by Sara Schoen
“Does Sharp Shooter know you took the director?”
KC scrunched his face in thought. He was probably thinking about whether Maverick had done the flight log for that trip yet. His eyes squinted shut slightly as he looked to the left, trying to recall the information. I didn’t know how long flight logs took, but for my sake I hope they take a long time. After a few seconds KC continued, “I don’t think so. I’m supposed to turn in the logs tomorrow. He wouldn’t know yet unless he needed to see where I was going for some reason. He hasn’t checked up on my flights since I gained over a thousand hours of flight time for CIRA. He just waits for me to turn in the flight logs now.”
“Can you hold off on giving the logs to him?” He looked at me in shock, as if I was asking him to commit a murder. “I know you shouldn’t, but could you not give him the flight logs for a few days.”
Now his interest was piqued. He furrowed his eyebrows and crossed his arms over his chest. “What are you doing here, Spit Fire? You can’t expect me to keep them from Sharp Shooter without a good reason.”
“I’m not asking you to keep them from him,” I explained quickly. “I’m asking that you don’t give them to him right away. He’ll just send you right back here to pick me up and that will be more of a hassle for you because I won’t come willingly.”
“Why am I not surprised?” He sighed heavily as if the weight of what I was asking him to do was impossible to bare. “Tell me what’s going on and I’ll do it. I won’t give them to him until I absolutely have to, but I’m not risking my flying no matter what. That will buy you a week at most so don’t push it any further than that or expect me to hold out forever.”
“I can’t tell you, KC. Please don’t ask me to do that. I need to keep this to myself. The more people who know, the more chance it has of getting back to Sharp Shooter before I’m done.”
“If you can’t tell me then I’m handing over the flight logs a day early.” He crossed his arms over his chest and waited to see if I changed my mind.
I glared at him to see if he would falter, but he didn’t. Instead, I did. “Fine. I’m here about the Cardoza Cartel, but I can’t say too much here because I don’t want to be overheard and have someone go to their new leader and tell him that I’m here. My presence is going to be a surprise once I figure out where he is. Then I can take him and the rest of his cartel out for good.”
“That’s not the whole truth,” he said with a knowing smile. I hesitated to tell him the rest, and mentally told myself that I wouldn’t say much more. I would only disclose a few more details if I had to. No one needed to know who Harley was to me, or who he used to be I should say. “But I’ll take it.”
“Really?” I asked, bewildered that he would give up his leverage so easily.
“Yeah. I get it, I really do. This is something you’re doing for you and for your friends back at the agency. I can see it in your eyes—the sheer determination to finish this once and for all. I respect that, but as I said, it will only buy you a week because I’m flying Director Walsh back from his vacation too. So one way or another Sharp Shooter will figure it out.” He waved before he turned and walked back to the front of the plane. “Good luck with your mission, Spit Fire. I hope to see you back at CIRA safely. It was a pleasure to meet you.”
I followed him and watched as he climbed back inside his plane. Before he shut himself in I called up to him. “Maverick told me you didn’t talk much. What’s that about? You just had an easy conversation with me.”
KC laughed so hard that it could have turned into a cackle. I watched as he wiped his eye as if his laughter had caused him to tear up before turning back to me. “I do talk, and frankly, I do it quite often. I just can’t get a word in edgewise when it comes to Maverick. You know how he is, once he starts talking he doesn’t stop. You’re lucky to get a question in before he’s off to the next topic.”
“That’s very true,” I responded, smiling at him as he shut himself inside the plane. I stood back as the engine roared to life. It didn’t take long before he was speeding down the airstrip and taking off into the air. Once he was a safe distance in the air, he spun the plane again. My smile vanished as I spotted him waving goodbye to me while he did it. I took it as a metaphorical ‘fuck you’. “See you later KC. I won’t miss your flying.”
I slung my bag over my shoulder and started my journey to a safe house in the area. For once, going on a mission in the United States was coming in handy. We rarely returned to a place we’d already been before, but since I was on a mission last year it made finding a place to stay easy. Though if it was needed I would have found a hotel or something to hole up in like we did for the Sandtown raid. I was happier with a safe house though. It gave me all the time and space I needed, and there would be no interruptions while I searched for Harley’s exact location.
Soon he’d be in my hands and I’d not only save CIRA from coming in, but avenge my family.
Chapter 7
I made it to the safe house in a little under half an hour from the airport. I took a cab to the general location so no one would know exactly where I was. I couldn’t be sure who worked for Harley, and that included my taxi driver, so I had the cab dropped me off a short distance from the safe house where I could walk the rest of the way. The extra effort was always worth it in the end when it came to sensitive missions like this. I didn’t have any information Sharp Shooter usually gave me before leaving. I had to be extra careful, even with my friends. I hadn’t given KC, Maverick, or Night Stripe too much information just in case Sharp Shooter started asking questions once he figured out he couldn’t get in touch with Director Walsh. Though once he heard I had gotten a ride to Washington he’d figure out my plan in no time. By then it would already be far too late for him to call me back, and even if it wasn’t, I knew he wouldn’t risk more lives to try and drag me back.
I was on my own, just how I preferred it.
I glanced around at everyone on the street as I approached the safe house. I took the first turn down the alleyway to enter from the back as to not draw attention to myself or the building. I opened the apartment with the key we had stashed away in a fake brick in the outer wall of the building and dropped my bag at the entrance. The second I entered, I had a feeling that something about the place seemed off. At first I didn’t see anything out of place. We kept the bare minimum here for the rare mission in Washington, just like we did with the safe house in Gorod, but something felt wrong. I just couldn’t place it right away.
I didn’t move from the door as my gaze swept around the main floor and the hairs on the back of my neck rose. I could feel someone watching me, and I had the overwhelming sensation that I had walked into trouble. With gun drawn, I slowly made my way through the house. I checked room after room, but found nothing. The building was empty from top to bottom. The two upstairs rooms were vacant of anything except two simple beds and the rest of the house had nothing big enough for anyone to hide behind. Even so, I still couldn’t shake the feeling that this building wasn’t safe anymore.
As I rounded the main floor for the third time I noticed the book on the table seemed slightly out of place. We typically left one book around for agents to read during a lull in their mission, and since most rarely got sent to the same place twice it was always new to whoever came next. Whoever had read it last had purposely laid it upside down on the table in front of the only seat in the room. Havoc’s team should have been the last ones who stayed in this house, and I didn’t think any of his team members ever took the time to sit down and read a book, even when at CIRA.
I plucked it from the table and looked it over intently. I turned it over a few times while wondering if I was just being paranoid. How could anyone except agents know about the building, let alone know where to find the key and then plant a camera we wouldn’t notice?
If no one ever read it, no one would see it.
I flipped the book open to find that my assumption was correct. A small camera rested insid
e, concealing itself in the binds of the book. I plucked it from its hole in the pages to examine it. The camera seemed new, as if it had been recently placed. The metal cast a shine into my eyes and glittered as I turned it over in my hands.
“Don’t break it now, Spit Fire.”
I turned at the sound of Seeker’s voice, but didn’t see him. I turned in circles and glanced through entryways to the other rooms on the main floor, but didn’t see him. I cleared the house, there was no way he’d managed to evade me. He couldn’t have followed me here, could he? How would he have gotten a ride here before me if I had left him in Sharp Shooter’s office?
“I’m not there, Spit Fire. Don’t fret, your secret isn’t blown.”
I turned again toward the direction his voice had come from, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. “Where are you then? I thought you would be in Germany by now.”
“I’m still at CIRA. I still have a few hours before I leave for my mission, but I knew something was up with you when you stormed out of Sharp Shooter’s office. You lied right to his face, and actually thought I wouldn’t know. You’re a terrible liar when it comes to me. I always know when you’re lying. It’s a sign of being good friends, right?”
“Who’s with you?” I asked, ignoring his comment completely.
“Don’t worry, Sharp Shooter doesn’t know, yet.”
His condescending tone was beginning to annoy me. “Don’t tell him, Seeker. I kept plenty of secrets for you and kept my word about your less than respectful methods when it came to gaining information from certain people and completing risky missions. I won’t hesitate to throw you under the bus if you do it to me.”
Seeker had a history of meddling too far past his assigned mission, and in more than one instance it had gotten him in more trouble than the mission was worth. But Seeker was dedicated when it came to his job. He’d do anything to complete the mission and save as many people as he could, even when it became risky and dipped into the grey areas of CIRA’s rules. In his mind, it wasn’t all black and white. There was room to play with.
“I won’t rat you out, but if I were you I’d turn the camera away from the back door unless you want to get caught by whoever checks these cameras. Turn it toward the chair while you’re in the house and when you leave turn it back so no one suspects anything. You don’t want anyone asking questions, Spit Fire. Especially with what you’re doing—a freaking suicide mission. You must have picked that up from Night Stripe, she loves lost cases like this. But you? Are you stupid or just reckless?”
“Both,” I answer curtly.
“Let me guess, you know who this Harley character is, don’t you? I’d be willing to guess you know what’s going on in Washington as well. I believe it has something to do with the Cardoza’s since Night Stripe has been bothering Sharp Shooter about them since we left his office. I can’t be sure, but I’ll venture further to say you won’t tell anyone what’s going on until you’ve finished up whatever the hell it is you’re doing there.”
I didn’t bother asking how he came to that conclusion or how he knew Harley’s alias, because what was the point? He knew me better than anyone in CIRA, and he’d know if I continued to lie to him. I’m just lucky he hadn’t figured it all out by now. Though he was pretty damn close.
“Yeah, you’re right, on all accounts. I do know who Harley is, not that my knowledge helps in locating him, and yes, I came here hoping to end this before anything worse can come of it.”
“Yeah, I hear you and your vague excuse. I may not understand it, but I know you’re determined as hell to do it and I’m in no position to stop you. Just be sure to turn the camera around if you’re going to stay there. I noticed Rum in here checking in on the camera. It’s what really gave you away. No telling if anyone else has noticed your absence or the other pieces of your plan to distract Sharp Shooter, but I assume you don’t want any help.”
“No. Don’t send help. I need to do this alone. There’s no other way around it.”
“There’s always another way around it, Spit Fire.” Seeker sighed heavily and for a moment that was the only sound in the apartment beside my hammering heartbeat. “I taught you to find another way out if needed. I’m going to trust you on this, but do yourself and everyone else here a favor and don’t get yourself killed.”
I chuckled. “I’ll do my best, but as always I can’t guarantee anything.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to.” Silence filled the room while I waited for him to continue. After a few moments I thought that he had left without saying goodbye, and for some reason that hurt me more than I thought it would. Maybe I really did want some help. Being alone by choice was one thing, but being alone because I was left was a different matter entirely.
I shook my head violently to get rid of that thought. Being alone was better for me. I can focus. I can end this before it starts.
“I hear you have a friend out there possibly.” His voice was tight as if he had forced himself to say it.
I mentally stumbled as I thought over his words. All of my friends were back at CIRA. I had only learned that one was still out there somewhere, but why would he be here? “You mean Sandstorm? Sharp Shooter didn’t say much about him or his mission except that he’d be back at CIRA soon. It shouldn’t be a problem though. The last time I saw him he was in the Middle East. I doubt he’d be in the U.S and I’m not sure he’d remember me if I ran into him anyway. Besides, if Sandstorm was here then Sharp Shooter would also have more information on the Cardozas, which he doesn’t if he’s still waiting to send agents here.” Loneliness echoed through me once again. I hadn’t seen Sandstorm in years, not by choice, but due to his mission. He had been my first friend in the agency. If he didn’t recognize me, it would be almost as bad as losing another friend.
“Yeah, him. I don’t care if he’s there or not. You know you have to be careful when meeting agents from your past, Spit Fire. You don’t know what he’s been through or what his current assignment is. We don’t want to risk agents, yourself included. So approach with some caution if you see him or just avoid it if possible. You may not like what he has to do.”
“Are you worried about me, Seeker? Careful or everyone will think you care about me.”
“I’m being serious right now, Spit Fire. Just listen to me.” The ‘I’m-not-taking-your-usual-shit’ tone gave that message loud and clear. “We don’t know what he’s doing for CIRA or who he’s undercover with. You haven’t met many agents who haven’t been back home in a few years. I just want to prepare you in case something happens.”
“How did you even hear about him?”
“Sharp Shooter let it slip when I asked what was going on with you. I said you looked flustered and he brought up Sandstorm. He thought the news about him had surprised you.”
“It did. I thought he was dead or avoiding me like the plague.”
Seeker chuckled. “I wish I could do that, but it looks like I’m stuck with you. Just be careful out there. I’ll check in again later.”
“Hey, one more thing before you go.” I waited for him to answer, and when he didn’t I assumed he was waiting for me to continue. “Keep Rum out of the surveillance room while you’re at CIRA. I don’t want her to make anyone suspicious. Warn her that if she gets me caught I’ll find her.”
After a long silence, Seeker finally replied. “I’ll do my best, but I can’t promise anything.” He threw my words right back at me, and I just let a breath of a laugh escape my lips in response. “Bye Spit Fire. If you need anything don’t be afraid to ask, and if it’s possible don’t make anymore dumb choices.”
I smiled, but didn’t reply. Coming here to track down my stepfather was the first dumb choice I’d made and I knew there would be many more before my mission was complete. Now the question on my mind was where to find Harley and how to end him once and for all.
Chapter 8
I spent the rest of the day diving into finding information on my stepfather. I knew he was i
n Washington, but the exact location always seemed out of reach. I knew it would be isolated, just out of town somewhere where no one would go snooping. The cartel had had enough of that between Sandtown and Georgia. I knew my stepfather wouldn’t fall for the same traps, he’s a paranoid planner when it comes to leading a group of people, at least that’s how he was with our family.
I scoffed at the idea of family. He wasn’t even a part of it. He’d forced himself into my family. He wasn’t a father figure; he was a dictator. That’s exactly how he’d run the cartel too. I had to plan accordingly. Thankfully Camden was dead, so in one way I had the upper hand. While Harley would be prepared because he knew Camden’s death could mean we were onto him, he had no way of actually knowing. I had surprise on my side, and if working for CIRA had taught me anything it was that surprise was our only friend on missions.
Writing down all the information I gathered before leaving CIRA had proved valuable, but completely unorganized. I had lists of information which were written down and added to as I received information. Some of my notes couldn’t be read because they were written down too quickly, and the other half were single words I didn’t know the meaning behind. I had no idea what most of the lists said.
“That’s helpful.” Annoyance laced my words as I crumpled the paper and tossed it across the room, careful to avoid getting it in front of the camera.
I positioned it so it focused on the chair instead of the entrance as Seeker had suggested, but I didn’t like being careful in the one place I should feel safe. I wanted to turn it off, but that would only draw more attention. I wasn’t sure who was watching it, if it was the same people or occasionally someone would look to see if it had recorded anything. Seeker made me think it wasn’t often enough to draw attention if I moved it. Turning it was for the best, for now.