Page 6 of Chinook Winds

Kinsley had never heard of the winds until coming to Canada. Tegan’s Uncle Charlie had schooled them all on the Chinook.

One of its most striking features for her was what was known at the Chinook arch that heralded the coming of the winds. A cloud formation of stationary stratus clouds caused by air rippling over the mountains.

The stunning colors seen in the Chinook arch changed throughout the day, starting with yellows and oranges to reds and pinks creating breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Kinsley hadn’t believed Uncle Charlie until she experienced the winds for herself.

“Do you think he’s playing us?” Kinsley asked as they walked side by side. She could almost feel Victor smiling in the darkness. Could almost read his mind.Always thinking of business, Kinsley? Why haven’t you met some man?Gotten married.Even though he knew she’d lost her high-school sweetheart to the war, Victor couldn’t understand why she had shut herself off to experiencing love again.

In the beginning, it had bugged her when he gently teased her about it, but then she’d gotten to know the real Victor Douglas, and he’d put the false image she had of him to shame.

“I don’t think he’s playing us.” Victor answered her question. There was something in his tone. Sadness. Regret. Something troubled him. “We need him, Kinsley.” He stopped walking and faced her. “Time is running out. Collins is dangerous, and Kincaid and Hassanzai are blinded to his charisma. He’ll use those nukes if he’s given a chance. Nothing would surprise me where he is concerned.”

Kinsley agreed. She’d read Collins’s dossier. The man was a sociopath.

“And that’s why I want you to stay here.” Before she could utter a word, his hands landed on her shoulders keeping her silent. “Kinsley, you almost died for me once. If something were to happen to you. . .” He shook his head. “I’d never forgive myself.”

Kinsley couldn’t pinpoint when respect had turned to something deeper, but it had. And keeping her feelings to herself was becoming harder with each passing day. She touched his face. “I appreciate your concern, but this is my job and I’m good at it. I’m not giving up my post.”

He smiled again. This man who had given up so much. Had almost lost his life and been branded a traitor, yet Victor didn’t have a mean bone in his body, and she would follow him wherever he wanted her to go. Even to the bows of hell.

He clasped her hand. The smile slowly left his face. That expression she’d seen many times before made her wish she understood its meaning.

While they continued to stare at each other, Kinsley became aware of someone calling for them. Sidney Bennett had spotted them and was coming over.

Kinsley stepped away. She chanced a glimpse at Victor. His uneven breathing matched hers.

“Everything okay?” Victor spoke for them, and she was grateful because she couldn’t get a steady word out.

Sidney had been on the forefront of the war against Legion even before most of the team realized its deadly potential. She’d been framed for something that happened in Afghanistan and branded a traitor. Forced into hiding for two years, she’d reconnected with former CIA Agent, Kaid Bennett. She and Kaid had been in love long before Legion forced them apart. They’d married on Christmas Eve, never realizing the deadly chain of events that would take place next.

“Abby’s on the phone with Tom. He has Duncan and his wife. They’re safely in hiding. Duncan appears to have changed his mind and is ready to talk now, but he only wants to speak with you.” She peered up at Victor.

He nodded. “Let’s see what he has to say.”

What might have been lay heavy on Kinsley’s heart as the three of them returned to the war room.

“He’s asking for you,” Abby said as soon as they entered the room. She took the phone off mute. “I have the president on the line, Tom.”

With the phone on speaker, Victor took it from her. “Is everyone safe?”

What sounded like a door closing could be heard. “We’re safe. Duncan and his wife are both scared out of their minds. I had a chance to speak with him while we were driving, and I believe he’s genuinely sorry for his part in what’s happened and interested in cooperating.”

“You think he’s honestly wanting to help and not working on some other agenda?” Victor asked.

“I do. I made sure we weren’t followed. To be safe, we left both his and his wife’s phones behind. I didn’t want Legion to have a way to track them.”

“Good thinking.”

“Things are turning, Mr. President. Since your team’s videos went viral, people are seeing the truth. And the National Security Guard Collins was in charge of is falling apart. We need you here, Mr. President. As soon as you can get here.”

Victor’s gaze latched onto Kinsley. “That’s the plan.”

“It’s good to hear,” Tom said with enthusiasm. “Hang on a minute and I’ll let you speak to Duncan.”

“Stay in the room with him, Tom. I’ll want to speak to you again once we’re finished.”

“You got it.” Background noises, and then Duncan’s voice came on the line.

“Is this the president?” Duncan asked. Straight to the point. It sickened Kinsley that they’d be forced to negotiate with someone like Duncan who had been a traitor to the agency he served and the country he represented. Unfortunately, they were at the point of dealing with the devil who represented the least amount of evil.

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