Radiant Surrender (CSA Case Files Book 6) (14 page)

“This son of a bitch doesn’t deserve one penny and here we are basically making him sound like a fucking war hero. The only saving grace is that WITSEC will keep him from wearing the uniform, but you and I both know that he won’t choose that option. He’s got too much pride and that will ultimately be his downfall.”

Crest remained where he was as Schultz slapped him on the shoulder in commiseration and then exited the room with his security detail. Crest turned just in time to catch a glimpse of black and figured it was one of the Secret Service agents. The CIA would know exactly what took place here, as well as everything about the investigation POTUS had initiated, without delay.

The clock was ticking, which meant he didn’t have much time. He needed to touch base with Jessie and then take this directly to Ryland. Folding the manila folder in half length-wise, he tucked it in the back of his waistband where it would easily be concealed by his heavy gabardine suit jacket. Ensuring that there was enough time to separate Schultz’s departure and his, Crest finally exited the hospital room and took the corridor that would lead him to Terry. His half-brother was just leaving the lounge as Crest turned the corner.

“I thought you might have gotten lost,” Terry said, stepping fully out into the hallway with a Styrofoam cup in hand. “I’m glad you were able to stop by. I wanted to run something by you.”

Although the two men were half-brothers, Terry took after his mother. He had a lean frame with very little muscle, a receding hairline, and round-rimmed glasses that sat perfectly on his face reminiscent of Colonel Potter on
M*A*S*H
. He’d been Crest’s best friend all through their childhood and he would do anything that was asked of him. Not a lot of people had someone like Terry in their lives and Crest knew how fortunate he was.

“What’s that?” Crest shook his head when Terry waved his hand toward the lounge. “Sorry, I can’t. Thanks anyway. I’ve only got a minute. Kevin’s downstairs waiting for me.”

“Well, Dad’s visiting next week and he was hoping we could all have dinner one night.” Terry raised an eyebrow over one of his round rims as if expecting Crest to deny the invitation. “He’s getting up there in age and just wants to touch base and make amends.”

“There’s nothing for him to make amends about, T. He’s your father.” Crest shouldn’t have to say anything more than that. It was rare that the two of them had this discussion. Kenneth Sweeney had an affair with Crest’s mother. She went on to marry another man who raised Crest as if he were his own. No child could ask for more than that. “I’m working on a case right now that requires my attention, but get back to me when he gets into town.”

“I’ll do that. I was also thinking about heading up to the Iron Range later this summer—do a little fishing, see some old friends. If you—”

Terry’s name was being announced over the speaker system, giving Crest the ability to leave without seeming to be in too much of a hurry. He promised they’d get together soon and then the two said goodbye. He walked back toward the waiting area where he’d first entered. The same nurse still manned the station and he glanced informally around the outpatient waiting room, noting several more people that hadn’t been there previously. He didn’t even need to pause his stride in front of the elevator banks as an elderly man had just exited one and the doors remained opened. Once inside he pressed the button for the lobby.

The man in the business suit who’d been sitting in one of the chairs and reading a newspaper would undoubtedly be contacting another agent who was waiting on the lower level. The timer had already been set off and Crest could hear the seconds ticking by as if it were a time bomb in the small of his back.

Chapter Thirteen

“D
on’t you think the CIA or FBI are going to pick up on the idea that pizza is being delivered to a building that’s under renovation?”

Jessie had showered and changed into a new pair of jeans along with a light blue pullover blouse that had three-quarter sleeves. It was good to have friends who knew her style and after the last two stressful days, it was very much appreciated to be this comfortable.

“That’s not how it’s delivered.” Townes had already snatched three pieces and set his overflowing paper plate in front of him on the counter, the chain jingling that was attached from his overly large leather wallet to his thick HD belt that kept his patchwork denims up. He’d already pulled the second stool around the other side so she would have a place to sit. They had spent the afternoon cooped up together and had come to a truce of some sort. He was actually a very intelligent man and she wondered why he felt the need to look like someone who’d just walked out of prison. “We have a system in place, if that’s what you’re worried about—trusted brothers from my club.”

“You like the classics?” Jessie asked as she glanced toward the green leather bound book he was reading. She opted to sit with him at the counter and change the subject. All she’d been able to think about was the proposal she’d put forth to Gavin. If she could speak with Ryland she might be able to cut a deal with him—the handler’s name who her parents worked with to aid Ryland into leaving the country for the list of names that Gavin needed. She still didn’t believe that a full pardon would be handed down. Until he made an appearance she was stuck here. “I haven’t had time to read in a long time. It would be nice to get back into the habit.”

Townes didn’t reply as he took a large bite of the cheese that was dangling off the side of his crust. His jawline moved in motion with his muscle and the large L shaped scar became more noticeable. Jessie refrained from asking how he’d gotten it, but it sure looked like the mark came from a knife. She stuck to safer topics and eventually stated what needed to be said.

“I’m sorry for sneaking out on you. I know it made you look bad.” Jessie set down her piece of pizza and reached for the can of Coke that Townes had placed in front of her. She noticed that he’d opened it for her and felt even guiltier for how she’d judged him and what she’d done. “It had nothing to do with you. I needed some information and I knew that Gavin wouldn’t let me leave here.”

“You could have gotten yourself killed, girl.” Townes didn’t bother to hide the censure in his tone. He stared at her with those dark, intimidating eyes causing her to shift in her seat at the disapproval he was displaying. His reaction had her comparing him to the guys at CSA and she had every confidence he would fit in. “It won’t happen again. You only get the benefit of the doubt once.”

It wouldn’t happen again because Townes was now keeping her on a very short leash. She was regretting bringing the subject up now and she did her best to try and lighten the mood once more. If he were going to work with CSA the least she could do was get to know him better.

“Are you from Minnesota?”

“No.”

“Do you know Gavin from the Corps?”

“No.”

“Did you get your conversational skills at Bikers ‘R Us University?” Jessie couldn’t help but ask the snarky question. His bark of laughter surprised her, but he didn’t offer to answer any of her previous questions. “People would like you more if you actually talked to them.”

“And what makes you think I want people to like me?” Townes finished a piece and swallowed it down with a swig of Coke. “I’m here to protect you. If that means giving my life up for yours, then so be it. Crest knows who I am and what I’m about. That’s all you need to know, little girl.”

Well, she’d been put in her place, hadn’t she? From that point on Jessie kept the conversation strictly about books and apparently his hardcore addiction to Sudoku puzzles. She patted herself on the back for finding out something about him. At least it kept her mind off of all the other things that was rolling around in her head…that is, until Gavin walked through the door.

Jessie’s heart fluttered as the door shut behind him and the air became thicker with his presence. Gavin never failed to have that effect on her. She took in his features and was immediately aware that something major had transpired. She quickly shuffled off of the stool, a napkin still in her hand.

“What happened?”

“In the bedroom—now.” Gavin was carrying a folder with him so he placed his free hand on her back as he turned her toward the other room. “Townes, things are escalating…be ready for anything. You might want to give your members the heads up to rack ’em and stack ’em.”

“Escalating? Are my parents all right? My sister?” Jessie entered the bedroom and turned around quickly, not wanting to miss anything Gavin had to say. She’d used the hair tie that Taryn had thrown in the bag and had scooped the strands away from her face, but the ponytail was long enough that it whipped around her as she spun to face him. “Gavin, just tell me.”

“The full pardon came through. I’m on my way to see Ryland right now, but I wanted you to know what was about to happen and make sure you were ready for it.” Gavin tossed the folder onto the bed behind her and placed his warm hands on her cheeks, tilting her head up until their eyes were connected. A wall of emotion crashed over her at the intensity that shined in his iridescent green eyes. If he thought this would calm her down it was having the reverse affect. Panic flooded her body as her blood seemed to ignite. “Once I have the information I need I’ll be seeking out the man or men responsible for this whole mess. Ryland didn’t cause this FUBAR shit storm. He just took advantage of something another adversary put into play to keep me at bay. If all goes as planned I’ll be back here by morning.”

“What do you mean if all goes
as planned
?” Jessie wrapped her fingers around Gavin’s wrist as if she could steal a bit of the faith he always seemed to have. “I had this plan if the pardon didn’t come through, but now that it did the CIA has nothing on you. Right? Getting them to drop the charges against me shouldn’t be a problem. You’re making it sound like—”

“We’re dealing with very powerful clandestine agencies, Jessie. The kind of people that manipulate governments and eliminate obstacles that get in their way.” Gavin searched her eyes, but for what she didn’t know. He surprised her when he leaned down and brushed his lips tenderly against hers. Jessie didn’t want to close her eyes and miss what was happening. That kiss felt too much like goodbye. Again her life was running the rails of an exceedingly fast paced train and all she could do was hold on. Just like that, he pulled away. “You listen to everything, and I mean everything that Townes tells you. If there’s an incident I don’t want you caught in the middle of a firefight. As it is, the cleanup from this will be extensive and I have no idea how long that might take. There will be an increased security presence around here. All four buildings are going to be on full lockdown.”

“What about my parents?” Jessie blurted out the question but she didn’t regret it. She tightened her hold on his wrists when he would have pulled away. “Is there a chance they could be collateral damage if this thing falls apart?”

“They were nothing but chess pawns and the game has progressed significantly to where there’s only a few pieces left on the board. They’re as safe as they can possibly be in isolation at the DOJ facility. Whatever happens to your parents from here on out is part of the cleanup I was referring to.” Gavin released her and reached for the folder behind her, causing her to have to let him go. “I have some things that I need to discuss with Townes before I finalize this deal with Ryland. I’m only going to say this once more—you listen to every directive Townes gives you as if it was me. Everything.”

“Let me go with you.” Jessie didn’t want to be left here without any way of knowing what was transpiring outside of this plastic bubble he’d placed her in. She’d never been trained as an agent, she didn’t have military experience, but she damn well could be useful in other ways. She worked for the local field office of the FBI. She had something to contribute. “I can help, especially if you need me to identify what I had access to on the various systems I utilized on a daily basis. I simply don’t have the authorization for the type of vital information they have to be talking about.”

“You’re still wanted by the FBI, Jessie.” Gavin shook his head, but he didn’t do so to ridicule what she was saying. “Besides, this goes way past your involvement now. The government has initiated a full-scale investigation into the major players involved here. As I’ve been told by a certain high level contact, this goes beyond us now. I’ve been given access to very specific intelligence to get the CIA’s hatchet man to back off of me, my agency, and those I…care about. I’ve only been given just enough to deflect this guy and his minions. He may decide to go the other direction.”

“And then?” Jessie could only imagine how hectic the aftermath of this would be. Gavin had already stated as much. “What happens when things return to normal? Us.”

Gavin quietly approached her until he was inches from her body. Jessie refused to back up or give him any ammunition that he might be right about his assumption of her. He wasn’t. She’d known for years that two of them had the possibility of something special…unique. She wouldn’t run from her own self-doubts or what-ifs. What was life if one didn’t take chances by putting their cards in play? Why go through life at all if one didn’t try to win the game and then hold on to your hard-earned chips against all odds?