er t h e dep sec def.” “ Good t h in g I h a v e pr oof, t h en ,” McA v oy r eplied in a sm u g v oice. Sh e a r ch ed a br ow . “ In t er est in g , beca u se y ou n ev er m en t ion ed t h is pr oof befor e.” “ I w a s sa v in g it for m y la w y er ,” h e m u t t er ed. “ For lev er a g e.” “ Sm a r t ,” sh e h a d t o con cede, “ bu t t h a t ev iden ce w ou ld’v e m a de t h in g s a h eck of a lot ea sier for Secr et a r y Ba r r et t w h en h e w en t t o con fr on t Fer g u son t on ig h t . Now it m ig h t be t oo la t e.” A g a in , h e sh ot ou t , “ Bu ll. Y ou ’r e Rebecca fr ig g in ’ Pa r k er ! Y ou ca n h elp m e.” “ How ?” “ Ex pose t h a t son of a bit ch Fer g u son ! Pu t it a ll on t h e a ir !” “ Ex posin g h im m ea n s ex posin g y ou , t oo,” sh e poin t ed ou t . Bit t er n ess h a r den ed h is fea t u r es. “ I’m a lr ea dy g oin g dow n for t h is a n d y ou k n ow it . Bu t if I g o dow n , I’m t a k in g Fer g u son w it h m e. I’m n ot h is sca peg oa t . Help m e t a k e h im dow n , Pa r k er .” Sh e pa u sed. “ W h a t k in d of ev iden ce do y ou h a v e?” “ T r a n scr ipt s a n d r ecor din g s of n ea r ly ev er y

con v er sa t ion I h a d w it h Fer g u son a bou t Pr oject A r ies. Em a ils, ph on e ca lls, m em os. I sa v ed it a ll.” Her br ow s sh ot u p. “ T h a t w a s r isk y .” “ It w a s n ecessa r y .” “ W h er e is a ll t h is pr oof n ow ?” “ T h e sa fe in m y st u dy .” Rebecca sig h ed. “ Y ou k ept t h e ev iden ce a t y ou r h ou se? Isn ’t t h a t A m a t eu r 1 0 1 ?” “ I w or k for t h e DoD, Ms. Pa r k er . Believ e m e, I m a de sev er a l copies of ev er y t h in g I h a v e. Som e a r e in v a r iou s sa fe-deposit box es, on e is w it h m y la w y er , bu t t h e copy in m y sa fe w ill be t h e ea siest t o a ccess a t t en o’clock a t n ig h t .” He cock ed h is h ea d. “ So? W ill y ou h elp m e?” Sh e didn ’t n eed m u ch t im e t o t h in k it ov er . Nick a n d h is fa t h er w er e a t t h e W h it e Hou se a t t h is v er y m om en t , g et t in g n ow h er e w it h Fer g u son a n d w it h a bsolu t ely n o w a y t o w ea sel t h e t r u t h ou t of h im . Bu t if McA v oy r ea lly did h a v e pr oof of Fer g u son ’s w r on g doin g , t h en Rebecca cou ld deliv er it t o Nick a n d t h ey cou ld u se it t o g et a con fession fr om t h e V P. Or h eck , t h ey cou ld ju st h a n d ov er t h e pr oof t o Pr esiden t How a r d h im self a n d let him clea n u p t h is m ess. Nick ordered you to s tay put, a sin g son g v oice r em in ded h er . In decision h a d h er h esit a t in g a g a in , bu t n ot for lon g . Scr ew Nick ’s or der s. T h is w a s t o h elp him , da r n it , a n d it w a sn ’t ev en t h a t da n g er ou s a t a sk . Sh e’d t a k e Con n or a lon g , a n d t h ey w ou ld sim ply dr iv e ov er t o McA v oy ’s h ou se, g r a b t h e pr oof fr om h is sa fe, a n d t h en Con n or cou ld dr op h er a t t h e W h it e Hou se a n d h ea d ba ck t o t h e m ot el w it h McA v oy . Ea sy a s pie. Sa fe a s a h om e-r u n h it t er . Sh e m et McA v oy ’s ex pect a n t g a ze. “ Y es, I’ll h elp.” ***

“ I’m sor r y , g en t lem en , bu t it ’s t im e for m e t o g et r ea dy for m y speech ,” T r oy Fer g u son a n n ou n ced, in ject in g a n ot e of r eg r et in t o h is v oice. Bu t in side, h e did n ot feel r eg r et fu l. Oh , n o, h e w a s seet h in g . He h a dn ’t w a n t ed t o a t t en d t h is g a la in t h e fir st pla ce, bu t a n y dev ia t ion fr om h is r eg u la r sch edu le m ig h t be con st r u ed a s su spiciou s, so h e’d for ced h im self t o pu t on a h a ppy fa ce a n d w or k t h e ba llr oom . Kir k Ba r r et t h a d a lot of n er v e spr in g in g t h is on h im a t a W h it e Hou se ev en t . Fer g u son w ou ld h a v e t h e m a n ’s job for t h is. Y es, som eh ow in t h e n ea r or dist a n t fu t u r e, h e w ou ld m a k e su r e Ba r r et t pa id t h e pr ice for h is in solen ce. Bot h of t h em , h e t h ou g h t , a s h is g a ze m ov ed t o t h e y ou n g er of t h e t w o m en . Nick Ba r r et t h a d been t h e big g est h ea da ch e of a ll t h is pa st y ea r . Of a ll t h e m ilit a r y u n it s t h a t cou ld h a v e been dispa t ch ed t o t h a t v illa g e in Cor a zón , it j u st had t o be Ba r r et t ’s. T h e son of on e of How a r d’s m ost t r u st ed a dv iser s. Fer g u son h a dn ’t w a n t ed t o elim in a t e t h e y ou n g er Ba r r et t . He h a dn ’t w a n t ed t o pu t Kir k t h r ou g h t h a t . T r u t h w a s, h e’d a lw a y s con sider ed Kir k a n a lly ; t h ey bot h pla ced t h e sa m e v a lu e on n a t ion a l secu r it y , ev en t h ou g h Fer g u son h a dn ’t n ecessa r ily been a ble t o v oice h is su ppor t ov er t h e y ea r s. So y es, h e h a dn ’t w a n t ed t o k ill t h e m a n ’s son . Bu t n ow h e fea r ed h e m ig h t n eed t o t a k e ou t t h e fa t h er , t oo. “ W e’ll discu ss t h is in m or e dept h a ft er t h e g a la ,” h e t old t h e secr et a r y of defen se. “ I’d lik e t o br in g Pr esiden t How a r d in t o t h e discu ssion , if y ou don ’t m in d.” Bot h Ba r r et t s look ed st a r t led by t h a t . That’s right, you bas tards . Didn’t think I’d do it by

the book , huh? T h eir su r pr ised ex pr ession s on ly in t en sified h is ir e. Clea r ly h is ex pla n a t ion , in w h ich h e’d bla m ed t h e w h ole Mer idia n v ir u s fia sco on Fr ed McA v oy , h a d con v in ced n eit h er fa t h er n or son . Bu t Fer g u son w a s con fiden t t h a t h is t r a ck s w er e t h or ou g h ly cov er ed. McA v oy w ou ld t a k e t h e fa ll for t h is a n d n ow it w a s ju st a m a t t er of r idin g ou t t h e im pen din g m edia st or m u n t il t h is Mer idia n cr a p ev en t u a lly died dow n . “ I t h in k t h a t ’s a w ise idea ,” Kir k sa id w it h a n od of a ppr ov a l. “ T h e pr esiden t n eeds t o be br ou g h t in t o t h e loop.” Fer g u son a ppr oa ch ed t h e door a n d r a pped h is k n u ck les on it t o a ler t h is g u a r d t h a t h e w a s r ea dy t o g o. A lfr ed open ed t h e door . “ Mr . V ice Pr esiden t ?” “ Plea se a sk on e of y ou r m en t o escor t Secr et a r y Ba r r et t a n d h is son ba ck t o t h e ba llr oom .” He ex t r a ct ed a set of cu e ca r ds fr om t h e in n er pock et of h is t u x edo ja ck et . “ I’d lik e a few m om en t s a lon e t o g o ov er m y speech .” T h e secr et a r y left t h e office fir st , bu t t h e y ou n g er Ba r r et t lin g er ed, t h ose t h ou g h t fu l br ow n ey es focu sed on Fer g u son w it h su ch in t en sit y t h a t h e ex per ien ced a g en u in e t u g of discom for t . “ Mr . V ice Pr esiden t ,” Nick Ba r r et t m u r m u r ed, t h en n odded a n d slid ou t t h e door . T h e m om en t h e w a s a lon e, Fer g u son pu lled ou t h is secu r e ph on e a n d ca lled Ca r r a w a y . “ W e’v e g ot a pr oblem ,” h e sn a pped w h en t h e for m er a r m y ca pt a in pick ed u p. Ca r r a w a y h a d been a fr ien d of Fer g u son ’s br ot h er , a n ot h er for m er m ilit a r y m a n w h o w or k ed in t h e pr iv a t e sect or n ow . Ca r r a w a y h a d left t h e a r m y

sev er a l y ea r s a g o a n d n ow r a n a pr ofit a ble soldier -for h ir e com pa n y t h a t Fer g u son h a d m a de u se of on m or e t h a n on e occa sion . A t t h e m om en t , h ow ev er , h e w a s n ot a t a ll plea sed w it h t h e ca liber of Ca r r a w a y ’s soldier s. “ Y ou w er e su pposed t o post a g u a r d on McA v oy ’s h ou se a n d k eep a n ey e on h im w h en h e r et u r n ed fr om Ch in a .” “ I did, bu t t h e Ba r r et t s m u st h a v e g ot t en t o McA v oy befor e y ou or der ed t h e w a t ch det a il. My m a n sa id t h er e h a sn ’t been a n y a ct iv it y a t McA v oy ’s h ou se for t h e pa st t w en t y -fou r h ou r s.” “ Kir k a n d h is g odda m n son h a v e h im h idden a w a y som ew h er e,” h e m u t t er ed. “ I w a n t y ou t o fin d McA v oy . W e ca n ’t h a v e h im r u n n in g h is m ou t h a n y m or e. Post a cou ple m or e m en on h is h ou se. I’ll sen d som e a g en t s t o t h e Pen t a g on u n der t h e g u ise t h a t I w a n t t o be br iefed on McA v oy ’s t r ip. If h e’s lock ed u p in feder a l cu st ody som ew h er e, I’ll k n ow . Bu t if h e sh ow s u p a t h is h ou se, it ’s y ou r job t o t a k e h im ou t . Un der st ood?” “ Un der st ood,” Ca r r a w a y sa id br isk ly . Fer g u son discon n ect ed t h e ca ll. Da m n it . T h is sit u a t ion had su dden ly becom e ev en m or e pr eca r iou s. He n eeded t o t r ea d ca r efu lly fr om t h is poin t on . Pla ca t e Ba r r et t a n d h is son . Pla y du m b a n d h or r ified w h en t h ey br ou g h t How a r d on boa r d. A n d m a k e su r e Fr ed McA v oy cou ldn ’t ca u se a n y m or e da m a g e. *** “ W e’v e g ot com pa n y ,” Con n or a n n ou n ced a s t h ey a ppr oa ch ed McA v oy ’s h ou se. Rebecca g la n ced ou t t h e ca r w in dow bu t didn ’t g lim pse a n y t h in g t h a t set off h er in n er a la r m s. “ A r e y ou su r e?”

T h e body g u a r d n odded. He dr ov e r ig h t pa st t h e h ou se a n d pa r k ed sev er a l door s dow n , a lm ost in t h e ex a ct spot w h er e Nick h a d pa r k ed du r in g t h eir la st v isit . “ W a it in t h e ca r ,” Con n or sa id in br u squ e v oice, u n h olst er in g h is g u n befor e h e’d ev en u n bu ck led h is sea t belt . “ Let m e see w h a t w e’r e dea lin g w it h .” Rebecca ex per ien ced a sen se of ov er w h elm in g déjà v u a s Con n or disa ppea r ed in t o t h e sh a dow s sh r ou din g t h e r esiden t ia l st r eet . La st t im e sh e’d been h er e, Nick h a d slu n k off t o disa ble t h e g a t e, a n d t h en t h e t w o of t h em h a d g on e t o con fr on t McA v oy a bou t h is r ole in a ll of t h is. T h is t im e, McA v oy w a s in t h e ba ck sea t w it h h is w r ist s h a n dcu ffed beh in d h im , a n d Nick w a sn ’t w it h h er . In fa ct , a ft er t on ig h t , Nick w ou ld n ev er be w it h h er a g a in . Ig n or in g t h e clen ch of pa in , sh e peer ed ou t t h e w in dow in h opes of fig u r in g ou t w h a t Con n or w a s doin g , t h ou g h sh e didn ’t dou bt t h a t t h e m a n w a s per fect ly ca pa ble of h a n dlin g h im self. Sh e’d discov er ed du r in g t h e ca r r ide t h a t n ot on ly h a d h e been a DoD a g en t for t en y ea r s, bu t h e’d a lso been Delt a For ce a t on e poin t a n d a h ea v y w eig h t box er a t a n ot h er . Needless t o sa y , sh e h a d t h e u t m ost con fiden ce in Con n or ’s a bilit y t o t a k e ca r e of h im self. Su r e en ou g h , w h en h e r et u r n ed fiv e m in u t es la t er , t h er e w a sn ’t a scr a t ch on h im . Didn ’t look lik e h e’d ev en br ok en a sw ea t eit h er . “ W h a t h a ppen ed?” Rebecca dem a n ded. “ I t ook ca r e of ou r lit t le pr oblem .” His ex pr ession r ev ea led n ot h in g . “ W h o w a s h e?” “ Mer cen a r y .”

“ A r e y ou su r e?” sh e sa id sh a r ply . Con n or n odded. “ He w a sn ’t m ilit a r y . Cer t a in ly n ot g ov er n m en t . Defin it ely a m er c.” Sh e didn ’t a sk h im h ow h e’d “ t a k en ca r e” of t h e m er cen a r y , bu t sh e h a d a pr et t y g ood idea . In t h e ba ck sea t , McA v oy spok e u p u n ea sily . “ Hu r r y u p,” h e sa id a s Con n or slid in t o t h e dr iv er ’s sea t . “ If t h ey sen t on e m a n , t h ey m ig h t sen d a n ot h er . Especia lly if t h is on e doesn ’t ch eck in soon .” T h e m a n h a d a poin t , a n d Rebecca w a s feelin g a n x iou s h er self a s Con n or dr ov e in r ev er se t ow a r d t h e g a t e, w h ich w a s st ill g a pin g open fr om Nick m essin g w it h t h e w ir in g . T h ey dr ov e r ig h t t h r ou g h it a n d pa r k ed by t h e fr on t door . T h e t h r ee of t h em h opped ou t . McA v oy st u m bled slig h t ly , t h en a t t em pt ed t o r eg a in h is ba la n ce, a difficu lt t a sk w it h h is h a n ds y a n k ed t ig h t ly beh in d h im . Rebecca t ook pit y on t h e depu t y secr et a r y a n d g r a bbed h is a r m t o st ea dy h im , w h ich ea r n ed h er a look of g r u dg in g g r a t it u de. “ T h a n k y ou ,” h e m u t t er ed a s t h ey clim bed t h e por ch st eps t og et h er . Con n or w en t in fir st t o do a sw eep of t h e h ou se, t h en r et u r n ed t o collect t h em a n d t h e t h r ee of t h em m a r ch ed in t o t h e st u dy . Rebecca ’s g a ze r oa m ed t h e v a r iou s oil la n dsca pes h a n g in g on t h e w ood-pa n eled w a lls, t h en focu sed on t h e m a jest ic deer h ea d m ou n t ed ov er t h e fir epla ce, a slig h t ly t er r ify in g v isu a l sh e h a dn ’t pa id m u ch a t t en t ion t o du r in g la st n ig h t ’s v isit . Bu t n ow sh e pa id a lot of a t t en t ion , beca u se t h a t t a x ider m y h ea d w a s pr ecisely w h a t McA v oy m a de a beelin e for . T h en h e h a lt ed a n d t u r n ed t o scow l a t h is k eeper s. “ Y ou ’ll n eed t o u n cu ff m e,” h e sa id da r k ly . A ft er Con n or r em ov ed t h e cu ffs, McA v oy t u r n ed

ba ck t o t h e m a n t el a n d r a n h is fin g er s a lon g t h e bot t om of t h e w ooden fr a m e t h e deer w a s a ffix ed t o. Rebecca ’s br ow s soa r ed w h en t h e w ood pa n el popped ou t t o r ev ea l t h e g lea m in g st a in less st eel v a u lt beh in d it , a n d ju st w h en sh e t h ou g h t h er ey ebr ow s cou ldn ’t g o a n y h ig h er , sh e n ot iced t h e sm a ll pa n el n ex t t o t h e sa fe’s k ey pa d a n d h er br ow s pr et t y m u ch collided w it h h er h a ir lin e. “ I feel lik e I’m in a Ja m es Bon d m ov ie,” sh e r em a r k ed a s sh e w a t ch ed McA v oy br in g h is left ey e close t o t h a t elect r on ic pa n el. T h e u n it em it t ed on e con t in u ou s beepin g sou n d a s it sca n n ed t h e m a n ’s ey eba ll—w h ose per son a l sa fe r e qu i r e d eye s cans , for Pet e’s sa k e?—a n d t h en it beeped t h r ee t im es a n d fla sh ed a g r een lig h t . McA v oy pr oceeded t o t y pe a lon g ser ies of n u m ber s on t h e k ey pa d befor e t h e sa fe fin a lly open ed. He didn ’t w a st e a n y t im e r ea ch in g in side a n d r u m m a g in g a r ou n d. His h a n d em er g ed w it h a sm a ll bla ck ca se, r ou g h ly t h e size of a cig a r et t e pa ck . He flick ed it open , peer ed a t t h e con t en t s a n d n odded a s if plea sed w it h w h a t h e sa w . Na r r ow in g h er ey es, Rebecca a ppr oa ch ed h im a n d peer ed ov er h is sh ou lder t o fin d t w o fla sh dr iv es secu r ed in side t h e ca se. “ T h e da t a on t h ese a r e iden t ica l.” T o h er su r pr ise, McA v oy pr ied on e ou t a n d h a n ded it t o h er . “ Keep t h is on y ou r per son . I’ll h old on t o t h e ot h er .” He t u ck ed t h e bla ck ca se in t o h is pock et w h ile Rebecca sh ov ed t h e lit t le dr iv e in t o t h e fr on t pock et of h er jea n s. “ Let ’s g et ou t of h er e,” sh e t old Con n or , w h o w a s w a t ch in g t h e door w it h a v ig ila n t ey e. A m in u t e la t er , t h ey w er e r u sh in g ou t t h e fr on t door w it h Con n or in t h e lea d, McA v oy r ig h t beside

h er a n d n o lon g er h a n dcu ffed. T h e g u n sh ot ca m e ou t of n ow h er e. It ex ploded in t h e n ig h t a ir a n d m a de Rebecca ’s ea r s r in g , a ddin g t o t h e con fu sion t a k in g flig h t in side h er . Her h ea r t pou n ded, t h en st opped a lt og et h er a s t h e m a n in fr on t of h er colla psed fa cedow n on t o t h e por ch floor . Oh , God. Con n or . He’d been s hot. He w a s…dea d, sh e r ea lized a s h is lim p body r olled dow n t h e por ch st eps a n d la n ded in a m ot ion less h ea p on t h e dr iv ew a y . Blood pooled a r ou n d h is h ea d, br in g in g a r u sh of n a u sea t o Rebecca ’s t h r oa t . A n ot h er sh ot cr a ck ed in t h e a ir a n d su dden ly McA v oy w a s n o lon g er beside h er . Rebecca in st in ct iv ely fla t t en ed h er self on t h e g r ou n d a n d beg a n cr a w lin g t ow a r d Con n or ’s body , h er g a ze zer oin g in on t h e silv er k ey in h is lifeless h a n d. T h e ca r k ey . McA v oy ’s cr y of pa in a n d su r pr ise w a s cu t sh or t by a secon d g u n sh ot , t h en a t h ir d. A fou r t h . A n d t h en silen ce. No, n ot silen ce. Foot st eps. Som eon e w a s r u n n in g t ow a r d h er . Rebecca g r a bbed t h e k ey fr om Con n or ’s h a n d a n d h ea v ed h er self t o h er feet . Som et h in g h ot w h izzed by h er ea r , bu t sh e didn ’t st op, didn ’t t u r n a r ou n d. Sh e t h r ew h er self in t o t h e dr iv er ’s sea t a n d st u ck t h e k ey in t o t h e ig n it ion . T h er e w a s a blu r of m ov em en t in t h e r ea r v iew m ir r or . T w o m en w er e r u n n in g t ow a r d t h e SUV . Bot h h eld g lea m in g bla ck g u n s in t h eir h a n ds. Drive, darn it! Her foot sla m m ed on t h e g a s peda l, h er h ea r t st ick in g in h er t h r oa t a s t h e SUV lu r ch ed for w a r d a n d peeled a w a y fr om McA v oy ’s h ou se.

Sh e sped t h r ou g h t h e g a t e a n d w en t r ig h t ov er t h e cu r b, bou n cin g so h a r d t h a t h er h ea d n ea r ly sm a sh ed in t o t h e r oof of t h e ca r . W h en h er h a n ds st a r t ed t o t in g le a n d h er lu n g s st a r t ed t o bu r n , sh e r ea lized sh e w a sn ’t br ea t h in g . Oh , God. Con n or . McA v oy . Bot h of t h em dea d. Sh e su ck ed in a deep br ea t h a n d g ot so lig h t h ea ded sh e n ea r ly w en t off t h e r oa d. Keep it together, Beck s . Get to Nick . Expos e Fergus on. Sh e r epea t ed t h e pla n ov er a n d ov er a g a in in h er h ea d, clin g in g t o it , n eedin g it t o st a y ca lm . Her foot con t in u ed t o sh a k e ov er t h e g a s peda l, bu t som eh ow sh e m a n a g ed t o dr iv e in a st r a ig h t lin e. Som eh ow sh e m a n a g ed t o speed a w a y fr om McA v oy ’s n eig h bor h ood w it h ou t pa ssin g ou t . A n d w it h ou t bein g pu r su ed by som e om in ou s bla ck v a n . In h a lin g a n ot h er br ea t h , Rebecca w en t ov er t h e pla n a g a in . Get t o Nick . Ex pose Fer g u son . Bu t fir st …sh e ju st h a d on e lit t le st op t o m a k e.

Chapter 19 “McA v oy ’s dea d. Pa r k er g ot a w a y .”

T h e r epor t ca m e fiv e m in u t es a ft er Fer g u son st epped off t h e podiu m t o t h e t h u n der in g a ppla u se fr om t h e g u est s g a t h er ed in t h e ba llr oom . He’d du ck ed in t o t h e cor r idor t o t a k e t h e ca ll, a n d n ow h e cou ldn ’t decide w h et h er t o feel sa t isfied or en r a g ed. “ W h a t do y ou m ea n sh e g ot a w a y ? W h y w a s sh e t h er e in t h e fir st pla ce?” h e h issed in t o t h e m ou t h piece. “ I don ’t k n ow . A ll I k n ow is w h a t m y m a n r epor t ed. McA v oy sh ow ed u p a t t h e h ou se w it h Pa r k er a n d a DoD a g en t . My m en en g a g ed a n d elim in a t ed t w o of t h e t a r g et s. Pa r k er m a n a g ed t o esca pe.” Pa n ic seized h is t h r oa t . He low er ed h is v oice, ba r ely a bov e a w h isper . “ Sh e sa w McA v oy a n d a feder a l a g en t g et g u n n ed dow n ?” T h er e w a s a pa u se, t h en , “ Y es.” Son of a bit ch . T h is w a s a disa st er . Fr ed McA v oy a n d t h e t h r ea t h e’d posed h a d been elim in a t ed, bu t n ow a n ev en big g er t h r ea t loom ed on t h e h or izon . T h e st a r cor r espon den t for t h e cou n t r y ’s n u m ber -on e n ew s n et w or k h a d w it n essed t h e m u r der of t w o g ov er n m en t em ploy ees. “ Y ou h a v e t o fin d h er . Now .” “ I’v e a lr ea dy g ot m y people on it , bu t y ou sh ou ld be pr epa r ed. T h er e’s a ch a n ce sh e m ig h t g o t o t h e Ba r r et t s for h elp, in w h ich ca se, sh e’d be h ea din g y ou r w a y , sir .” He t a m ped dow n h is pa n ic by dr a w in g in a deep br ea t h . “ I’ll t ell m y st a ff t o det a in h er if sh e sh ow s u p h er e. Did y ou r m en clea n u p t h e scen e a t McA v oy ’s

h ou se?” “ T h ey st a g ed it a s a h om e r obber y . Ma y be y ou ca n ex pla in a w a y t h e a g en t ’s pr esen ce by sa y in g McA v oy r equ est ed h ea v ier secu r it y beca u se of som e t r ou ble h e r a n in t o in Beijin g .” Ca r r a w a y ’s t on e beca m e a ppr eh en siv e. “ T h er e’s on e m or e t h in g . My m en fou n d a fla sh dr iv e on McA v oy ’s body .” His ch est st iffen ed. That little rat. Clea r ly McA v oy h a d som eh ow m a n a g ed t o com pile ev iden ce a g a in st h im . Jesu s. W ell, lu ck ily Ca r r a w a y w a s in possession of t h e fla sh dr iv e n ow . T h a t w a s g ood n ew s a t lea st . “ Bu t t h e ca se h e w a s h oldin g it in h a d slot s for t w o dr iv es,” Ca r r a w a y w en t on . “ T h er e’s a ch a n ce Pa r k er m ig h t h a v e t h e secon d dr iv e.” His st om a ch dr opped. So m u ch for g ood n ew s. “ Fin d h er ,” h e g r ow led. “ Y es, Mr . V ice Pr esiden t .” Fer g u son h u n g u p w it h ou t a n ot h er w or d, t h en g a t h er ed t h e pieces of h is sh a t t er ed com posu r e a n d w a lk ed ba ck in t o t h e ba llr oom . *** T h r ou g h ou t Fer g u son ’s h ea r t w a r m in g speech a bou t pa t r iot ism a n d h er oism a n d ev er y ot h er “ -ism ” r ela t in g t o t h e t r oops, Nick h a d st ood n ex t t o h is fa t h er a n d st u died t h e v ice pr esiden t ’s ev er y m ov e. He h a d t o a dm it , Fer g u son w a s sk illed a t ca pt iv a t in g a cr ow d. He m a de t h em la u g h , m a de t h em sm ile, m a de t h em cr y . By t h e t im e t h e m a n left t h e podiu m , h e’d su cceeded in m a k in g ev er y per son in t h e ba llr oom lov e h im . “ He lied t o u s,” Nick m u t t er ed. “ I don ’t ca r e h ow con v in cin g h is st or y sou n ded. My g u t is t ellin g m e h e w a s t h e on e beh in d Pr oject A r ies.”

“ Min e, t oo,” h is fa t h er a dm it t ed. “ Bu t I’m n ot su r e w h a t m or e w e ca n do t on ig h t .” “ Do y ou r ea lly t h in k h e’ll br ief t h e pr esiden t a bou t t h is?” “ If h e does, t h en h e m u st be ex t r em ely con fiden t t h a t h e’s cov er ed h is t r a ck s a n d ca n n ev er be t ied t o t h e Mer idia n v ir u s.” Bot h m en ’s h ea d sh ift ed in a sh a r p m ot ion a s Fer g u son beg a n w a lk in g t ow a r d t h e ba llr oom door s. W it h t h e Secr et Ser v ice a g en t s fla n k in g h im , it w a s h a r d t o be su r e, bu t Nick t h ou g h t h e sa w t h e V P t a k in g a sleek bla ck ph on e ou t of h is pock et . Nick t ook a st ep, bu t h is da d sh ook h is h ea d in w a r n in g . “ Be sm a r t , son .” He for ced h im self t o st a y r oot ed, k n ew h is fa t h er w a s r ig h t . He cou ldn ’t ju st g o r u n n in g a ft er t h e v ice pr esiden t a n d t r y t o spy on t h e m a n in fr on t of a r oom fu ll of people. He en ded u p u sin g Fer g u son ’s br ief a bsen ce a s a n oppor t u n it y t o ch eck h is ph on e, bu t t h er e w a s n o m essa g e or m issed ca ll fr om Rebecca . Sh e w a s st ill a t t h e m ot el, t h en , t u ck ed ou t of sig h t w it h McA v oy . Good. “ Som ebody ’s u pset ,” Secr et a r y Ba r r et t sa id in a low v oice. Nick ’s fa t h er w a s r ig h t —Fer g u son h a d ju st r et u r n ed t o t h e ba llr oom , a n d a lt h ou g h h e h a d a sm ile pa st ed on h is fa ce, h is g r a y ey es r ev ea led a flick er of u n ea se. Nick fr ow n ed. “ Som et h in g ’s h a ppen ed.” No soon er h a d t h e w or ds left h is m ou t h t h a n a sk in n y m a le a ide h u r r ied ov er t o t h e v ice pr esiden t a n d w h isper ed som et h in g in h is ea r . T h er e w a s n o m ist a k in g t h e w a y Fer g u son ’s sh ou lder s st iffen ed, or t h e discer n ible g lea m of t r iu m ph in h is ey es. He’d ju st r eceiv ed som e

im por t a n t n ew s. V er y im por t a n t , Nick a m en ded a s Fer g u son im m edia t ely m a r ch ed t ow a r d t h e door s a g a in . T h is t im e, h e didn ’t a llow h is fa t h er t o st op h im . His in st in ct s w er e bu zzin g a g a in , t ellin g h im n ot t o let Fer g u son ou t of h is sig h t . W it h ou t a w or d, Nick left h is fa t h er ’s side a n d t h r ea ded h is w a y t h r ou g h t h e cr ow d t ow a r d t h e ex it . He t r ied t o k eep h is g a it fa st bu t r ela x ed, a difficu lt fea t , bu t it w a s bet t er t h a n t h e a ll-ou t spr in t h is br a in w a s or der in g h im t o em ploy . He em er g ed in t o t h e w ide h a llw a y ju st in t im e t o see Fer g u son a n d h is secu r it y det a il r ou n d t h e cor n er a t t h e en d of t h e h a ll. T w o a g en t s st ood g u a r d ou t side t h e ba llr oom . Nick a t t em pt ed t o look n on ch a la n t a s h e w a lk ed pa st t h em , bu t t h e m en w er en ’t fooled. “ St op,” on e of t h e a g en t s ba r k ed. Nick ig n or ed h im a n d pick ed u p t h e pa ce. “ Sir , y ou w er e a sk ed t o st op!” He w a s pr a ct ica lly r u n n in g n ow , pr a y in g t h a t n eit h er m a n dr ew h is g u n a n d sh ot h im in t h e ba ck befor e h e r ea ch ed t h e en d of t h e h a ll. For t u n a t ely , h e r em a in ed bu llet -fr ee a s h e r ou n ded t h a t sa m e cor n er w h er e Fer g u son a n d h is g u a r ds h a d disa ppea r ed. “ Let g o of m e!” A fem a le sh ou t bou n ced off t h e w a lls. He h a lt ed in h is t r a ck s, a n d h is h ea r t ja m m ed in h is t h r oa t w h en h e spot t ed a fla sh of r ed a m id t h e a r r a y of bla ck a cr oss t h e h a llw a y . Rebecca. W ish in g lik e h ell t h a t h e h a d a w ea pon , Nick lu n g ed t ow a r d t h e sou r ce of t h e com m ot ion , t h en sk idded t o a n ot h er st op w h en h a lf a dozen w ea pon s sn a pped u p in h is dir ect ion .

“ Nick ,” Rebecca cr ied ou t w h en sh e spot t ed h im . He h a d a clea r v iew of h er n ow . Sh e st ood t h er e su r r ou n ded by six a g en t s, t h r ee of w h om h a d t h eir g u n s poin t ed a t h er w h ile t h e ot h er t h r ee k ept t h eir s t r a in ed on Nick . Rebecca w or e t h e jea n s a n d t a n k t op sh e’d h a d on ba ck a t t h e m ot el, bu t h er lon g h a ir w a s a t ou sled m ess a n d t h er e w a s a sm u dg e of w h a t look ed lik e m ot or oil on h er ch eek . “ Det a in h er ,” Fer g u son sn a pped. “ Him , t oo.” T h e v ice pr esiden t t ook a st ep a w a y fr om h is h or de of a g en t s, t h en sh ot Nick a n ir r it a ble look . “ I t ook t h e t im e t o list en t o y ou r a ccu sa t ion s t on ig h t , son , ev en t h ou g h it w a s h ig h ly in su lt in g , a n d fr a n k ly , h u m ilia t in g .” T h ose g r a y ey es bla zed w it h a n g er . “ Bu t en ou g h is en ou g h . I ca n ’t h a v e t h e t w o of y ou spr ea din g lies a n d sla n der —” “ Go a h ea d a n d a r r est m e,” Rebecca in t er r u pt ed. “ It ’s a lr ea dy t oo la t e.” A su spiciou s g r oov e a ppea r ed in Fer g u son ’s for eh ea d, bu t h e didn ’t a sk h er t o cla r ify . In st ea d, h e g la n ced a t h is g u a r ds. “ Det a in t h em ,” h e sa id a g a in . T o Nick ’s dism a y , Rebecca t ook a st ep t ow a r d Fer g u son , com plet ely u n fa zed by t h e w ea pon s bein g poin t ed a t h er . T h e da m n w om a n st a lk ed r ig h t u p t o t h e v ice pr esiden t of t h e Un it ed St a t es a n d cr ossed h er a r m s ov er h er ch est . “ T h e t r u t h is ou t ,” sh e a n n ou n ced, st ick in g ou t h er ch in a s if t o da r e Fer g u son t o a r g u e w it h h er . Nick ’s h ea r t did a lit t le pr ou d som er sa u lt . Ch r ist , h e lov ed t h a t st u bbor n ju t of h er ch in . Lov ed t h a t sh e w a s t ot a lly obliv iou s t o h er dim in u t iv e st a t u r e, t h a t sh e h a d n o qu a lm s a bou t squ a r in g off w it h m en t w ice h er size. A n d h er en t h u sia sm . He lov ed t h a t , t oo.

Not t o m en t ion h er det er m in a t ion . Her fea r lessn ess. Her fir e. Aw , hell. Ha d h e fa llen in lov e w it h h er ? T h e st a r t lin g t h ou g h t slid in t o h is con sciou sn ess in on e r a pid sw oop, bu t h e ju st a s r a pidly pu sh ed it a w a y . T h is w a s not t h e t im e t o sift t h r ou g h t h e con fu sin g em ot ion s sw im m in g a r ou n d in h is st om a ch . “ Y ou ca n a r r est u s if y ou w a n t ,” sh e w en t on , h er g r een ey es g lit t er in g w it h sa t isfa ct ion . “ Bu t it w on ’t ch a n g e a g ee-dee t h in g —” Despit e h im self, Nick ’s lips t w it ch ed in a m u sem en t . “ T h e w h ole w or ld w ill k n ow t h e t r u t h in a bou t t w o m in u t es, if t h e n ew s h a sn ’t a lr ea dy br ok en . In t h a t ca se…” Sh e ju st sh r u g g ed. “ T h e t r u t h a bou t w h a t ?” Fer g u son a sk ed coldly , con t in u in g t o pla y du m b. “ T h a t y ou con du ct ed biolog ica l w ea pon s t est in g on in n ocen t people. T h a t t h e Mer idia n v ir u s w a s y ou r br a in ch ild.” “ Lies,” h e sn a pped. “ T h a t w a s McA v oy ’s doin g .” “ Oh , McA v oy ?” Her lips t w ist ed in a n g er . “ Y ou m ea n , t h e m a n y ou ju st or der ed t o be sh ot t o dea t h in h is ow n h om e?” Nick ’s sh ou lder s set in a n om in ou s lin e. McA v oy w a s dea d? W h en h e st u died Rebecca ’s som ber ex pr ession , h e k n ew sh e w a s t ellin g t h e t r u t h . A n d h e a lso k n ew som et h in g else—if McA v oy h a d been sh ot a t h is h ou se, t h en t h a t m ea n t Rebecca h a d disobey ed or der s. A g a in . W h y w a s h e n ot su r pr ised? “ I’v e h a d en ou g h of t h is n on sen se,” Fer g u son m u t t er ed.

He t u r n ed t o h is g u a r ds, n o dou bt t o ba r k ou t a n ot h er or der t o det a in t h em , bu t Rebecca in t er r u pt ed in a ch eer fu l t on e. “ Is t h er e a T V a r ou n d h er e?” sh e a sk ed. “ T h er e’s g ot t a be, r ig h t ? I m ea n , look a t t h e size of t h is pla ce.” Nick fou n d h im self g r in n in g . “ Beca u se I r ea lly t h in k y ou n eed t o g et t o a t elev ision ,” sh e t old t h e V P. “ I t h in k y ou ’ll be sin g in g a differ en t t u n e on ce y ou see A BN’s elev en -o’clock seg m en t .” Fer g u son ’s fa ce t u r n ed r ed, h is ey es bu r n in g w it h fu r y . W it h ou t a w or d, h e st a lk ed t ow a r d on e of t h e door s in t h e h a llw a y a n d t h r ew it open . T w o of h is a g en t s w en t w it h h im , bu t t h e r est st a y ed w it h Rebecca a n d Nick ou t in t h e cor r idor . W it h Fer g u son g on e, Nick g la n ced a t t h e r edh ea d w it h a w r y sm ile. “ W h a t did y ou do, Red?” “ Not h in g m u ch .” Her g or g eou s g r een ey es t w in k led. “ McA v oy h a d in cr im in a t in g ev iden ce a g a in st Fer g u son on a fla sh dr iv e. He g a v e it t o m e befor e h e died.” T h e t w in k le fa ded in t o a du ll g lea m . “ Con n or ’s dea d, t oo. Bu t I m a n a g ed t o g et a w a y .” Fea r a n d sa t isfa ct ion m in g led in Nick ’s blood, t h ou g h h e discov er ed t h a t t h e la t t er ov er pow er ed t h e for m er . T h e t h ou g h t of Rebecca in t h e m iddle of a g u n fig h t sca r ed t h e liv in g h ell ou t of h im , a n d y et a t t h e sa m e t im e, h e su dden ly r ea lized h e w a sn ’t a t a ll su r pr ised t h a t sh e’d m a n a g ed t o esca pe. Rebecca w a s sm a r t . Resou r cefu l, st r on g , br a v e. Of cou r se sh e’d m a de it ou t a liv e. Som et h in g h ot a n d pa in fu l squ eezed h is ch est , bu t h e ig n or ed it a n d focu sed on w h a t Rebecca w a s sa y in g . “ I st opped a t a n in t er n et ca fé on t h e w a y h er e a n d

em a iled a ll t h e t r a n scr ipt s on t h a t dr iv e t o t h e n et w or k .” Nick t ook a st ep t ow a r d h er , t h en fr oze w h en t w o Secr et Ser v ice a g en t s cock ed t h eir w ea pon s. “ Rela x , fella s,” h e sa id w it h a sig h . “ W e’r e n ot t h e ba d g u y s h er e. Y ou ’ll fin d t h a t ou t soon en ou g h .” Non e of t h e m en blin k ed or r espon ded. Rollin g h is ey es, h e g la n ced ba ck a t Rebecca . “ So y ou sen t A BN t h e ev iden ce. Good t h in k in g .” “ Oh , I didn ’t ju st sen d it t o A BN. A s of r ig h t n ow , ev er y m edia ou t let in t h e cou n t r y , a s w ell a s a few k ey m a r k et s a br oa d, h a s a copy of ev er y em a il a n d ph on e ca ll Fer g u son ex ch a n g ed w it h McA v oy .” A sm ile st r et ch ed a cr oss Nick ’s fa ce. “ Nice.” Rebecca spa r ed a pit h y look a t on e of t h e a g en t s. “ T h e w h ole w or ld n ow k n ow s t h a t Fer g u son w a s r espon sible for cr ea t in g a biolog ica l w ea pon , t est in g it on in n ocen t people a n d a cciden t a lly a llow in g it t o be r elea sed on U.S. soil.” Sh e t u r n ed ba ck t o Nick , h er ex pr ession becom in g defia n t . “ I’m n ot g oin g t o a polog ize, by t h e w a y .” He fr ow n ed. “ A polog ize for w h a t ?” “ Not st a y in g pu t a t t h e m ot el. I k n ow I t ook a r isk by br in g in g McA v oy t o h is h ou se, bu t w e n eeded t o g et ou r h a n ds on t h a t fla sh dr iv e.” Sh e st u ck ou t t h a t sa ssy ch in of h er s a g a in . “ A n d by disobey in g y ou r or der s, I ex posed Fer g u son , so I r efu se t o be sor r y for t h a t , Nick . I don ’t ca r e if t on ig h t r ein for ces ev er y la st t h in g y ou t h in k m a k es u s in com pa t ible, bu t I w on ’t sa y I’m sor r y .” Sh e fin ish ed in a r u sh , a n d h e lift ed a br ow a t h er . “ Y ou don e?” “ Y es,” sh e g r u m bled. “ Good, beca u se I w a sn ’t ex pect in g a n a polog y .” He sh r u g g ed. “ A n d I’m n ot su r e I w a n t on e.”

Her ey es w iden ed. “ For r ea lsies?” A la u g h bu bbled in h is t h r oa t . God, h e lov ed t h is w om a n . Y ep, h e loved t h is w om a n . He fr ick in ’ lov ed h er t o dea t h . “ For r ea lsies,” h e con fir m ed. “ Y ou g ot t h e pr oof w e n eeded, da r lin g , a n d y ou sh ow ed it t o t h e w or ld. T h er e’s n ot h in g left t o cov er u p. Fer g u son ca n ’t k ill u s a n d m a k e u p som e bog u s r ea son for ou r dea t h s. He ca n ’t do a da m n t h in g t o u s n ow .” Rebecca ’s m ou t h lift ed in a sm ile. “ Da m n r ig h t , h e ca n ’t .” Sh e su dden ly cla pped h er h a n d ov er t h a t sex y m ou t h . “ Cr a p. I sw or e.” “ Don ’t w or r y , I w on ’t t ell.” W it h a dr y ex pr ession , h e g la n ced a t t h e a r m y of g u a r ds w h o didn ’t seem in clin ed t o low er t h eir w ea pon s. “ I’m su r e t h ese du des w on ’t eit h er .” He cou ld h a v e sw or n h e sa w a m u scle t w it ch in on e of t h e a g en t s’ ja w s, bu t w h en h e peer ed closer , t h e m a n w a s on ce a g a in st on e-fa ced. Fer g u son w a s st ill beh in d t h a t door , a n d Nick cou ld n ow h ea r t h e fa in t m u r m u r of v oices. T h ey w er e m ost lik ely w a ft in g ou t of t h e t elev ision t h e V P h a d t u r n ed on , t h e t elev ision t h a t w a s t u n ed in t o t h e A BN n ew sca st , w h ich w a s, a t t h e m om en t , a ir in g T r oy Fer g u son ’s dir t y la u n dr y a n d u n con scion a ble a ct ion s t o t h e en t ir e cou n t r y . A n d ev en t h ou g h Nick k n ew t h a t n ow w a s defin it ely n ot t h e t im e t o h a v e a h ea r t -t o-h ea r t — w h a t w it h t h e a r m ed m en su r r ou n din g t h em —h e cou ldn ’t st op h im self. Besides, it seem ed com ica lly a pt t o be h a v in g t h is con v er sa t ion du r in g a sit u a t ion t h a t ju st oozed da n g er . “ I’m a n idiot ,” h e t old Rebecca .

Sh e look ed fla bber g a st ed. “ W h y ?” His v oice g r ew h oa r se, t h ick w it h em ot ion . “ Beca u se I w a s so bu sy t h in k in g a bou t w h a t ‘t h e on e’—” h e u sed a ir qu ot es t o em ph a size t h e w or ds “ — ou g h t t o be lik e, t h a t I didn ’t r ea lize sh e w a s st a n din g r ig h t in fr on t of m e t h e w h ole t im e.” Rebecca ’s br ea t h h it ch ed in plea su r e, bu t t h en sh e fa lt er ed. “ W a it . Is it m e? Y ou m ea n m e, r ig h t ?” A soft ch u ck le filled t h e a ir , a n d t h ey bot h t u r n ed t o st a r e a t t h e Secr et Ser v ice a g en t w h o’d m a de t h e a m u sed sou n d. T h e m a n g u ilt ily ca st h is g a ze dow n w a r d, a n d w h en h is h ea d lift ed a g a in , h is fa ce h a d r ev er t ed ba ck t o r obot ica lly ex pr ession less. Fig h t in g h is a m u sem en t , Nick g r in n ed a t Rebecca . “ Y es, I m ea n y ou .” His v oice t h ick en ed a g a in . “ Y ou ’r e t h e on e. T h e r ig h t w om a n for m e. I w a s ju st t oo blin d a n d st u pid t o see it .” “ Bu t …” Sh e bit h er bot t om lip. “ W h a t a bou t m y job? Not h in g ’s ch a n g ed. I’m g oin g t o k eep cov er in g t h e st or ies t h a t in t r ig u e m e, ev en if t h ey ’r e da n g er ou s.” “ Look a r ou n d u s, Red.” He sw ept h is a r m a t t h e h a n dfu l of g u n s. “ W e’r e spla t in t h e m iddle of da n g er ou s, a n d y ou ’r e h a n dlin g y ou r self ju st fin e.” “ I a lw a y s do,” sh e sa id g en t ly . “ I k n ow .” He sw a llow ed. “ I w a s a r ea l a ss. A n ov er pr ot ect iv e a ss. A n d I w a s w r on g , beca u se y ou k n ow w h a t ? If y ou h a dn ’t ig n or ed m y or der s t on ig h t , Fer g u son m ig h t h a v e g ot t en a w a y w it h ev er y t h in g . A n d y ou k n ow w h a t else? I love h ow fea r less y ou a r e. It ’s dow n r ig h t in spir in g . A n d ev en t h ou g h it t ook m e a w h ile t o fig u r e it ou t , I a lso lov e t h e w a y y ou ch a llen g e m e.” He t ook a br ea t h , su dden ly feelin g em ba r r a ssed a bou t spillin g h is g u t s in fr on t of fou r a r m ed m en .

Bu t Rebecca ’s g r een ey es w er e sw im m in g w it h su ch joy t h a t h e cou ldn ’t st op n ow . Cou ldn ’t lea v e h er h a n g in g . “ I don ’t w a n t t o ch a n g e y ou ,” h e sa id h u sk ily . “ A ct u a lly , I’m pr et t y su r e t h a t if y ou w er en ’t t h e w a y y ou a r e, I m ig h t g et bor ed a ft er a w h ile.” Sh e st u died h im w a r ily . “ Do y ou r ea lly m ea n ev er y t h in g y ou ’r e sa y in g , or a r e y ou ju st g et t in g ca u g h t u p in t h e em ot ion a l u r g en cy of t h e sit u a t ion ?” “ T h e on ly t h in g I’m ca u g h t u p in is y ou .” Oh , br ot h er . He r eg r et t ed t h e w or ds befor e t h ey ev en left h is m ou t h . Not beca u se h e didn ’t m ea n t h em , bu t beca u se h e n ow look ed lik e a t ot a l sa p in fr on t of a ll t h ese beefy , br oa d-sh ou lder ed Secr et Ser v ice g u y s. A n d y et w h en h e u n in t en t ion a lly m et t h e ey e of on e a g en t , h e cou ld sw ea r h e sa w a ppr ov a l r eflect in g ba ck a t h im . “ T h a t w a s sm oot h ,” Rebecca sa id fr a n k ly . “ I t h in k m y h ea r t did a lit t le flip. W r it e t h a t lin e dow n , Nick y . Y ou ca n sa y it t o m e ev er y n ig h t befor e w e fa ll a sleep. It ca n be ou r ‘t h in g .’” He la u g h ed. “ Dea l.” Sh e open ed h er m ou t h lik e sh e w a n t ed t o sa y m or e, bu t t h e sou n d of foot st eps cu t h er off. A ll h ea ds sw iv eled t o fin d t h e secr et a r y of defen se st r idin g t ow a r d t h em . “ La y dow n y ou r w ea pon s,” Secr et a r y Ba r r et t or der ed, look in g st u n n ed by t h e scen e h e’d st u m bled on . Non e of t h e a g en t s obey ed. “ I’m sor r y , Mr . Secr et a r y , bu t w e t a k e ou r or der s fr om t h e v ice pr esiden t ,” on e of t h e g u a r ds sa id, bu t h is v oice con t a in ed a n ot e of g en u in e r eg r et .

“ A r e y ou t ellin g m e t h a t t h e v ice pr esiden t or der ed y ou t o h old t w o civ ilia n s a t g u n poin t , ou t in t h e open w h er e a n y on e w h o w a n der s ou t of t h e ba llr oom cou ld see y ou ?” T h e secr et a r y sou n ded liv id. “ W h er e is t h e V P?” Nick cock ed h is h ea d t o t h e closed door t en feet a w a y . “ In t h er e.” “ He’s w a t ch in g t h e n ew s,” Rebecca t old Nick ’s fa t h er . “ Seem s lik e a ll y ou ev er see on t h e n ew s t h ese da y s is st or ies a bou t cor r u pt ion a n d cov er -u ps.” A k n ow in g g lea m en t er ed t h e secr et a r y ’s ey es. “ It ’s a sh a m e,” h e a g r eed. “ Bu t h ow con v en ien t is it t h a t w e a r e n ow a ble t o g et a n ew s u pda t e w it h t h e t ou ch of a bu t t on ?” A s if t o illu st r a t e t h a t poin t , Nick ’s fa t h er h eld u p h is cell ph on e. T h e scr een w a s open ed t o t h e A BN w ebsit e. Nick ch ok ed dow n a la u g h . “ I do believ e Pr esiden t How a r d is boa r din g A ir For ce On e a s w e spea k ,” Secr et a r y Ba r r et t a dded. He g la n ced a t t h e g u a r d w h o’d spok en t o h im . “ I a lso believ e y ou ’ll be r eceiv in g n ew or der s fr om t h e dir ect or of Hom ela n d Secu r it y soon .” A s if on cu e, t h e lea d a g en t su dden ly t ou ch ed h is ea r piece. He fu r r ow ed h is br ow , list en ed for sev er a l lon g m om en t s, t h en m u t t er ed, “ Y es, sir ,” befor e fin a lly or der in g t h e ot h er s t o st a n d dow n . Nick br ea t h ed a sig h of r elief a s ev er y w ea pon w a s low er ed a n d t h e a g en t s ba ck ed a w a y fr om h im a n d Rebecca . T h e r edh ea d im m edia t ely la u n ch ed h er self in t o h is a r m s, a n d h e h eld h er t ig h t , br ea t h in g in t h e sw eet scen t of h er h a ir . “ Y ou ok a y ?” h e m u r m u r ed. “ Y ou su r e y ou w er en ’t h u r t a t McA v oy ’s h ou se?” “ I’m fin e.” Sh e k issed h is clea n -sh a v en ch eek . “ By

t h e w a y , y ou look in cr edible in a t u x .” He ch u ck led, t h en w et h is t h u m b w it h h is t on g u e a n d w iped a w a y t h e spot of g r ea se on h er fa ce. “ By t h e w a y , t h er e’s on e m or e t h in g I for g ot t o sa y .” “ W h ich is?” He br ou g h t h is m ou t h t o h er ea r a n d m u r m u r ed, “ I lov e y ou .” *** Rebecca didn ’t ev en g et t o ba sk in t h e sh eer a w esom en ess of Nick ’s decla r a t ion of lov e. No, beca u se t h e secon d sh e open ed h er m ou t h t o or der h im t o sa y it a g a in —a n d t h en t en m or e t im es a ft er t h a t —t h e door t h a t Fer g u son h a d disa ppea r ed beh in d sw u n g open , a n d t h e v ice pr esiden t st epped ou t in t o t h e cor r idor . He w a s sa n dw ich ed bet w een t w o a g en t s a g a in , bu t t h eir post u r e n o lon g er seem ed pr ot ect iv e. T h er e w a s a com ba t iv e feel t o t h em n ow , a s if t h ey ’d been or der ed n ot t o let T r oy Fer g u son ou t of t h eir sig h t . W h en Rebecca m et t h e v ice pr esiden t ’s g r a y ey es, sh e didn ’t m iss t h e clou d of defea t da r k en in g t h em . He k n ew h e w a s bea t en . No m or e cov er -u ps, n o m or e h it squ a ds. T h e secon d Rebecca h a d dow n loa ded t h e con t en t s of t h a t fla sh dr iv e a n d pr essed Sen d, sh e’d k n ow n sh e w a s sig n in g Fer g u son ’s w a lk in g pa per s. It ca m e a s n o su r pr ise t h a t h e didn ’t sa y a w or d t o h er or Nick , bu t h e did a ddr ess Secr et a r y Ba r r et t . “ Y ou k n ow I w a s r ig h t t o do it , Kir k . He’s t oo da m n len ien t . T oo da m n for g iv in g .” Nick ’s fa t h er r elea sed a t ir ed br ea t h . “ T h er e w er e ot h er w a y s t o pu sh ou r a g en da , T r oy . If y ou ’d on ly com e t o m e, sa t dow n in m y office for a n h ou r or t w o, t h e t w o of u s cou ld h a v e desig n ed a defen se pla n so r ock -solid t h a t How a r d w ou ldn ’t h a v e been a ble t o

v et o it .” “ Hin dsig h t ,” t h e V P m u r m u r ed r u efu lly . T h e Secr et a r y sh ook h is h ea d in disa ppoin t m en t , bu t h e didn ’t h a v e a n oppor t u n it y for fu r t h er com m en t beca u se t h e Secr et Ser v ice a g en t s beg a n t o lea d Fer g u son a w a y , m ost lik ely on t h e or der s of Pr esiden t How a r d h im self. T h e ot h er g u a r ds disper sed, lea v in g Rebecca a lon e w it h t h e t w o Ba r r et t s. T h e sen ior Ba r r et t ca st a plea sed sm ile in h er dir ect ion . “ Good w or k , Pa r k er . He w ou ld h a v e t r ied t o la y t h e bla m e on McA v oy ’s sh ou lder s if y ou h a dn ’t fou n d t h a t ev iden ce.” Now h e g la n ced a t h is son . “ T ell T a t e a n d St on e t o com e h om e, Nich ola s. T h ey ’ll n eed t o be debr iefed.” “ Y es, sir .” T h e secr et a r y t u r n ed ba ck t o Rebecca . “ I’ll g iv e y ou t w o a m om en t a lon e. I’m su r e m y son w ou ld lik e som e pr iv a cy w h en h e y ells a t y ou for lea v in g t h e m ot el, a n d I’m equ a lly cer t a in y ou ’ll w a n t som e pr iv a cy y ou r self w h en y ou st a u n ch ly defen d y ou r a ct ion s.” La u g h in g , Rebecca w a v ed a dism issiv e h a n d. “ Oh , w e a lr ea dy h a d t h a t fig h t , sir . It ’s t im e for t h e k iss-a n d-m a k eu p pa r t .” Nick ’s da d ch u ck led. “ I’ll lea v e y ou t o it , t h en .” A ft er t h e older m a n m a r ch ed off, sh e g r in n ed a t Nick a n d sa id, “ A n y w a y , ba ck t o w h a t y ou w er e sa y in g befor e…” “ W h a t w a s t h a t a g a in ?” “ Don ’t be a jer k . Y ou k n ow ex a ct ly w h a t y ou sa id.” “ A h , y ou m ea n t h e I-lov e-y ou pa r t .” “ Y ep.” Sh e cr ossed h er a r m s. “ Sa y it a g a in .” “ W ell, a r en ’t y ou bossy .” He r a ised h is ey ebr ow s.

“ Cor r ect m e if I’m w r on g , bu t I don ’t r em em ber y ou r r et u r n in g t h e sen t im en t .” Sh e r a ised h er ey ebr ow s r ig h t ba ck . “ T h a t ’s beca u se I’m st ill n ot su r e if y ou m ea n t it .” T h e w ou n ded look on h is fa ce ca u g h t h er off g u a r d. “ Of cou r se I m ea n t it .” “ Y ou r ea lly lov e m e?” Sh e n a r r ow ed h er ey es. “ Ev en t h ou g h I’m a r isk t a k er ?” He n odded. “ Ev en t h ou g h I don ’t pla n on qu it t in g m y job, n ot n ow , a n d n ot a ft er I h a v e k ids?” A n ot h er n od. “ Ev en t h ou g h I’ll pr oba bly a lw a y s a r g u e w it h y ou a bou t ev er y lit t le t h in g ?” A n od, t h is on e a ccom pa n ied by a sm ile. “ Ev en t h ou g h —” He silen ced h er w it h a k iss, a n d God h elp h er , bu t sh e cou ldn ’t m u st er u p a n y ir r it a t ion a t bein g in t er r u pt ed. In st ea d, sh e sa n k in t o h is st r on g ch est a n d k issed h im ba ck . His t on g u e slid in t o h er m ou t h , t ea sed h er w it h a few sen su a l lick s, a n d t h en h e t or e h is m ou t h a w a y . “ I lov e y ou , Rebecca ,” h e sa id soft ly . “ A n d I w ou ldn ’t ch a n g e a da m n t h in g a bou t y ou .” W a r m t h ex ploded in h er ch est , cir clin g h er h ea r t a n d br in g in g t ea r s t o h er ey es. “ I lov e y ou , t oo.” “ Fin a lly , sh e sa y s it . T ook y ou lon g en ou g h .” “ Y ou deser v ed t o sw ea t for a bit a ft er y ou r big y ou ’r e-n ot -r ig h t -for -m e speech .” Gu ilt fla sh ed a cr oss h is fa ce. “ I’m sor r y a bou t t h a t . I w a s a n idiot .” “ Y ou w er e, bu t t h a t ’s ok a y . I for g iv e y ou .” Sh e cou ldn ’t seem t o st op sm ilin g , a n d sh e k n ew sh e m u st look r idicu lou sly g oofy a n d st a r r y -ey ed a t t h e m om en t . Bu t it w a s sim ply im possible t o con t r ol

t h e spa r k s of h a ppin ess da n cin g t h r ou g h h er body . “ So w e’r e r ea lly g oin g t o do t h is?” sh e a sk ed, h er v oice g oin g ser iou s. “ W e’r e g oin g t o see w h er e t h is w h ole r ela t ion sh ip t h in g lea ds?” “ No.” Her m ou t h fell open . “ W h a t do y ou m ea n n o?” “ Da r lin g , ju st beca u se I’m w illin g t o a m en d t h e qu a lit ies I w a n t m y per fect w om a n t o h a v e doesn ’t m ea n I’m n ot a g en t lem a n a n y m or e.” His sm ile w a s self-depr eca t in g . “ I t h in k I’ll a lw a y s be t h a t oldfa sh ion ed g ood g u y y ou lik e t o t ea se m e a bou t bein g . A n d t h e g ood g u y in m e w a n t s m or e t h a n a n a ffa ir fr om y ou . He w a n t s t o pu t a r in g on y ou r fin g er .” “ A r e y ou a sk in g m e t o m arry y ou ?” “ W ou ld y ou sa y n o if I did?” Rebecca pon der ed t h a t for a m om en t , w on der in g w h y t h e idea of g et t in g en g a g ed w a sn ’t fr ea k in g h er ou t in t h e slig h t est . “ Don ’t w or r y , it ’ll be a lon g en g a g em en t ,” Nick a ssu r ed h er . “ It ’ll t a k e m e a w h ile t o r ein t eg r a t e in t o societ y . A ft er a ll, I’v e been liv in g in cr u m blin g for t r esses a n d bea ch sh a ck s t h is pa st y ea r .” T h e lit t le g r in h e g a v e h er w a s so a dor a ble sh e a lm ost m elt ed in t o a pu ddle a t h is feet . God, sh e lov ed t h is m a n . Sh e n ev er w ou ld h a v e dr ea m ed t h a t sh e’d fa ll in lov e w it h som eon e so sw eet a n d r espect a ble—a n old-fa sh ion ed g en t lem a n , a s h e a ppa r en t ly lik ed t o r efer t o h im self. A n d y et sh e’d fa llen . Ha r d. A n d sh e h a d n o in t en t ion of let t in g Nick Ba r r et t g o. “ Ok a y , fin e, bu t on ly if I g et t o pick ou t t h e r in g ,” sh e sa id w it h sh r u g . “ I pr opose t o y ou a n d y ou r espon d w it h ‘Ok a y , fin e’?” He sh ook h is h ea d in dism a y . “ W h a t a m I g oin g t o do w it h y ou , Red?”

“ Lot s of t h in g s,” sh e a n sw er ed ch eer fu lly . “ T r u st m e, w e’r e g oin g t o h a v e a bla st t og et h er .” “ I don ’t dou bt it , Sh er lock .” Sh e m et h is g or g eou s ey es, g en u in ely t ou ch ed. “ Oh , m y g osh . A r e y ou officia lly a g r eein g t o be m y sidek ick ?” “ W ell, I’m t h in k in g w e ca n t a k e t u r n s bein g Sh er lock , bu t w e’ll a lw a y s be pa r t n er s. How does t h a t sou n d?” St ill sm ilin g —beca u se sh e t r u ly cou ldn ’t st op— Rebecca r a ised h er self u p on h er t ipt oes a n d k issed h im . “ It sou n ds effin g a w esom e.”

Epilogue One Month Later

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r e y ou ser iou s? A ft er a y ea r on t h e r u n , w e’r e fin a lly a ble t o r et u r n t o civ iliza t ion a n d y ou ch oose t o l i v e here?” Seba st ia n St on e g r u m bled. “ Jeez, t h e pla ces w e st a y ed in w h en w e w er e h idin g ou t w er en ’t h a lf a s isola t ed a s t h is pr oper t y .” Ca pt a in Rober t T a t e offer ed h is t r a dem a r k I-don ’t g iv e-a -da m n sh r u g . “ Ev a a n d I lik e liv in g in t h e cou n t r y . Dea l w it h it .” T a t e r ea ch ed in t o t h e cooler a n d pu lled ou t a cou ple beer s. He h a n ded on e t o Nick , w h o t w ist ed off t h e ca p a n d t ook a sip. “ T h a n k s, Ca pt a in . Ma n , it ’s h ot ou t t oda y . It w a sn ’t t h is h u m id in D.C.” “ Spea k in g of D.C., is Rebecca pla n n in g on cov er in g Fer g u son ’s im pea ch m en t pr oceedin g s, or w ill A BN a ssig n som eon e else?” Seba st ia n a sk ed, cu r iou s. “ Sh e’s cov er in g it ,” Nick r eplied. “ W h en h er n ew pr odu cer su g g est ed t h a t h er per son a l con n ect ion t o Fer g u son a n d t h e sca n da l m ig h t a ffect h er a bilit y t o r em a in object iv e, sh e a lm ost bit h is h ea d off.” He cou ldn ’t h elp bu t ch u ck le. Rebecca h a d been cov er in g t h e sca n da l sin ce it h a d br ok en a t t h e V et er a n s Ga la a n d Nick k n ew sh e’d n ev er g iv e it u p n ow . T h is w a s h er ex clu siv e, h er scoop, a n d h e didn ’t bla m e h er on e bit for clin g in g so h a r d. Sh e’d su ffer ed for t h is, bled for it , lost h er fr ien ds a n d cow or k er s for it . His g a ze dr ift ed a cr oss t h e ba ck y a r d. W ell, n ot so m u ch a ba ck y a r d a s a st r et ch of r u g g ed la n d lin ed w it h t r ees in fu ll bloom , g en t le h ills a n d a n a r r ow cr eek t h a t h e cou ld h ea r g u r g lin g ev en a ll t h e w a y fr om t h e h u g e ceda r deck beh in d T a t e a n d Ev a ’s

en or m ou s Nor t h Ca r olin a cou n t r y h ou se. Rebecca w a s sit t in g on t h e g r a ssy ba n k n ea r t h e cr eek , sw in g in g h er ba r e feet in t h e w a t er a s sh e la u g h ed a t som et h in g Ju lia Da v en por t h a d sa id. Her r ed h a ir sh on e in t h e a ft er n oon su n lig h t , a n d t h ose g r een ey es w er e a n im a t ed a s u su a l. Sh e a n d Ju lia h a d h it it off fr om t h e secon d t h ey ’d m et , w h ich didn ’t r ea lly su r pr ise Nick . Ju lia w a s a s ou t spok en a s Rebecca , a n d h a d t h a t sa m e t y pe of sa r ca st ic h u m or t h a t Rebecca possessed in spa des. T h e t w o w om en h a d been ch a t t in g on t h e g r a ss for t h e pa st h ou r , a n d n ow t h ey w er e join ed by Ev a Dolce a n d h er t h r ee-y ea r -old son , Ra fe, w h o m a de a m a d da sh for t h e w a t er ’s edg e. Rebecca ca u g h t t h e t oddler a r ou n d t h e w a ist befor e h e cou ld div e h ea dfir st in t o t h e w a t er , a n d t h e sig h t ca u sed a r u sh of w a r m t h t o t r a v el t h r ou g h Nick ’s ch est . Did it m a k e h im a t ot a l soft ie t h a t h e lik ed seein g a ch ild in Rebecca ’s a r m s? Not t h a t h e pla n n ed on k n ock in g h er u p a n y t im e soon . No, ch ildr en w ou ld com e in t im e, w a y in t o t h e fu t u r e; a lt h ou g h if h is fa t h er h a d a n y t h in g t o sa y a bou t it , Rebecca w ou ld a lr ea dy be sh oppin g for m a t er n it y clot h es. Secr et a r y Ba r r et t h a d a lot on h is pla t e a t t h e m om en t dea lin g w it h t h e fa llou t fr om McA v oy ’s a n d Fer g u son ’s a ct ion s, bu t t h a t h a dn ’t st opped h im fr om h a r a ssin g Nick t o m a k e t h in g s officia l w it h Rebecca . T h e secr et a r y w a s a bsolu t ely cr a zy a bou t t h e w om a n , a n d didn ’t t r y t o h ide it . Nick w a s pr et t y cr a zy a bou t h er , t oo. “ So y ou t w o a r e st a y in g in D.C., t h en ,” Seba st ia n sa id. “ Did y ou a ccept t h a t job a t t h e DoD y et ?” “ No, I’m st ill con sider in g it .” Nick k n ew h e’d en d u p t a k in g t h e g ig , t h ou g h . Ret u r n in g t o t h e m ilit a r y h eld n o a ppea l for h im a n y m or e.

He g la n ced a t T a t e. “ W h a t a r e y ou u p t o t h ese da y s? A r e y ou a n d Ev a st ill pla n n in g on becom in g ca r pen t er s?” T a t e r olled h is ey es. “ Get it st r a ig h t , Nick y . Ev a is pla n n in g on desig n in g secu r it y soft w a r e. I m ig h t da bble in som e ca r pen t r y . T om or r ow m or n in g I’m g oin g t o bu ild a ch a ir .” Seba st ia n sn ick er ed. Nick sn or t ed. T h eir for m er com m a n din g officer g la r ed a t t h em a n d fla sh ed bot h h is m iddle fin g er s. “ Eff r ig h t off.” “ W a it , a r e y ou fa k e-sw ea r in g , t oo, n ow ?” Nick dem a n ded. Resig n a t ion w a sh ed ov er T a t e’s m oss-g r een ey es. “ T h a t ’s w h a t h a ppen s w h en y ou liv e w it h a t h r eey ea r -old.” Nick sig h ed. “ I liv e w it h a t w en t y -sev en -y ea r -old. I sh ou ldn ’t h a v e t o cen sor m y la n g u a g e, bu t t h a t in fu r ia t in g w om a n in sist s on it .” “ Y ou t w o a r e a lr ea dy liv in g t og et h er ?” Seba st ia n sa id in su r pr ise. “ Y ea h , I m ov ed in t o Rebecca ’s pla ce in A r lin g t on .” He r olled h is ey es. “ A n d don ’t g iv e m e t h a t look , Seb. Y ou a n d Ju lia h a v e been join ed a t t h e h ip for m on t h s.” T a t e g la n ced a t t h e sa n dy -h a ir ed m a n . “ Y ou st ill h ea din g t o A fr ica a t t h e en d of t h e m on t h ?” Seba st ia n n odded, a n d h is g r a y ey es soft en ed a s h e g la n ced a cr oss t h e y a r d a t Ju lia . “ T h e doc’s g ot a n ew post , a six -m on t h st in t in a v illa g e in n or t h er n Som a lia . I’m t a g g in g a lon g .” Nick cou ldn ’t h elp bu t feel a m a zed t h a t t h ey w er e st a n din g a r ou n d discu ssin g t h eir pla n s. T h ey ’d been liv in g da y -by -da y t h is pa st y ea r , t r y in g t o fig u r e ou t w h y t h eir u n it h a d been t a r g et ed, a n d n ow t h is

fr u st r a t in g or dea l w a s fin a lly beh in d t h em . A n d som eh ow , du r in g t h a t y ea r of h idin g , a ll t h r ee h a d m a n a g ed t o fin d w om en w h o lov ed t h em . Fig u r e t h a t on e ou t . Nick ’s g a ze dr ift ed t o Rebecca a g a in . A t t h a t ex a ct m om en t , sh e t u r n ed h er h ea d a n d ca u g h t h im st a r in g , a n d t h e sm ile sh e g a v e h im w a s so bea u t ifu l, so fu ll of joy a n d m isch ief t h a t h is h ea r t da m n n ea r soa r ed r ig h t ou t of h is ch est . He sm iled ba ck , t h en focu sed on t h e t w o m en h e con sider ed h is best fr ien ds. No, h is br ot h er s. Seba st ia n r a ised h is beer bot t le in t h e a ir . “ Her e’s t o n ot h a v in g t o look ov er ou r sh ou lder s a n y m or e.” A ft er t h e t h r ee of t h em clin k ed t h eir bot t les, T a t e’s g a ze sh ift ed t o t h e r a v en -h a ir ed w om a n by t h e cr eek a n d h e let ou t a soft la u g h . “ W e m a de ou t a ll r ig h t , h u h ?” h e sa id w r y ly . “ Y u p,” Seba st ia n con cu r r ed, h is g r a y ey es focu sin g on Ju lia , w h ose lon g br ow n br a id r u st led in t h e a ft er n oon br eeze. Nick ’s ey es fou n d t h eir w a y ba ck t o t h e r edh ea d w h o’d bu lldozed h er w a y in t o h is life. “ W e m a de ou t ju st fin e,” h e a g r eed.

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Keep reading for an excerpt from Cow boy w it h a Ca u se by Carla Cas s idy.

W e h ope y ou en joy ed t h is Ha r lequ in Rom a n t ic Su spen se t it le. Y ou w a n t spa r k s t o fly ! Ha r l equ i n Rom a n t i c Su spen se st or ies deliv er , w it h st r on g a n d a dv en t u r ou s w om en , br a v e a n d pow er fu l m en a n d t h e life-a n d-dea t h sit u a t ion s t h a t br in g t h em t og et h er . En joy fou r n ew st or ies fr om Ha r lequ in Rom a n t ic Su spen se ev er y m on t h ! V isit Ha r lequ in .com t o fin d y ou r n ex t g r ea t r ea d. W e lik e y ou —w h y n ot lik e u s on Fa cebook : Fa cebook .com /Ha r lequ in Book s Follow u s on T w it t er : T w it t er .com /Ha r lequ in Book s Rea d ou r blog for a ll t h e la t est n ew s on ou r a u t h or s a n d book s: Ha r lequ in Blog .com Su bscr ibe t o ou r n ew slet t er for specia l offer s, n ew r elea ses, a n d m or e! Ha r lequ in .com /n ew slet t er s

Chapter 1 Ada m

Ben son sa t in h is pick u p t r u ck pa r k ed a t t h e cu r b a n d st a r ed a t t h e t w o-st or y h ou se ou t h is pa ssen g er -side w in dow . It w a s a n ice pla ce, pa in t ed pa le beig e w it h r u st -color ed t r im . A la r g e t r ee in t h e fr on t y a r d spor t ed a ll t h e color s of a u t u m n , w it h br ig h t r ed a n d or a n g e lea v es beg in n in g t o g r ou p a t t h e ba se. T h e Room for Ren t sig n h a d been in t h e fr on t w in dow for a cou ple of m on t h s, a n d for t h e pa st few w eek s ea ch t im e A da m dr ov e by t h e pla ce, h e’d con sider ed t h e possibilit y of ch eck in g it ou t . Sh ov in g a h a n d in t o t h e pock et of h is lig h t w eig h t bla ck ja ck et , h e fou n d t h e t w o sm a ll pla st ic ch ips in side a n d r u bbed t h em t og et h er a s h e con sider ed h is n ex t m ov e. T h er e w a s n o qu est ion t h a t h e w a s in t r a n sit ion . W it h t w o m on t h s of sobr iet y beh in d h im a n d a r a n ch t h a t n o lon g er felt lik e h is h om e, h e k n ew it w a s t im e t o m a k e som e sig n ifica n t ch a n g es in h is life. W it h a n ew decisiv en ess, h e open ed t h e t r u ck door a n d g ot ou t . Great location, h e t old h im self a s h e look ed dow n Ma in St r eet . T h is h ou se w a s on e of t h e la st on t h e block t h a t h a dn ’t been sold a n d t or n dow n t o m a k e r oom for com m er cia l pr oper t y . Fr om h er e h e cou ld ea sily w a lk t h e m a in dr a g of t h e sm a ll t ow n of Gr a dy Gu lch . He t u r n ed ba ck t o look a t t h e h ou se. T h e pla ce h a d belon g ed t o Oliv e Br ook s for a s lon g a s h e cou ld r em em ber . T h e older w om a n h a d been a fix t u r e in t ow n , w or k in g a t t h e post office a n d in v olv ed in ev er y ch a r it y ev en t . T h en a bou t a y ea r a g o sh e’d becom e ill w it h ca n cer a n d h er on ly da u g h t er h a d com e t o t ow n fr om som epla ce ba ck ea st t o n u r se h er .

Oliv e h a d pa ssed a w a y a n d h er da u g h t er h a d r em a in ed in t h e h ou se. It w a s a lit t le st r a n g e. Nobody a r ou n d t ow n t h a t A da m h a d spok en t o seem ed t o h a v e seen Mela n ie Br ook s sin ce h er m ot h er ’s dea t h , a lt h ou g h h e’d h ea r d a few u n plea sa n t r u m or s a bou t h er . He jin g led h is sobr iet y ch ips on ce a g a in . He k n ew per son a lly a bou t g ossip a n d u g ly r u m or s. In t h e pa st y ea r h e a n d h is fa m ily h a d ex per ien ced en ou g h of bot h t o la st a lifet im e. He fin a lly sig h ed, ir r it a t ed w it h h is ow n h esit a t ion . “ Doesn ’t h u r t t o ch eck it ou t ,” h e m u t t er ed u n der h is br ea t h a s h e h ea ded t ow a r d t h e fr on t por ch . Nex t door t o t h e h ou se t h e pizza pla ce w a s in fu ll lu n ch sw in g , t h e scen t s of r obu st sa u ce a n d spicy sa u sa g e fillin g t h e a ir . A da m ’s st om a ch r u m bled, a n d h e decided t h a t a ft er ch eck in g ou t t h e r oom for r en t , h e’d h ea d t o t h e Cow boy Ca fé for lu n ch . A lt h ou g h t h e pizza sm elled g r ea t , a t n oon t h e pla ce w a s u su a lly ov er r u n by h ig h sch ool k ids g r a bbin g a slice of pizza befor e t h eir a ft er n oon cla sses beg a n . Besides, t h e Cow boy Ca fé w a s th e pla ce in t ow n t o g et a h ea r t y m ea l a n d a h ea lt h y ser v in g of w h a t people w er e sa y in g a n d t h in k in g . In t h e pa st cou ple of m on t h s it h a d felt m or e lik e h om e t h a n t h e r a n ch w h er e h e’d g r ow n u p. A s h e w a lk ed u p t h e st a ir s t o t h e por ch , h e n ot iced t h a t t h e r a ilin g w a s m or e t h a n a lit t le w obbly a n d n eeded t o be r epla ced. Up close t h e h ou se pa in t w a sn ’t qu it e a s fr esh a s it a ppea r ed fr om t h e st r eet . A lit t le T LC w a s defin it ely n eeded, h e t h ou g h t , n ot t h a t it w a s h is pr oblem . T h a t w a s on e of t h e lu x u r ies of n ot ow n in g w h er e y ou liv ed: y ou w er en ’t r espon sible for a n y of t h e m a in t en a n ce.

He k n ock ed on t h e door , a n d a s h e w a it ed for a r eply , h e t u r n ed a n d look ed ba ck a t t h e st r eet w h er e h is t r u ck w a s pa r k ed. W it h in a n h ou r ev er y on e in t ow n w ou ld k n ow t h a t h e’d been h er e. T h a t w a s t h e w a y t h in g s w or k ed in sm a ll t ow n s lik e Gr a dy Gu lch . T h er e w er e few secr et s t h a t cou ld be su st a in ed for a n y len g t h of t im e. How ev er , t h er e w a s on e per son in t ow n w h o w a s k eepin g a da r k , ev il secr et , a per son w h o h a d m u r der ed t w o w om en in t h eir beds. So fa r la w en for cem en t a n d ev er y on e else h a d n o idea w h o t h a t k iller m ig h t be a n d if or w h en h e m ig h t st r ik e a g a in . T h e m u r der s of t w o w om en w h o h a d w or k ed a s w a it r esses a t t h e popu la r ca fé h a d defin it ely pu t a g r a y pa ll ov er t h e t ow n . He sh ov ed t h is dist u r bin g t h ou g h t a side a n d k n ock ed a g a in , t h is t im e h ea r in g a w om a n ’s v oice r espon d for h im t o h a n g on . T h e door fin a lly open ed a n d h e g ot h is fir st look a t Mela n ie Br ook s. St u n n in g . Sh e w a s a bsolu t ely st u n n in g , w it h pa le blon d h a ir t h a t fell t o h er sh ou lder s in soft w a v es a n d ey es t h a t w er e blu er t h a n a n y h e’d ev er seen befor e. Sh e w a s slen der a n d w or e a pa ir of bla ck sla ck s, a bla ck blou se a n d a n ir r it a t ed scow l t h a t look ed per m a n en t ly et ch ed on t o h er fa ce. He cou ldn ’t discer n h ow t a ll sh e m ig h t be a s sh e sa t in a w h eelch a ir . A da m sw ept h is cow boy h a t fr om h is h ea d, qu ick ly r a k ed h is fin g er s t h r ou g h h is da r k h a ir a n d h oped h is sh ock a t h er con dit ion didn ’t sh ow on h is fa ce. “ Good a ft er n oon . I’m A da m Ben son a n d I’m h er e a bou t t h e r oom for r en t .” Sh e blin k ed in obv iou s su r pr ise a n d t h er e w a s a lon g , a w k w a r d silen ce. “ Y ou h a v e a sig n in y ou r w in dow ? A r oom for

r en t ?” h e pr om pt ed. Sh e u sed h er a r m s t o m ov e h er self ba ck w a r d a n d t h en g est u r ed for h im t o st ep in t o t h e foy er . “ A da m Ben son ,” sh e m u sed, h er ey es n a r r ow ed a s h er g a ze h eld h is. “ I h ea r d y ou w er e a dr u n k .” A da m t ook a st ep ba ck , st u n n ed by h er u n ex pect ed w or ds. “ I w a s,” h e a dm it t ed w it h pa in fu l h on est y . “ Bu t I’m n ot dr in k in g a n y m or e. A n d t h e r u m or s I h ea r d a bou t y ou w er e t h a t y ou ’r e a sou r , r u de a n d cr a n k y w om a n . T h e v er dict is st ill ou t on t h a t .” Her ey es n a r r ow ed ev en m or e. “ Y ou h a v e a big r a n ch on t h e edg e of t ow n . W h y w ou ld y ou n eed t o r en t a r oom ?” “ My br ot h er , h is n ew w ife a n d son h a v e a ll m ov ed in t o t h e r a n ch h ou se a n d I’m look in g for a ch a n g e of a ddr ess.” His decision t o lea v e t h e h ou se w h er e h e’d g r ow n u p w a s fa r m or e com plica t ed t h a n t h a t , bu t h e fig u r ed Mela n ie didn ’t n eed t o k n ow t h e det a ils. “ So, ca n I see t h e r oom ?” “ It ’s a ct u a lly m or e t h a n ju st a r oom . Follow m e.” Sh e m ov ed ou t of t h e foy er a n d in t o a la r g e, a ir y liv in g r oom w it h a st a ir ca se t h a t led u p t o t h e secon d floor . Sh e st opped a t t h e foot of t h e st a ir ca se, t h e da in t y fr ow n st ill et ch ed in h er for eh ea d. For som ebody w h o h a d h a d a sig n h a n g in g in t h e w in dow for m on t h s, sh e seem ed r elu ct a n t t o a llow h im t o see t h e spa ce sh e w a s r en t in g . W a s h er r elu ct a n ce ba sed on t h e fa ct t h a t h e w a s a m a le? Or w a s it specifica lly a im ed a t h im per son a lly ? Cer t a in ly t h e r epu t a t ion of a ll t h e Ben son br ot h er s h a d t a k en a bea t in g in t h e pa st y ea r , bu t ov er t h e pa st cou ple of m on t h s t h in g s h a d ca lm ed dow n . “ Look , Ms. Br ook s, I ju st n eed a pla ce t o h a n g m y h a t . I’m n ot look in g for a n y t r ou ble. I’ll pa y t h e r en t

on t im e a n d be a r espect fu l t en a n t . Spea k in g of r en t , w h a t a r e y ou look in g t o g et ea ch m on t h ?” Sh e t old h im a fig u r e t h a t seem ed a lit t le h ig h a n d h e w on der ed if sh e’d don e it on pu r pose t o ch a se h im a w a y or if sh e’d in t en ded t o a sk for t h a t k in d of m on ey fr om a n y on e w h o sh ow ed a n in t er est . “ Sou n ds g ood,” h e r eplied. “ I’m a ct u a lly r en t in g t h e en t ir e secon d floor . I’m cer t a in ly n ot u sin g a n y of t h e r oom s u pst a ir s.” A t ou ch of bit t er n ess la ced h er v oice. “ Go on u p a n d h a v e a look a r ou n d.” A da m n odded, a n d a s h e clim bed t h e st a ir s, h e w on der ed w h a t h a d pu t h er in t h e w h eelch a ir . He r em in ded h im self t h a t it —t h a t sh e—w a s n on e of h is bu sin ess. He w a s sim ply look in g for pea ce a n d qu iet , for a h a v en w h er e h e cou ld g a t h er h im self t og et h er a n d fig u r e ou t w h a t ex a ct ly h e w a n t ed t o do w it h t h e r est of h is life. T h e u pst a ir s w a s com pr ised of t h r ee bedr oom s a n d a ba t h r oom . On e of t h e r oom s w a s set u p lik e a sit t in g r oom , w it h a sofa , a t elev ision a n d a n ov er st u ffed ch a ir w it h a r ea din g la m p beh in d it . A da m cou ld ea sily v isu a lize h im self in t h a t big ch a ir in t h e ev en in g s, leisu r ely r ea din g t h e n ew spa per or a n ov el. T h e v iew fr om t h e w in dow w a s of Ma in St r eet , a n d h e st ood for a m om en t a n d look ed ou t side, t r y in g t o g et a feel for t h e spa ce. T h e bedr oom s w er e decor a t ed in ea r t h t on es, m a k in g t h em feel n eit h er m a scu lin e n or fem in in e bu t sim ply fu n ct ion a l. T h e la r g er of t h e t w o bedr oom s w a s loca t ed n ex t t o t h e sit t in g r oom a n d a lso h a d a v iew of Ma in St r eet ou t t h e w in dow . Ev er y t h in g w a s n ea t a n d t idy a n d it a ll felt oddly r ig h t t o h im .

He w a sn ’t su r e w h a t Mela n ie m ig h t h a v e h ea r d a bou t h im or h is br ot h er s, a n d sh e a ppea r ed t o be t h e cr a n k y sor t , bu t su r ely t h ey w ou ldn ’t h a v e m u ch in t er a ct ion if h e m ov ed in h er e. It w a s ju st a r oom , n ot a r ela t ion sh ip, h e r em in ded h im self a s h e w a lk ed ba ck dow n t h e st a ir s. Mela n ie h a d r em a in ed w h er e h e’d left h er , a t t h e foot of t h e st a ir s a n d sh e w a t ch ed h im solem n ly a s h e h it t h e low er la n din g . “ W e’d sh a r e k it ch en spa ce,” sh e sa id. “ Y ou ’d g et t h e u pper ca bin et s a n d I u se t h e low er on es. Y ou bu y y ou r ow n food a n d cook it a n d clea n u p t h e m ess a ft er w a r d.” Sh e sa id t h e w or ds r esolu t ely , a s if sh e’d com e t o som e sor t of decision a bou t h im w h ile h e’d been u pst a ir s. “ It w ou ld be a m on t h -t o-m on t h lea se. I ca n g et r id of y ou or y ou ca n m ov e ou t w it h t h ir t y da y s’ n ot ice. If y ou dr in k , y ou ’r e ou t . If y ou ’r e a m essy pig , y ou ’r e ou t , a n d if y ou t h in k I’m r u de or w h a t ev er , t h en y ou dea l w it h it or m ov e ou t .” He w a t ch ed h er closely , seek in g a n y sig n of a sen se of h u m or lu r k in g in h er a m a zin g blu e ey es, bu t t h er e didn ’t a ppea r t o be a n y . It w a s a lm ost a s if sh e w er e da r in g h im t o m ov e in , con fiden t t h a t w it h in t h ir t y da y s h e’d eit h er w a n t t o m ov e or sh e’d h a v e a g ood r ea son t o k ick h im ou t . “ I’ll t a k e it ,” h e r eplied. “ I’m a ssu m in g y ou w a n t fir st a n d la st m on t h s’ r en t a lon g w it h a deposit of a n a ddit ion a l m on t h ?” Sh e n odded. “ W h en w ou ld y ou w a n t t o m ov e in ?” “ T om or r ow m or n in g a r ou n d n in e?” Sh e r elea sed a deep sig h , a lt h ou g h A da m cou ldn ’t t ell if t h e sig h w a s of r elief or a ppr eh en sion . “ T h a t w ou ld be fin e,” sh e r eplied a s sh e h ea ded ba ck t ow a r d t h e fr on t door . He follow ed beh in d h er , n ot in g h ow h er h a ir

sh on e in t h e su n lig h t t h a t da n ced in t h r ou g h t h e w in dow s. A s t h ey r ea ch ed t h e fr on t door , h e t u r n ed a n d fa ced h er on ce a g a in . On ce a g a in h e w a s st r u ck by h er bea u t y . Her fea t u r es w er e cla ssic, h ig h ch eek bon es em ph a sizin g t h e slen der n ess of h er fa ce a n d h er st r a ig h t , per fect n ose. Sh e h a d a g en er ou s m ou t h , w h ich m ig h t h a v e been in cr edibly sex y if t h e cor n er s w er en ’t t u r n ed dow n w a r d. T h ose lips w ou ld be in v it in g if sh e’d ju st sm ile a lit t le bit . For ju st a m om en t a s h e g a zed a t h er , h e sa w a h in t of v u ln er a bilit y in t h e dept h s of h er ey es, a n d a su r g e of u n ex pect ed pr ot ect iv en ess w elled u p in side h im . How did sh e m a n a g e t o liv e h er e by h er self? He m en t a lly sh ook h im self. Sh e obv iou sly didn ’t n eed a r escu er a n d t h a t w a sn ’t h is r ole h er e. Besides, h e h a d a feelin g t h a t if h e ex pr essed a n y desir e t o h elp h er , sh e’d k ick h im t o t h e cu r b befor e h e’d m a n a g ed t o h a n g a sh ir t in on e of t h e closet s u pst a ir s. “ T h en I g u ess I’ll see y ou in t h e m or n in g ,” sh e sa id a s t h ey r ea ch ed t h e fr on t door . “ In t h e m ea n t im e I’ll w r it e u p a n a g r eem en t for y ou t o sig n w h en y ou com e ba ck t om or r ow .” “ T h a t sou n ds g ood,” h e r eplied a g r eea bly . He st a r t ed t o st ep ou t on t h e por ch bu t pa u sed a n d t u r n ed ba ck t o h er a s sh e sa id h is n a m e. “ T h is is a ll n ew t er r it or y for m e, sh a r in g m y spa ce. I’m su r e w e’r e g oin g t o h a v e som e k in k s t o w or k ou t , a n d I for g ot t o t ell y ou I don ’t a llow m u sic. If y ou m u st list en t o a r a dio or w h a t ev er , t h en eit h er g et ea r ph on es or m a k e su r e it ’s low en ou g h t h a t I ca n ’t h ea r it dow n h er e.” He pla ced h is h a t ba ck on h is h ea d a n d offer ed h er a sm ile. “ I g u ess w e’ll fig u r e it ou t a s w e g o.” It w a sn ’t u n t il h e w a s ba ck in h is t r u ck t h a t h e

w on der ed if h e’d m a de a m ist a k e. A lt h ou g h sh e’d a g r eed t o h im r en t in g t h e spa ce, it w a s obv iou s sh e w a sn ’t t h r illed a bou t it . A n d w h a t w a s t h e dea l a bou t m u sic? Odd. V er y odd. Bu t t h e r a n ch h ou se w h er e h e’d been a lon e for so lon g n ow on ce a g a in h eld t h e sou n ds of a h a ppy fa m ily . Nick , Cou r t n ey a n d lit t le Ga r r et t filled t h e spa ces t h a t h a d been em pt y for so lon g , t h eir lov e lig h t in g a r ea s t h a t h a d been fu ll of da r k n ess. T h e t r u t h of t h e m a t t er w a s for t h e pa st t w o y ea r s A da m ’s h ea r t h a d been filled w it h t h e da r k n ess of loss a n d bet r a y a l a n d sh a m e, a n d h e w a sn ’t a t a ll su r e h e w a s r ea dy t o lea v e t h a t da r k n ess beh in d. His br ot h er a n d h is fa m ily w ou ld be bet t er off if A da m w a sn ’t t h er e. T h ey n eeded t im e t o bu ild t h eir fa m ily w it h ou t h im bein g a t h ir d w h eel. T h is w a s t h e r ig h t m ov e t o m a k e, h e t old h im self. He click ed t h e t w o ch ips t og et h er in h is pock et a n d t h en st a r t ed t h e t r u ck a n d pu lled a w a y fr om t h e h ou se a n d h ea ded dow n t h e st r eet t ow a r d t h e Cow boy Ca fé. A ll h e k n ew w a s t h a t h e n eeded a spa ce of h is ow n t o fig u r e ou t w h o h e w a s a side fr om a m a n st ill g r iev in g for t h e sist er w h o h a d been k illed in a ca r a cciden t t w o y ea r s befor e, a m a n st ill fig h t in g t h e desir e t o lose h im self in t h e bot t om of a bot t le of booze. Fin a lly h e h a d t o com e t o t er m s w it h t h e g u ilt a n d a fa in t sim m er of a ppr eh en sion t h a t t h r ea t en ed t o g r a b h im by t h e t h r oa t w h en h e t h ou g h t of Sa m , t h e older br ot h er h e lov ed, w h o w a s cu r r en t ly in ja il, fa cin g ch a r g es of a t t em pt ed m u r der . Now A da m w a s m ov in g in t o a h ou se w it h a w om a n w h o obv iou sly h a d issu es of h er ow n . On ce a g a in h e w on der ed w h a t h a d h a ppen ed t o h er t h a t h a d pla ced h er in a w h eelch a ir a n d w h y n obody in

t ow n seem ed t o k n ow m u ch a bou t Mela n ie Br ook s despit e t h e fa ct t h a t h er m ot h er h a d been a r esiden t of t h e sm a ll t ow n a ll h er life. He fr ow n ed a n d r em in ded h im self t h a t n o m a t t er h ow pr et t y h e t h ou g h t sh e w a s, Mela n ie Br ook s w a s a m y st er y h e defin it ely didn ’t n eed t o ex plor e. *** It w a s a lm ost n in e t h a t ev en in g w h en Mela n ie w h eeled h er self in t o t h e r oom t h a t h a d on ce been a for m a l din in g a r ea a n d h a d been t u r n ed in t o a dow n st a ir s bedr oom a ft er h er m ot h er h a d t a k en ill. A t t h e t im e of t h e r en ov a t ion Mela n ie h a d h a d n o idea t h a t sh e w a s ov er seein g t h e con st r u ct ion of a r oom t h a t w ou ld ev en t u a lly becom e pa r t of h er ow n pr ison . W it h t h e g r a ce of a la m e eleph a n t sh e m a n a g ed t o pu ll h er self u p a n d ou t of t h e w h eelch a ir a n d ca r een on t o t h e bed. Sh e st r a ig h t en ed t o a sit t in g posit ion , u n dr essed a n d t h en pu lled h er n ig h t g ow n ov er h er h ea d a n d r elea sed a deep sig h of ex h a u st ion . Sh e ig n or ed t h e ch r on ic t in g lin g pa in t h a t r a dia t ed dow n h er r ig h t leg a s sh e r ea ch ed for t h e la m p a t t h e side of t h e bed a n d t u r n ed it off. A da m Ben son . Sh e’d been su r pr ised w h en h e’d sh ow n u p on h er door st ep, in qu ir in g a bou t t h e r oom , bu t sh e’d been posit iv ely st u n n ed by a n im m edia t e, v iscer a l a t t r a ct ion t o t h e lon g -leg g ed cow boy . T illy Gr a v es, h er m ot h er ’s best fr ien d, w h o n ow ca m e in t o clea n a n d h elp ou t t h r ee t im es a w eek , h a d g ossiped a lot a bou t t h e Ben son br ot h er s ov er t h e la st cou ple of m on t h s, bu t sh e’d n ev er m en t ion ed t h a t A da m Ben son h a d sh in y bla ck h a ir w it h ju st en ou g h cu r l t o m a k e a w om a n ’s fin g er s it ch w it h t h e n eed t o r u ffle t h r ou g h it . T illy h a d n ev er sa id t h a t A da m h a d blu e-g r a y ey es w it h lon g da r k la sh es t h a t a w om a n

m ig h t cov et . Fin a lly , T illy h a d n ev er m en t ion ed t h a t A da m Ben son h a d br oa d sh ou lder s, slim h ips a n d lon g leg s t h a t w ou ld ea sily t u r n a w om a n ’s h ea d in h is dir ect ion . Sh e st a r ed u p a t t h e da r k bedr oom ceilin g a n d felt t h e fr ow n t h a t t u g g ed h er lips dow n w a r d. Sh e’d h oped t o r en t t h e r oom s t o a w om a n . T h a t h a d been h er g oa l w h en sh e’d in it ia lly h u n g t h e sig n , bu t it h a d been m on t h s sin ce t h en a n d A da m h a d been t h e fir st a n d on ly per son t o in qu ir e a bou t t h e r oom . Besides, t h e t r u t h of t h e m a t t er w a s t h a t Mela n ie desper a t ely n eeded t h e r en t m on ey . It h a d n ev er been h er pla n t o be st u ck h er e in t h e t ow n sh e’d esca ped on h er h ig h sch ool g r a du a t ion da y , br in g in g in on ly a disa bilit y ch eck t h a t ba r ely m et m in im a l liv in g ex pen ses. T h is w a sn ’t su pposed t o h a v e h a ppen ed t o h er . Sh e’d h a d a life pla n sin ce sh e’d been sev en y ea r s old a n d n o pla ce in t h a t pla n h a d t h er e been a w h eelch a ir . Sh e closed h er ey es a s t ea r s bu r n ed a n d t h e fa m ilia r t a st e of bit t er n ess su r g ed u p t h e ba ck of h er t h r oa t . Ru de? Sou r a n d cr a n k y ? Is t h a t r ea lly w h a t people w er e w h isper in g a bou t h er in t ow n ? Sh e t old h er self sh e didn ’t ca r e w h a t ot h er people t h ou g h t a bou t h er , t h a t sh e h a d ev er y r ea son t o be a ll t h ose t h in g s a n d m or e, bu t t h e t r u t h of t h e m a t t er w a s h is w or ds h a d st u n g h er . Sh e cer t a in ly h a dn ’t h a d m u ch in t er a ct ion w it h a n y on e sin ce h er m ot h er ’s dea t h . On ce a w eek h er g r ocer ies w er e deliv er ed by a t een a g er w h o w or k ed a t t h e Sh op a n d Go, a n d a m on t h a g o sh e’d h a d t o con t a ct A be Dell, t h e loca l plu m ber , t o t a k e ca r e of a lea k ben ea t h t h e k it ch en sin k . Ha d sh e been cr a n k y

w it h t h ose people? Probably, sh e t h ou g h t w it h a t ou ch of sh a m e. Sh e felt a s if sh e’d been st u ck in a pla ce of a n g er for a w h ile, bu t su r ely sh e h a d g ood r ea son . For a ll in t en t s a n d pu r poses h er life h a d en ded sev en m on t h s a g o a t t h e bot t om of t h e st a ir s t h a t led dow n t o t h e ba sem en t . It h a d been ex a ct ly a w eek a ft er sh e’d bu r ied h er m ot h er . St ill g r iev in g , sh e h a d been in t h e pr ocess of pa ck in g u p som e of h er m ot h er ’s t h in g s t o don a t e t o a loca l ch a r it y . Sh e h a d st a r t ed dow n t h e st a ir s t o r et r iev e a cou ple of em pt y box es w h en h er foot m issed a r u n g a n d plu n g ed h er in t o a fr ee fa ll. Mela n ie’s r ig h t leg h a d been bot h er in g h er for w eek s befor e t h e fa ll, bu t a s a pr ofession a l da n cer sh e’d been a ccu st om ed t o a ch es a n d pa in s for so lon g t h a t sh e’d ig n or ed t h e w a r n in g sig n s of u n u su a l n u m bn ess a n d bu r n in g . T h e fa ll h a dn ’t been w h a t h a d pu t h er in t h e w h eelch a ir . T h e st u m ble on t h e st a ir s h a d sim ply been a sy m pt om of a m or e ser iou s u n der ly in g con dit ion . Sh e n ow sh ift ed posit ion s in t h e bed a n d con sciou sly w illed a w a y t h ou g h t s of t h a t da y a n d t h e m om en t w h en sh e’d r ea lized a n y dr ea m s, a n y h opes sh e’d on ce h a d for h er fu t u r e h a d been dest r oy ed. Sh e squ eezed h er ey es m or e t ig h t ly closed a n d sou g h t t h e sw eet obliv ion of sleep. It didn ’t t a k e lon g . Sh e dr ea m ed sh e w a s da n cin g , ex ecu t in g per fect pir ou et t es a n d lea ps t h a t su spen ded h er in m ida ir a s m u sic sw elled in h er ch est , filled h er sou l. Ba llet , ja zz a n d t a p, sh e did it a ll a n d sh e did it w ell. Sh e’d been bor n t o da n ce a n d in h er dr ea m s sh e w a s a ll t h a t sh e w a s m ea n t t o be. T h e st a r k lig h t of m or n in g su n sh in e st r ea m in g t h r ou g h t h e n ea r by w in dow pu lled h er fr om h er

n ig h t of h a ppy dr ea m s a n d in t o t h e g la r e of h er h a r sh r ea lit y . T h e r ig h t foot t h a t sh e’d on ce con cen t r a t ed so h a r d t o poin t h a d bet r a y ed h er , n ow da n g lin g in a per m a n en t poin t , a n d n o m a t t er h ow h a r d sh e t r ied, sh e cou ldn ’t flex it t o a fla t , w a lk in g posit ion . Per iph er a l n eu r opa t h y a n d dr op foot w er e t h e officia l dia g n oses t h a t h a d pu t h er in a w h eelch a ir a n d t a k en a w a y h er ca r eer a s a pr ofession a l da n cer . For t h r ee m on t h s sh e’d h a d ev er y n eu r olog ica l t est t h er e w a s in a n a t t em pt t o fin d t h e pr oblem a n d fix it , bu t n obody h a d been a ble t o pin poin t t h e sou r ce of t h e con dit ion , a n d it h a d been w r it t en u p a s lu m bosa cr a l plex opa t h y —n er v es t h a t didn ’t w or k r ig h t , for som e u n k n ow n r ea son . W it h t h e su n g et t in g br ig h t er a n d t h e clock r ea din g a lm ost eig h t , Mela n ie m a de t h e clu m sy m ov e fr om t h e bed t o t h e w h eelch a ir a n d w h eeled h er self in t o t h e a djoin in g ba t h r oom . T h a n k fu lly t h e ba t h r oom sh ow er w a s equ ipped w it h a ll t h e specia l equ ipm en t it r equ ir ed for h er t o be in depen den t . A n d sh e h a d t o be in depen den t . Ot h er t h a n T illy t h er e w a s n obody in h er life a n d sh e k n ew t h e odds of h a v in g a n y on e else in h er life on a per m a n en t ba sis w er e m in im a l. Sh e w a s da m a g ed g oods a n d w ou ld on ly be a bu r den on a n y on e. It w a s t w en t y t o n in e w h en sh e fin a lly left t h e ba t h r oom , fr esh ly sh ow er ed a n d dr essed in a pa ir of soft fleece n a v y blu e jog g in g pa n t s a n d a w h it e a n d n a v y T -sh ir t . Sh e h ea ded for t h e k it ch en , h er h ea r t bea t in g ju st a lit t le bit fa st er t h a n u su a l, k n ow in g t h a t t oda y w a s t h e da y sh e w ou ld st a r t t o sh a r e h er h ou se w it h A da m Ben son . W h ile h er em ot ion s scr ea m ed t h a t it w a s a big m ist a k e, h er log ica l side r em in ded h er t h a t r en t in g

t h e u pst a ir s t o h im w a s a n ecessa r y ev il. Her m ot h er h a d lov ed t h is h ou se a n d n ow it w a s a ll t h a t Mela n ie h a d, h er on ly secu r it y in t h e w or ld. A lt h ou g h it h a d been pa id off sev er a l y ea r s a g o by h er m ot h er , t h e y ea r ly r ea l est a t e t a x es w ou ld soon be du e a n d sh e didn ’t w a n t t o g iv e t h e obn ox iou s Cr a ig Jen k in s a n y oppor t u n it y t o sn ea k in a n d g r a b t h e h ou se ou t fr om u n der h er beca u se sh e cou ldn ’t a ffor d t o pa y t h em . Sh e w a s sor r y sh e’d ev er con t a ct ed t h e r ea l est a t e dev eloper , bu t a t t h e t im e sh e h a d ca lled h im , h er in t en t ion h a d been t o sell t h e h ou se a n d g et ba ck t o h er da n cin g life in New Y or k Cit y a s qu ick ly a s possible. Now sh e h a d n o life t o r et u r n t o a n d t h is h ou se in t h e sm a ll Ok la h om a t ow n w h er e sh e’d g r ow n u p h a d becom e h er sou r ce of sa fet y , h er on ly r ea l secu r it y . It t ook h er on ly m in u t es t o fix a pot of coffee, a n d by t h e t im e sh e’d pou r ed h er fir st cu p of t h e m or n in g , a k n ock sou n ded a t t h e door . Ner v ou s t en sion ju m ped in h er v ein s a s sh e g la n ced a t t h e clock a n d r ea lized it w a s pr ecisely n in e a n d h er n ew r oom m a t e of sor t s h a d a r r iv ed. W h en sh e open ed t h e door t o let h im in , sh e w a s on ce a g a in st r u ck by h is h ot h a n dsom en ess. Cla d in blu e jea n s t h a t h u g g ed t h e len g t h of h is lon g leg s, a n d in a g r a y T -sh ir t t h a t m a de h is ey es a ppea r m or e g r a y t h a n blu e, h e look ed a s if h e cou ld be a m odel for t h e qu in t essen t ia l cow boy . “ Good m or n in g ,” h e sa id a s h e sw ept h is bla ck h a t off h is h ea d. “ Mor n in g ,” sh e r eplied. “ Y ou ’r e r ig h t on t im e.” He sm iled a t h er a n d sh e felt t h e w a r m t h of it deep in t h e pit of h er st om a ch . “ I’v e a lw a y s t h ou g h t t h a t pu n ct u a lit y w a s a v ir t u e.” He g est u r ed t ow a r d t h e cu r b, w h er e a bla ck pick u p w a s pa r k ed. “ I’v e g ot

t h in g s t o m ov e in . Sh ou ld I do it n ow , or do y ou w a n t m e t o sig n t h e a g r eem en t a n d g iv e y ou a ch eck fir st ?” He ca r r ied w it h h im a n en er g y t h a t seem ed t o pu lse in t h e a ir a r ou n d h im , a n en er g y t h a t sedu ct iv ely dr ew h er t o h im . “ W e ca n t a k e ca r e of t h e bu sin ess en d of t h in g s a ft er y ou ’v e m ov ed ev er y t h in g in side,” sh e r eplied. Sh e w h eeled h er self ba ck w a r d. “ I’ll be in t h e k it ch en w h en y ou ’r e fin ish ed.” Sh e didn ’t w a it for h is r espon se. Qu ick ly piv ot in g h er ch a ir a r ou n d, sh e esca ped in t o t h e k it ch en a n d m ov ed t o t h e t a ble t h a t h eld h er cu p of coffee. Ma y be it w a s beca u se sh e’d isola t ed h er self for t h e pa st six m on t h s t h a t A da m t ou ch ed a ch or d in side h er . He a ppea r ed so big , so ca pa ble, w it h st r on g sh ou lder s t h a t cou ld h old t h e w eig h t of t h e w or ld. Sin ce h er m ot h er ’s fu n er a l sev en m on t h s a g o t h e on ly people sh e’d seen on a r eg u la r ba sis w er e T illy a n d Cr a ig Jen k in s a n d v a r iou s doct or s a n d n u r ses in Ok la h om a Cit y . Cr a ig r em in ded h er of a sn a k e, w it h h is h ooded da r k ey es a n d slen der fr a m e. Su r ely it w a sn ’t a n y w on der t h a t sh e’d r ea ct t o t h e fir st a t t r a ct iv e m a n w h o en t er ed h er sm a ll, n a r r ow sph er e. Sh e ca st h er g a ze ou t side t h e w in dow , w h er e a lig h t br eeze st ir r ed t h e t r ees, t u g g in g som e of t h e dy in g lea v es t o t h e g r ou n d. Sh e’d a lw a y s lov ed a u t u m n , w h en t h e su m m er h ea t r elea sed it s g r ip on t h e Big A pple. W it h h er da n ce sh oes in a ca n v a s ba g slu n g ov er h er sh ou lder , sh e’d r a ce fr om a u dit ion t o a u dit ion w it h t h e w elcom e cool fa ll a ir on h er fa ce. Now t h e dy in g lea v es ou t side m ir r or ed w h a t sh e felt in side h er sou l a n d sh e h a d a feelin g sh e w ou ld a lw a y s h a t e t h is t im e of y ea r …t h e t im e of h er v ir t u a l dem ise. A s sh e h ea r d t h e fr on t door open a n d t h en close,

h er t h ou g h t s sn a pped ba ck t o A da m . A m a n w h o look ed lik e h im pr oba bly cou ld h a v e a n y w om a n h e ch ose. Cer t a in ly h e h a d a g ir lfr ien d som ew h er e in t ow n . Her h ea r t st u t t er ed a bit a s sh e r ea lized sh e h a dn ’t con sider ed t h a t h e w ou ld pr oba bly w a n t t o h a v e g u est s, per h a ps ev en fem a le ov er n ig h t g u est s. Sh e t r ied t o im a g in e ly in g in bed a t n ig h t a n d k n ow in g t h a t h e w a s u pst a ir s en t er t a in in g a la dy . A su r pr isin g su r g e of en v y sw ept t h r ou g h h er . Sh e t old h er self it h a d n ot h in g t o do w it h A da m h im self bu t w a s r oot ed in t h e fa ct t h a t sh e k n ew sh e w ou ld n ev er a g a in feel t h e com for t of a m a n ’s a r m s a r ou n d h er . Sh e w ou ld n ev er a g a in en joy t h e pa ssion t h a t a k iss cou ld h old, ex per ien ce t h e joy of m a k in g lov e. Sh e closed h er ey es, a n d for ju st a m om en t sh e w a s t h e w om a n in A da m Ben son ’s a r m s, sh e w a s t h e w om a n t a st in g h is m ou t h , feelin g h is body m ov e in u n ison w it h h er s. A s sh e h ea r d t h e fr on t door open a n d close on ce a g a in , sh e sn a pped ou t of t h e fa n t a sy , ir r it a t ed w it h h er self a n d ir r a t ion a lly ir r it a t ed w it h h im . He h a dn ’t ev en fin ish ed m ov in g h is t h in g s in y et a n d a lr ea dy sh e h a d a feelin g h er life w a s a bou t t o ch a n g e dr a m a t ica lly . Sh e ju st w a sn ’t su r e if it w ou ld ch a n g e for t h e g ood or t h e ba d.

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