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Her eyes briefly met mine. “That’s the problem, I found nothing to lead to where that Blackstone safehouse is. Honestly, no one will talk about it. I can’t even get a general idea as to the location. It’s some weird kind of pact or something. Or else everyone there has undergone some kind of brainwashing where they’d take it to the grave no matter what.” She rubbed her forehead. “If I even bring it up, people clam up. I did figure out one guy is a doctor and supposedly works with them. I tried to follow him once, but I lost him.”
“Which one? The name.”
“Ah, Dr. Bash.”
“And did you ask about him?”
“Yeah, but as I said, people on the base just don’t talk about Blackstone. I get nothing.” She pressed her lips together. “But I do have this.” She reached in her pocket and dropped a little white box into my hand. I examined it with a tilt of my head. “That’s a starting point, at least.” Her voice was hopeful.
“This,” I held it up, “just saved your life, but I’ll need a lot more.” I gently tucked it in my breast pocket and took a deep, controlled breath. “I’ll leave you with these words, J. I am bringing a war your way, and when we invade, you’re either with us, or with them.” I leaned in and lowered my voice. “And I have no plans on losing.”
TEN
NICOLE
“Nicole.” Cole was on my heels as I pushed through the sea of military men making their way down to the mess hall. My head was reeling as I wondered if I’d made the right choice. I’d never withheld anything from my bosses before, but General Bruce didn’t want to hear what I had to offer. Every time I tried to speak, he’d cut me off and tell me how hard it was going to be to find a replacement. I explained that if he teamed up the person with Ben Bale, they’d be fine, but again, he didn’t seem to want to hear me.
Then there was Glen, who was right there at every breath trying to get any information he could. I thought General Bruce was going to toss him out of his office, and I hoped he would, but he didn’t.
I had no idea where Paul and Frank had gone, so once General Bruce dismissed me, I rushed off and made my way to the elevator.
“Nicole!”
I needed to get out of the building. With both hands, I pushed through the big doors and took a deep breath of city air. Eww. But any air was better than what was back in that room.
Ten years I’d given myself to the job, and for what? To not even be able to plead my case?
I saw a black SUV and recognized the young soldier who had brought us here. He leaned against the vehicle, then when he spotted me, he quickly stood and moved to the passenger door. He opened it, and I slid in without missing a beat. As he went to close the door a hand reached out to block it. I looked up into a set of steely eyes.
“You may not realize it, but my wife is just as fast as you when she’s pissed.” Cole leaned down and huffed out a breath. “Nicole, we should talk, but not here. I can see you have a lot more to say.”
“Honestly, Cole, I just need to get out of here. I want a shower, a stiff drink, and something hard to hit.” I looked down at my knees. I felt wrung out and frustrated but somewhat impressed that he could see I was pissed.
“Understandable, and I respect what you’re saying. Okay, how about this. Shower, eat, sleep, but tomorrow meet me in the hotel lobby at zero-eight-hundred.”
I closed my eyes and remembered who I was speaking to. Not just a senior military officer but a friend too. I looked him in the eyes again and nodded. “Of course. I’ll be there.”
“Thank you.” He closed the door and tapped the window. I stared out the window with my mind in turmoil until we reached the hotel.
After a shower and a change of clothes, I felt a lot better, but my anger still seethed just below the surface. I decided a trip down to the lobby bar might be a good idea. Maybe a stiff drink would be just what I needed.
I looked critically at my reflection in the mirror behind the bar. I wasn’t a soft featured woman. My nose was a little narrow and my face a bit angular, and I was okay with that. I wasn’t the tallest or the physically strongest of women out there, but I had passion for my work. I wanted to be taken seriously; I was no pushover. My job should be proof of that. I had never been a girly girl, though I had moments where I enjoyed being one, but I had strong opinions and needed to be heard. I just had to figure out what I needed to do.
The bar was empty, and I eyed a stool off to the side where I could be alone to think in case the place got busy. I eased onto the cool leather seat and briefly contemplated if sleep might not be a better option. Nope.
“What can I get you?” The bartender smiled at me, then her face twisted as she read my mood. “You look like you could use something strong.”
“You got it.” I grinned. “I don’t care what it is, just make it a double.”
Her eyes shifted up to the left as she thought. “Do you like single malts?”
“I’ll take it.”
“I like you.” She matched my grin. “Be right back.”
I rubbed my tired head then closed my eyes and took a moment to center myself. I lost my job—well, jobs. I was jobless. I could resell my soul to Glen and take his mental abuse for a few more years, but what would that say about me? He’d wanted me to hand Chase over to those monsters! I knew how important it was to discover where the drugs were headed and from where in the States, but there would always be another CI to fill the role I’d had and probably do a better job. I was sure Glen could find some other person’s soul to take and leave mine alone.
“Cheers.” The bartender slid the triple drink my way.
