Page 99 of The Atlas Maneuver

And he knew for what.

Clearing the playing field.

Her phone began to vibrate.

She answered, listened a moment, spoke in Japanese, then ended the call.

“One of my assets,” she said. “The one at the airport. They missed him. He was answering my call. We need to get to him.”

CHAPTER 55

CASSIOPEIA CHANGED BACK INTO DRY CLOTHES. THEY’D FLED THE LAKEand headed straight to Citrone’s villa. Koger was keeping an eye on Citrone, ever mindful of the fact that their newfound ally did not have a trustworthy bone in his body. After everything they’d learned, she was more concerned than ever about Cotton. He was flying blind into a hurricane. Problem was, Citrone had no idea what was happening in Morocco, only that the CIA was there. She found her phone and dialed Cotton’s number.

He answered after the third ring.

“You okay?” she asked.

“Gettin’ by. A lot happening.”

“Same here.”

And she told him about the day’s events.

“You took a risk going into that water,” he said.

“It was the only way to flush Citrone out. Of course, I had no idea he’d go to the lengths he did. But I was ready.”

“I’m sure you were.”

She loved the fact that he didn’t criticize or lecture her. He knew she didn’t need protecting, just supporting.

“Citrone says the CIA is there,” she said.

“We’ve already determined that,” he told her. “But it would be nice to know what they’re planning.”

“He swears he’s in the dark, but we’ll keep working on him. The problem is he’s a pathological liar.”

“Koger will shoot him. The guy’s a loose cannon sometimes.”

“As I’m learning. What are you going to do?” she asked.

“I’m not sure. We’re making this up as we go. Keep me posted if there’s anything else I need to know.”

“Be careful.” She had to say it.

“Same to you.”

“I always am.”

The call ended.

She did not like that he was in danger, but realized trust was a two-way street and she couldn’t make things better for him, just as he couldn’t for her.

They were both on their own.

She left the bedroom and walked to Citrone’s room, where Koger was standing watch as their host showered and changed clothes in the bathroom with the door nearly closed.

“I have his phone,” Koger said to her. “And I told him that I’ll put that bullet in his head if he tries anything. You hear that, Rob? A friggin’ bullet right between your eyes.”

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