Page 51 of Fear of Flames
The great American experiment was failing.
In 1972, the agency stepped in, puppeteering a series of seemingly unconnected events.
In August of 1972, Americans watched as their president resigned.
Three years later, Saigon, Vietnam, fell.
The agency had grown since its humble beginnings. Today, there were thousands of agents throughout the world. The complex in Montana, where the agency began, was now one of many facilities throughout the country and world, while the agency had connections in all layers of government.
Dennis Holdcraft entered the agency over his desire to fight human trafficking. He knew there had to be more than what he could do as a police officer.
It was Tracy who recommended Dennis. They shared the desire to make a difference. Her specialty was research. Even in the early 1980s, she was more skilled than most within cybersecurity—decryption and analysis—when it came to getting results. Not all the members of the agency carried guns. There were scientific researchers working on medical research that had unnecessarily been defunded. Agents filled vital roles in humanitarian efforts. The agents who possessed similar capabilities to Arrow were often shipped around the world, tasked with squelching problems before they got out of control.
An overaggressive dictator.
A terrorist cell.
A rogue warmonger.
There were rumors in Petroleum County about what went on behind the fences and guard shack. Some people thought it was a prison that housed the worst of the worst. Others said it was a research facility, specializing in infectious diseases. The local law enforcement personnel were told the facility was under federal jurisdiction. Most locals only knew that whatever it was had been there for as long as they could remember, and their workers contributed to the economy.
Pretty much, the people of Petroleum County coexisted with what they didn’t know or understand without much thought. The people from the agency who made it into nearby towns such as Winnett, Grass Range, or Mosby were good-natured enough and didn’t cause a fuss. Their money was accepted at the local taverns or grocery stores.
Those agency employees swore an oath to never divulge anything about the agency.
When Fletch woke, his first thought was of that oath. Sitting up, he saw Shelly’s hair fanned over her pillow, appearing more auburn than copper in the dimness. Tonight, he would break that oath for her. The information he would share would change her world forever. Technically, her decision to visit Iron Falls and surprise her father did that.
Denny asked Arrow to take Shelly back to her life. He’d tried that.
Perkins sent a deputy to her house. If Arrow had left her alone, Perkins wouldn’t give up.
The sun was fully set by five thirty as Fletch and Shelly made their way out of the motel room and into the black truck. Tonight, Shelly’s hair was secured in a long braid. She’d said it would be easier to hide it under his stocking cap.
After the incident with the state trooper in Indiana, Arrow had considered getting her hair dye. He’d almost bought it the first night of their cross-country drive. But as he held the box, he imagined changing her hair from flaming copper to brown was like extinguishing Shelly’s fire. He put the box back.
“How much longer?” she asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.
“A little over six hours.”
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
Fletch clenched his jaw, feeling the muscles and tendons pull in his neck. “First, we’re going to stop for coffee. The machine in the hotel looked questionable.” He handed her his stocking cap.
Shelly didn’t argue as she pulled it over her head. “It’s too dark for sunglasses.”
“Just don’t look at the person in the window. Those blue eyes are too pretty to forget.”
Shelly turned toward the window.
“You always turn away from compliments.”
“Because I don’t believe you.”
“You said you trust me.”
She turned back. “To keep me safe. You don’t have to lie. I see myself in the mirror.”
“I’m not lying. You’re beautiful. We can agree that perceived beauty is subjective. However, I’d argue that my opinion is based on empirical evidence. I’ve watched you for years.”
