Shattered Lies

by Kathleen Brooks

  Lizzy leaned her head close and whispered, “Has Grant said anything about New York?”

  “Yes,” Valeria whispered. “I thought you’d want to talk about this. He said the guys would want to leave us behind.”

  “Dalton already said I couldn’t go.”

  “Well,” Valeria said, before looking up to make sure they weren’t overheard. “I knew you’d feel the same way I do, which I told Grant. He said this colonel is scary evil, and I agree after hearing about him. He’s worried if we go with them, neither he nor Dalton will be able to hide the fact they care about us.”

  “So?” Lizzy started but then stopped and smiled. “Grant cares about you?”

  Valeria blushed slightly and Lizzy’s grin widened. She had thought relationships would hurt the operation, but instead they made them stronger. Tate’s rescue of Birch would never have succeeded if she didn’t love him.

  “Grant believes the colonel would purposely hurt us just to throw them off. I actually agree with him.”

  “There’s no way I’m staying behind if he’s that bad,” Lizzy hissed as she tried to keep her voice down.

  “I agree. I told Grant that, and he agrees that we can be outside the facility in a backup vehicle or in a sniper position. While we won’t be inside with them, we’ll at least be nearby if they need to make a quick exit.”

  Lizzy wanted to say no, but it was a good plan. “Let’s do it then. I’ll take sniper and you take driver. Then we’ll have both positions covered. I’m sure Dalton and Jason will agree to that.”

  They were all quiet as they climbed the stairs. Lizzy sent a message to Humphrey and a few very long minutes later the secret door opened and Humphrey’s bald head poked in.

  “It’s all clear. We’re meeting in the Treaty Room.” Was it just her or was Humphrey walking a little taller today? Saving the president’s life could do that to a person.

  Birch was standing when they walked in. His hand and a hip were leaning against the polished table, but he looked better than he did on the video chat a few days before. He was back in a suit and tie. His light brown hair had been freshly cut, he had shaved, yet he still looked tired. There was pain etched along the fine lines around his mouth and eyes.

  Tate was sitting in a chair with her leg propped on a small ottoman. She smiled to the group. Her blonde highlighted hair was pulled back into a loose bun at the base of her neck, and while she looked worried, she remained the optimistic go-getter.

  “It’s so good to see you both in person,” Lizzy said, shaking Birch’s hand and leaning over to hug Tate. Every one else fell in line behind her making their rounds to welcome Tate and Birch back into action.

  Lizzy watched as Valeria hung back. She was the last to shake Birch’s hand and then she almost pulled Tate from the chair with her hug. There had been a time when Valeria thought Tate was nothing more than a talking bobble-headed reporter. Now, as they embraced, it seemed they were family. Well, they were. This crazy mix of people was family. They had her back and now she needed to have theirs.

  “It’s great to be together again, but I’m afraid we need to get back to work. Dalton, why don’t you fill them in,” Lizzy said, raising her voice slightly over the greetings.

  “Sandra Cummings is dead.”

  “What?” Birch asked, shocked. “How?”

  “She hung herself with her bra,” Dalton told him along with what they had found out from Gene and Thurmond.

  “Brandon Locke? Shit.” Birch shot up from where he was sitting and grimaced in pain. “When they mentioned private security, I thought it would be someone reputable. But Brandon Locke? He’d kill someone out walking their dog . . . and then kill the dog.”

  “We want to go talk to him,” Jason said quietly from the corner of the room.

  “Why would you do that?” Birch asked.

  “I want to ask him to his face what’s going on,” Jason said, standing now. “I’m tired of hiding.”

  Birch was quiet for a moment. “Alex,” Birch called out, turning to Alex instead of answering Jason, “what have you found out?”

  Alex was bouncing even as he sat. His right leg bounced so hard the table was moving. “I’m telling you, dude. Mr. Dude? Sorry, President? Sir? Birch?”

  “Birch. Go on,” Birch said with a faint smile.

  “There’s chatter everywhere. London, Switzerland, Japan, all over the world, dude. I mean, Birch.”

  “What kind of chatter?” Lizzy asked.

  “The kind about terrorist attacks. And not the kind for the most human casualties, but the kind that can cripple a country. It’s lining up with the report Thurmond made on financial and energy targets. Furthermore, I traced Gene’s phone, and the lawyer who came to him is big-time bad news. The phone was a burner, so I hacked into the jail and found the security footage of the attorney’s visit. Dude kept his face away from the camera the entire time. Never got a shot of his face. So I traced the burner phone to a small DC electronics store. They don’t have any footage, but there is a traffic camera nearby, and I got an image. Stan Detrick.”

  “Stan Detrick, himself?” Lizzy asked as everyone was quiet.

  “Yup. I matched the custom watch he wears. It’s identical to the man who went into the electronics store and the man who met with Gene.”

  “Who’s Stan Detrick?” Grant asked.

  “He was the attorney general under President Pollock. Everyone knew he was corrupt. He used the power of the AG’s office to build his client list and then left the administration before he was caught doing anything illegal. His client list consisted of huge drug dealers like Manuel, corrupt CEOs, dirty politicians, hedge fund managers who were trading inside information—you name any defendant with $500 million or more to his or her name and Stan Detrick was their attorney,” Birch explained.

  “And this is bad?” Grant asked, trying to understand.

  “It’s bad in the sense Stan Detrick won’t talk. He’s been threatened with everything short of torture. He’s managed to wiggle out of it because he knows more people than I do. Cartels owe him, the mob owes him, politicians owe him—the list goes on and on,” Birch explained.

  “So, torture him,” Valeria shrugged.

  “I would have Sebastian talk to him, but I can’t trust him anymore,” Birch sighed as he sat back down.

  “I, uh, have information on that as well,” Alex stuttered as his bouncing knee smacked into the table above it.

  “Rock Star found it.” Alex turned pink. “She’s better at hacking private companies than I am.”

  “I’m thinking we should invite her to the US. You two would make a great team,” Birch said kindly.

  “What did she find?” Lizzy asked instead of letting Dalton get a teasing word in.

  “That Bertie and Sebastian are in a technology race. A game-changing technology race,” Alex told them.

  “What kind of technology?” Birch asked as everyone seemed to lean closer.

  “Artificial intelligence software that can analyze every corner of every market and tell you what is likely to happen to every stock. Theoretically, it would be able to predict the stock market with amazing accuracy. Do you have any idea how much that would be worth?” Alex’s eyes had grown wide as he spoke.

  “Billions.” Birch looked worriedly around the room. “Do you know what could happen with such autonomous software? It’s constantly learning, constantly evolving. If parameters aren’t put in place to keep it solely analyzing and predicting, then it could learn to manipulate variables to create its own desired outcome.”

  “Not just that,” Valeria said, standing. “It could be sold to terrorists and turned into a market hacking tool that would do more damage than the aftermath of 9/11.”

  “Who’s winning the race?” Humphrey asked as the room quieted down.

  “Bertie Geofferies. According to the internal emails Rock Star was able to get to, they’ve completed the software and are ready to test it,” Alex answered.

  “What
are they waiting for? Why isn’t it being tested immediately?” Dalton leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows on his knees. His brow creased in thought and Lizzy was pretty sure it was the same thought she had. He was waiting for something to happen.

  “She couldn’t find the answer. Sebastian is close to testing as well, but he’s probably a week behind. That could be giving Geofferies time to test at the most optimal time or maybe Sebastian has thrown a wrench in it somehow,” Alex suggested.

  “When would be the optimal time?” Tate looked to Birch to answer.

  “A great time to launch software like that is after a crash. The software could maximize its returns if an outside force caused an extreme drop.”

  “Did Sebastian tell you he wanted Alex to give him this information on Bertie?” Lizzy asked, directing the conversation to Birch and Sebastian’s previous meeting.

  “Yes.” Birch let out a frustrated breath. “I hate to admit this, but I don’t know what to do. I believed him when he said Roland wasn’t the head of Mollia Domini and that he joined only to feed us information. But then he wanted that information in return. Not just that information, but illegally obtained corporate spying. I don’t know. He’s my best friend, or at least I thought he was.”

  “Are you going to hand the information over?” Tate pressed. Lizzy could see she was uncomfortable with this, too.

  “Not yet. You want to go to New York to see Locke? Well, Lizzy, you and Valeria can pay a visit to Bertie Geofferies. We’re going to get to the bottom of this now. If it’s Sebastian playing me, I’ll have you bring him in. And if it’s Locke trying to pull a power play, deal with him. But first we learn and then we move,” Birch ordered.

  “We can leave tonight,” Lizzy told him as the others nodded.

  “And Alex, invite your crush to join us. I wonder what she’s like. She must be special if you like her,” Birch grinned as Alex flushed from his chin to the tip of his ears. “Oh, and before you all leave, why don’t you pick up Stan Detrick and toss him in a cell for a couple days. It may make whoever is paying him a little nervous for him to suddenly disappear.”

  “I’ve got that,” Jason grunted as he walked out the room.

  “Jason,” Birch called, stopping the man. His face, his body, and his stance spoke of a grieving, hardened man. “You’re not alone.” Birch looked around the room at the vagabond team, willing Jason to see that his loss was felt by all. “Be safe.”

  Jason barely registered the backing before he turned and left the room.

  “I’ll watch out for him,” Dalton said softly before chasing after Jason.

  “Good luck. I wish I could go with you two,” Tate smiled sadly at her and Valeria.

  “You keep the team together here on the home front. Give us something positive to fight for, and we’ll all come back.” Valeria leaned down and hugged Tate before winking at Lizzy. “Come on, Lizzy. Let’s see if all billionaires are assholes.”

  21

  “Duuuude,” Alex said slowly from the backseat of the large SUV as they headed back to Quantico to pack for New York. “Oh my, I mean, dude!”

  Grant turned around and looked at him. “Words, dude. Like, use them.”

  “She’s coming. Rock Star is coming. She said she can catch the first flight out of Heathrow and meet us in New York tomorrow.”

  “You. She can meet you. We’ll be a little busy,” Valeria said, shaking her head but then smiling at Grant as he smirked.

  “Remember, this isn’t a hookup. This is work,” Dalton called back from the driver’s seat.

  Grant had never seen a person turn such a bright shade of red before. “I’m not—she’s not—it’s not—oh no,” Alex groaned as he looked at his phone.

  “What?” Grant asked as he and Valeria turned to look at Alex crammed into the third row of the SUV. His knees were practically to his chest as he looked like a whipped puppy.

  “This,” he said, turning the phone, “this is Rock Star.”

  Grant blinked and Valeria let out low whistle. “Good job, dude. She’s hot.”

  “Exactly. She’s way above me. There’s no way now.“ Alex buried his head in his hands as Valeria grabbed his phone and passed it up to Lizzy.

  “Wow,” she said, looking at the brunette beauty. She wore dark eyeliner, had long lashes, brown eyes, and a smile that would turn Alex into a bumbling idiot. Well, maybe then he wouldn’t say dude all the time.

  “You have to send a picture back,” Valeria grinned as she took the phone from Lizzy and turned on the camera. “Smile!” Alex practically leapt into her seat to grab the phone.

  “Can’t we send a picture of Dalton or Grant?” Alex asked as he cradled the phone.

  “Don’t be a scared wee lad. Women like confidence.”

  Lizzy and Valeria nodded in agreement.

  “I’ll send a picture when I get back to the bar. Maybe do a few pushups beforehand.”

  Valeria shook her head. “She already likes you. She’s coming all the way from London to meet you and work with you.”

  “You think?” Alex asked hopefully.

  “Duh,” Lizzy laughed from the front. “But now that we have your hacker love team set up, we need to plan our trip to New York. We need identities in case we get caught or pulled over.”

  “Got it,” Alex said, pulling up his laptop. His fingers began to fly across the small keyboard perched on his cramped knees. “What else?”

  “Everything on CBL Services Group and Brandon Locke, including his relationship with Sandra Cummings and the layout of his building,” Lizzy instructed.

  “Dalton, we need to talk when we get to your place,” Grant said, leaning forward. “I need some gear, and we need a plan for walking into Locke’s home.”

  “I wonder if it wouldn’t be better to meet him outside rather than in,” Valeria asked. “That way we can keep an eye on you guys and Locke will have to watch himself, too, since there will be people walking all around. There’d be a smaller chance of him taking you out or tossing you in a cell never to be seen again. Then Lizzy and I would have to rescue you and you’d feel insecure about being rescued by a girl.”

  “I think it’d be hot,” Grant winked.

  “Yeah,” Dalton smiled. “I might get myself captured to see Lizzy storm the fortress for me.”

  “Yup, totally hot,” Alex muttered, never taking his eyes from his screen.

  Valeria and Lizzy rolled their eyes. “Hot or not, it’s a good idea to try to meet him outside.”

  “There are cameras at the front door. Will he know you if he sees you?” Alex asked.

  “He’ll know Jason for sure. I don’t know if he’ll remember Grant or me,” Dalton answered. “How do you suppose we get him out? Won’t security buzz us in?”

  Alex finally looked up. “It’s so simple, and I thought of it. Maybe I am a badass. Rock Star will totally think I’m hot then.”

  Valeria opened her mouth to say something but stopped. “Is that Crew?”

  Dalton pulled to a stop outside the bar as Crew pushed himself off the brick wall and sauntered to them. Valeria hopped out and hugged him. She wasn’t the only one surprised by her action. So was Crew, who stood still with his arms by his side for a moment before hugging her in return. “Thank you for saving Tate.”

  “I know of a way you can thank me,” he grinned as his hand began to slide lower.

  “Ready to lose that hand? Pilots kinda need two,” Grant’s voice, thick with his Scottish accent, rumbled as he unfolded himself from the SUV. Grant stood a couple inches taller than Crew and a good fifty pounds more of muscle.

  “Who the hell are you?” Crew spat, pulling Valeria to his side in full male posturing.

  “I’m the only man whose hand gets to touch her arse. Grant Macay, Air Force Pararescue pilot and new member of this band of rebels.”

  “We don’t need another pilot. Not when the best is already part of the group,” Crew smirked.

  Valeria pulled away from Crew’s
side. “We need to get to New York, not challenge each other to a pissing contest.”

  Crew took a deep breath and plastered on a fake smile. “That’s why I’m here. I’m flying you all to New York. I already have a civilian helicopter and a flight plan to land at the hotel across the street from Locke’s office building. We’re staying in the penthouse for an engagement party. The penthouse has three bedrooms, a fold-out couch, and a cot is being brought in for our little brother.”

  “Where will Rock Star sleep?” Alex asked, flushing red again.

  “Who?” Crew’s brow wrinkled as he looked at Alex.

  “Our wee laddie’s lady friend from London,” Grant smirked.

  “Alex has a girl coming from London to see him? Way to go, bro!” Crew slapped Alex on the back, sending him stumbling forward.

  “We’ll get her another room in the hotel,” Lizzy said, saving Alex from more ribbing. “We’re not going to fill her in completely until we’re sure of her. Now, let’s get ready to leave first thing in the morning. And Alex, please make a reservation and ID for Rock Star.”

  “I’m not calling her Rock Star,” Valeria said, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Roxie. Her name’s Roxie,” Alex sighed and every one snickered.

  “Do you even know what to do with a woman?” Crew asked. “Thank goodness I’m here. Come, learn from the master.” Crew slung his arm around Alex and headed to the back of the bar.

  Grant slung his arm around Dalton. “Why don’t you let the master see the guns you have? I bet I’ll find one cute and show you how to make her fire.”

  “I’ll text Jason and let him know we’re leaving in two hours,” Lizzy called out as she and Valeria dropped into line behind the guys, shaking their heads at their antics. They walked a short distance on Main Street and turned left toward their houses. The town of Quantico was empty at this time of night. It was all tucked in as they quietly talked and planned. Dalton, technically, still lived across the street, so Lizzy wasn’t surprised when he and Grant walked past her house. Valeria lived farther up the street in a small rental. They silently peeled off into the shadows of the night. They knew what needed to be done. Gear would be packed, equipment loaded, and all streamlined into no more than one or two bags. It was their way of life. Be ready to go on a moment’s notice. And tonight they were acutely aware they might not be back.