Page 44 of Legacy's Call

“Thanks. Miller, I’ll brief you on what I find in the morning. Don’t make a huge scene briefing thepeople you trust. Fleur can talk to Shelly, and if you tell two more people before the camp settles back down, no one will think anything is amiss. Remember, only people you trust.”

Miller nodded. “Mathias Gentry. He’s been with me for years, like Fleur and Shelly. I trust him with my life.”

Ronan nodded at the man and gave her a quick smile before leaving the tent. “What the hell?” Miller said as he dropped to his chair. “A fucking traitor.”

“It’s probably someone in the camp, Miller. There are close to four thousand desperate people in this camp. Don’t put the horse before the cart.”

“Do you think a woman would do this to other women?” Miller’s eyes widened.

Fleur sighed. “Honestly, I wouldn’t put anything past anyone at this point. We still don’t know why or how the convoys were targeted.” She pointed to the tent exit. “I’m going to go talk to Shelly.”

“I’ll follow you out,” Miller said, and they left the tent together. Fleur rubbed her arms to ward off the gooseflesh as she walked through the dark camp. She’d never actually felt fear walking through the camp before tonight. Now, she couldn’t shake it.

CHAPTER 11

Ronan walked into the hut Habib lived in and stared at the man. “Who is he?” Ronan spoke in Arabic.

The man cocked his head. “You speak my language?”

“Fluently.” Ronan crossed his arms. “Who’s inside the camp?”

“I don’t know. Only that someone helps the poachers.” The man shrugged his shoulder. “It is only women. It is of no concern.”

The concept made him sick to his stomach. But at least the man didn’t try to lie to him. “That is not our belief. Women matter as much as men. They used to matter in this country, too.”

“Years ago. Now?” He shrugged again.

“How many men did you lose when the convoys were attacked?”

Habib squinted his eyes. “Two, maybe three. Our directions were to provide escort, not to engage with hostile forces.”

“Your directions working for me are clear. If anyone attacks a convoy, you will defend it by any means necessary.”

“Of course, you made that clear. I’m not an idiot.”

“You’ve received your first payment.” He knew Habib’s people had received money. The information was dropped in his email this morning.

“We have. This is a good thing.” Habib stood. “Guardian, we are civil. I do not engage in poaching. My men have been told to alert you should they see it. We like the money you bring, so we won’t screw this up, as you say.”

Ronan asked one more time. “Who is inside the camp? Staff or occupant?”

Habib’s eyebrows rose a bit. “A smart man. Is there anything else?”

Ronan shook his head. Habib didn’t deny it was a staff member, and he was going with his gut. It had to be a staff member.Fuck. He reached out his hand, and Habib took it. The money in his palm passed between the men, and Habib put his hand in hispocket. “I like money, Guardian. I have plans to have much of it in the future. Watch your back, enemies are closer than you think.”

Ronan nodded and exited the hut. He sat in the passenger seat, and Wraith drove them back to the camp. “It has to be a staff member.”

Wraith let out a string of cuss words. Fucking greed was how he finished his word dump. Ronan agreed. Someone, a staff member, was making money by allowing access to the camp and the people who lived there. He’d find the bastard and make sure the fucker paid. Preying on the people they were there to help. The thought disgusted him.

After they disposed of the body, he walked the camp. It was quiet. Soft snores came from the huddled shelters. He memorized every spot he’d select for a possible opening. If the bastard tried to do it again, they’d catch him.

“Skipper?” Jug’s voice came across the comms.

“Go,” he said quietly, not wanting to startle the camp.

“A word. Privately.”

Ronan acknowledged his man and turned to retrace his footsteps to the medical tent area. Jug was waiting for him outside the tent. “You should be asleep.”

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