Page 32 of Cooper's Command

“Well, that doesn’t sound ominous, at all.”

Cooper gave her hand a squeeze then walked into the room, shuffling them over until they were standing behind a bank of monitors. The kind she expected the DEA head office to have but definitely not something some shack in the woods would feature. And how did they even have a signal?

Cooper arched a brow, nodding to his right. Silently asking her if she wanted him to distance himself. She simply shook her head. In fact, if she had her way, he’d be behind her to catch her when she fell because all that talk about being strong and ready to rage war faded as the monitors flickered to life. And she couldn’t help but wonder she’d dug herself a hole she’d never get out of.

Bellamy glanced over his shoulder, eyeing Cooper then focusing on her. “Before you get all antsy, everything is highly encrypted through a number of satellites. It was actually constructed by a friend of Waylen’s as a safehouse of sorts for just this occasion. Which is why we didn’t come here until we thought you’d be vertical, again. But if you’re really up to it…”

Nova merely nodded.

“Then, let’s cut through the bullshit. Nova. I think you know most of the folks on the screens. But we’ll make a few introductions. The man standing beside Flint and Emery is Captain David Milligan, Emery’s boss?—”

“Her what now?” Nova glanced at Cooper, wondering if this was the part where they simply took her into custody.

Cooper sighed, inching closer. “Relax, sweetheart. No one’s carting you off to jail, just yet. But in order to get ahead of this shit storm, we needed to make a few alliances once we got enough intel to prove that, at least to those willing to listen, you aren’t some rogue agent looking to become the next Joaquin Guzmán.”

“Intel? What intel? And why didn’t we have this conversation six days ago?”

“Because you were passed out from blood loss six days ago. And five days ago. And four… You get my drift. If I had my way, you’d still be in that room, in the dark while we worked the case, but…” He shook his head. “You’re more stubborn than most, so…”

“I don’t have time to be kept in the dark, Coop.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “And while we’re at it, do I even want to know who the guy is standing between Blake and Kian? Because he’s got CIA written all over him.”

The guy snorted. “CIA? Now, I’m insulted.”

Hawk laughed from the far monitor. What looked like his office in the background. “Another one who’s got you pegged, Adam.”

“I donotlook like I’m CIA.”

“Trust me. You really do.” Hawk grinned. “That’s Adam Porter — Deputy U.S. Marshal.”

Nova inhaled, giving Cooper a shove. “He’s a freaking marshal? Are you insane?”

Cooper held up his hands. “Easy?—”

“Easy? There’s a federal warrant out for my arrest and you’re all chatting with a marshal? Christ.”

Porter grunted. “If I was going to toss your ass in jail, Agent Martin, you’d already be behind bars. The fact you’re there, instead…”

Nova shook her head, thankful when Cooper grabbed her and pulled her against his chest when her legs buckled. “This is seriously messed up.”

“I told you it was too soon.” Cooper held firm. “Shit, I should have brought in that chair?—”

“No, I just… I need someone to start talking.”

“Actually, I think that’s your job.” Porter nodded at her. “I want to hear exactly what happened, from the moment you arrived at the crime scene until Cooper and his team picked you up.”

Nova snorted. “That’s going to be a bit hard since I still don’t remember the crime scene.”

“None of it?”

Pain pulsed through her temple, that ghostly silhouette wavering in the distance. “I remember a shadow on the wall.”

“Whose shadow?”

“If I knew that, Porter, I wouldn’t be standing here feeling as if my head was going to explode trying to force it all back.” She rubbed the bridge of her nose. “It’s been haunting me since I first woke up, but I don’t know why.”

Cooper’s breath feathered over her neck. “Let’s not get hung up on that one point. But you were talking to Paulin when I came back in after having Whiskey scent the area. And I definitely heard you say ‘where and when’ to him.”

“Where and when? Jesus, even I think that sounds more like a drop. And I didn’t tell you why I was meeting him?”

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