Page 26 of Covert Obsession

It was deep, with two metal seats across the interior, and an old jacket full of holes stuffed in the bottom. The rat had been busy.

Leaving Parker wasn’t an option. He calculated the time it would take the others to get there and set his watch with a new countdown. This wasn’t only about Charmaine anymore.

Because it neverwasabout her. Romalov didn’t care about the spy in that chair—he’d come to lead someone else into a kill box.

While Moe wasn’t sure which member of the team RING was after—maybe all of them—he wasn’t going to let that happen.

Thankful now for the damp socks that kept his rapid retreat quiet, he sprinted down the tunnel, straight for Parker and the guard.

SIXTEEN

“How could I let this happen?” Beatrice paced her office. Sun cut through the blinds, throwing slices across the floor. “I dropped them right into a trap.”

Vivi leaned on the back of a visitor’s chair, texting with Rory. “How could you know? Not even Flynn figured it out until last night.”

Sloane raced two toy horses over her play mat. Beatrice’s mind raced with them. “They’re my responsibility and I sent them in without taking time to research. It’s a disaster.”

Vivi looked up. “This goatf—” Beatrice cleared her throat, cutting her off. “Fudge,” she finished. “This goatfudge is no different than others they’ve been in. You’ve picked the cream of the paramilitary crop and they can and will handle it.”

Beatrice rubbed her head. Sloane peered at her. “Is goatfudge…poop?”

Vivi laughed. “Something like that.”

Sloane wrinkled her nose. “I like goats, but not poop.”

The door burst open and Jon, Jaya, and Neptune swept in. Jon didn’t hesitate, crossing the room to embrace Beatrice. “We heard what happened,” he said, breaking the embrace.

Jaya hugged her as well. “What can we do to help?”

Sloane jumped up, and the two friends squealed and another round of hugs ensued.

“Sorry I wasn’t at the airport to greet you.” Beatrice motioned them toward the desk, leading them away from the girls who immediately took up playing. “Things have been…” She searched for a term besides ‘crazy.’ She detested that word.

“Barmy?” Jaya offered. “It translates to crazy according to my Irish relatives and I find it satisfying to say.”

“Barmy.” Beatrice chuckled without humor. “That sums it up.”

She introduced them to Vivi, and the therapist nodded, then waggled her phone as she made for the exit. “Rory needs me. I look forward to getting to know the both of you, and incorporating your dogs into my treatment program.”

Jaya sat, but Jon stood. She resembled a hippie straight out of the 70s, while he was her opposite. As with most of the SFI squad, he wore his hair buzzed short and dressed in cargo pants, T-shirts, and tactical boots. They each had quite a mix of cultures in their respective DNAs, including Native American.

“You haven’t even heard the latest,” Beatrice told them, also taking a seat. “I had a visit from the CIA’s Director of Operations, Conrad Flynn, this morning.” She gave them a brief rundown. “Someone helped RING get inside the United States, and they’re going after Emit, not Lydia Charmaine.”

Jon paced, rubbing the top of his head. “Someone inside the CIA?”

This was what made her stomach burn with acid. “Flynn thinks it’s one of us.”

His reaction was explosive, a series of muttered curses in several languages, including his native Lakota. She appreciated that fact, but Sloane was already learning French and Spanish. She gestured to the kids and then her ears, cutting him off. “I’m glad you’re here, but I have to get back to the problem at hand. Connor will take you to your cabin so you can unpack and relax.”

Jaya shot to her feet. “Hey, Tuny, how about we leave Daddy to catch up with Auntie B? Sloane can show us the new playground.”

Beatrice’s daughter threw up her arms before grabbing her pal and tugging her and Jaya toward the door. “It’s socool,” she said in her little-girl voice. “We’re going to have a blast.”

“Thank you,” Beatrice told Jaya. “As soon as this is over, Cal and I will have you to the house for dinner.”

Jaya took the girls and left, and Jon finally sat, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. “Who do you think it is?”

“You and I both know there isn’t a single person in this organization who would betray us.”

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