Page 28 of Stealth Mission

Marianna mentioned a tractor. The truck she was driving earlier was covered in dust and remnants of mud hugged the fender wells, like a work truck. “I’m gathering you live on a farm.”

She nods as she watches the fields pass by the window. Worrying at the strap on her purse, Marianna turns to look at me. “What about your vehicle?”

“I’ll circle back with Vik and see if I can help.”

Her hands tighten in her lap, crushing her bag. “Help do what?”

“I’m a demolition’s expert. I might be able to help identify what was used for the bomb, and in turn help them figure out how and when it got there.”

She glances down my body, her gaze bouncing along my arms, my chest and my thighs in a quick appraisal. “What are you exactly?”

“I was in the military.”

She makes a little sound. “I gathered that from your look. There’s also something about the way you move.”

I ask a question that’s been burning my tongue. “What does Sylvester do?”

She brushes her hair back with a pale, trembling hand. “I don’t know all of it, but he told me he exports artifacts and stone used for countertops. He imports other goods. Just from the way he acted, I don’t think his business is totally legal or legitimate. I try to stay as far away from him as I can.”

Artifacts.

Illegal trade.

Jesus.He could be related to the missing archeologist that Agile is trying to find.

“He looks like trouble, and I’m not sure what kind yet. Call me paranoid, but that’s just what my gut says.”

Marianna pulls back and gives me an assessing look. “I’m curious. Why did you accept an invite to the party?”

“Aren’t the places where there’s trouble the most interesting?”

Giving a quick shake of her head, she rubs at her brow. “I’m over trouble. D.O.N.E. These last few months have been hell.”

I wish I had the power to erase it all, but this is not surprising, given what I’ve seen in the span of less than fourteen hours.

What I say next sounds lame, but I don’t know how to comfort her about the past. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’m not sure what’s going on, but if you need my help, you’ve got it.”

Once again, I catch the driver’s eyes meeting mine in the mirror.

How does Vik play into this puzzle? All my instincts say this man is not just a chauffeur.

The way he moves, the way he watches…

Something much bigger is going on behind his stony façade. But what?

I stare out the window as the car climbs a hill. The sky fades to black, much like my mood.

When we stop, we’re in front of a low-slung rancher with terracotta roofing tiles. The Land Cruiser, AKAGingersnap,is parked to one side. There are no other vehicles in sight.

Marianna reaches for her door handle, but I grab her wrist gently and pull her back. “Hold on, I’m coming around to open your door. I’ll feel better if you stick close to me.”

When I hustle around the car, Marianna accepts my hand, climbs out and straightens her dress. “It’s safe here. You don’t have to?—”

“Humor me, please.”

The strap I broke on her dress is dangling from her shoulder. It pisses me right off that I caused that. “I’m sorry I damaged your dress.”

She gives me a look. “I’d rather have my head than the dress. You were just trying to protect me.”

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