Critical Play (Michael Cailen Book 3)

by Mel LeBrun

  “I couldn't get ahold of him,” he informed her.

  “Lance, what am I going to do?”

  “Call your father, Jess. Call him now. He'll send someone to get you. You won't have to be alone.”

  “You think I want some criminal employed by my father to travel with me?!” she asked in disbelief. “I want you, Lance. I trust you. I know you.” She began sobbing uncontrollably.

  Corvo was nearly coming out of his skin. He wanted to be there with her so bad he could taste it. He wanted to hold her and comfort her and kiss her and love her. And as the thoughts went through his head, he realized it would be a disastrous mistake if he were to go to her. He knew she loved Michael and was devoted to him. But in an emotionally charged situation with her weakened and vulnerable state along with his intense desire for her, something could happen that would ruin his relationship with her, with Michael, Josh, and every other close friend he had.

  He closed his eyes and clenched his fist. “I can't come, Jess. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”

  Jessica wept bitterly over her situation. She dreaded going to her father. She missed Michael. She was scared as well as physically and emotionally weak from lack of sleep and nutrition.

  The bathroom door slowly opened. Tatiana stood in the doorway looking fearful and concerned.

  “Mommy?” She walked to Jessica on the floor and dropped to her knees next to her.

  Jessica wrapped her arms around her and held her tight as she continued to cry. She tried to pull herself together but just didn't have the strength. Tatiana began crying in her arms, and Jessica knew she needed to calm down for Tatiana's sake. She took a deep breath and released it slowly.

  She put the phone back to her ear. “Lance?”

  “I'm here.”

  “I think I should get going now.” She tried to dry her tears but they kept coming.

  “I really think you should call your father, Jess.”

  Jessica closed her eyes. She realized he was probably right but she didn't want to do it.

  “Promise me you will call him as soon as you get off the phone with me,” Corvo said.

  “I can't promise that.”

  “Then I'm going to call him for you,” Corvo replied.

  “No, Lance. Don't do that.”

  “One of us is calling him. If you won't, I will.”

  Jessica shook her head. This was so not what she wanted.

  “Are you going to call him?” Corvo asked.

  “Yes,” she finally said. “I will call him.”

  “You promise?”

  “I will call him.”

  “I'm going to monitor the phone records and make sure you do. Or else I will,” Corvo threatened.

  “I'll do it, Lance. I'll call him now.”

  “OK.”

  “I love you, Jess.” The words slipped out before he could catch himself. He closed his eyes and gripped the armrest. “You're like a sister to me,” he added trying to cover himself.

  “Same here, Lance.”

  “I'll check in with you when I can,” Corvo assured her.

  “OK. Thank you.”

  It took all he had to hang the phone up. He buried his head in his hands and tried desperately to flush his mind of everything that was happening. Michael was a dear friend and all of Michael's friends were his friends too. He needed to get a grip on himself before he ruined every relationship he had.

  Jessica called her father, but he didn't answer and it went to voicemail. She was relieved. She really didn't want to talk to him. She hung up without leaving a message. At least she could say she tried, even if it was a halfhearted attempt. She turned to Tatiana.

  “Are you hungry?” Jessica asked her.

  Tatiana shook her head. She looked sad and traumatized.

  “Why don't we get some pancakes?” Jessica offered.

  Tatiana made no response. Jessica hugged her again and kissed her head.

  “I love you, Ana. It's going to be OK.”

  “Is Daddy coming back?” Tatiana asked.

  Jessica had all she could do to keep it together. It was a question that haunted her as well. She couldn't imagine life without Michael, especially now that she was carrying his child.

  “Of course Daddy is coming back,” Jessica answered. “He would never abandon us.” As she said the words her heart sank, knowing it was a very real possibility that he could be killed and they would never see him again.

  Chapter 12

  David brought Michael and Josh to a Mossad safe house where they were able to get some much-needed rest. Though he was worried for Jessica, Michael's body demanded sleep. He managed to get a solid four hours before he woke. Tired and groggy, he got up to search for David. He found him in the kitchen looking over some reports.

  David looked up when he entered the room. “You didn't sleep long.”

  Michael eased himself into the chair across from David. “Have you heard from your guy in Boston?”

  “No,” David answered.

  Though he had heard from his man telling him that the Cailens’ home was being searched. He didn't have any word on where Jessica and Tatiana were or if they were OK. With nothing solid to report, David wasn't about to tell him anything.

  “What the hell is your guy doing that's so important? Has Boston become a hotbed of terrorist activity all of a sudden?”

  David gave Michael a look trying not to be offended. “I simply haven't heard back yet, Michael. It doesn't mean he isn't doing what I asked,” he replied calmly.

  “I'm sorry.” Michael closed his eyes and buried his head in his hands. He was extra cranky because he was tired.

  “Why do you think she is in danger?” David asked.

  Michael took a deep breath and looked at him. “Jessica was never cut out for this life. She is an absolutely dreadful liar.” Michael smiled as he thought of her. “I think that's why I love her so much.” He shook his head. “If they come to question me but only find her … She's going to be in trouble.”

  “Is there someone she would go to for help?” David asked.

  Michael had the unsettling feeling that David knew something he wasn't sharing. He looked him in the eyes. “Your man couldn't find her, could he?”

  David put down the report he was reading and leaned back in his chair. “No. He couldn't”

  Michael felt as though his heart had just dropped out of his chest. He sat back in his seat and tried not to panic.

  David pulled out his phone and show Michael pictures of Corvo talking to the two men they still hadn't identified. “Do you recognize any of them?”

  “I need a phone,” Michael said as he stared at the picture.

  “Do you recognize any of them?” David repeated.

  “Yes. Give me a phone,” Michael demanded loudly.

  “Michael, who are you going to call?”

  Michael shook his head. “I need to know what happened.”

  “One of the men we have identified as Lance Corvo. Works for the FBI. I understand he's a friend of yours?”

  “What are you doing, David?” Michael asked. His heel bounced anxiously on the floor like a jackhammer. He was one step away from losing all control.

  “Protecting you from yourself,” David answered.

  “I can take care of myself.”

  “The two men seen in those photos talking to your friend, Lance, were just hours earlier searching your home. After they finished, they drove to your friend's apartment and spoke to him as he walked to his car. Your friend looked very upset.”

  “He's not involved,” Michael insisted. “He might know what's going on and where my wife and daughter are. I need to talk to him.”

  “You trust him?”

  “With my life.”

  David nodded. “Very well. But I don't think you should call him.”

  “How am I going to talk to him if I don't call him?”

  “I'll send someone.”

  “He's not going to talk to anyone but me.”


  Although David still had his reservations he offered Michael a compromise. “I’ll send him a phone then.”

  “How quickly can you do that?” Michael asked, anxious for word on his family.

  “I'll do it right now,” David replied as he dialed a number on his phone.

  CORVO SAT in his office staring at the wall, lost in his thoughts about Jessica, the Russians, Michael, and his conflicted feelings about everything that was happening. A knock on his door snapped him back to reality.

  “Come in,” he called out.

  The door opened and Jinx stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Jinx worked with Corvo and in fact it was through her that he met the Cailens. She too had become close friends with Corvo because of his relationship with Josh and Michael. She was one of the few that knew he really worked for the CIA and his station at the FBI was a cover, allowing him to secretly provide the CIA with whatever intel it requested.

  “You wanted to see me?” she asked.

  “Yeah.” He gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. “Have a seat.”

  She sat in one of the chairs. “What's going on?”

  “I just wanted to let you know that Jess and Ana are OK.”

  “What do you mean? Why wouldn't they? Did something happen?”

  “Has anyone come to talk to you?” Corvo asked, ignoring her questions.

  “Talk to me about what?”

  Corvo didn't know how much she knew about what was going on and didn't want to divulge more than he had to. He continued, “If anyone comes asking where they are. Michael is camping in a remote area of Vermont. You're not sure where. Jess should be home. And it's probably best if Josh is camping with Michael.”

  “Is this about Dmitri?”

  “What do you know about it?” he asked.

  “I know Michael and Josh took them across the border to Canada and now they're following a lead. What's going on, Lance? What happened?” she asked, becoming even more concerned.

  “The less you know, the better,” Corvo replied. “But I wanted you to know that she's fine. Ana is with her and they're safe.”

  “What about Josh?”

  “I haven't heard anything from them.”

  Jinx sat back in her chair looking worried.

  “I'll let you know if I do,” Corvo assured her.

  “Gee, thanks,” Jinx replied sarcastically.

  Reeling from the news, she quietly left his office and he returned to thoughts of Jessica. He thought briefly about what would happen if Michael never came back. He began to entertain the possibility of having a life with Jessica, but then quickly crushed the thought. He buried his head in his hands.

  “I've already killed him and taken his wife,” Corvo condemned himself. “What the hell is wrong with me?”

  He was startled by another knock on his door. He wasn't expecting anyone else.

  “Come in,” he called out to whoever was there.

  A coworker opened the door holding a package. “This came for you,” the man said, holding it up.

  Corvo gestured for the man to bring it to him. The agent handed it to Corvo and then left. Corvo opened the package, curious what it could be. A phone was probably the thing he last expected. As he powered it on to see if there were any messages or phone numbers in it, the phone rang in his hand. The phone number was private.

  “Hello?” he answered.

  “Lance, it's Michael.”

  “Michael? Where are you calling me from?”

  “What happened to Jessica?” Michael ignored his question.

  “She's fine, Michael. I talked to her a few hours ago.”

  “Where is she?”

  “On her way to her father's.”

  “Lance, what happened?”

  “Some Russian agents came looking for you. They questioned her about Dmitri. I don't think I need to tell you how that went. Tatiana overheard them talking about kidnapping them. She told Jessica and so she called me and I helped them get away.”

  Corvo could hear the tension in Michael’s voice as he replied.

  “I know Jessica. Almost being kidnapped and having to go to her father now ... She is not OK. How did you talk to her?”

  “I gave her a phone before she left.”

  “And you called her on it?” Michael asked, wondering if Corvo had lost his mind. He knew they would be watching calls made to and from all of their friends.

  “Don't worry, Michael. The call couldn't be traced or monitored and I didn't make it from my phone.”

  “What was she like really? Don't lie to me.”

  Corvo sighed. “Scared.”

  “Give me the phone number.”

  “You sure that's going to be safe?” Corvo asked.

  “Don't make me ask again.”

  “OK, OK. No reason to get testy.” Corvo relayed the number to Michael.

  “Lance?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thank you,” Michael said appreciatively.

  “You're welcome, Michael. As I told you before, I'll do what I can to help. Now you have a way to reach me so don't be a stranger.”

  “You're a good friend, Lance. Jess and I are lucky to have you.”

  Corvo closed his eyes. The remark stung like a branding iron on his conscience. Would Michael be so trusting and appreciative if he knew the thoughts Corvo was having about Jessica?

  “Call your wife, Michael,” Corvo said wishing to end the conversation so he could sulk in his own misery.

  Michael smiled. “I'm doing that now.” He hung up the phone and dialed the number Corvo gave him.

  JESSICA WAS on the highway when her phone rang again. She reached in her purse with one hand and answered it while she pulled off the exit she was passing so she could safely talk to whoever was calling.

  “Hello?” she answered.

  “Jess, honey, it's me.”

  “Michael?”

  “Daddy!” Tatiana shrieked from the backseat.

  “I talked with Lance,” Michael said. “I heard what happened. How are you and Ana doing?”

  She pulled in to a gas station just off the exit ramp and parked the car.

  “We're OK.” Her voice broke, betraying her words.

  “Sweetheart, I know you're not OK.”

  “We're together at least,” she replied tearfully.

  “Have you spoken with your father?”

  “No,” she answered.

  “He doesn't know you're coming?”

  “I'll call him when I'm closer.”

  “Where are you now?”

  “Ohio.”

  Michael was not thrilled about his pregnant wife traveling across country alone with his eight-year old-daughter. He tried not to think about it.

  “How's the morning sickness?” he asked.

  “Just terrific. Pretty sure I've lost five pounds.”

  “Jess, you need to take care of yourself.”

  “What do you think I'm doing, Michael?” she asked, raising her voice. She covered her eyes and began to cry.

  Michael bit his tongue, not wanting to make her more upset. He thought carefully about what he would say next.

  “I'm sorry, Jess. I should be there with you.”

  “But you're not.”

  Michael buried his head in his hands. He didn't know what else to say as everything he did say only made her more upset.

  “Mommy, can I talk to Daddy?” Tatiana asked timidly from the backseat.

  Jessica didn't even ask Michael if it was alright she just handed her the phone.

  “Hi, Daddy,” she said.

  “Hey, munchkin,” Michael greeted her.

  “I miss you,” she said to him in Russian.

  He answered back in Russian, “I miss you too, sweetie.”

  “When are you coming home?” She continued to speak in Russian.

  “I don't know, sweetheart. It will be at least another week. Are you being a good girl for Mommy?” Michael hoped to divert her attention from more questions abo
ut when he'd be back.

  “Yes,” she answered. “Mommy is sick. She keeps throwing up. I'm really worried about her.”

  “I know, baby. It's nothing serious. She'll be fine.”

  “OK,” Tatiana said though she was still worried.

  “I love you more than anything, Ana.”

  “I love you too, Daddy. Very much.”

  Jessica understood most of what Tatiana was saying to Michael. It was difficult to listen to her tell Michael how much she loved him. Jessica was afraid something might happen to him. Tatiana would have a terrible time coping if it did. Tatiana was closer to Michael than to her. While it bothered Jessica a little, she understood why. Michael made her feel safe. He was the one she wanted when she felt afraid or insecure. Jessica could hardly blame her. Michael was who she herself ran to for comfort. Despite Michael's many assurances that it was merely a phase and Tatiana would become closer to her as she grew older, Jessica knew Tatiana would always have a special attachment to Michael. While losing Michael was an unbearable thought for herself, Jessica knew it would be much worse for Tatiana. She prayed he would come back to them.

  “Can I talk to Mommy again?” Michael asked.

  “OK.” Tatiana held out the phone to Jessica. “Here, Mommy.”

  Jessica took the phone from her. She held it to her ear but couldn't bring herself to speak.

  “Jess?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I'm worried about you.”

  “I'll be fine, Michael. It's you I'm worried about. I swear half the times I'm throwing up it's due to stress and not the other thing.”

  They hadn't told Tatiana about the pregnancy and with everything happening, it was put on the back burner. They wanted to talk to her together and make sure she understood that she wasn't being replaced. She wasn't losing her parents, she was gaining a sibling.

  “I'm not working alone, Jess. I have Josh with me and a team of Israeli soldiers watching my back. I'll be fine.”

  “Israeli soldiers?”

  “Yeah, an old friend is helping me.”

  “By 'Israeli soldiers' do you really mean Mossad?” Jessica asked, finding his explanation fishy at best.

  Michael exhaled slowly. “Is there a difference?” he asked, trying to pretend there wasn't one.