Page 46 of Indirect Attack
The lieutenant colonel’s eyes widened before he schooled his expression.
“I can’t say I’m not surprised, Rusev. I thought you were a lifer, just like your father and brothers.”
I didn’t contradict him by pointing out that Sam had ducked out of the Army at almost his first opportunity.
“I thought I was one, too, sir, but things have changed.”
Again, that eyebrow moved up, curious, suspicious.
“Can I ask why? You have a promising career ahead of you. I can see you going as far as your father, major general. Maybe even general.”
I thought for a long moment, flipping through responses before I settled on the simplest one. “I want to start a farm back home.”
It hadn’t been the answer my CO expected, but he accepted it anyway after a strained pause. We exchanged a few more pleasantries, including giving his regards to my mother before he dismissed me back to my duties.
My feet turned toward my post. But ever since my conversation about the terrorist with Jasmine, disquiet and restlessness had coursed through me, and now it drove me to a different destination.
I’d done my absolute best to cover my consternation, anger, and shock at what the terrorist had told her. I’d known that the entire attack had to do with whatever the archaeologists hadfound at the dig site—why else would they attack? It would have had the bonus of becoming an international incident as well.
But Jasmine had said the terrorist knew about me, knew about Jasmine, knew about my family and who we were. He’d even known my name. At the time, I thought the man had tortured it out of her, but her story said differently, and she had no reason to lie or make things up.
I passed the barracks and made my way to where I knew the UN rep had been given temporary lodging. The base was quiet as I crossed it—at least, as quiet as a military base still on high alert could be. A glance at my watch told me it was early morning, and I hesitated, my fist pausing before it struck the door. But I couldn’t quiet my restless thoughts and flitting pulse and knocked quietly, hoping I wouldn’t wake him.
I expected not to get a response or for it to take a moment, but the “Come in” was immediate.
When I opened the door, the UN rep was sitting at his desk, a laptop open and papers and maps spread over the desktop over which he bent. He was leaning on one hand, his fingers threaded through hair far less tidy than our first tense meeting.
He looked up as I closed the door behind me, and his eyes widened in faint surprise when he realized who it was.
“Sergeant Rusev. How can I help you?”
His gaze flicked down to his watch, then back up to me.
“Sorry for the early visit.”
The rep waved away my concern. “I’m obviously awake. Too much paperwork, follow-up, coordination, and questions with answers I don’t have.”
He shoved a hand through his hair, making it clear how the dark mass had become disheveled in the first place.
“I’ll sleep sometime next week.” A slight, sour smirk tipped up one corner of his mouth, and I huffed a laugh.
“Come, sit. You seem to have something on your mind.” The rep indicated his still-made temporary bed with a jerk of his chin, turning his chair so he could face me.
I settled gingerly, feeling restless and unable to keep still. I wasn’t even sure where to start, so I forged ahead—I couldn’t keep it inside any longer.
“You’ve probably read it in my report, but the terrorist knew my name.”
The UN rep settled back with his arms across his chest. “I assumed they got the information out of Miss Davis somehow.”
I shook my head, leaning forward and hanging my head in exhaustion. “No. Jasmine said the terrorist I killed already knew my name and who I was. He said he wanted revenge, so he knew about my family.”
The UN rep tried to hide his sharp intake of breath with a cough, but I still heard it. He was quiet for a long moment before I heard the shuffling of papers.
“Well, Sergeant Rusev, I don’t have any intelligence that says you and your brothers were or are a specific target, but we keep watch out, make sure we don’t hear anything. We’ll inform the military and your brothers, of course.”
Pushing myself up, I nodded in thanks. “I would appreciate it.”
The UN rep gave me a small, tight smile. “I can offer you this, too. From what we’ve seen, the terrorist organization seems to be truly dispersed. Not just now, but for good. They’ve been entirely silent, and movement from other organizations tells me they’re moving in to take up the territory left behind.”
