Page 89 of No More Lies

“Alright.” Sam stepped forward. “Get the names of those judges and dig into them quietly. See if there is anything that Volkov could use as leverage. I’ll speak to Dale, see if he can speak to each of them. Find out what they know about Volkov from being a member of the same club. If he does have leverage on one of them, he might still try and use it to get out of the US.”

The team nodded in agreement.

“He’s smart. He’ll know we’ll be watching airports,” Sam said. “My guess is he will be taking a private jet. Kelly, divert some more of your team to find that jet, in case he gets that far. Once he’s in Russia, it will be way harder to get to him, and he knows it.”

“No extradition,” Steve muttered in barely more than a whisper. What if he took Diane with him?

Sam nodded. “No extradition. That doesn’t mean we wouldn’t get clearance to go get him. But it would take time. I’d rather not have any of you going into Russia to pull him out, so let’s find Diane and find him before he gets on a plane.”

“Steve, we’ve got this,” Dex said.

“Yeah?” Dropping his arms, Steve faced his team leader, his frustration rising. “We have no clue where he is. Why he’s even taken Diane. We know he’s going to want to leave San Diego before the attack, but that could happen any time. Let’s face it, we have nothing!”

His voice had risen, and his team were all staring at him. He didn't care.

“If he touches one hair on Diane’s head, I swear he will pay,” he vowed. “If he makes it to Russia, I am going there and dragging his fucking ass back here.” Steve finished through clenched teeth.

“Donnie, take Steve to cool down,” Sam ordered.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Steve snapped.

“Yeah, we are,” Donnie said. “Come on.”

Steve let Donnie lead him out of the war room, up into what they had named the ‘guest quarters’ of Onyx. This was the only part of the facility where visitors were allowed. It looked like just another naval office on base. Bland. A boardroom table and chairs. Coffee machine with paper cups. No one knew the extent of the Onyx facility beyond it except those with the highest possible clearance.

“Steve, I can’t imagine what you’re feeling but you know the team are doing everything they can.”

He accepted the coffee Donnie had just poured. “I know.” He took a sip and sat down at the boardroom table. “It’s just not enough. The bastard is clever, but he’s also desperate. Desperate people do desperate things.” He covered his face with his hands briefly before sitting back. “Diane finally opened up to me last night. Told me what’s wrong.”

“You mean other than Volkov?”

“She’s been unhappy for months. I knew it, and I did nothing. I’m supposed to be her husband. Take care of her. I fucked up, Donnie. Big time.”

“You did know something was wrong. You told me you tried to talk to her, and she said it was just work.”

“I should have pushed harder. My gut said it was something more, but I kept putting it off. She said she feels like a failure, unseen. That everything is about me and my job. Worst of all, she said she’s felt so alone.” Steve shook his head. “And now she’s alone again.” Fuck, that word alone was haunting him.

“Shit. I’m sorry, man. You guys aren't splitting, are you?” he asked with genuine concern.

“No. I refuse to let that happen. I love her and despite everything, she said she loves me.”

“Then you’ll get through this. I’m sure it can't have been easy with this Volkov situation on top of everything.” Donnie took a seat opposite him.

“I handled this all wrong, too. I was so angry at first. Practically accused her of putting Megan’s life in danger to keep her job.” Steve sighed. “I’m a fucking asshole.”

“Come on man. We all say shit when we’re upset and angry. You will work this out.”

He closed his eyes. They had to find them. Once they knew where Diane and the others were being held, Raven could do what they did best and execute a rescue mission. His phone rang. Video call. Not recognizing the number, he answered. His daughter’s beautiful face came into view.

“Hi, Daddy. Uncle Dex called and said I could video you.” She beamed.

Steve smiled. That was just like his team leader.

“Since when do you have a phone, young lady?’ he asked teasingly, seeing Donnie leave the room.

***

DIANE WASN’T SURE HOW long she had sat there crying, crumpled against the door, when she felt someone kneel beside her.

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