Shadow Guardian

by Rebecca Deel

  Mercy’s gaze locked on the carafe full of hot water. “What’s that? Coffee?”

  “Hot water.” He reached into his pocket and brought out four packets of chamomile mint tea. “I thought you might like this.”

  She gave him a one-armed hug. “You are one of a kind, Nico. Thank you for thinking of me.”

  The knot in his stomach loosened. He’d guessed right. Nico led Mercy to the table and set the plate with her chicken salad sandwich in front of her. “I’ll fix your tea.” While the tea steeped, Nico distributed the rest of the food to the others.

  As he swallowed his last bite, Ben unlocked the suite door and stepped inside.

  “The first group of feds is here.”

  Nico turned to Mercy. “You ready?”

  She breathed deep and nodded. “Let’s get this over with. Maybe they have answers.”

  Doubtful. That’s why the feds were coming to her, hoping for answers themselves. He tipped his chin at Ben. A moment later, three men walked into the suite, each one dressed in black suits with dark ties, white shirts, and black shoes. His eyes narrowed when he saw the last man to enter the suite. Interesting. “Let me guess. FBI.”

  A scowl from the agent in charge, a man who acted as though he owned the place. “Clear the room. We’ll take it from here.”

  “Not a chance.” Nico shifted his weight, prepared to make his point physically if he had to. “Ms. Powers is under my protection. If I leave, so does she, and you’ll lose your chance to learn information to aid your investigation.”

  “Who are you?”

  “My name is Nico. I’m with Fortress Security.”

  The agent’s face darkened with fury. “I should have known. Maddox and his cronies can’t keep their noses out of my business.”

  His boss would be happy to know he ticked off the feds. “IDs.” Nico held out his hand, already knowing Ben had scanned their identifications and cleared them. He wasn’t above antagonizing the arrogant agent in charge. After a moment’s hesitation, the agent handed over his cred wallet and motioned for the others to do the same.

  The special agent in charge was Craig Jordan. Nico’s eyes narrowed. He’d heard of this man from several sources, and none of them were complimentary about the agent. Made him doubly glad he’d insisted on seeing the IDs.

  He scanned the other two, focusing briefly on the third man’s ID. The last time he’d seen Rafe Torres had been on an operation in Afghanistan. Never would have figured Rafe for a fed.

  He exchanged nods with the former Navy SEAL as he handed back the wallet. Turning to Jordan, Nico said, “This is Mercy Powers.”

  Jordan, Rafe, and Agent Wilson Reed introduced themselves to Mercy.

  Nico laid his hand on Mercy’s shoulder. “Here are the ground rules. You may ask your questions, but every hour, Mercy will need a break. She’s still recovering from a gunshot wound. I won’t allow you to exhaust her. If she grows too tired, you will have to wait while she rests a few minutes. Am I clear?”

  “I could have you charged with obstruction,” Jordan snapped. “You aren’t in charge of this investigation. I am.”

  “Mercy’s health and safety are my priority. If you want to talk to her at all, you will follow the rules I’ve laid out. Mercy is not a criminal. She’s a victim.”

  When she stirred at his characterization of her as a victim, Nico squeezed her shoulder in warning.

  “You don’t have authority,” the agent spat out.

  Nico’s lips curved. The agent wanted to play the power card? Fine. He was going to lose the contest. Nico grabbed his cell phone, made a call, and placed it on speaker.

  After four rings, a distinctive male voice answered. “Nico, everything all right with Mercy?”

  The woman in question jerked in surprise. Another squeeze of her shoulder kept her silent for the moment.

  “Yes, sir. The FBI is insisting on questioning your niece. The agent in charge is protesting the ground rules I’ve laid out for Mercy’s benefit. Do I have your permission to do whatever is necessary to safeguard Mercy?”

  “You and your team have the authority to protect her and do anything necessary to safeguard her health. Who’s the agent in charge?”

  Nico glanced up, gratified to see Craig Jordan’s face lose every ounce of color. “Craig Jordan.”

  A sigh. “Of course. Special Agent Jordan, I trust you’re satisfied that Nico and his team have the right to make and enforce decisions regarding my niece’s safety?”

  “Yes, Mr. President.”

  “Good. Whatever rules Nico and his team have established for the interview, you will abide by them or I will have you removed from this investigation.”

  Between gritted teeth, Jordan said, “Yes, sir.”

  “Mercy.”

  “Hello, Uncle William.”

  “How do you feel, sweetheart?”

  “I’m improving. Nico and the others are taking great care of me.” Her voice choked off.

  Heart in his throat, Nico moved his hand to cup her cheek.

  “Thank you for sending Fortress to rescue me,” Mercy finally managed. “I don’t think I would be alive if you hadn’t.”

  “How could I do otherwise? Charlotte would never forgive me if anything happened to her favorite cousin.” His voice was filled with affection. “Trust Nico and his teammates, Mercy. Do whatever they tell you to do. Nico, need anything else from me? I left a meeting to answer your call.”

  “No, sir. Thanks for taking time for me.” When the president ended the call, Nico slid his phone back into his pocket. “Satisfied, Jordan?”

  “Let’s get on with this,” the special agent growled. “I’ve wasted enough time already pampering the princess.”

  Fists clenched, Nico took a step forward before he felt the small hand on his arm. He glanced at Mercy who shook her head. Reigning in his temper, Nico faced the fed again. “Mercy is no princess, but you will treat her like one or I’ll escort you from the suite and leave the questioning to your colleagues.”

  He led her to the couch and sat beside her. Rafe leaned against the far wall behind his superior, a grin curving his lips. He gave Nico a subtle nod of approval. Jordan dropped into the armchair closest to Mercy, leaving Reed to grab a chair from the table. Sam took the second remaining chair and sat with her back against the outside wall.

  “What happened in Mexico, Ms. Powers?” Jordan dragged a small notepad and pen from his jacket pocket.

  Nico laced his fingers with Mercy’s and listened as she told of her abduction, interrogation by Hector, and her imprisonment in the cave. At various parts throughout the story, her grip on his hand grew painful despite no change in her facial expression or voice.

  When she finished, Jordan took her through the events again, this time stopping her to ask questions. “You didn’t try to help your security detail?”

  “I didn’t know they’d been hurt. I heard a strange coughing noise, thought maybe one of the team was sick. I was walking toward the door when it burst open and the three goons rushed in.”

  “Did you recognize them?”

  Mercy shook her head. “I had never seen them before. I told them I was on a diplomatic mission and of no value as a hostage.”

  “What did they say?”

  “I don’t know. They didn’t speak in English and I can’t speak Spanish. One of them pulled out a syringe and shoved the needle into my neck. The next thing I remember is waking up in utter darkness.” She dragged in a ragged breath.

  Sam was on her feet an instant later. “Mercy.”

  “Open the patio door,” Nico said as he picked Mercy up in his arms. He carried her past a startled Jordan onto the balcony. Placing her in the chair, he knelt in front of her and cupped her face between his palms. “Mercy, look at me.”

  “Nico, I don’t understand what happened. My lungs felt tight. I’ve been fine until now.”

  Sam walked out with a bottle of water in her hand. “It’s not unexpected after all you’ve been
through. Talking about the cave brought your emotions back in a rush and tricked your mind into believing there wasn’t enough air to breathe.”

  “Caves are claustrophobic for many people,” Nico said, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs. “I wouldn’t suggest going spelunking anytime soon.” He smiled.

  “Fat chance of that. I never want to see the inside of a cave again.”

  “Can’t say I do, either.” He leaned up and brushed his lips across hers in a light caress. “You okay now?”

  “I think so.”

  Sam pressed the bottle of water into her hand. “Drink this and relax for a few minutes. Take the time you need. The FBI will wait until you’re ready to talk.” With that, she left the balcony, closing the door behind her.

  “We shouldn’t keep them waiting long.” Mercy guzzled part of her water. “Agent Jordan doesn’t strike me as the patient type.”

  He grinned. “I don’t know. Might be fun to see how long we can make him suffer.”

  She chuckled. “You have a mean streak.”

  “Only with those who deserve it.” When she finished the water, he took the empty bottle from her hands. “Are you ready or do you need a longer break?”

  “Let’s go.” She stood. “Hopefully, I won’t repeat that episode. That was scary stuff.”

  “I know. I’ve had a few myself.”

  “Stemming from your captivity?”

  “Didn’t have any before then.”

  Mercy’s shoulders dropped. “Nice to know I’m not alone. You don’t have many?”

  “I had quite a few while I was in Sorensen’s clinic. The counselor figured it out and made sure I knew I was free and able to walk away from the room at any time. I spent hours pacing the hall and the treatment room until the vet patients and owners cleared out at the end of the day. Once they were gone and the doors between where I was and the vet clinic were opened, the episodes stopped. I’ve only had a couple since.”

  With a nod, she squared her shoulders. “I’m ready.”

  The questions resumed. Near the end of the interview, Jordan pulled several photographs from his pocket. “Look at these men. Do you recognize any of them?”

  Nico scanned the photographs as Mercy thumbed through them. “Who are they?”

  “Known associates of Hector and his boss.”

  Mercy shook her head and handed back the photos. “I’m sorry, Agent Jordan. I don’t recognize any of them.”

  Jordan stood. “I may have more questions later. Give me your contact number.”

  Nico snorted. “Not a chance. If you need to talk to Mercy, contact Maddox. We’ll arrange something.” If he had his way, she wouldn’t be in the same room with Jordan again.

  While Jordan and Reed stalked from the room, Rafe lingered. “Good to see you again, Rivera. How are Commander Maddox and his family?”

  “Fantastic. Alexa is one amazing little girl and she has her dad wrapped around her finger.”

  The SEAL chuckled. “I’d pay money to see that for myself.” He sobered and turned to Mercy. “You didn’t recognize any of the men in the photos Jordan showed you. Did you recognize anyone in the compound while you were in Mexico?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Theory I’m working on. Did you notice anyone out of place?” He smiled. “Besides you.”

  A frown. “There was one man. I saw him the night I was taken from the church. He was an older man, distinguished looking. I don’t know who he was, but he must have been someone important. The others treated him as though he was royalty.”

  Nico exchanged glances with Rafe. She saw the man. The question was, did he see her? If this man was as important as Mercy thought, he could be the reason she had a price on her head.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  After the FBI agents left the suite, Secret Service agents arrived to question Mercy. Two hours later, Nico called a halt to the questions. “You’ve gone over the timeline four times. She doesn’t know anything else that might help.”

  “We lost four agents in Mexico. Ms. Powers is our only witness to what happened and why.” Agent Spinoza’s eyes reflected his fury and grief at losing colleagues.

  “I understand. You won’t get more answers by badgering Mercy when she’s exhausted. You might learn more when she has a chance to regroup.” He stood. “The ATF also wants a crack at Mercy. They’re not going to talk to her right now, either. If you have more questions, contact Maddox at Fortress. We’ll arrange for you to talk to her.”

  Reluctantly, the three Secret Service agents followed him to the door. Spinoza handed Nico his business card.

  “If she remembers anything else, even something minor, contact me.”

  “Count on it.” He understood what it meant to lose a comrade in arms. Any information could be the difference between solving a case and having it go cold. The families of the dead agents deserved justice for their loved ones. He had to place Mercy’s welfare above the families of the agents.

  Nico brought his teammates into the suite, secured the door, and called Maddox. “Mercy needs a break. Tell the ATF to delay the interview by two hours.”

  “She holding up all right?”

  “Barely,” he murmured. “She looks ready to fall over.”

  “I’ll take care of it. Do what’s best for her.”

  “Copy that.” Nico slid his phone into his pocket and studied Mercy a moment. “Sam, I think Mercy could use some OTC pain meds.”

  A nod from the medic. She handed Mercy a packet of two capsules from her mike bag. “Take these and stretch out for a while. Your muscles need a chance to relax.”

  Mercy looked at Nico, her expression troubled. “What about the ATF? Aren’t they due to arrive soon?”

  “Maddox will delay the team by two hours.” He helped her stand. “Come on. You’ll be more comfortable if you lay on the bed instead of the couch.”

  He led her to the bedroom and closed the door behind them. He’d leave soon, but he needed to hold her. Watching her handle question after question had been grueling on him, too. He couldn’t imagine how exhausted she must feel.

  Nico turned her gently to face him, wrapped his arms around her waist, and held her close. “You’re amazing, Mercy.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “I know you’re tired. I want to hold you for a minute, then I’ll leave you to rest.”

  She relaxed into his embrace. “Now I know why you were concerned about me fielding so many questions. I can’t believe how tired I am.”

  “It’s not only a physical strain, but an emotional drain as well. Sometimes the emotional drain is worse.” He rubbed her back, careful to avoid her injured shoulder.

  Mercy groaned. “That feels good.”

  With a smile, he continued the massage for another couple minutes. “I should go.” Nico released her and stepped back. “I’ll come for you in ninety minutes.”

  He returned to the living room.

  “How is she?” Joe asked.

  “Wiped out, but Mercy has a spine of steel.”

  “Did you learn anything from the feds?” Trace asked.

  Nico drank half a bottle of water before replying. “Mercy saw a man she described as distinguished in Hector’s compound the night she was taken hostage.”

  “Did she recognize him?” Ben asked.

  “No. If she got a good enough look, Mercy may be able to draw his face.”

  Sam sat beside Joe on the couch. “She draws?”

  Nico grinned. “You could say that. You’ve heard of MJ Powers?”

  Trace’s eyebrows winged up. “That artist you’re obsessed with? Sure. Why?”

  “Mercy is MJ Powers.”

  A soft whistle from Joe. “Nice. Maybe we’ll figure out who this guy is and whether he’s a threat before something else happens to Mercy.”

  Exactly what he intended. “I’ll talk to her about the drawing tonight. Are you hungry?”

  After getting the response he expected, Nico wrote down their orders and called it in. Even though he�
��d requested a two-hour reprieve from the questioning, he was positive the ATF wouldn’t wait the full time and he needed his team on the entrances and exits before the feds showed up.

  When the food arrived, Ben, Trace, and Joe polished off their meals and returned to their positions in the corridor. Nico and Sam finished their meals in time for him to wake Mercy.

  He knocked on the bedroom door and poked his head inside the room. “Mercy.”

  “It’s time?”

  Her drowsy voice made his heart turn over in his chest. What would it be like to hear that voice every morning the rest of his life? He wanted to laugh at himself. Right. Mercy would never allow him to be a permanent fixture in her world. “You have thirty minutes, maybe less, before the ATF arrives. I had room service send up a snack for you.”

  “I’ll be out in a minute.”

  Nico shut the door and set the plate with her food on the table. He hoped she liked what he’d chosen for her. He was afraid anything heavy might make her sick.

  The suite door opened. Ben walked in, frowning. “Did you order more hot water for Mercy?”

  Nico straightened. “No.” He followed his teammate into the hallway. A man with dark hair and eyes and a scar through one eyebrow stood with a serving cart draped with a white cloth. On top was a carafe and a mug and saucer.

  The man dressed in an ill-fitting bellhop’s uniform eased back a step as Nico approached. Ben shifted to cut off the man’s escape should he try to run.

  Nico grabbed one end of the cloth and twisted the cap off the carafe. Not hot water, but coffee. A drink he hadn’t ordered for Mercy. “Who sent you?” he demanded.

  “The kitchen. Look, I just work here. I do what I’m told.” His eyes kept shifting to the carafe. “I got to deliver this to the lady or I’ll lose my job.”

  “You’re out of luck, pal, because this isn’t going anywhere near my woman.”

  Ben’s eyes widened a fraction at his declaration.

  Yeah, surprised Nico, too, especially after his mental reminders that Mercy wasn’t for him. “I want to see your ID.”