Next Exit, Use Caution

by CW Browning

  “I have no idea. That’s still a mystery.”

  Damon frowned thoughtfully.

  “You said Jordan Murphy was a member of your brother’s outfit, right?”

  “That’s right.”

  “And we know Dave was killed by someone over in Iraq,” he said slowly. “Is it possible Kyle met the person who killed your brother along the way?” He shook his head almost immediately. “No. That wouldn’t make any sense. Why would the topic even come up?”

  Alina leaned back and turned to look at him.

  “There’s something else,” she said, her voice low. “When I was looking for his file, I came across another one.”

  Damon raised an eyebrow questioningly.

  “Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this?”

  “Kyle wasn’t one of us, but Dave was.”

  Hawk stared at her, his face suddenly impassive.

  “Say that again?”

  Alina sighed and rubbed her eyes.

  “Trust me, I’m still trying to wrap my head around it,” she muttered. “Charlie got hold of him while he was in Iraq. Those letters from him to John? Dave was investigating all that for Charlie. It’s in his file. When the tour was over, Dave was scheduled to move into an intelligence slot until his enlistment was up, then on to the training facility.”

  Hawk was silent for a long moment before he drained his beer and leaned forward to set the empty bottle next to her glass. He sat back, stretching his legs out, and laid his head back.

  “What you’re saying is that Charlie knew he had a problem twelve years ago,” he muttered.

  “I think so. When Dave was killed, he lost his lead.”

  Hawk stared up at the ceiling silently, his lips drawn into a grim line.

  “Everything was fine until John resurrected the investigation,” said Alina after a few moments of silence. “Once he started poking the bear, it woke up. I have the letters, but without the attachments, it’s impossible to figure out who we’re after.”

  Hawk turned his head to look at her, his gaze shuttered.

  “This is where I can help,” he said slowly. “I might know something about that.”

  She raised an eyebrow, foreboding stealing through her at the look in his eyes.

  “What?”

  Instead of answering, Damon reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out an envelope.

  “While you were hacking that firewall today, I went to search Kyle’s hotel room,” he said, handing it to her. “I found this.”

  Alina frowned and took the envelope, turning it over. A cold chill went down her spine at the sight of her codename scrawled across the front. She glanced at Hawk and pulled out the single sheet of paper, reading it swiftly. Shock rolled through her as she read, and when she finished, she raised her eyes to his.

  “John had a safe deposit box?” she whispered, her throat feeling tight.

  Damon hesitated for a second, then nodded slowly.

  “Yes.”

  Alina stilled at the way he said that one word. Staring at him, she slowly sat up.

  “You knew,” she stated.

  “Yes.”

  “How?”

  “You’re not going to like it,” Hawk warned softly.

  Viper stared back at him, her face impassive.

  “Tell me.”

  “I found the rest of the contents in Stephanie’s bedroom closet.”

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Stephanie looked up when she heard the agent speaking outside her door. Blake had left about twenty minutes before to take Buddy out and grab his laptop from the house. She’d been reading through old case files connected to the Casa Reinos while he was gone, trying to familiarize herself with the deadly cartel. She paused to listen now as Lou spoke to another man outside her door. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Lou sounded almost in awe.

  “I’ll have to see your identification,” he was saying apologetically. “I’m sure you understand.”

  The answer was muffled and unintelligible, but the voice was deep. Her attention caught, Stephanie stopped trying to read what was on her screen and instead strained to hear the conversation.

  “Thank you, sir,” Lou was saying, “I’ll just tell her you’re...”

  He was interrupted by that low voice again, and a shadow fell across the doorway. Stephanie raised her eyebrows questioningly as a man stepped into the room, waving Lou away.

  “I’ll just introduce myself,” he said over his shoulder. “No need for you to leave your post.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The man turned his attention into the room, and Stephanie found herself staring into a pair of piercing brown eyes. The man was tall, at least six foot, bald, and had the distinct bearing of ex-military. He carried a cane in his left hand and as she watched, he leaned on it, studying her.

  “Agent Walker?”

  “Yes.” Stephanie closed her laptop. “And you are...?”

  The man smiled faintly and moved into the room towards her.

  “You can call me Harry. That’s what everyone calls me.”

  Stephanie gasped.

  “Wait!” she exclaimed suddenly, recognition dawning in her eyes. “You’re–”

  “Yes, yes,” he cut her off, waving his hand as if he could wave away his name. “Call me Harry. Do you mind if I sit?”

  Stephanie swallowed and leaned over to put her laptop on the table beside her.

  “Please do.” She pulled herself up higher against the pillows piled behind her and watched as Harry lowered his bulk into the chair beside the bed. “I’m sorry I’m a mess,” she said, running a hand through her hair self-consciously.

  Harry looked at her, a smile playing about his lips.

  “How’s the leg?” he asked.

  “It’s fine,” Stephanie said, bemused. “How did you know?”

  “I’m familiar with the situation,” he said, leaning his cane against the arm of the chair. He studied her thoughtfully. “You’re very lucky. I understand it came close to nicking the artery.”

  “Yes, it did.” Stephanie stared back at him for a moment, then took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, but what are you doing here?”

  She inwardly winced at her own bluntness, but Harry smiled.

  “I’ve been following your career for some time now,” he said, crossing his legs and sitting back as her jaw dropped open. “You needn’t look so surprised. You’re one hell of an investigator. It was bound to get my attention.”

  “Thank you?” she ventured.

  He nodded.

  “However, that’s not why I’m here. I’m here to discuss a topic close to, I think, both our hearts. I’m sorry about your partner, by the way. Agent Smithe, wasn’t it?”

  She nodded mutely, her mind clamoring to keep up with him.

  “My sincere condolences. It’s never easy losing a partner. I wish I could say it gets better with time, but that’s not the case.” Harry shook his head and glanced toward the door. “What’s the agent’s name out there?” he asked suddenly.

  Stephanie blinked.

  “Lou.”

  “Lou!”

  Harry bellowed toward the door, making Stephanie start. Lou’s head appeared around the door instantly.

  “Sir?”

  “Close the door and don’t let anyone disturb us. We won’t be long.”

  Lou nodded and reached in to grab the door handle, pulling it closed behind him.

  “There. Now we won’t be interrupted,” said Harry, settling back in the chair.

  “You said you wanted to discuss something?”

  He nodded.

  “Yes. Well, more a someone. Alina Maschik.”

  Stephanie stared at him, her heart pounding. Harry looked relaxed enough in the chair, but she was uncomfortably aware of his sharp gaze studying her every expression. How did he know about Alina? More importantly, should he know about Alina? Someone already knew too much about the assassin. The man sitting across from
her was very well known all over the country, by name if not necessarily by sight. He was the Assistant Director of Homeland Security, a national hero, and had been in Washington long enough to become a household name. Why was he in her hospital room asking about Viper?

  Harry sighed faintly.

  “I can see you have some concerns. I suppose that’s understandable. Perhaps I should explain.”

  “Please do,” Stephanie said, reaching for her water bottle.

  “You know who I am, which means you know what my current position is?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Before I held my current position, I was, among other things, an instructor,” Harry told her. “I trained Viper.”

  Stephanie's mouth dropped open and she stared at him, stunned.

  “You...you mean...” she stammered.

  “So you see, I probably know more about her than you do at this point. Your loyalty is commendable, but misplaced in this instance. I assure you, we both have the same interests at heart.”

  “How did you know...?”

  Harry grinned.

  “I read people, my dear,” he said gently. “It’s what I do. You were wondering if I should know anything about Alina. You were weighing my identity against the fact that you know someone tried to kill her at John’s funeral, and you were wondering if you can trust me.”

  Stephanie gulped down some water, flustered at how accurate his evaluation was.

  “Guilty as charged.”

  “I believe we both have her best interest in mind, and that is why I’m here,” said Harry, the smile fading from his face. “How much do you know?”

  She shook her head.

  “Not much,” she admitted. “Only that someone leaked her identity, and she was chased out of Europe a few weeks ago. This week a sniper tried to take her out at John’s funeral. Whoever leaked her information knew she would be there.”

  “Quite.” Harry was silent for a moment, studying her. “Now tell me what you think,” he finally instructed.

  Stephanie raised her eyebrows.

  “What?”

  “Come now, Ms. Walker,” he said. “You’re an intelligent woman. I know you have some thoughts of your own. What are they?”

  Stephanie considered him thoughtfully for a moment, then sighed.

  “I don’t know what to think. Alina doesn’t tell me much, for obvious reasons. I don’t know anything about her work, nor do I want to. If someone’s leaking identities at that level, it has to be someone in the government who has some serious security clearance. I know I can’t get past her military dates of service when I look her up. The fact they showed up at John’s funeral means they knew she would be there, so they know about us and where she came from. Hell, they must know she’s in Jersey.”

  Harry nodded slowly.

  “Agreed on all points. I’d like to add a thought, if I may. Her location may have become obvious when the two of you worked together to prevent that attack a few weeks ago. The terrorists who planned it are known to Viper, and Viper is known to them.”

  “You think that’s when it happened?” Stephanie asked, her brows drawn together thoughtfully. “You think that’s when they pinpointed Jersey?”

  Harry shrugged.

  “I think it’s a possibility. Right now, everything is possible until proven otherwise. That’s why I’m here.”

  Stephanie raised an eyebrow.

  “What do you mean?”

  “We’re working around the clock to find the leak. However, I’m not convinced Viper is safe, even here. As you said, they’re now aware of New Jersey and her ties here. We need to make sure her location is not compromised anymore.”

  Stephanie stared at him.

  “How do we do that?”

  “We work together, Ms. Walker, until the threat is gone. You’re in a position to help me protect her.”

  “How?”

  “Whoever’s behind this seems to know where she will be before she goes there,” Harry said slowly. “If we can predict where she will be, I can have surveillance ready to go. Perhaps, just perhaps, we can reverse the tables and catch them before they kill her.”

  Stephanie scowled.

  “You want me to spy on my best friend?” she demanded.

  Harry shrugged.

  “If that’s how you want to interpret it. Personally, I look at it as possibly saving her life.”

  “Oh, please. Be serious,” she muttered.

  “I am. Deadly serious.”

  Stephanie looked up, startled by the tone in his voice.

  “Ms. Walker, you have to understand that we’re working against an invisible enemy, a ghost,” he told her grimly. “If we don’t find him before he finds Viper, she will die. Do you understand? It isn’t a possibility, it’s a fact. They won’t stop until she’s dead.”

  Stephanie stared at him in silence for a long moment, her skin prickling with goosebumps at the thought. Finally, she sighed silently.

  “Tell me what you need me to do.”

  Fury surged through Viper, hot and fierce, propelling her off the sofa and across the room. She reached the mantel, then turned to pace angrily to the sliding doors and back again. Hawk watched her, loathe to say anything that might set off the powder keg.

  “So Agent Walker’s been keeping secrets,” she hissed, turning to do another lap. “Why the hell would she do that?”

  Damon was silent as she stalked back.

  “What did you find?” Viper demanded, turning to pin him with a sharp look.

  “A mix of things,” he replied. “There was some cash, all his personal identification papers, a Beretta with some spare ammo; things you’d find in a safe, or safe deposit box.”

  “That’s it?”

  Hawk met her gaze steadily.

  “There was also an engagement ring.”

  That startled her and Viper’s mask cracked.

  “An engage–” She stopped, then cleared her throat. “Was it white gold with a twisted band?”

  He nodded slowly and she shook her head.

  “Damn fool,” she muttered. “Why the hell did he keep it?”

  “Maybe he wasn’t ready to let go,” Damon suggested softly. “I know I wouldn’t be.”

  Alina looked across the table and met his blue eyes. Her flare of anger dissipated with those words and she felt her body sag. She sighed and walked back to the couch, sinking onto the cushion beside him.

  Without a word, Damon put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him, resting her head on his strong shoulder. The heat from his body enveloped her and Alina felt the tension flow out of her. She leaned against him silently for a few moments, content to absorb the strength and comfort he offered.

  “If Stephanie cleaned out John’s box, how the hell did Kyle get his hard-drive?” she finally broke the silence.

  “I don’t know.”

  She sat up and looked at him.

  “What made you search her house?”

  “I told you, I don’t trust anyone right now. Someone knows too much about you. I wanted to make sure she was clean. As it turns out, she wasn’t.”

  Alina’s eyes narrowed and her lips tightened. In a moment, the look passed and Hawk knew Viper had set the emotion aside. There was no time for it. She would deal with Stephanie later.

  “And now Kyle’s left it for me,” she said, picking up the discarded letter. “I wonder how he got it, and if Stephanie even knows it’s gone.”

  Hawk glanced at the letter.

  “He cracked it,” he said. “He said you’re the only one he trusts with what’s on it. Whatever it is, it’s big enough that Kyle realized how dangerous it is.”

  Viper looked at him.

  “If it’s the missing attachments,” she said softly, “they hold the key to bringing down the bastard trying to kill us all.”

  Hawk’s eyes met hers.

  “What’s the plan?” he asked simply.

  “We do what we do best. We do our job.”

/>   Epilogue

  Washington, DC

  A black SUV pulled to a stop at the curb, and the engine idled for a moment before shutting down. The driver’s door opened and a detective climbed out, a large paper cup of coffee in one hand. Flashing lights lit up the street and several neighbors crowded on their front porches, watching the show unfolding before them. The detective shook his head and slammed the door, rounding the front of the vehicle to walk up the driveway and towards the hub of all the activity. Why did these things always happen just when he was about to sit down and relax? The call came in just as he’d settled onto his couch to binge-watch the last season of Game of Thrones.

  He held up his badge for the local police officer standing guard.

  “Evening,” he said.

  “Good evening,” the police officer replied, glancing at his badge. “Go ahead. He’s around back.”

  The detective nodded and ducked under the crime scene tape, striding around the side of the house to the back. He was greeted by a bevy of activity. His forensics team was already there, securing the area, while one of their medical examiners knelt beside a prone figure on the grass.

  “What do you have, Frank?” the detective asked.

  The medical examiner glanced up.

  “Hi Joe,” he greeted him. “Sorry about Game of Thrones.”

  Joe grinned.

  “Who told you?”

  “Carl mentioned it,” Frank said, motioning to one of the forensics team. “He said you’d be pissed to be pulled out again.”

  “I’m not happy, but I hadn’t started yet,” said Joe, pulling on latex gloves. “So what am I looking at?”

  “It’s pretty straight-forward,” Frank said, getting to his feet. “He came out of the house to take the trash down. On his way back, someone stabbed him. The blade went in just below his sternum and pierced his heart. It’s a very precise wound.”

  Joe looked at him, frowning.

  “Same as Dominic DiBarcoli?” he asked sharply.

  Frank nodded.

  “I was wondering if you’d recognize it,” he said. “I won’t know for sure until I get him on the table, but it appears to be the same. Since that murder is still unsolved, I know you’ll want my report as soon as possible. I’ll get it to you as soon as I’m finished.”