Final Stand

by Lisa Phillips

  “I should have brought sunglasses.”

  Victoria gave him a tiny squeeze as they ascended the steps. The crowd in the room was thick. Mark spotted a few people he’d seen on the local ten o’clock news, and saw a lot of flashy money. Manicures, diamonds. Victoria looked like one of them, not a girl he’d walked barefoot with in the summer, down to the lake to fish. Though, after they’d found that anthill, they’d always worn shoes.

  “You seem like you fit in a place like this.”

  Victoria lifted a glass of bubbly liquid from a tray carried by a waiter and scanned the room. “I’d rather be at home with Bear.”

  Mark’s earpiece came to life. “Who is Bear?” Talia’s voice was loud and clear, as it had been when they did their comms check.

  A second voice came through his earpiece. “Mark has a dog?” Much to Dakota’s consternation, she’d been stationed in the van with her teammate. Josh was inside the gala, having managed to infiltrate the security team.

  Victoria smiled, taking a sip of her drink.

  Mark lifted his hand to scratch his nose and said into his sleeve. “I have a dog.” Then he shoved the glasses he wore up his nose.

  Talia said, “Aww, he’s so cute.”

  Victoria lifted Mark’s hand and kissed his palm. “Did you just hack Mark’s phone?”

  He sucked in a breath but it got stuck.

  She let go of his hand. “How’s your throat?” She frowned at him from eye level, those heels making her a match for his height.

  “Fine.”

  “You caught a lot of smoke last night.”

  “No more than you did.”

  “What about Bear? Shouldn’t he go to the vet and get checked out?”

  He wanted to tug her close and give her a hug. “He’ll be fine. And if he isn’t, then the neighbor whose house he’s at will take him to the 24-hour vet.”

  She didn’t look appeased.

  “Everything is going to be fine.” He touched her cheek, swiping his thumb across it. Then he moved to scratch the side of his neck, turning his head closer to his sleeve. “Any sign of our guy?”

  The man who’d set the explosion at the research facility and stole the guidance chip was the one they were looking for. Mark turned and scanned the crowd.

  Victoria chuckled. “Don’t give up your day job, okay?”

  He turned to ask her what she was talking about, but she’d already turned away. She set her glass down, then tugged on his hand. “Let’s dance.”

  A small dance floor had been set up in one corner where an older man sat playing the piano. The tails of the tux he wore flapped over the bench behind him, and on occasion his glossy black shoes reflected the light.

  Victoria spun in Mark’s arms and they settled into a slow waltz.

  Talia reported in. “No sign of him on surveillance. I’ve gone through all the images for everyone who checked in, and he’s not here. Nor is he one of the wait staff, or in the kitchen.”

  Victoria grinned up at him. “No sense in not having fun while we’re waiting.”

  Mark wasn’t so sure about that. Except that it was her, so how was he supposed to resist? His entire body was tense wondering what was about to happen. How he could keep Victoria safe and confiscate the chip. Maybe they would even get Langdon as well. She was right about the dancing. It was helping him relax.

  “I’m a little more used to kicking in doors and telling everyone to get their hands in the air.” He grinned. His next inhale got stuck again, and he had to cover a cough so he didn’t draw anyone’s attention. “Which is probably why you look fabulous, and I look like Clark Kent’s more nerdy brother.”

  Glasses. Gelled hair, parted on one side. Even the suit was cut differently than he liked.

  Someone on the other end of the radio chuckled. Victoria had a tiny earpiece under her wig, but no transmitter. The only one between them was in his sleeve. She’d claimed she had nowhere to put hers, which was valid since that dress had no sleeves and only part of a back. He was in no way complaining about that, or the fact it meant they had to stay together.

  “So smug.”

  He twirled her around. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  She chuckled. He was feeling pretty happy with himself. They were dancing, he was relaxing, and the danger hadn’t happened yet. Plus she wasn’t here by herself, which she would absolutely have been…if he hadn’t essentially manipulated her into staying with him.

  Since she would have been here with or without him, he had no guilt. He was in danger, potentially. She needed to keep him safe.

  Sure, it played on her need for him to be all right and remain that way. She had a mile-wide protective streak and the training to back it up. So did he. And he could take care of himself. But that didn’t negate the fact he wanted her with him. No matter what.

  “I’m not sure I’d be so happy if my house burned down. I’m upset enough that my grandfather is missing and the investigating detectives still have no leads on where he is.”

  “Most of the damage is superficial. When he threw the bottle through the window by the front door, the hall rug took most of the spray from the alcohol.” He swallowed and had to cough again. “A lot of smell and smoke but not much damage.”

  Victoria made a face.

  “It’s just a house. I have insurance, and I’m fixing it up anyway.” He shrugged one shoulder.

  “I still don’t get it. It’s your home right now.”

  “Not forever.” He knew what home was for him.

  Or rather, who.

  If he had Victoria—and yes Bear, too—in his life, then what did he care about charred drywall and the smell of smoke?

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Talia didn’t sound sorry, just focused. “But I’ve spotted our guy headed for a back hall.”

  “Copy that,” Josh replied. “Time to get to work boys and girls.”

  Mark went to move, but Victoria held onto him. She gave him a tiny shake of her head. “Where?”

  Mark said, “Direction?” into his sleeve. He stayed with Victoria, still swaying to the melodic piano chords and notes. He would be able to appreciate it more if they didn’t have a man to catch and a buy to intercept.

  Was Langdon really going to be here, or would he send another intermediary?

  He almost didn’t believe Victoria that she’d seen him outside Mark’s house last night…except for the fact it was she who saw him. Was Langdon really in Seattle, or was he hiding out with his biker friends? They had more leads now but still nothing additional, as far as results go. The FBI director had only authorized Mark’s participation in this operation because Mark had all but promised him a result. Of the “case-closed” variety.

  “Got him.” Josh continued a second later. “North hallway, leads to the offices and an exit door. He took the third door on the right. Knew exactly where he was going.”

  Like he’d been here before? That was interesting. The alternative was that the guy who’d stolen the chip had been given very specific instructions on where to bring it.

  “Shall we?” She was calm as anything, totally cool. Like she was asking him if he wanted popcorn at the movies.

  Mark wrapped her arm in his, and they wound through meandering people in the crowd, heading for the north hallway.

  Josh stepped out, just as they approached the door. He blocked the security guard’s view of them and shifted the back of his suit jacket. He handed off a Glock to Mark, behind his back. They slipped through the door while Josh struck up a conversation, his laugh overly loud. As soon as the door clicked shut, Mark looked for the third room. The one where the man had gone.

  “Inside that room,” Talia said, “I have no eyes. I cannot see anything or anyone, and if you get into danger, I’m not going to know.”

  “That’s what the radios are for.” Mark knew Talia had to say it though. She had to voice aloud the fact she was trusting them to keep each other safe.

  Victoria stopped at the door
. “We’re going in.”

  To an empty room, or one that was full of people? Mark palmed the gun, with its attached silencer, checked that it was loaded and ready to go. “Handle?”

  She nodded, then twisted it and pulled the door open. Victoria kept her body covered by the door. Mostly out of sight. Mark entered first, praying the vest he wore under his shirt would provide necessary protection. Or that his body would protect Victoria from taking a hit. He’d rather neither of them got hurt, but he knew who he’d want to get shot if it came down to a choice.

  His weeks-old wound twinged with an ache of pain. Gun up, he scanned the room. “Hands. Let me see your hands.” His feet clipped the floor across to where the man turned, awareness on his face.

  Younger than them. Eyes like Mark had seen many times on the faces of death row inmates. Serial murderers, and the worst of the worst. “He said you’d be here.”

  “Hands.” Mark raised his tone a little, using his fed voice.

  The man smirked, but lifted both hands. His coat jacket splayed wide, revealing a gun under his shoulder. Not the most efficient place to holster a weapon, it was more about the cool factor than function. Mark preferred his on his hip, where he could have it up and firing in fractions of a second. Not fighting to aim as he drew his gun and swiped it left to right to reach the target.

  “Where’s the chip?”

  The man didn’t answer.

  This time it was Victoria who asked the question, “Where is Langdon?”

  Mark said, “We could use Josh’s assistance.”

  “Copy that,” came back over the radio from the man himself. “Ten seconds.”

  The suspect moved. Mark fired off a shot, throwing the man back two steps as the bullet picked off a chunk of his coat sleeve and the outside of his arm.

  The man fired. The action had already begun before Mark even fired. The suspect’s shot discharged in Victoria’s direction. Mark raced to him and tackled the guy, slamming his wrist to the floor.

  He slammed it repeatedly until he let go.

  The door opened. “Don’t wait for me or anything,” Josh bit off.

  Mark didn’t have time for that. He flipped the guy to his face and pulled his arms back. “Victoria?”

  “I’m okay.” She sighed. “I can’t say the same for this painting, though.” He heard movement and looked over to see her pull it back. A wall safe had been hidden behind it. “Well, hello there.”

  “We have no reason to believe that has anything to do with what he’s doing here.”

  Victoria shot him a look. “Sometimes you’re such a cop.”

  “Yeah. Me and everyone else wrapped up in this that you call ‘friend’.” He secured the man’s wrists with the zip ties Josh had given him and hauled the guy to his feet.

  “Could be a dead drop.”

  “In a safe?”

  She turned to survey the safe. “I’m opening it. I want to see what’s inside.”

  Chapter 19

  Portland, Oregon. Friday 10.32p.m.

  Victoria turned away from the two men and the suspect. She didn’t want any of them to see how shaken she was. After everything they’d been through, she’d have thought a couple of gunshots—only one aimed in her direction—wouldn’t bother her that much.

  Apparently not.

  Her hand shook as she lifted it to the keypad on the safe. She ran her index finger around the edges, thinking through how she was going to get inside.

  Did she really think this was why the suspect had come in here? Maybe. It could have been about meeting with Langdon out of sight…or a million other reasons. There might be nothing in here. Or there could be serious evidence.

  She glanced over her shoulder at the suspect. He seemed just like all the rest, a man who had lived hard. Seen too much. Now he was bleeding down his arm and in custody. She tried to assess what he was thinking, namely about her move to break into the safe.

  His jaw hardened.

  “I’ll call the Portland FBI office.” Mark slid his phone from his pocket. “Get some backup here.”

  Josh shifted his stance, Victoria wasn’t looking at him, but she heard the rustle of his clothing. “Sure about that?”

  “We have to trust them at some point. Let them prove the agents that remain are the good ones.”

  “Okay,” Josh conceded. “I’ll call in as well, get Homeland over here. It can’t hurt to have some interagency cooperation on this.”

  She heard more shuffling and looked over to see Josh pat down the suspect. Hadn’t he checked the guy for weapons already? The man’s gun was discarded. What was…

  Mark pulled a phone from the guy’s jacket pocket. “Talia?”

  The reply came in her earpiece. “Go ahead.”

  “I’ve got a phone from our suspect. Can you see what you’re able to get from it?”

  “Sure,” she said. “Call me from the phone and I’ll dump the contents to my computer.”

  The suspect hadn’t heard Talia’s reply, but he still shifted. Nervous. For what they were going to get from his phone?

  Victoria wandered over and took the phone from Mark. She called Talia’s number. When Talia answered, Victoria left the call open and navigated back to his call history. A string of numbers he hadn’t labeled in contacts. She went to the messages and scrolled through the couple of conversations. Definitely a burner phone, he hadn’t used it much except for business. To make an arrangement with someone who’d brought him here.

  She showed it to Mark who said, “You seeing this?”

  “Yep.” Talia sounded distracted in her reply, the way she did when she was doing a deep dive into someone’s life. “I’ll run these numbers and see if any of them is Langdon.”

  “Copy that.” Victoria handed Josh the phone. He was on his own cell.

  Josh nodded, then headed out into the hallway with his badge now prominently displayed on his belt. She glanced at Mark again.

  He nodded. “Good guy.”

  “I know.” As if she would handpick someone for her team who wasn’t? She’d known of Josh even back in his days as a Marine, working alongside Neema. A dog Victoria had met as a puppy. Of course, she couldn’t tell anyone she knew the details of any of that. It was all classified and would probably be as long as she was alive.

  Now she had no team. But what remained were friendships forged by fire. A group of people settling down for the most joyous years of their lives, something Victoria would get to be part of.

  She walked over to the suspect and got in his face. The safe wasn’t going anywhere, she could get to it in a minute. She faced off with him. “Where’s Langdon? You were supposed to meet him here, right?”

  He sneered at her.

  Victoria grabbed his arm, right where he’d been winged by Mark’s gunshot.

  He battled the pain, but it wasn’t more than a few seconds before his lips parted and he cried out.

  “Victoria.” Mark’s point was clear, though he only said her name.

  “I’m not a cop. I’m not bound by the same rules, or procedure.” She glanced at Mark, refusing to back down. “If you don’t want to be a party to my…questioning of this man, then step out into the hallway. I’ll let you know in a few minutes everything he has to say about Langdon’s whereabouts. And the chip.”

  Mark knew what she was doing. She saw the moment he realized this was—mostly—for show. So the suspect thought she was unhinged and prepared to seriously hurt him to get answers. It was a variation of the old good cop/bad cop scenario. Mark would bluster, then he’d tell the suspect he should just cooperate instead of having to face her. The suspect would bond with Mark, getting the same result. But without the bother of her having to figure out what to do that would work to get the information she needed.

  “Okay.” The suspect cried out again.

  Victoria realized that she’d been squeezing his arm for a minute. She let go.

  The suspect let out a long breath. “I’ll tell you what you want to know,
but I want protection. Langdon will kill me if he finds out I talked.”

  “Yeah,” she said. “He probably will.”

  Mark shifted. Fine, she might not have needed to say that. Langdon would do whatever he wanted—as evidenced by the fire damage at Mark’s house. Among other things.

  “Tell me what he did with my grandfather.”

  The suspect frowned. “There was an old guy, a few days ago. Langdon said they hit a bar and got drunk first. I’m pretty sure they tore the place up.” He shrugged. “I don’t know where he dumped the body. How would I? Florida had nothing to do with me.”

  Victoria stepped back. It was like receiving a blow.

  Her grandfather was dead.

  She bit the inside of her lip and turned away to the safe. At the last second, she saw him smirk. He knew that hurt. He took satisfaction in telling her that her grandfather was deceased, dumped at an unknown location.

  As she got to work on the lock mechanism, it occurred to her again to call Sal. The US Marshal was the best at finding people, especially ones he cared about or someone he knew cared about. He’d found Allyson, hadn’t he? That had been next to impossible, but her entire plan had been contingent on him locating her. And he had. Too bad now he was mad at Victoria for putting Allyson on the line in the first place.

  She’d done it willingly. Just as she’d visited her grandfather after every mission, also willingly. Exposing them to danger. Putting them on a map, like targets to be taken out.

  That was the job. She was supposed to feel guilty about it? If she was, then that would mean she’d be more focused on her emotions than on getting the job done.

  Life was about many things, and unavoidable regrets were one of them. A bad thing among so many good.

  Give and take.

  Push and pull.

  It wasn’t like she could change that.

  But she could make sure her grandfather was found. She could lay him to rest properly, or get him help if he needed it. Knowing him, the story about tearing up some bar was probably right. Though, why Langdon would do that was anyone’s guess. Had he been trying to gather intel on her? Given what happened the last day, from the fire to the meeting here, that was likely the reason.