Web of Shadows

by Susan Sleeman

  Wiley gripped the steering wheel and thought about this recent development. Brandt would climb to the cache and discover the computer was gone. No biggie, right? Unless Wiley had left something behind that could lead her back to him. After all, he hadn’t thought about hiding his tracks when he’d found the cache. Had he done anything that could help her locate him?

  He ran through his steps that day. No. At least he didn’t think so, but once she discovered the computer was missing, they’d head back to Hamid’s house. There, they could find the phone Wiley had hidden. He’d have to retrieve it.

  Was there anything else?

  Think. Before Medusa snares you in one of her traps.

  Thinking of another stint in prison sent panic closing in on him.

  “Relax. Breathe.”

  She didn’t have anything. She didn’t even know the computer was gone, or she wouldn’t be heading up the slippery path on a day like this. The calculating agent wouldn’t take such a risk unless she expected a big payoff. She didn’t like risks. He knew her well, from hours of her relentless interrogations. Then the weeks of his trial. She was orderly. Careful. This was a foolhardy, desperate move. One she’d only take if she knew about the hack. But if she knew, had they already alerted DHS to plug the database vulnerability? Would the hack still work when he got ready to sell it?

  “No.” He pounded the wheel, his mind whirring faster and faster.

  This was not going according to his plan. He had to know more. Assess the risk of continuing. Maybe cut his losses, get the forty grand, and kill the loser agent.

  No. That was too rash. He needed to know what she was up to before deciding.

  But how? He couldn’t follow her up the trail. The pair of them might have already seen his car and could make him. She’d like that. Finding him. Locking him up again.

  So what then?

  Hamid.

  When she didn’t find the computer, she’d go back to the kid and the other sniveling agent they’d left in charge. Wiley had plenty of time to get over there, put the GPS tracker on the car, and get in position to see what was going on. Then, with the GPS, he could monitor her location and stay one step ahead of her. And he’d buy another tracker tomorrow for the SEAL’s car. Just in case. Wiley could never be too careful.

  Chapter Ten

  DESPITE THE COLD, Nina’s palms were sweating as she followed Quinn onto the trail that wound up and disappeared into thick pines and ferns. The sky was gray and angry as the sun sank toward the horizon. Her heart beat hard and not only from exertion. Garrett died at the end of a day much like this one. When everyone had gotten careless on the rafting trip. When cold rain was setting in, hands were icy cold, and they all wanted to get home.

  Maybe if they’d gotten an earlier start that day, things could have been different. Maybe not. One thing was sure. If she’d held on, Garret would be with her and the guilt that ate at her would be gone. Even after the passing of so many years wrangling with God, she couldn’t let go of the maybes. Let go of the guilt.

  Distracted, she caught her foot on a gnarly root and pitched forward. She hit the ground with an oomph. Sharp stones sliced into her bare knees and hands. She bit her lip to keep from crying out and righted herself on a log, but Quinn hadn’t missed her fall.

  “Let’s take a quick break.” He stopped and leaned against a tree, his chest barely moving while hers rose and fell as she took big heaving gulps of air. Thankfully, he didn’t want to talk, since she couldn’t possibly hold a conversation. Maybe he knew that.

  Sure he knew that. Nothing escaped his attention. Nothing. He was an operator. Trained in covert tactics that included observing and evading. He was stellar at both. She should know. He’d evaded a commitment to her quite well.

  After a few minutes, his gaze ran the length of her body. “Ready to go?”

  Barely rested, she nodded. He started off, climbing higher and higher. She suddenly heard the rush of water tumbling off the cliff. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

  They rounded the corner. She caught sight of the terrifying water on the far side of the gorge. She stopped dead in her tracks. She felt lightheaded. Her vision narrowed, and black spots took over. She fought for breath. Struggled. She bent forward and clamped her hands on her knees.

  Calm down. It’s just a little water. No one’s disappearing in the rush of it. Stick to the inside of the path and you’ll be safe.

  Quinn turned and jogged back to her. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she managed to eek out.

  “Bull. You look like you’re about to pass out.” He guided her to a large stone, then pushed her head between her knees. He squatted next to her. “Breathe, sweetheart. Slowly. Nice and easy.” He rubbed gentle circles on her back, the warmth of his fingers helping to calm her racing heart. “That’s it. You’re doing fine.”

  She focused on his soothing voice and his touch, cutting through the anxiety. Her vision started to clear, and the ache in her chest loosened. She slowly sat up.

  He searched her face. “What was that all about?”

  She shrugged.

  “You’re not afraid of heights are you?”

  “No,” she said and didn’t elaborate. She dug out her water bottle and took a long drink.

  He rutted through his pack and pulled out a protein bar. “Eat this.”

  She felt like a fraud for taking it, but the protein would help her cope with the stress. If she could eat it. She took a bite, savoring the fruity flavor, but it still settled like a rock in her stomach.

  As Quinn watched her, she continued to eat. She concentrated on the fact that they were near the main viewing area and would soon be able to grab the computer and leave.

  Apparently satisfied she would make it, he pulled out his phone again. “Coordinates say the cache is over by the falls. We need to keep going.”

  Which meant a continued climb upward. Away from the exit. Her pulse threatened to pick up speed again, the panic not far behind.

  Stop. You can do this. You’re fine. Quinn’s here. He’ll help you. Everything’s fine.

  She just needed to get moving and get this over with. She stood. Wobbled a bit, but Quinn steadied her.

  Hating that she’d let this irrational fear turn her into a big baby, she jerked her arm free.

  He arched a brow. “Maybe you should wait here.”

  She shook her head. “I’ve done enough to screw up this investigation already. I can’t have you contaminate the evidence. I need to follow protocol for collecting it. And that means, I do the work.”

  He watched her for a moment. “We’ll stick together the rest of the way. I promise not to touch you unless you authorize me to. Do I have your permission to do this?” He smiled and cupped her elbow again.

  The warmth of his hand penetrated her jacket as the hard lines and angles of his face softened, warming her heart and easing her fear. She nodded, showing her thankfulness and appreciation in a genuine smile.

  His gaze heated up. “And this?” He moved his hand up her arm, his fingers sliding down to her back and drawing her closer.

  “Yes,” she said knowing she should tell him to back off, but she’d rather fight her attraction to him than her fear of the water.

  He peered into her eyes. Time seemed to stand still. The sound of falling water fell away. The drive to recover the computer went with it. Nothing existed but the two of them.

  They were close again, with only inches separating them. Emotions welled up inside her. If she stood on her tiptoes, she could kiss him. Wanted to kiss him. Like she had so many times before.

  Oh my gosh! She still had feelings for him and they weren’t just anger. She stepped back, coming up against a thick tree.

  His hand fell away. He said something under his breath, then shook his head. He pr
obably wanted to call her on her two-faced behavior. One minute wanting him to touch her, the next acting like the Snow Queen. Thank goodness he’d be heading back to California after they retrieved the cache.

  He peered up at the sky. “The light is fading fast. We need to get going.”

  And just like that, her fear returned like a runaway freight train.

  “C’mon.” He headed up the path, periodically glancing at his phone.

  In an overlook that jutted out toward the falls, he pointed at a log traversing the rushing water to a small landing littered with more fallen trees “The cache is on the other side. You stay here, and I’ll check it out.”

  “No.” She grabbed his arm. “Evidence, remember?”

  He frowned. “I don’t like the idea of you crossing that log. It’s wet and slippery.”

  She liked the thought of it even less. What if she got halfway out there and the panic came back? She’d freeze above the water. Maybe her legs would give out and she’d tumble into the water, just like Garrett.

  No. Stop. Get control.

  She’d made it though twenty-two rigorous weeks at Quantico. After that, this was a cakewalk. That’s it. Think of getting home and baking Grandmother Hale’s famous whipped-cream cake with chocolate-fudge frosting.

  “I have to do this, Quinn.” She rubbed her sweaty palms on her legs, then donned a pair of latex gloves and climbed onto the log. She instantly knew he was right. The wood was worn smooth from the pulsing water, and sections were crumbling. She didn’t have a death wish. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t have crossed, but there was nothing normal about potential terrorists having access to the NFL. Or the kid she loved like a little brother going to prison.

  She heard Quinn mount the log behind her and sensed him moving close. Despite her bold declaration of being able to do this, she was thankful for his nearness. She moved slowly, planting her feet carefully. Her foot caught on a crumbling spot. She wobbled and shot out her arms to balance, panic rising up.

  A strong arm came around her from behind, steadying her. “Relax, sweetheart. I’ve got your six.”

  He was right. He did have her back. He’d always had her back when they’d been together. The agent in her wanted to squirm away, but the woman in her felt safe and protected against the solid wall of his chest.

  “Okay?” His breath was warm on her ear.

  “Yes.”

  He released her, and she instantly missed his touch. Because of that, she wanted to rush ahead, but she’d never been a fool. Except for when she’d fallen in love with him.

  She carefully crossed the remaining log without incident and jumped down, pulling in deep breaths of air and trying to tune out the sound of water surging near her feet. She could finish this. She simply had to find the box and get going.

  “Over there.” Quinn pointed ahead in the shadows of a disintegrating log.

  She dug out an evidence bag and knelt by the cache.

  Quinn hovered above her, shining his flashlight on the container. Her heart thudded. She wasn’t sure if it was out of fear for what she might find or because of her precarious position near the falls and the rush of water that sounded like a whirling tornado in her ears. She lifted the lid. Empty. Disappointment spread through her chest.

  “We’re too late.” The same disappointment lingered in Quinn’s voice. “So now what?”

  She shrugged and glanced around. The surrounding area was a crime scene now. It was her duty to secure it. But how? Staying there to protect it would be foolish. Especially when no one would come up there during the night. The elements were more of a problem than any person could be. Dusk was settling over them, the skies on the horizon even darker and threatening heavy rain any moment. Rain that could wash away evidence in the immediate area.

  She dug out her flashlight from one of the large jacket pockets. “It’s going to pour any minute. That doesn’t give us much time to search the area for anything that doesn’t belong here.” She flicked the light on and swung it over the ground covered with moss and leaves.

  “I’ll give you a few minutes, but then we need to get going before the trail becomes impassible.”

  She hadn’t taken the time to think about their descent, but he was right. Heavy rain would make heading down the trail treacherous, but she had to, at least, be able to tell Sulyard that she’d given the area a cursory inspection.

  Quinn shone his flashlight on the other side of the box. “Footprints over here. Male. Might be the person who took the computer.”

  “The rain will wash them away,” she said. “Can you snap a picture with your cell? The techs might be able to learn something from a picture.”

  She heard him getting out his camera, then saw the flash of light. “What about the box?”

  “I’ll take it with me for processing.”

  He swung around to stare at her. “I don’t care how independent you are, or how worried you are about evidence contamination, I’m not letting you carry it across the log. You’ll be doing well just to make it back on your own.”

  Despite his demanding nature, her near fall and his surefootedness told her he was far better suited to the task. She handed him a pair of gloves. “You can carry it.”

  His mouth dropped open, but she ignored it and returned to her work. She painstakingly checked the ground as large drops of rain landed on her back.

  Quinn tugged on her arm. “C’mon. Time to go.”

  With the rain starting, she didn’t argue.

  He nodded at the log bridge. “You cross first.”

  “Okay.” She eyed him. “As long as you promise not to drop the container to try to save me if I wobble again.”

  “Unbelievable.” He shook his head. “I won’t drop the freakin’ box. Now get moving before we’re both stuck over here.”

  She climbed onto the log and felt him mount it right behind her. He couldn’t possibly have picked up the box in that time. She carefully glanced over her shoulder. His hands were empty.

  “What are you doing?” she cried out. “Don’t leave the box.”

  “You didn’t want me to drop it to help you, so I’m coming over with you. Then I’ll go back to get it.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “It’s not negotiable, Nina.” His mouth tightened into a grim line, and she knew better than to keep arguing.

  She doubled her effort to take careful steps so he wouldn’t need to rescue her again. Once she dropped onto solid ground, he spun and returned for the container. She backed as far away from the water as possible and pressed up against a thick tree to watch him. His grace, his balance was so odd for a man of his size, but she had to admit, she loved seeing him move like this. He grabbed the box, tucked it under his long arm, then looked up to catch her eyes on him. Though dusk was upon them, she could see the gleam of his teeth as he grinned.

  She snapped her gaze away and checked for a signal on her phone. No bars. Shoot. Now that she knew the computer was missing, she wanted to bring Sulyard into the investigation as soon as possible. The moment Quinn landed safely, she took off down the trail, running from the sound of the rapids.

  “Hey.” He grabbed her elbow, jerking her to a stop. “I said we had to hurry, but I didn’t mean going fast enough to shoot over the edge.”

  She was looking up at him as a fat raindrop landed on her cheek.

  He gently tugged her hood up. “What’s going on, sweetheart? It’s not like you to be so reckless.”

  “We need to get going.” She sidestepped his concern and started down the path, this time at a slower, more cautious pace. He stuck close to her, the beam from his flashlight mingling with hers near their feet.

  Midway down, the sky let loose, drenching them both. Their lights barely illuminated the slippery clay trail. The rain slowed them down. The
y walked in silence, but it wasn’t the comfortable silences of their past. It was as big and deep as the gorge waiting to swallow her up if she took one wrong step. Thunder rumbled in the distance. One roll. Barely discernable. Though it rained nearly 150 days a year in the Willamette Valley, thunder was a sound rarely heard in the area. Unlike in her home state of Alabama.

  “Did you hear that?” She smiled at him and let the unusual incident lighten her mood. “We had one whole thunder.”

  He’d traveled the globe, so he understood her joke and grinned boyishly at her. The atmosphere around them changed. The remainder of the trip seemed easier, more comfortable. As they trekked the lower half of the tail, the rain slowed to a trickle.

  “So what happens now?” Quinn asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he didn’t really want to hear the answer.

  She assessed his mood. A sliver of moonlight darkened the angles of his face. She couldn’t make out his expression, but she could see his eyes were narrowed. The last thing she wanted to do was tell him that the time had come to report this to Sulyard.

  Quinn slowed and crooked his finger under her chin, lifting her head. “What don’t you want to tell me?”

  “I’ll need to call my supervisor as soon as I can get a signal.”

  “That’s not good then, is it?”

  “Not likely.”

  “Which means Ty will be arrested.” The finality in his voice made Nina’s heart break.

  “Depends on Sulyard, but it’s likely.” She tried to sound upbeat, but she wouldn’t mislead Quinn when the outcome was fairly certain. “If for no other reason than to keep Ty away from computers while we investigate.”

  “Can you wait to tell Sulyard? We could keep looking for the computer.”

  “This was our deal, Quinn.” She tried not to sound like she didn’t care about Ty, but she had to let Quinn know where they stood. “We tried to recover the computer. Now that we can’t, I have to report the security breach.”

  “I know, it’s just . . .” He started moving, his feet thumping down the trail with frustration. “He’s just a kid, you know?”