Expectation (Ghost Targets, #2) (25 page)

Another voice spoke into the room. "That's a fine idea," it said. It was an older man's voice, rich with authority, and Katie saw a surprised frown crease Fredrik's forehead. At the same time, the corner of Reed's mouth ticked up in a victorious smile.

"Mr. Director," he said. "Good to hear from you."

"Thank you, Reed. Sorry I couldn't intervene sooner."

"Intervene?" Fredrik said. He had his aplomb back, and he showed it with a contemptuous smile. "Under the circumstances, you don't have any authority to intervene here. This is our investigation. Contact Senator Bruin—"

"I'm here," came another man's voice, this one irritated and tired, and Fredrik's face fell again. "And you're done," the senator went on. "This investigation is over."

"What?" Fredrik snapped. "But we've
got
 them. We've got them both. I didn't even get to Reed's misdeeds—"

"Reed is a fine agent," Bruin said, as though reading it off a card. The words were hollow. "And the president has made it clear—"

"The president?" Fredrik said. "What does he have to do with it."

The director answered him with considerably more sincerity than the senator had managed. "He understands the importance of Gevia to this nation and its people."

"And that's precisely why it was a high crime to let this girl play fast and loose with such a critical investigation—"

The director spoke right over him. "And that's precisely why it was so important to remove the identities of Ellie Cohn's buyers from the casefile report," he said. "Katie Pratt
did
 track that down—"

"I added it under your name," Martin whispered in her ear.

"And we pulled it almost immediately, but it was exactly what we needed. We picked up two Chinese nationals with ghosted identities at a Canadian border crossing two hours ago."

"You can connect them Ellie Cohn?" Reed said.

Katie could hear the director's smile in his answer. "That we did, but we're going to need your help to nail down the actual conspiracy charge."

Reed smiled back. "I'll get right on it, sir."

"I promised the president as much," the director said.

"You can't just let this go!" Fredrik shouted. "This woman colluded with Martin Door—"

"We know about Martin Door," the director said, and though he kept his tone even it was clear he was losing his patience. "It's our considered opinion—mine and the president's—that Mr. Door proved to be an invaluable special informant in Katie's investigation. She's to be commended for utilizing him so effectively."

"But, but—" Fredrik stammered, and Senator Bruin cut him off.

"Forget it, Fredrik." He sounded tired, and more bored than disappointed. "They've got you all tied up."

The director sighed. "Your investigation's over. Now. The office still wants to hear your official report, but you're done interfering with this team's work. Understood?" He didn't even wait for answer. "Katie, Reed...good work, both of you. You're national heroes. Reed, I'll be in touch." With that, he dropped from the line.

Fredrik was still sitting in the chair, stunned. All eyes fell on him, and after a moment he pulled himself up. Fire flashed in his eyes. "That's not the end of it," he said. "I've got evidence—"

"Give it up," Penn said. He stepped up to Reed and extended a hand with an air of great professionalism. "Thank you for your cooperation in this matter."

Reed shook it, with just the hint of a sarcastic smile, and nodded back. Penn tipped his head to Katie, too, then left the room. Fredrik looked helplessly after the other, then turned his hateful gaze to Reed and Katie.

Katie jerked her head toward the door. "You heard the man," she said. "Hit the road. We've got work to do, and you're sitting in my boss's chair."

~

THE END

Did you love
Expectation
? Then you should read
Restraint
by Aaron Pogue!

We abandoned privacy and turned databases into something like gods. They listened to our prayers. They met our needs and blessed us with new riches. They watched over us, protected us, and punished the wicked. We almost made a paradise.

But there were those who tried to hide from the databases’ all-seeing eye. They used their wealth or power or intellect to turn themselves into ghosts within the endless archive. The FBI's Ghost Targets team became experts at tracking them down, and they threw the worst of the monsters into private prisons where even Hathor's eyes could not see.

Now a new threat forces Katie Pratt to enter the dark halls of one of these prisons. An old adversary trapped in Shadow Mountain holds the key to the mystery, and he'll only give it to Katie. But when a Shadow Mountain contractor is murdered, his hidden execution uncovers the most advanced ghosting device ever created. Katie must solve the murder to save Hathor, and she will have to face down wardens, politicians, mob bosses, and deadly ghosts to do it. Only then will she uncover the terrifying secrets locked up in Shadow Mountain.

Restraint
is the third book in the Ghost Targets series. Approximately 65,000 words.

Read more at
Aaron Pogue’s site
.

About the Author

Aaron Pogue is a husband and a father of two who lives in Oklahoma City, OK. He started writing at the age of ten, and has written novels, short stories, scripts, and videogame storylines. His first novels were high fantasy set in the rich world of the FirstKing, including the bestselling fantasy novel Taming Fire, but he's explored mainstream thrillers, urban fantasy, and several kinds of science fiction, including a long-running sci-fi cop drama series focused on the Ghost Targets task force.

Aaron has been a Technical Writer with the Federal Aviation Administration and a writing professor at the university level. He holds a Master of Professional Writing degree from the University of Oklahoma. He also serves as the user experience consultant for Draft2Digital.com, a digital publishing service.

Aaron maintains a personal website for his friends and fans at AaronPogue.com, and he runs a writing advice blog at UnstressedSyllables.com.

Read more at
Aaron Pogue’s site
.