by J. M. Madden
“Don’t get a ticket,” Devlin said, giving her a sideways glance.
Amberly snorted. “Right…”
Devlin retrieved the package of pictures and started sorting through them. “Your dead guy wasn’t much of a photographer.”
“No, he wasn’t, but he tried. And what he photographed seemed important to him, so we have to figure it out.”
Devlin pulled one from the stack. “This is the school we’re going to?”
“Yes,” she said, flicking a glance at his hand. “It’s the only William Taft Elementary in a five hundred mile radius from him.”
“Do you think this girl goes there?” He held up the picture of the child.
That one haunted Amberly. The girl must be a target, but she couldn’t say why exactly. Maybe she was the daughter of someone Cole wanted to pressure. Necco had deemed her important, and they needed to figure out why. Dressed in a plain blue T-shirt and blue jeans, the kid seemed normal, her dark blond hair drawn back into a ponytail. She wasn’t smiling, though. It was like someone told her to stand against the wall, and she didn’t like the person, because there was a distasteful expression on her face. “I don’t know,” she said eventually. “I do know she’s a focus of Cole’s, either a target’s daughter or relative, maybe? Someone he can use to leverage?”
“Hm…”
There were a few pictures of a brick building, but there were no identifying marks that she could see. It looked like a million other brick buildings across the country.
“There are oaks and maples and tulip poplar in these pictures, so it has to be the eastern part of the country.”
Amberly rolled her eyes. She’d come to the same conclusion.
“Look at the printed papers. What do you see?”
Devlin flipped through the pics till he found the ones she meant. He looked at them for a long time, turning the picture this way and that. “I’m not sure. I think I see a scribbled name on this one because it looks capitalized, but I can’t make it out. This one looks like a spider with seven arms. I do see ‘we’ll lose the window’ on this one, but it’s too blurry on top. This one,” he said, holding one of the pictures up at eye line, “makes me think bad vacation photo in a museum or something.”
Amberly looked at the picture again. She hated to admit it, but she saw that as well. “A Washington museum?”
He made a face. “Not sure. Maybe it’s the lighting or something.”
After scanning the pictures again, Devlin put them back into the envelope, then set it with the operation folder on the back seat.
“We know Regent has an axe to grind against authority,” he said thoughtfully.
“And the government.”
Devlin looked out the window thoughtfully. “How was he apprehended the first time?”
Amberly snorted. “Well, he blew himself up. The package detonated before he had a chance to get it into position.”
Devlin turned to look at her. “And what was he trying to blow up at the time?”
“A church, across the river from D.C. in Arlington, Virginia. His group had already killed thirteen people, mostly women and a few children, at an assault weapon protest the day before with a remotely triggered device.”
He sat back in the seat, elbow resting near the window and hand propped against the upper door. For a moment, Amberly couldn’t draw her gaze away from the picture he presented. Devlin Kreed had meant everything to her once upon a time, and it was a shock to have him in her life again so suddenly.
They’d been each other’s sounding boards. They’d met years ago at a military function. Usually the CIA and Navy didn’t cross paths much, but they were being recognized for a joint operation. It had been the brass’s way of showing off their toys, and it was tedious in the extreme listening to bureaucrat after bureaucrat claim great accomplishments like they had actually been on the field. Devlin had been at the bar and supposedly he’d seen her walk in. Within about a minute, she had a drink in her hand and a cute Navy SEAL was smiling at her across the room.
They’d been inseparable ever since. Yes, there were some organizational issues they had to overcome. Each had secrets they couldn’t share, but they’d worked it out and managed to dance around those subjects.
She hadn’t known that Devlin was going to be escorting Regent that night, or that he was going to try to take him out. In the bigger scheme of things, yes, Regent was a piece of homicidal shit that needed to die, but she couldn’t sanction his death in cold blood. It had shocked her when she’d learned what had happened.
And when she’d confronted Devlin, he hadn’t tried to defend himself. He’d just taken the charge on the chin and accepted everything that had rolled at him.
Why hadn’t he defended himself?
That had always nagged at her, and she wasn’t sure why she was so centered on it right now. Yes, Devlin was a sniper, but he had a code that he lived by. He didn’t shoot at everyone, willy nilly. There was a method to his madness, and he always followed orders.
So, why would he not follow orders?
If his team was in trouble, he would not take the shot. Or if he thought it would cause more problems. Or if he thought she was in danger.
Her mind focused on that last one. That felt right. Had someone threatened her, or her job, to get him to submit?
Fuck…
Amberly looked at her former husband and wondered if she’d royally screwed up. Had she been the one that had ruined their relationship?
7
Dev knew that something had changed in Amberly, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.
Fort Collins was a thirteen hour drive from Peoria. Dev didn’t mind driving it, but he let Amberly take a turn when she wanted to, even though he worried about her arm. She didn’t have the same range of motion, but she swore she was okay to drive. So, he let her, and he researched. Or caught up on his sleep.
Once again, he tossed the folder of information onto the back seat. He’d gone through it three times, and what he wanted wasn’t in there. It had been a secret, covert team of CIA that had given him his orders. The only group that had that kind of power was SAC.
The Special Activities Center was the special group within the CIA that did the serious covert and paramilitary operations. They were clandestine, usually only taking part in tasks the US did not want to be associated with. There were two groups within SAC, the Special Operations Group for paramilitary operations and a second group- the Political Action Group- that took covert political action.
Considering who Regent was, Devlin could see either SOG or PAG throwing him under the bus. It didn’t actually matter which group it was. It was all SAC. Which was why there was nothing about the orders in the folder. The SAC group had an incredible amount of leeway to do what they felt was right for the country. No matter who it hurt.
Surely they had been the ones responsible for moving Regent that night? And they would be just as responsible for losing him.
This time he would take him out, and he wouldn’t miss.
It seemed to take them years to get through Nebraska. There wasn’t much out there to look at, so Dev took the time to catch up on his sleep. The past three days had been nonstop running, trying to get to Amberly to keep her safe. And now they were on a wild goose chase, hoping that this school they were going to could tell them something. They had less than a week before 9-11, so they needed to get out there.
He was tired of sitting in the passenger seat doing nothing. After a few miles, a rest area sign flashed by. “Can you pull in there? I need to walk and stretch my legs.”
Without saying a word, Amberly did as he requested. They slid into a parking slot and Dev climbed out. If he had more time, he would maybe even consider jogging the area. But instead, he took off in a broad-stride walk, from one end of the lot to the other, then back again. Amberly leaned against the car hood in the sun, her short dark hair blowing gently in the breeze. She watched him, a gentle smile on her face.
&n
bsp; After about twenty minutes, he visited the facilities, then returned to the car. “I’m ready. Mind if I drive?”
She nodded, handing him the keys. “I’m going to use the bathroom. Back in a minute.”
Dev watched her go, her body movements fluid in spite of the time in the car. He could tell she was guarding that left side, though. Locking the car, he crossed to the vending machine building and got them a couple of bottles of water, then returned to the car.
Amberly walked toward him, and it took everything in Devlin to remember that they weren’t together anymore. Had she gotten with anyone since they’d been apart? He supposed technically she could have, since they weren’t married, but he hoped she hadn’t.
As she settled into the passenger seat, he watched her move. There was a grace and a collectedness to her he missed seeing, even when she was in pain. She’d been the only one for him for a long time, and he had a feeling she still was.
He took the buckle from her and snapped her seatbelt in, then he motioned for her to open her hand. When she did, he dropped several ibuprofen into her palm. “There’s a fresh bottle of water there.”
Rather than watch her struggle, he twisted the cap off the bottle and handed it to her. She drank down the pills. “Thank you very much. It burns like fire right now.”
“I bet,” he murmured.
He’d been shot before as well, but sometimes a through-and-through was better than a long slash through flesh like she had.
Backing the car out of the slot, Devlin headed for the interstate. They were only about three hours from Fort Collins.
“I’m wondering if I should call Frank,” she said suddenly, turning the radio off.
“Callypso?” Dev glanced at her to clarify.
“Yes, just to let him know I’m safe and not dead.”
Dev didn’t say anything for a few long moments. He was aware that Amberly considered Frank her mentor, but he’d never really liked the guy. It was like he tried too hard to be personable, or something. “I suppose it’s up to you, but it’s an incredible risk. Right now, we’re flying dark. As soon as you reach out, they’ll tag us, you know that.”
Amberly scowled. “You’re right, of course. I just didn’t want him to worry.”
“I think he’ll forgive you once he hears the circumstances. Let’s check out a couple of things, first.”
“Okay,” she sighed. Then she shifted in the seat, her gaze focused on him. “Why did you try to take Regent out that night?”
Dev looked at her. There was a belligerent expression on her face, and he wasn’t sure anything he said would change her mind. “It doesn’t matter.”
Anger sparked in her silvery eyes and she swiped her hair back. “Yeah, I guess it doesn’t.”
She turned and looked out the window, then she grabbed the photo envelope and started going through them again.
Devlin was very aware of her movements, just like he’d always been. When he’d first met her, he thought she was too hard. At the time, he’d been in the SEALs almost ten years, and he was kind of thinking about settling down. Or building a life outside of the Navy. The grind was wearing him down, and he knew there would be repercussions for the life he lived.
So, he’d started seriously looking at women, more as possible companions than bed buddies. Amberly had a strength to her he’d never seen in a woman before, and it had sparked something in him. Some need to meet her, head on. They’d had some of the most amazing fights, and even more amazing sex. She could spar with him as well as any of his teammates, and she gave him a run for his money when it came to shooting. The woman was sharp and confident, intellectual, and she made him want to be a better man. Amberly Temple had a love for her country that was quiet and unyielding, and she showed that love through her dedication to her job. She was the perfect overseas operative.
She also had aspects to her that she didn’t show many people. Like the soft, feminine side that loved him to oblivion. And the fun side that bought her nieces and nephews bubbles to blow outside on a freezing day. And the tomboy side that helped her father refurbish an old tractor.
All of those things together had made him fall so hard. Seeing her now, sitting beside him, he wondered if some higher power was at work, trying to get them back together. Or maybe it was getting them together to save lives. He didn’t know. All he did know was that he was still in love with his ex-wife.
“How are your mom and dad doing?”
Amberly glanced at him. “Fine. Dad’s showing a little more wear and tear, but Mom is the same as ever. Nothing slows her down.”
Dev snorted. “She’ll be going that speed til the day she dies.”
“Probably.” Amberly grinned. “Sloan and Peach had a miscarriage a while ago. They’ve been trying to have kids, and it’s not working.”
“Damn. I’m sorry.”
Sloan was Amberly’s younger brother by about five years. He and his high school sweetheart Priscilla, who everyone called Peach, made one of the most right couples Devlin had ever seen. It was like they were two halves of a whole. They complemented each other so well.
“Scarlett is going into fourth grade and Scout is in sixth grade now.”
“Wow,” he laughed. “It seems like days ago they were just babies, and Trista was fretting over everything. Remember when Scout was born, she wouldn’t let anyone in the house other than your mom? Because we were around criminals all day,” he shook his head. “And Rand backed her up on everything.”
“Well, he loved her. Still does. He’s making noises about another baby, but I don’t think Trista is going for it.”
“Well, she can be as stubborn as you,” Dev laughed, “so Rand might be in for a fight if he really wants it.”
They shared a smile, then Amberly seemed to realize what she was doing, and she turned away to look out the window. “They all missed you when you left,” she said softly.
Dev’s heart stuttered in his chest. “And I missed them,” he admitted, throat going tight.
And he had. The Temples had been more of a family to him than he ever could have hoped, and the thought of walking up to Tom Temple and trying to explain to the man why he’d betrayed his daughter had made him sick to his stomach. So, he’d avoided them altogether. Well, most of them.
“I don’t know how she got my address, but your mother sent me cookies and a card every Christmas,” he said softly.
Amberly gave him a sharp look. “Did she really?”
Dev nodded. “And a note on my birthday.”
“That sneaky woman,” Amberly said, shaking her head.
Dev had appreciated it more than he could say. Lana had been a true mother figure to him when he and Amberly had been together, and he missed her hugs more than he thought possible. The little woman was a powerhouse, and it was no wonder Amberly had turned out the way she had.
“So, where have you been?” Amberly asked.
Dev glanced at her. “Outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee.”
Her dark brows shot into her bangs. “Seriously? Tennessee?”
Smiling at her outraged gasp, Dev nodded. “Yup. Been there the past couple of years. The people are nice and the temperatures comfortable.”
She blinked at him. “And what do you do there?”
“I have my own private security company.”
“As in, a mercenary company?”
He gave her an incredulous look. “No. I wire cameras and surveillance systems. Usually to catch employee theft. No guns, no killing people.”
“I had to ask,” she said defensively.
It was aggravating to him she thought so little of him, that he might go out and kill for money. It hadn’t been a job he’d ever wanted, it had just suited his skill set. He liked guns and he was good with them. As soon as his commanding officers had seen that, they’d plugged him into a spot, and that was where he’d stayed his entire Navy career.
Now that he didn’t have to kill for a living, he was a much more relaxed person. Or
at least he thought so.
It was disheartening that her opinion of him had fallen so much. Of all the people that had turned on him, her ill thoughts hurt the worst.
In his heart, he knew it hurt because he was still hooked on her.
Fuck.
They didn’t talk much after that, and he was fine with it. In his mind, he knew Amberly would probably never forgive him or understand what he’d done for her, and their family.
They arrived at Fort Collins an hour later, just in time for the sun to set behind the mountains. There was a single car in the school parking lot. He assumed it was a custodian, or maybe the principal, catching up on last-minute work. Dev didn’t know what he was looking for, but he circled the school a couple of times.
“Do you think we should go in?” Amberly asked, leaning against the center console of the car.
Dev made a face. “Not until I’ve researched it a little. Let’s go get a hotel room and plan. The direct approach may be a better option.”
She gasped, looking at him like he’d grown a second head. “Are you serious?”
Dev looked at her and grinned. “Nothing like living life on the edge,” he said, looking at her lips.
Amberly blinked, shaking her head. “You’re nuts,” she whispered. “And I’m not sure how on the edge you can be in a school.”
Dev snorted, letting her back away. “True. I think in this instance it will be better to go in the front door.”
“We’ll research it and see.”
8
Amberly hated to admit that Devlin might be right. They could break into the school, but with surveillance cameras and the like now, that was a difficult thing to do while keeping a low profile. Cameras were everywhere, and if she knew the CIA, they were already running programs looking for her face to pop up somewhere around the world.
Traffic cameras had probably gotten her already.