Page 30 of Broken Princess
6
Logan
My car rolledto a stop before the ten-foot-high electrified fence in front of me. A balding guard slapped his hand on the roof. “ID?”
I handed him my Caldwell credentials and driver’s license. He ran it all through a computerized scanner and let out a grunt. “Haven’t seen any of you Caldwell guys around here for a while. You consulting again?”
I gave him a polite smile. “Something like that. I can’t give you any details, though.”
“Of course.” He nodded and typed something on his keyboard. “Have a good day, Mr. Thorne.”
The gate swung open. I followed the road to the final external checkpoint, where a young guard with an automatic weapon and an attack dog glanced at my license before waving me through.
I parked and made my way across the terrace to the main building. Two internal checkpoints with retinal scanners stood in my way, and when I made it through, I was subjected to lengthy pat-downs from the guards. I gritted my teeth and silently put up with all of it.
I had to. This was my last resort.
For three days, I’d done everything I could to find Willow. Used every connection I had. It didn’t help. I was no closer to tracking her down—or this mysterious T person—than I was when I first realized she was missing.
I knew she was still alive (for now, at least) because I’d received a voicemail message from her when I woke up yesterday morning, telling me the requisite ‘yachting with friends’ story. I could tell she was frightened by the slight tremor in her voice, but the message made my heart soar all the same.
I replayed it over and over, hoping she left some sort of hint in it, but the only part that stood out was the ending. I love you. It was the first and only time she’d ever said those words to me.
I needed to find her and say them back to her. Needed to get her the hell away from the Order before it was too—
No. I couldn’t think about that. Not right now. I wouldn’t be too late to rescue her. I still had one more person left on my list. One more guy who might be able to help.
I just had to hope I was right about him.
I strode through a windowless tunnel with gray walls and wound up at yet another checkpoint with a large sign on the left. National Security Agency (NSA) – Data Acquisition Facility. Authorized Personnel Only.
I flashed my ID at the booth. The armed guard checked something on his computer and looked back at me. “You don’t have an appointment with anyone in this wing, Mr. Thorne.”
“I know. I just need to check a few things with an analyst I collaborated with on my agency’s last project, so I thought it would be okay. I’ve been here before.”
He nodded. “I can see that. Caldwell guy, huh?”
“Yup.”
“Who is it you need to see?”
“Rowan Harris.”
The guard typed something on his keyboard before squinting at the screen. “Does he know you’re coming?”
“No, but he knows me.”
He looked at his watch, let out a sigh, and waved one hand. “All right. Go ahead. But make an appointment next time.”
“Got it.” I gave him a tight smile. “Which way is his office again?”
“Go down that hall,” he replied, pointing to the right. “Then make a left before the elevator bank. The doors have nameplates on them, so you should find it easily enough.”
I thanked him and made my way down the hall. When I reached Rowan’s door, I knocked three times and then stood back to wait.
He opened the door a crack and peered out at me. “I honestly thought the guard was joking when he called to say that you were on your way up,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve got a problem, and you might be the only person who can help me with it,” I said, kicking one foot out at the bottom of the door so he couldn’t shut it on me.
