He wouldn’t have called any of Ivanov’s subjects human.
He closed his eyes to fight back the rage and fear. He’d do whatever he needed to get deeply into Kerberos. Not just for the name of his father’s murderer, but because he’d discovered he still had a conscience left. A conscience that wouldn’t let him look the other way while men were turned into monsters against their will.
Thank God he’d always been paranoid. He had copies of tapes and correspondence with Jamieson tucked away in an untraceable Swiss bank vault. As soon as he was out of here, he’d send another set to his lawyer, to be released to the SSU in the case of his death.
“Let me go,” Mark said. “I have contacts here who will help me free a couple of Ivanov’s scientists from jail. I’ll take them back to my boss with the fake chip. With those kind of prizes in hand, he’ll let me deeper into his organization. I’ll be able to find proof to tie him to what happened to Andros.”
“If that’s what you want, then good luck,” Ryker said. “I’ll tell my men to leave you alone. Call me personally if you need help.”
“Thank you.”
Mark walked into the other room and handed the phone back to one of the agents. As he turned back to the bedroom, he shoved his trembling hands into his pants pockets.
He’d never been so scared. Or so excited.
He closed the bedroom door behind him. This was it. The ultimate game of deception. Was he good enough to fool Jamieson? To keep hidden the fact that he wanted more than just the name? That his conscience had been resurrected? He flicked a glance at his reflection in the mirror over the bureau. Cool brown eyes stared back at him from an expressionless face developed at a very young age.
Oh, yes, he was more than a match for Jamieson.
In fact, he was looking forward to it.
Sunday, Afternoon
United States Military Hospital, Germany
Kai’s eyelids fluttered. The beeping of the life support monitors changed tone. Susana leaned forward and put her hand on his arm. Kai licked his lips and groaned.
“Kai? Love, it’s Susana. Can you hear me?” She traced her fingertip down his cheek. Kai had been in a coma for three agonizing days.
On the other side of the bed, Kai’s sister Jenna squeezed his hand. “Hey Kai, you awake? It’s Jenna.”
Along with Susana, Kai’s sister spent most of the day by his side. Yet Susana had studiously avoided talking to the woman, her usual outgoing nature crushed under a press of guilt. Because of Susana, Jenna had been kidnapped. Because of Susana, Kai fought for his life. Because of Susana’s father, Rafe had been turned into a raging beast.
Susana had never felt so defeated by guilt before, yet the one time she’d tried to apologize, Jenna had brushed her off. “It’s not your fault,” Jenna had said. “Stop blaming yourself. We don’t.”
Easier said than done, particularly when jealousy also started eating away at Susana’s confidence. The love Jenna had for her brother shone so brightly, and Susana knew how deeply Kai returned that love. Susana had never experienced unconditional love. Watching Jenna speak softly to Kai now, then brush his hair back off his face, Susana’s throat tightened up.
She wanted that kind of loving relationship with Kai with a ferocity that made her chest ache. Oh, she knew Kai liked her. And he definitely lusted after her. But she’d give anything to have Kai love her.
Right now, she’d settle for having his arms around her, but who knew how he’d respond to her once he woke up. Maybe what they’d shared had only been born of proximity and adrenaline.
Kai’s eyelids cracked open and Susana’s heart jumped into her throat. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly upward. “Jen…na…” He coughed. “Sus…san…na…” He sighed deeply, then closed his eyes again. But the tone of the monitor stayed upbeat.
Susana took that as a good omen. She brushed a kiss across his lips, then stood. She didn’t want Jenna to see the emotion on her face, so she walked over to the window.
Deus, he’d scared her.
When she’d regained consciousness after blacking out in Ivanov’s surgery room, she’d panicked, thinking she was still at the compound and terrified that Kai was dead. She’d stumbled out of bed and into the corridor, then fought wildly when nurses arrived to restrain her.
Finally, a man named Ryker had approached her and explained that she was safe. That she was in a U.S. military hospital in Germany. When she’d asked about Kai, he’d told her that even though Mark Tonelli had successfully administered the antidote, the poison from the microchip’s vial had sent Kai’s body into near shutdown.
Susana had wanted to sit vigil by Kai’s side, but the staff refused, saying hospital rules forbade persistent visitors for patients in Kai’s condition. Since the worst of Susana’s injuries was a surgical incision smaller than her appendectomy scar, she’d been officially discharged and had no legitimate reason to stay in the hospital beyond visiting hours. But Ryker had spoken with the staff and found Susana a visitor’s bedroom down the hall, then arranged for her to spend as much time as she wanted at his bedside.
In the background, Susana heard Jenna talking to one of the nurses. Susana listened long enough to understand that the antidote had finally neutralized the poison and the nurse expected him to recover quickly. Tests also showed that Kai’s system had finished excreting the toxin and that his body had passed the microchip yesterday.
Now that Kai had opened his eyes, Susana felt their time together running out. According to Ryker, once Kai recovered he would head to a secure location to work with the SSU team trying to reverse the damage done to his friend Rafe.
So the SSU had her father’s data, and Kai had a new mission. Susana stared blankly out the window at the evening sky, trying to ignore the hollow ache of once again being on the outside. Maybe it would be better if she left before Kai woke up. Save them both from an awkward reunion scene. Because no matter how much she loved Kai, they lived in different worlds. While she respected Kai and the other SSU agents who fought daily against the hidden dangers in this world, could she handle knowing Kai’s life was constantly at risk?
Call her a coward, but she wanted nothing more than to flee back to the security of her old life. She still wanted to explore that altar she’d found with Kai, to see if it indicated the true location of Amerinis. But most of all, with the memory of her dead crew mates sitting like a rock on her breastbone, she needed to pay her respects to their families.
Ryker had fed a story to the media about how Susana had been kidnapped by slavers, so she hadn’t been present when the fire destroyed her dig. Close enough, but Susana hated not being able to tell the entire truth. Particularly when it came to those who’d lost loved ones because they’d been working for her.
She shook her head. Not that anyone would believe her if she did explain all.
If the Adventure Channel didn’t drop her contract because of the deaths, Susana intended to funnel her salary into a memorial fund to provide assistance to the families. A poor substitute for the lives that had been stolen, but the best she could do.
Susana heard Jenna leave, saying something about letting Niko know Kai had opened his eyes. Now that they were alone, Susana walked slowly over to the bed. For a long time she simply stared down at Kai’s beloved face, watching the even rise and fall of his chest. He was going to be okay. She was sure of that now.
So it was time to leave. She loved him so much, but she couldn’t put her life on hold for him, not when she saw no future for them. Besides, how would he react once he learned that her father had experimented on her? She couldn’t even face the possibilities without wanting to scream.
Just go.
Lips trembling, she pressed another kiss to Kai’s mouth, then, brushing tears from her eyes, she hurried from the room.
“What’s wrong? Is Kai worse?” Ryker strode toward her, concern on his face.
“No,” she said. “He opened his eyes and spoke for a moment. Jenna’s gone to
get Niko.”
Ryker raised his eyebrows, but didn’t ask the question hanging between them.
She answered it anyway. “I’m leaving.”
His eyes flicked to the door. “Ah. Does Kai know?”
“No. He didn’t come fully awake.”
Ryker’s eyes bored into her. Weighing everything she wasn’t saying. And probably guessing far too accurately the thoughts in her head.
But all he said was, “Well…Is there anything you need?”
“Yes.” Before she could return to her life, she had to know exactly what effect her father’s tampering had had on her development.
What about her was natural? Her looks? Probably not. Her intelligence? Unlikely. Her strong immune system?
If Ivanov was right, everything that defined her was a result of the tampering her father had done to her DNA.
Deus, she wished she could scrub her blood, her muscles…every molecule of her being until her father’s influence was gone.
She looked Ryker straight in the eye and said, “This is what I want…”
Chapter 31
Monday, Morning
CIA Headquarters
Langley, Virginia
“Drop the charges against me,” Mark Tonelli said over the phone. “If you want Nevsky’s chip.”
Jamieson’s eyebrows rose in surprise. The bastard hadn’t lost any of his arrogance, despite the trouble he was in. “That’s a rather bold statement,” he replied. “For a man the authorities in three countries are searching for.”
“We both know I had nothing to do with the firebombing,” Tonelli said. “You told me to get Nevsky’s chip and then you’d let me into Kerberos. I did as you asked. Are you a man of your word?”
Hmm. Tonelli was proving to be more of a challenge to deal with than expected. Jamieson eyed the small, bronze horse head on his desk and allowed his lips to curl in an appreciative smile. He’d always enjoyed a challenge. And if Tonelli proved to be lying, well, Jamieson knew how to take care of difficult men.
But if there was a chance he told the truth… “How do I know you really have the microchip?”
“You don’t,” came Tonelli’s surprising response. “All I have is Ivanov’s dying word that this is the right chip.”
Meaning that if they made a deal, Jamieson could end up with a fake and Tonelli none the worse for it. Completely unacceptable. “I find, after consideration, that the chip is not good enough for entrance into Kerberos. I require more. On the off chance Ivanov was mistaken.”
“Of course,” Tonelli countered smoothly. “Would sending over a couple of Ivanov’s scientists, and a stack of notes from his lab suffice as additional incentive?”
Jamieson thought about Kaufmann and his whining. “Should you be able to provide what you promise, then yes, I think I can safely say you’d be welcomed into Kerberos.”
“Good. Expect the notes and the microchip within a few days and the scientists within a week. I’ll be in touch.”
Jamieson stared at the phone. Tonelli had the nerve to hang up on him? He really wished he could arrange for the man’s death. But until he had the chip, his hands were tied.
He ran his finger over the horse head. Yes, for now he’d be content to watch Tonelli squirm to get back into his good graces. But the man’s obsession with finding the man who’d ordered the hit on his father would eventually become a problem.
He looked forward to revealing that name to Tonelli, and watching the man’s reaction.
The phone rang. Jamieson sighed as he recognized Kaufmann’s number. “Hello.”
“Where’s my data?” Kaufmann demanded.
Jamieson closed his eyes and counted to ten. When that failed to cool his temper, he did it again. Only on the third set was he able to force words out of his mouth that were even vaguely civilized.
“I don’t have it yet,” Jamieson said. It galled him that the scientist assumed he held the power, not Jamieson. If he didn’t need Kaufmann so much, he’d arrange for a quiet disposal. But Kaufmann was even more essential than Jamieson had realized. He’d sent out feelers to test the loyalty of the lab staff. Each one indicated the program would fall apart without Kaufmann. Not just because of high staff loyalty, but because Kaufmann, like Nevsky, had compartmentalized the program to such an extent that none of his scientists even realized what the full program entailed.
For once, Jamieson wished the scientist was a little less paranoid. He wanted the arrogant scientist gone. Preferably, he wanted to lay the blame for the destruction of the archaeological site in Brazil at Kaufmann’s feet.
“How do you expect me to continue without Nevsky’s data?” Kaufmann’s voice was intolerably close to chiding. “Are you willing to extend the deadline?”
“No.” Jamieson clenched and unclenched his fist until his fingers ached. “The deadline stands. I’m working on getting you a scientist or two from the Russian lab. The program run by Dr. Ivanov was more advanced than yours, although not quite as advanced as Nevsky’s. With Ivanov’s help you should still be able to meet the President’s deadline for providing him with a team of enhanced soldiers.” Assuming Tonelli wasn’t lying.
The man had sounded as ambitious and arrogant as always, though. Perhaps Tonelli’s loyalty had never really strayed. Time would tell. In the meantime, Jamieson had to deal with Kaufmann’s incessant complaints.
The scientist should be excited about the promise of new scientists. But was he? Of course not.
“And the chip?” Kaufmann demanded.
“I expect to have it shortly.” Jamieson’s finger tapped against his desk. The date for the planned attack to avenge the death of the President’s son was fast approaching. Jamieson needed Kaufmann’s program trouble-free by then. He’d have to make certain Ivanov’s scientists were rushed straight to the lab.
Kaufmann remained silent, but Jamieson could sense him gearing up for another round of criticism. So he chose to strike first.
“Your team failed in its mission, Dr. Kaufmann. Kai Paterson survived the attack by Rafe Andros. Both Andros and Paterson are back with the SSU. If Andros remembers—”
The scientist laughed. It was a sound completely without warmth. “Andros won’t remember a thing. There’s no way the SSU will be able to reverse his conditioning. His mind equates disobedience to our commands with agony. They’ll never get information out of him. His body will self-destruct first. You have no worries from that quarter.”
“Even if your missing Dr. Montague is helping the SSU engineer a reversal?”
Kaufmann sucked in air so sharply, Jamieson jerked the phone away from his ear.
“You’re sure she’s with the SSU?” Kaufmann demanded.
“Yes.” Tonelli had given him the information as another goodwill gesture. “Is she a threat?”
For the first time in their conversation, the scientist sounded unsure of himself. “Possibly. It depends on what information she took with her when she ran.”
“You’re saying that she has the capability to create a solution to the conditioning?”
“Possibly, yes.”
“You should have found and eliminated her when you first realized she was missing. Now she’s had weeks to start on a reversal.”
“Are you saying you can’t handle the problem?” Kaufmann suggested with a hint of malice. “Should I send in my own team to take care of her?”
The scientist really was too arrogant for his own good. “None of your teams has succeeded in doing anything but create mass destruction and draw unwanted attention.” After Kaufmann’s team of enhanced soldiers had firebombed the dig, Jamieson’s cleanup crew had successfully eliminated the men. But then Jamieson’s cleanup crew had been eliminated by a group of mercenaries with lucky aim. Mercenaries hired by Tonelli, who’d had to do some remarkable groveling when confronted with that news. Thank God Kaufmann didn’t know about the incident. The man’s arrogance would be even more insufferable. “Your team certainly isn’t capable of going against
the SSU,” Jamieson snapped. “I’ll handle it.”
“No. Wait.” Kaufmann said. “Bring Dr. Montague to me instead. In the absence of Nevsky’s chip, she’s the best hope I have of strengthening the formula.”
“Do you really think that’s wise? She ran from you. What makes you think you can coerce her into helping you?”
Kaufmann’s reply was a chilling, inhuman sound, reminding Jamieson that whatever else he disliked about the scientist, the man had no morals.
“Trust me,” Kaufmann said. “If our experts were able to break Rafe Andros, they’ll be able to force Dr. Montague to cooperate.”
Jamieson tapped his pen against his blotter. “Very well. I’ll arrange for Dr. Montague to be returned to you.”
“Good.”
Jamieson stared at the Mona Lisa print across from his desk and allowed a similar smile to form on his own lips. “I’m sending over a team to secure your facility. You will be in complete lockdown until the program is successful and we are confident there’s no longer a threat from the SSU.” Internal affairs had been tipped off that the men who’d stolen the helicopter had ties to the CIA. Worse, someone had suggested that Jamieson knew the truth, forcing him to waste valuable time covering up Kaufmann’s mistake. He had to ensure that Kaufmann finished his work without any more interruptions.
The silence that followed was so thick Jamieson wondered if he’d finally provoked the scientist into rebellion. But Kaufmann once again surprised him. “That is acceptable. We can’t afford to divert our own resources from the hunt for the remaining renegades.”
Jamieson closed his eyes. It was true, then. He’d thought all the escaped subjects, except for Rafe Andros and one other man, had been either returned to the compound or accounted for as dead. “How many men are you missing? And why the hell didn’t you mention it before?”
“We have it under control. The men were found by the authorities and put in a mental health facility. They all should be entering Level 5 and deteriorating so fast the doctors won’t know what to make of them. Still, we will send in a team to make certain no data on the men survives their deaths.”
Betrayal (SSU Trilogy Book 2) (The Surgical Strike Unit) Page 30