by Matt Lincoln
She glanced up and caught him staring at her. “What?”
He smoothed her hair away from her face and then traced his finger down her jawline. His callused fingertip felt like a thousand hot little stars shooting off along the trail. She took a shuddering breath and reached up to pull him close to her face. It had been too long since they were this close, without people everywhere.
Their kiss was brought in with an explosion. They both whirled to see orange flames shoot into the sky from outside the restaurant. Tessa wanted to believe it was some kind of fireworks display, but she knew better, and so did Ethan. He immediately launched into a sprint while holding onto her hand.
Without warning, he flung her to the ground. She was ready to yell at him, but he signed at her to be quiet. A rifle’s loud crack echoed down the beach and out to sea. The next crack sent a bullet into the sand near her elbow. Ethan pointed to a patch of tall grass. She nodded and started a long, slow crawl toward the spot where he’d pointed.
More shots rang through the night, but they ended as Ethan got close to the restaurant’s walkway. People shouted from inside the building, and a man barreled out with a shotgun.
By the time the chaos died down, the shooter had fled.
16
The investigation into the shooting and explosions ran late into the night and required several agencies’ involvement, no thanks to the potential link to our investigation.
Anders Tozin showed up within twenty minutes. I’d just finished my statement to the police and was leaning against the trunk of one of the squad cars. Tessa was giving her account inside the restaurant where they were cleaning glass from a window that was shattered by the concussion and debris from the car bomb. The owners and employees were lucky that the damage wasn’t worse.
“Are you injured?” Tozin asked as soon as he found me.
“Tessa and I are fine.” I shook his hand. “Thank you for coming.”
“Do you think the person who caused the, er, situation is responsible for the attack tonight?”
Tozin caught himself from saying exactly what we were investigating. God knew we didn’t need word getting out about the radiation at the Hole. Tourists were clamoring for access, and I heard at least six dive boats were turned away while we were inspecting the underwater wall.
“Yeah, it could be the perp,” I conceded after a little thought. “The question is how would they know who and where to attack?”
Tessa left the restaurant, and I waved her over.
“Mr. Tozin, this is Tessa Bleu. She’s our embedded journalist during this investigation. Tessa, Anders Tozin. He’s our liaison with the Belize Government.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Tozin said. “And please, call me ‘Anders.’ I’m not one for formality, especially after the bullets fly.”
They shook hands, and a wry smile touched Tessa’s face. “Violence is an occupational hazard around this guy.” She jabbed her thumb at me. “I’m glad your government is providing so much support.”
“It’s our mission to keep the tourist industry profitable,” Anders told us. “I know you understand this, but it cannot be stressed enough. Tourism is our bread and butter, as they say.”
Tessa leaned against the car with me. I wanted to put my arm around her, but I held back. If our perp truly was watching us, they already had us pegged as being together. If not, well, there might still be a chance to keep her safe.
It was the middle of the night by the time we got back to the villa. One of the local police gave us a ride back since our Audi had gone up like an M80 in a mailbox. While we were at the scene, a message came in from Diane. Our flight to Tampa would take off mid-morning. The CEO of MediWaste, Devon Cole, was in town, and Diane would arrange the meeting.
"You're going, too," I told Tessa as we were driven to the villa in the back seat of a Belize City police vehicle.
"Why aren't we taking your plane?" she wanted to know. "Wouldn't it have been easier?"
“It would if Lamarr and Sylvia were available to fly it.” I leaned my head against the back of the seat. “They’re staying to look out for Bonnie, Clyde, and Warner. Whoever went after us could go after them.”
I looked over at Tessa. Sand still clung to her dress and calves. She’d crossed her arms and leaned her head against the car window. If Farr hadn’t sent her on this assignment, she wouldn’t have been in danger. Again.
“You should go home,” I suggested in a gentle tone. “It wasn’t fair for Admiral Farr to push you on this case.”
She straightened and narrowed her eyes at me. “I’m a big girl, Ethan. If I didn’t want to come to Belize, I wouldn’t have. Uncle Donald has never forced me to do anything.”
Maybe not, but he sure as hell manipulated her. Even though I damned near worshipped the man, his constant interference whenever Tessa was around rubbed me the wrong way.
“Look, I’m glad he got me assigned to the case when you found that dead gangster,” I continued, “but since then, he’s poked his nose in everything you’re involved in when I see you.”
She glanced up at the cop who was driving us. We were near the villa, so the ride was almost over.
“We’ll talk when we get inside,” she told me. She smiled at our captive audience. “I’m sure you’re tired of hearing us bicker.”
The officer waved it off while keeping his eyes on the road. “Don’t worry. I’ve heard worse. You aren’t kicking my seat and calling me names.”
“Fair enough,” I laughed.
I recognized two unmarked government cars parked on the street outside of the villa as our officer pulled into the gated courtyard. It was nice to work with a responsive administration for once.
Birn met us in the garage. The front entrance was too open for my taste and had been from the start. I hit the button to close the door Birn had opened to let us in.
“Get everyone in the conference room,” I told him. “This is our guy, and we need to know how he tracked us. I’ll be there in fifteen. I have a call to make.”
“It’s two in the morning…”
“Don’t care,” I snapped. “Look, someone came after Tessa and me. There’s a leak because nobody is supposed to know we’re here on this case.”
Birn nodded with a frown. “We’ll be there.” He marched back into the house.
“That was harsh,” Tessa said. “What’s a meeting going to do in the middle of the night?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. She was right. My team was used to me addressing them better than that. Birn hadn’t done anything, and he’d asked a valid question.
“If our target knew we were at that beach, it’s a safe bet that he knows we are here, in this house,” I said in a calmer voice. “We don’t know jack. I’m sick of waiting around for answers.”
Tessa put her hand on my arm. “Breathe. I’m okay. I’ll go sit in on the meeting, no camera. Go make your call.”
“Okay. Let’s get busy.”
Tessa laughed as I heard the words leave my mouth.
“Maybe, if you’re lucky.” She snorted. “I think we both need caffeine. I’ll go make coffee.”
She went inside. I stayed in the garage and closed the door to the house for a little privacy and pulled up Farr’s number. My anger surged, but it felt wrong to call a retired Fleet Admiral and Joint Chief to dress him down. I shook my head. Thinking like that would get me into trouble. Dammit, Farr.
It was three in the morning in New York, and Farr’s phone rang five times before he picked up.
“What’s wrong, Ethan?” he answered in a groggy voice. “You don’t do social calls in the middle of the night.”
“No, sir, I don’t.” My jaw tightened. “Tessa shouldn’t be here. We got shot at tonight.”
“That means you’re getting close to figuring out who dumped the materials.” Farr sounded more awake. “You’re making progress on the case, and you kept Tessa from getting hurt.”
“Why are you so intent on putting her in danger
?” I demanded. “Last time, you couldn’t protect her enough. Did she piss you off? Did I?”
Something rustled in the background from his end.
“I assigned my best photojournalist to document the investigation of a threat to the second largest barrier reef in the world.” His words felt like knives. “Your job is to protect her while you go after the son of a bitch who dumped that waste.”
I stilled. That information was close to the vest, and Tessa had promised not to share it with anyone, not even her late dad’s best friend. Farr had eyes everywhere.
“Any chance you know who’s involved?” I kept my tone casual, not that my sudden calm would fool anyone. “We’ll take any leads you might have.”
“Ethan, there are some things I am not to discuss, even now. We’re talking about classified information.”
“Oh, come on!” I burst out. “With all due respect, sir, you’re bullshitting me.”
“Watch your step, son,” Farr growled. That voice still sent chills down my spine. “You’re lucky I helped get Header involved. You two were among the best SEALs I worked with, but that doesn’t give you carte blanche.”
I clenched my teeth. Retirement apparently meant next to nothing for one of the most powerful men in the Navy.
“Understood. Sir.”
“That said, Ethan, I do have something for you. It was going to wait until morning.” Farr’s voice seemed to reverberate as if he had gone into a small room. “Scuttlebutt is that there has been radioactive medical waste found at other sites. There’s no official report, mind you, just rumors.” He cleared his throat. “Before dumping hot waste into the oceans was made illegal in ninety-three, there was a list of approved sites. What people don’t realize is that there was a list of secondary sites that were denied.”
“The Great Blue Hole,” I mused. “That’s on the secondary list, isn’t it?”
“Yes. There are a handful of sites in the Caribbean, mostly places that don’t have the kind of tourism the Blue Hole has.”
“Do you have access to the list?”
Farr laughed. “Remember who you’re speaking with. I can get you the list ASAP.”
“I appreciate that.” I took a breath. “What I don’t get is why you insist on having Tessa embedded with our team. She’s putting an environmental spin on the story, but we both know it’s not about the environment.”
“You may not believe it, but she had a great angle on the eco spin for this story, and I’m a thousand percent behind her on it.”
“I get it. Radiation, the reef, waste disposal in the ocean,” I admitted. “What are you looking to gain by having Tessa cover this story?”
“Environmental awareness, first and foremost.” Farr yawned. “Furthermore, your work needs to be recognized. There are people in Congress who barely know you exist, let alone the importance of your work. Your funding is in trouble, Ethan. I’m helping you.”
This was the first I heard of funding issues. It’d never been a problem before. I made a mental note to look into it later.
“I suppose having Tessa here gets you the scoop on the story,” I said in a flat tone. “And we’re the stars for stopping someone from irradiating fragile marine ecosystems.”
“Someone who committed murder,” Farr added.
“Dare Lemon isn’t dead yet,” I reminded him. “I know it’s coming, but he’s still alive, sir.”
“By the time the feature goes to print, it’ll be murder.” Farr’s voice brooked no argument. “Show Tessa your best work. Get this traitor and deal with him. And Ethan?”
“Sir?”
“Do not let anything happen to Tessa. If she gets so much as a scratch, it’s your ass.”
“We’ll do our best to protect our embedded journalist, Admiral,” I answered as if I was still under his direct command. At that point, I may as well have been. “I will discuss arrangements for increased security with Director Ramsey in the morning.”
“You do that.”
Farr ended the call, and I was left staring at my phone. Had he changed, or had I?
17
It was the first time all of us were in the villa’s meeting room at once. The conference table was packed with people in various states of sleepwear and daytime clothes.
Tessa sat near the head of the table, next to an empty seat. Her dress still had grains of sand caught in the folds near the scarf she wore around her waist. A bruise was forming on her upper arm, and her forearm had a scrape that paramedics treated at the scene. I had saved her life when I pushed her down at the beach, but that didn’t make me feel any better about it.
“Is everyone up to date?” I asked as I dropped into the empty chair.
“Wait.” Muñoz stood. She wore, of all things, Hello Kitty shorts with an Air Force tank top. Her hair was in a loose braid over her shoulder. This was not a side we got to see of her. The look, however, took none of the edge from her personality. “Before we discuss the case, we need to talk about Miss Bleu.”
Tessa straightened in her chair. “What about me, Agent Muñoz?”
“I have nothing against you personally,” Muñoz told her and then looked me in the eye. “We work under the radar, and that’s how we get things done. If she writes us up in a story, we get attention. If we get attention, we get closer scrutiny.” Muñoz frowned at Tessa. “Sometimes, scrutiny gets in the way of justice. We may act within the law, but not everything we do is palatable to John Q. Public.”
“What are you suggesting, Sylvia?” I demanded. “Our orders are to deal with it and keep her as safe as possible.”
“Send her home.” Muñoz spread her hands. “Send Tessa home. It’s more than her reporting that’s a threat. You’re distracted by her being here. Everyone knows you were a thing for a while.” She sent an apologetic glance toward Tessa. “Seriously, you’re a nice person, and I like you, but it’s true. Ethan has a thing for you, and you for him. It’s dangerous. That’s why they don’t send teams of significant others out in the field together.”
“I can’t send her home,” I said in a quiet tone. “Believe me, I want to, and for all the reasons you just said.”
“What?” Tessa blurted out. “I thought we were going to work together.”
“We are. It’s not that I don’t want to, but, well, I don’t. Sylvia is right. You could get hurt, and we could get hurt protecting you.” I leaned my elbows on the table. “I’m going to tell you something, and we will keep it among this team, and this team only. Understood?”
A series of nods and “yes sirs” came from each side of the table.
“I spoke with Retired Fleet Admiral Donald Farr a few minutes ago. Many of you know his connections to Tessa.” Next to me, she shifted in her seat. “I’m sorry, you have to hear this also,” I told her.
“I know,” she sighed. “It still… It’s not comfortable.”
“Understandable.” I stood. “Farr is the editor-in-chief at the EcoStar, therefore Tessa’s boss. He also is something of an adopted uncle to her. Her father and Farr were best friends. That’s why Tessa is here and not some other reporter. Farr pulled strings. He’s retired, but he was also one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This man is powerful, and for the most part, I believe in his good intentions toward us.”
“What do you mean by ‘for the most part’?” Birn asked in a stiff tone.
“I’ll get to that, but this is the part every one of you needs to wrap your heads around.” Farr would have me for lunch if he found out I was telling them this part of the call. “He wants to use this case to take us mainstream because we’re going to look like heroes for stopping a bad guy who is endangering the ocean environment. Furthermore, he claims that he’s doing this because our funding is in danger.”
“What?”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Oh, my God.”
The reactions from around the room were as much as I expected. Even Tessa’s jaw dropped. So she hadn’t known.
Holm frowned. “Th
ey cleared Bette’s purchase.”
I blinked. “Whose?”
Clyde flushed and raised his hand. “Um, the plane. The blue stripe on the side made me think of that song, ‘Bette Davis Eyes.’ It was stupid, and I said it out loud.”
“That’s not stupid,” Tessa protested. “It’s sweet.”
Clyde’s flush deepened, and he sank deep into his chair while nursing a bottle of Mountain Dew.
Holm rubbed the back of his head. “It got stuck in my head.”
“Okay, ‘Bette.’” I didn’t hate the potential name for the King Air, to be honest. “Anyway, Robbie, our purchase of Bette occurred to me, too. Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe Farr has an inside track that we don’t, or maybe he has bad intel. Given everything I know about him, though, bad intel isn’t likely.”
“He never told me anything about funding for MBLIS,” Tessa said. Her brow wrinkled, and she frowned. “I guess it makes sense, in a way, but he should’ve told me.”
I nodded. “Agreed.”
Warner cleared his throat and stared at a point on the table. “Um, Agent Marston?”
“This isn’t school, Warner. Speak.”
“I can try to find out if we have money problems. They gave me access to the Pentagon a while back.” He fidgeted. “I can still get into the network… but only if you want.”
He continued to fidget without looking up, and he tapped his fingers on his chair’s armrests. Someone looked a little guilty. Maybe there was more to the kid than it seemed.
“Tread lightly,” I warned. “Don’t snoop anywhere you aren’t supposed to. Try not to leave any trails.”
“You want to let him poke around the Pentagon’s network?” Muñoz stared at me. “Do you know how much shit that could cause?”
“Yeah, Sylvia, I do, but if Farr is right, then something’s coming up. Besides, I told him not to snoop anywhere he’s not supposed to. Warner can follow orders. Right?”