Page 8 of Sinner's Salvation

“What else?” Ledger asked.

“After her grandmother was killed in a car bombing a few years ago, she was suspected of orchestrating the assassination of a rival family in Belarus. That case is still open. Army Intelligence has confirmed she’s secretly helping support the Ukrainian military by providing transport for weapons, supplies, and even getting people into and out of Ukraine.”

“So, she’s a good guy?” Ledger asked, sarcasm giving his words a serrated edge.

Evan grunted, hanging onto his desire to punch the other man in the face by the thinnest of threads. He funneled his rage into his voice. Let the asshole think he was dangerous and unforgiving once pointed in the right direction. “I think she’s a ruthless operator who is very good at walking the line between the criminal and not quite criminal enough when it comes to the law.”

“And her miraculous recovery?”

What the hell did Ledger want from him? Her recovery was just that, miraculous. Anyone watching the video of her head knitting back together would think so.

Why had he been yanked out of the operation he’d been in and flown back to the United States as if it had been an emergency? That only happened when the suspected terrorist, operative, or operation was in the wind.

What had Ledger told Army Intelligence...the answer hit him between the eyes.

Ledger hadn’t been honest when he’d asked for an experienced interrogator. He’d given the least amount of information he could, citing vague terrorist possibilities and a short window of opportunity. He’d lied.

Lying to Army Intelligence was never a good idea, which meant everyone involved was in a very dangerous place.

“That shit is right out of a science fiction novel,” Evan said, with a shrug. “And if you don’t mind me saying, above my pay grade. I’m a field operative, not a...” he waved his hand around to indicate the facility they were in. “Glorified security guard. Why am I here, sir?”

“We know very little about her,” Ledger said, with a gleeful edge to his voice.

It made Evan’s gut twist in warning.

“Is she the only one who can survive injuries that would kill most people?” Ledger asked, talking too fast. “What else can she do? We need a lot more information about her. We need to be able tocontrolher.” He finally stopped long enough to suck in another breath.

“And if you can’t?” Evan asked, though he was pretty sure he knew the answer.

“I’ll destroy her.” Ledger waved one hand, as if the murder of another person was of no consequence. “She can’t be permitted to be used against us.”

He went fromItowedamn quick, keeping to the megalomaniacal politician’s playbook perfectly.

“That’s always the problem with powerful weapons,” Evan said, testing Ledger’s reaction to some of the typical garbage power-hungry assholes like to spout. “They’re great until they end up in your enemy’s hands.”

“Exactly.” Ledger sounded both relieved and pleased.

Evan’s stomach clenched and twisted until it was strangling him.

How the fuck had this idiot gotten his job?Was he aware of how many laws he was breaking with this stunt?

Given his attitude and behavior so far, Evan didn’t think Ledger would care. All he could see were the next few steps on the power-ladder he was climbing.

To put a stop to it, Evan needed more information and evidence. Which meant he had to play along.

“How many in my team?”

“No team, just you.”

At Evan’s raised eyebrow, Ledger continued with, “Right now, we need to question her and do a number of medical tests. Our other priority is to limit how many people know about her.”

“Too many people already know,” Evan said, his voice a drawl. “Every one of those soldiers who witnessed her smacking that guy into next week is going to tell someone. Maybe not right away, but they will talk. Information like that can be worth enough to fund someone’s retirement plan.”

Ledger’s face hardened. “I’ll take care of that. Have no fear.” He stared at the screens.

How was he going to do that? Kill everyone who...shit. All Evan had were guesses and body language cues to go by, but his gut was 100% certain. Ledger no longer followed any law or rule that might be inconvenient for him. He would kill anyone who got between him and his goal, whatever it was.

Was this the guy’s normal? Or had he gotten drunk on the power of his current position and decided he’d found his ticket to greater things?

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