The Agent's Surrender (11 page)

“What if Miko was working undercover to expose the true head of the beast?” Holden supplied, leaning forward. “Tell me if this sounds odd.... Ulysses Rocha, an executive at Tessara Pharm, came to my boss to inquire about the status of Miko’s case mere days after Chief Harris had given us a soft okay to reopen it on a temporary basis. How the hell did Rocha even know the case had been reopened?”

“I don’t know,” Nathan admitted, looking troubled. “Did he say anything else?”

“Just that he was there to protect the shareholders’ interests and suggested the case remain shut for the greater good.”

“Only someone with something to hide would balk at the case reopening, particularly if they thought they were in the clear.”

Jaci, who’d unfortunately also been present at the time of Miko’s death, spoke up. “Holden, even if you’re right, what good will come of this? What if the beast you’re so keen on exposing is bigger than you can possibly handle? Maybe Miko realized this and that’s why he took his life.”

“Maybe, but that’s not who Miko was. He never backed down from a fight. Even when he should’ve.”

“You didn’t see him that day,” Jaci said gently. “He couldn’t hide the pain in his eyes. He was eaten with guilt. Whatever his role was, he’d reached the end of his rope and checked out.”

“We found three passports, cash and IDs in a hidden location in his bar,” Jane jumped in, surprising Holden. The firm set of her mouth and tilt of her chin suggested she believed Holden was right. Something shifted inside of him, aligning in a new position. He thanked her silently and Jane gave an imperceptible nod before continuing in a strong, clear voice, “We think there may be a bigger connection to Tessara than previously believed. Why else would a bigwig fly all the way to Washington for a sit-down with our chief if not to send home the message that people are watching?”

“That’s a good point,” Nathan allowed, a dark scowl forming on his brow. “Damn that place. They ought to burn it to the ground.”

Knowing Nathan’s animosity toward Tessara was centered on his brother Jake’s situation, Holden asked, “Jake getting better?”

“Yeah, he’s about eighty percent right now. Kat seems to think he’ll make a full recovery eventually, but it’s hard watching him struggle with his memory. Personally, I question the decision to keep MCX-209 in cold storage when it should’ve been destroyed. That drug is a threat to everyone on this planet.”

Holden agreed. At Jane’s questioning look, Holden explained quickly, “Jake was given a dose of an experimental drug created in a Tessara lab called MCX-209. It was supposed to cure Alzheimer’s, but instead it wipes out memories. In earlier trials of the drug, it pretty much reduced the test subject to a drooling mess, or worse, dead with their brains leaking from their ears.” Jane grimaced and Holden continued. “Yeah, pretty nasty stuff. The worst part is Jake’s girlfriend, Dr. Kat Odgers, actually created the drug and was the one forced by a rogue faction within a government branch to administer it to him. So, understandably, no one at this table has fond feelings toward Tessara.”

The color drained from Jane’s face. “Why wasn’t it destroyed? A drug like that...it’s too dangerous for anyone to have.”

“Because it’s quite possibly the most innovative weapon ever created to date, and of course, our government felt it necessary to control it.”

“That doesn’t fill me with confidence.” She shuddered a little. “Sounds like something out of a movie—and not a feel-good movie.”

“Agreed,” Holden said. “Back to Miko... Listen, Nathan, Jaci, it’s late and we’re tired. Tomorrow we’re going to drop by Tessara and poke around, but in the meantime, I want you guys to search your memories and see if there’s anything else you can remember about that day. Miko was stashing money and IDs for a reason. We just have to find out what it was.”

They nodded, although both didn’t look happy about the idea of revisiting Miko’s death, not that Holden blamed them. If he’d seen his brother kill himself, he might still be in a padded cell. “Thanks. I appreciate your help.”

“Anything for Miko,” Nathan said. “I don’t care what they say—he was a good man.”

Holden blinked back tears for his friend’s solidarity. No more words were needed.

Time to put a pin in this night. Tomorrow would be here in a blink.

Chapter 10

T
hey arrived at Tessara around noon and walked into the smart building with its gleaming glass and stately metal accents.

“Someone didn’t spare any expense in the decor department,” Jane said, whistling beneath her breath. “Pharmaceuticals must be big business.”

“Yeah, apparently big enough to fund your own personal hit squad,” Holden said, clearly referencing Penny Winslow. “Honestly, I don’t understand why Tessara Pharm still has government contracts. I would think this place would be like poison in the eyes of the U.S. government, seeing as one of their top executives was as corrupt as they come.”

“Well, when you have the world’s best and brightest working for you, those little blemishes can be overlooked, apparently,” Jane responded with dry amusement.

Holden grunted in agreement. “Get ready to be politely stonewalled,” he said as an impeccably dressed woman in a pencil skirt and pristine white blouse walked toward them with a pleasant smile. Both he and Jane flashed their badges, and the woman extended a cool hand first to Holden and then Jane.

“Hello. My name is Selena Weston. Welcome to Tessara Pharmaceuticals.”

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. My name is agent Holden Archangelo and this is my partner, Jane Fallon.”

“We’re always happy to help as we enjoy a good working relationship with many government agencies,” Selena said, revealing a row of perfectly white teeth that looked almost fake and made Jane feel self-conscious about her own teeth. Hell, everything about the woman made Jane want to freshen up, even though she knew the feeling was ridiculous. Maybe if the woman didn’t have the flawless skin of a baby or the impossible figure of a Barbie doll. “If you would just follow me...”

The woman spun on her heel, drawing Holden and Jane away from the main lobby and into a private conference room with plush carpeting and a large cherrywood table surrounded by Italian leather chairs. “Please help yourself to a beverage and snacks. Mr. Rocha will be with you momentarily.”

The woman exited the conference room, closing the door softly behind her. When Holden’s gaze didn’t linger in the woman’s direction, Jane suppressed a happy smile. “Not your type?” she asked casually, as if making conversation to kill time.

“What? Plastic girl? No. Not enough muscle, and definitely not enough substance. I like a girl who can best me in the gym or collapse trying.”

That smile she’d been suppressing peeped through. Jane was ridiculously charmed by the fact he was plainly referencing her. “Good to know.”

“Yeah? You gonna fix me up with someone?”

Her smile disappeared. “No,” she answered with a tiny bit of a growl, and he chuckled at her knee-jerk reaction. Two can play that game. “I wouldn’t want to subject any of my friends to you because I’d like to remain friends with them. Any matchmaking you’ll have to manage on your own.”

“Little kitty has her claws out,” he said with a low, amused whistle. “I’d love to pursue this conversation later, perhaps over a glass of wine?”

“In your dreams, Archangelo.” Time to switch the subject. “So we’re meeting with Rocha? This should be interesting.”

“What’ll be more interesting is what Rocha will share.”

“We both know nothing is the likely answer. And right now he’s listening to our entire conversation, I’ll wager.”

“Of course. Why else bring us to a specific room and make us wait? Typical and a little cliché. Someone has been watching too many movies.”

She smiled just as a door with an invisible seam opened in the wall and Rocha stepped out, giving Jane a momentary fright. She frowned to cover her surprise and straightened her jacket. “Tessara Pharma’s full of surprises, I see,” she said in a cool tone. “I didn’t realize secret doors and passageways were part of standard architecture for a pharmaceutical company.”

Rocha smiled. “It’s a unique building. Came with the standard government-issue listening devices, too.”

Aah, he
had
been listening.

“Trying to get ahead of the pharmaceutical espionage? I didn’t realize finding the next best allergy medication is so cutthroat,” she said. Rocha only deepened his patronizing smile. Jane wanted to punch that smug look off his face, but Reed’s stern admonition rang in her ears:
Keep things civil and don’t ruffle feathers.
So she supposed it was time to play civil. “Thank you for meeting us. I can appreciate your busy schedule.” She shot Holden a wry look.

Rocha took a seat in the big comfy leather chair at the head of the table and gestured, encouraging them to do the same. “ To what do I owe this pleasant surprise? It isn’t often we get agents asking questions around here. Most of the time all we see are more members of the geek squad. Very smart, but between them couldn’t lift a fully loaded sandwich.”

Holden and Jane both offered a small smile in deference to his attempt at humor, but Jane could tell from Holden’s determined expression he was ready to jump in feetfirst, and that suited her just fine. “We know you came to Washington to discuss the Miko Archangelo case. First, we’d like to know how you came by such classified information. Second, we would like to know why Tessara Pharm would possibly care about that particular investigation.”

Rocha leaned back in his chair. “As you know, we handle and facilitate many government contracts. I feel safe in saying that we are the premier pharmaceutical lab, handling ninety percent of the government’s clandestine chemical needs. The situation involving Penny Winslow and Miko Archangelo was a black eye to Tessara. Our stocks took a hit and our investors got nervous. We’ve worked hard to mitigate that unfortunate circumstance so, of course, we were less than thrilled when we heard the investigation had not been closed entirely. And frankly, it’s our belief that it was an error in judgment to allow a distraught family member to reopen the case when it’d been satisfactorily investigated and closed.”

“That doesn’t answer the question of how you came across the information,” Holden maintained stubbornly, ignoring the dig. “This is a classified investigation. You should not have access to any of that information.”

But Rocha wasn’t in the mood to satisfy their curiosity. Instead, he said, “Would you like a tour of the facility? We are proud of the work done here. Innovative, groundbreaking, brilliant work happens on these premises. Work far more involved than manufacturing the latest and greatest allergy medication.” He smiled at Jane. “I would consider it a true pleasure to escort you around the grounds. The north side is quite scenic with the manmade lake.”

“That won’t be necessary. We’re not here as tourists,” Jane said, irritated at being treated like children who were easily distracted. “We’d like to see Penny Winslow’s personnel file.”

Rocha shook his head with a look of chagrin. “Not without a warrant. I hate to be a stickler for the rules, but even in death we strive to protect the privacy of our people.”

Holden leaned across the table. “You know I don’t need a warrant to see her personnel file because she’s dead. I would consider your cooperation a point in your favor that Tessara has nothing to hide, and I’m sure that will be taken into consideration when it comes time to award new contracts.” Holden drummed his finger on the table. “I can appreciate how embarrassed Tessara must’ve been with the whole Penny Winslow situation, but we may be dealing with a bigger threat, and your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.”

“I see.” Rocha steepled his fingers. “And if I let you see Penny’s file, what do you think you’ll find?”

“I’m not sure,” Jane cut in. “But I think it’s safe to say that Penny was a far more complex woman than any of you imagined. We’d also like to see all projects that she personally oversaw.”

“I’m not sure Penny was actively involved in any projects,” Rocha said. “The executive branch rarely had personal dealings with ongoing projects.”

“Even so, something tells me Penny was very hands-on. From what I know of her, she liked to stick her fingers in all sorts of pies,” Holden said.

Rocha looked cornered but conceded with grace. “I’ll have the files collected. Was there anything else I can help you with?”

Holden’s eyes glittered. “Just one more thing—keep your nose out of our investigation,” Holden instructed with false cheer. He looked more dangerous wearing a smile than holding a gun. “The next time you come poking around where you don’t belong, you might find yourself out in the cold. Catch my drift?”

Rocha chuckled as if Holden’s threat was faintly amusing, but he nodded. “Sure. And now if I may, a little advice from one former military man to another—careful where you step. You never know where the next mine might be.” Rocha rose and bowed slightly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to attend. Selena will see to all of your needs.”

The invisible door opened with a soft
snick
and Rocha disappeared behind it. Jane and Holden shared a look before she admitted, “I totally want to see where that door goes.” Then she added with a wry twist of her mouth, “And damn him for having a cool secret door. I thought only castles had those.”

Holden didn’t share her amusement. He dropped the cold congeniality and a darkness filled his gaze. “That man knows more than he’s telling.”

Jane stopped joking around to agree. “Yes, but unless we find something to work with, he’s not going to voluntarily spill what he knows.”

Selena appeared, impossibly pretty and perfect, and Jane almost quipped that the woman was probably made in a lab on the fourth floor. She kept her lip zipped, though, when Selena supplied the files they’d requested. “Mr. Rocha said you may take these copies with you. Is there anything else you require?” she asked politely, clasping her hands in front of her and waiting.

“We’ll be in touch,” Holden said, scooping up the files.